Answers
Dec 27, 2011 - 10:56 PM
Although I am using Fluenz as my primary method of language learning, I can definitely say that using an additional software would never be a hinderance. In the end, utilizing an additional resource will only serve as a way of clarifying and reinforcing what you are currently learning in class.
In terms of choosing a software -- well that's a difficult question at first, however, after you start looking around you will quickly notice that Fluenz is the best choice on the market. This is for several reasons. Look at the biggest competitor at the moment, Rosetta Stone. Your choice here is being taught like a child versus being taught, and treated, as an adult. Fluenz offers explanations on grammer, sentence structure, how to actually communicate effectively while Rosetta Stone will teach you to repeat robotic-sounding phrases while giving you a generic grasp of the language.
If you are looking for a reinforcing software, one that will push your French capabilities further than a generic classroom experience could offer, then I whole-heartedly recommend Fluenz!
In terms of choosing a software -- well that's a difficult question at first, however, after you start looking around you will quickly notice that Fluenz is the best choice on the market. This is for several reasons. Look at the biggest competitor at the moment, Rosetta Stone. Your choice here is being taught like a child versus being taught, and treated, as an adult. Fluenz offers explanations on grammer, sentence structure, how to actually communicate effectively while Rosetta Stone will teach you to repeat robotic-sounding phrases while giving you a generic grasp of the language.
If you are looking for a reinforcing software, one that will push your French capabilities further than a generic classroom experience could offer, then I whole-heartedly recommend Fluenz!
Dec 28, 2011 - 07:30 PM
I have used Tell Me More and Fluenz extensively and Rosetta Stone a little bit. Tell Me More was very good at teaching vocabulary and has interesting games to keep you interested, but after the more basic levels they haven't explained any grammar so it becomes very difficult to go on so I quite at level 4 (they have 12 levels i think or maybe 10) and switched to Fluenz. Fluenz is much better at explaining grammar and teaches you how to put all the vocabulary you know together and make complex sentences. This is talking from learning Spanish, French might be different but not much.
Dec 29, 2011 - 12:14 AM
Thank you for responding to my question. I appreciate it. Yes, I have tried the demo for Rosetta Stone as well as read some reviews about Rosetta Stone and it is not all that good. Which I tried the extensive demo in Autumn 2009, Rosetta Stone only have the picture-word association format, but was not teaching me grammar or anything-just only the word. I have tried the demo several times, and I felt that is not working for me. I contacted Rosetta Stone by email this past week because I was concern of which French software that I should use in conjunction in taking French 102 because in January 2012, I want to review lessons for French 101 and be able work on formulating my own sentence and learning how to speak French, and they honestly told me that their product was for self-use and not for educational use meaning not use for a supplement or for college students. Then, I read reviews about piracy laws, and bad customer service with Rosetta Stone because I used the demo multiple times for two years, it kept freezing my computer and was attempting to crash my computer and also Rosetta Stone was trying to convince me to buy their product. Now, with Auralog Tell Me More, I tried the demo both by their website (the 7-day trial) and the demo CD rom, at first, I did not understand what I was doing, and the program does not teaches grammar and expects me-the learner/user to know it. When I was pronouncing the words or sentences, the program made me feel uncomfortable and an underachiever because it did not catch my pronouncation. When,I tried the product again using their 7-day trial, I just felt uncomfortable using the program and made confused and not being able to accomplished something when learning French. I was dissatified with Auralog Tell Me More, especially with the speech recognition because I said the world correctly, but the computer either did not pick up the word and/or felt I got wrong. For French, I have tried Transparent Languages-Biki edition from my library and it was merely based on flash cards and that was no help to me. I tried Rocket French 6-day trial and it was kinda nice, but I need more ways to learn the language other than listening and speaking. I have also tried LiveMocha. Someone recommend me to it. I tried the French Active Course trial for five days and it was somewhat good until people could not understand what I was saying and after 5 days, you have to pay $149 a month and I do not have that kind of money. But their basic french course is not all that good, like Transparent languages-biki edition, it is mostly flashcards. I have also tried Mango Languages demo French it is good, but you are not able to form sentences and it is for only for conventional speakers-people that want to travel. I also tried the Living Languages demo, I felt it was like Rocket French. I am not sure with Living Language, it is like new to me. I dont know if their product is a software, an audio course, or an online course or both. I am not sure and they kinda of were not able to explain in-depth to me. Now, Ouino French, I tried their demo and it is good with the verbs and vocab. They do explain things in English. They are also on YouTube as well. But, they do not have enough writing and listening activities. They only have fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, and/or picture-association from the examples that the programs gives you when you are learning a concept. I am looking for a French software that can help me make more complex sentences and learning/conjugate verbs and apart from simple sentences such as "J'aime ecouter la radio.," "J'ai faim," "Je habite a Etats-Uni," or "Je est intelligente." or "Je fait la lessive." or "Je va travailler." I want to make more complex sentences than those simpler sentences above and learn/conjugate French verbs, and then I want something that can be able to correspond to my textbook, if applicable. I have other French resources that I am using such as "French in Action," "Standard Deviants-French series," educational videos, BBC Language French website, TV 5 Monde, BBC primary French website, watching a french program called "C'est pas Sorcier," and etc. I want to be able to speak and write sentences beyond what I am learning in the classroom as well as learning verbs and conjugate verbs, and my professor (I will have the same professor for French 102) does not explain the information that well and the tutor is not that enthuasic of French. She keeps looking at me at what I want to do in French hours or days after I sent out an email explaining the topics that I want to learn and she will run out of the tutoring room or play on her phone or make calls on her phone, or uses the computer when I am completing a french exercise or assignments for French. I also want to learn more words and grammar than what the professor is teaching in class. He would sometimes not go over any of the concepts and expects the students to read them because when the quizzes, homework assignment, mid-term exam, and final exams comes, it is like I cannot do it or I have to make up a sentence in French. So, I want to find and pick the right for myself that has everything I am looking for, I am also wanting a software that is friendly to those with a learning disability and that are also multi-learners (using more than one way to study).
P.S: Auralog Tell Me More has all 10 levels for Spanish, Italian, French, German, and English. It only has 3 levels for Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and Dutch. But they do have different types of packages (2-level set, 5-level set, 10-level set, 10-2 level set, webpass for the mac, and business level) for Spanish. Italian, French, German, and English.
P.S: Auralog Tell Me More has all 10 levels for Spanish, Italian, French, German, and English. It only has 3 levels for Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and Dutch. But they do have different types of packages (2-level set, 5-level set, 10-level set, 10-2 level set, webpass for the mac, and business level) for Spanish. Italian, French, German, and English.
Dec 29, 2011 - 12:17 AM
Yes, I am looking for a software that can reinforce what I am learning in the classroom, outside of the classroom as well as teach me how to write complex sentences in French beyond simple sentences, learn more French vocabulary, and learn and conjugate French verbs. I want to be able to speak, write, read, listen, and understand French. For more information. see my previous comment dated:"December 29th at 12:14AM." Thank you.