Answers
Jan 06, 2014 - 08:59 PM
I noticed within the course there are several speakers besides Sonia, and several more in the podcasts and audio. In my opinion this gives a variety of accents to listen to, native and non-native. To me I see that as a positive. Additionally, it is my understanding that in level 3, another instructor takes the place of Sonia and she is a native speaker. I also find it helpful sometimes to go to the Shtooka website to hear other native speakers pronunciation, and IM Translator as well. In my opinion all this variety and more is needed along the road to language acquisition. Fluenz is a start, and a good one at that.
Jan 07, 2014 - 11:53 AM
I finished French 5 last year, and was able to tour Paris and Bretagne speaking French. Sonia Gil is the only non-native speaker of French in the program, though I don't recall being horrified by her accent. All the other recorded speakers are French natives; beginning in Level 3, Caroline--a native Parisian--gives the tutorials. I would recommend you continue with the program--I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Jan 07, 2014 - 02:11 PM
Ilbe, for me, I am really disappointed for Fluenz. I brought level 1-3 of Fluenz and also other DVD, books, CD from other companies. Obviously, Fluenz just want to compete with RS which I also have. And Fluenz is the most expensive package BUT I know I have learnt the least from what the programs I have. As I was preparing to move to France two years ago (now I am living in France). I find Fluenz Level 1-3 are only for those people who will go for a short vacation in Paris (only in Paris as they would accept and understand the foreigners speak the not-so-correct way french, not accent but the expression way). Do you think you can really get a service if you say: "I veux un cafe..."
There are lots of free program online and they are very good too.
There are lots of free program online and they are very good too.
Jan 07, 2014 - 03:18 PM
Hi Jlugger. I've read the opinions of many polyglots in the HTLAL forum, and a common thread is that, no single method will teach you a language. Not Fluenz, not Assimil, insert your favorite method and it won't do (well maybe FSI will). I'm hearing over and over that it takes many combinations of materials, methods, grammar and study books, movies, music, and native literature. Immersion if you can get it. I can't imagine someone buying 3 levels of Fluenz would be expecting much more that some travel language. But what I've seen it give in addition to that is some strong early structure. I'm using it as my foundation, and moving onto French in Action next, and meanwhile doing much of what I mentioned above. Hope to follow your footsteps to France one day!
Jan 07, 2014 - 03:26 PM
A further thought on what Fluenz has given me so far - I just finished Level 2, Lesson 8. I watch a French movie with subtitles on average every second night, 19 so far since November 13 when I started. I also have about 12 albums of French music. I'm surprised by how many phrases I recognize for my little amount of time spent thus far. Fluenz gets some credit for that.
Jan 07, 2014 - 11:43 PM
I don't only have Fluenz, I have dozens materials from different companies or producers. I compare my experience of those lessons I got. I also have a private tutor in France. I did not think, ever, to learn a foreigner language by just one DVD, that's impossible. In fact, besides French, I could speak and write three other languages fluently. I was happy for the English explanation by Fleunz DVD 1 but still too basic and too little to learn if, still, compare with other companies. Then I just watch the DVD 2&3 for once and put the whole red box aside. BUT I STILL KEEP reading all my other books and watched the other DVDs but not Fluenz anymore.
Jan 08, 2014 - 04:40 AM
Jlugger: I'm just starting Fluenz French, having never learned any French prior, other than a few curse words I learned from exchange students when I was young. I like the Fluenz approach of starting slow and building a strong foundation of speaking and listening to a variety of language constructs before adding a ton of vocabulary. It has served me well so far with Fluenz German, I currently live in southern Germany near the French border and I am planning to visit France in March for Carnivale.
From what I've seen with Fluenz German, if you've already learned the language in school or with other software, maybe you should have bought Levels 3-5 instead of 1-3, since Levels 1 & 2 are considered the introduction to the language. I've already repeated the first few lessons of Fluenz French Level 1 several times practicing the new sounds both speaking and listening. I think your problem is with your expectations, not the software.
From what I've seen with Fluenz German, if you've already learned the language in school or with other software, maybe you should have bought Levels 3-5 instead of 1-3, since Levels 1 & 2 are considered the introduction to the language. I've already repeated the first few lessons of Fluenz French Level 1 several times practicing the new sounds both speaking and listening. I think your problem is with your expectations, not the software.
Jan 08, 2014 - 07:06 PM
I'm a French native, in what I understood Sonia teaches the first 3 levels and a French native teaches the more advanced levels. I'm learning Fluenz Italian and German. Sonia teaches Italian and I really like her, she's a wonderful teacher. It's not a bad idea to have her teach the first levels of French because it's from an American perspective and as it gets more complicated you'll have a French from France teaching level 4 and 5. As a native from France my advice is to stick with it and don't get caught up in minor pronunciation things. We actually think it's very sexy when an American speaks French! When I go back to France to visit, sometimes I fake an american accent! lol