Learning French By Software

Complete French Learning Suite

2009-06-22T03:57:00.000-07:00

In my previous reviews, I have explained the pros and cons of expensive French language suites like Rosetta Stone French 3, Fluenz French and affordable Instant Immersion French, SmartFrench programs.

Now, I will continue with a logical alternative to Rosetta and Fluenz French software. Complete French Learning Suite is almost 4 times cheaper than these but provides almost the same functionality and achieves high quality.

The package consists of 8 different French programs to teach the language comprehensively including listening, speaking, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing.

The highlights : Over 65,000 French words and their translations. You can study them using the included flashcard program. A comprehensive 4 audio course cd.

A well constructed grammar (Over 300 pages) and vocabulary development program through complete reading texts and exercises.

Ability to compare your speech against native French speakers.

The package also includes a fast French phrases tutor who needs the language mostly for travel purposes.

Read Amazon customer reviews here

French for Children : Bonjour Les Amis 1

2009-04-06T05:48:00.000-07:00

Bonjour Les Amis!, Vol. 1, A nice entertaining French learning DVD for children with lots of French songs and animations.

The main character, Moustache the cat shares the adventures with human and animal friends. Your children will love to repeat the songs and phrases spoken by French natives.

One of the recommended Amazon French education DVDs for young children.

Bonjour Les Amis!, Vol. 1

SmartFrench Cd Rom - High Quality Language Software

2009-03-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

SmartFrench is an affordable alternative to the big French language learning suites like Rosetta Stone French or Fluenz French Suite. I should inform you that this cd rom is highly recommended by native French teachers as well. If you have low budget, it is a favorite buy. Now, I will briefly talk about the features.

The aim of the software is to bring you a level which is enough to understand and use regular daily conversations easily like a native speaker. The language cd covers beginner, intermediate and advanced French learning levels.

There are 19 long video interviews with real people (chef, model, musician etc.) where you watch and learn the grammar and vocabulary step by step. There is accompanying text as well to the videos.

SmartFrench CD-ROM : One of the best selling and top rated Amazon French language products.

Instant Immersion French Deluxe v3.0 - A Cheap Alternative to Rosetta, Fluenz

2009-01-29T01:05:00.000-08:00

If you don't want to spend several hundreds dollars for well established full French language learning suites like Rosetta Stone French or Fluenz French software, Instant Immersion French Deluxe v3.0 is a suitable alternative with its super affordable price of $28.

The French language learning system consists of the essential skills in vocabulary, grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing sections. More than 300 hours of instruction is quite good for a cheap software. Voice recognition support is important because you can track your pronunciation progress compared to a native speaker.

There are two great bonus materials besides the instruction software. One of them is a mystery solving interactive game, Who is Oscar Lake? and 5 cds of audio listening companion.

The topics are well separated in sections like at the restaurant, on the phone, a business meeting, greetings, shopping, travel and hotels conversations etc.

Overall it is an affordable, well developed and structured French learning software.

Buy Instant Immersion French Deluxe v3.0

First 1000 Words with Pictures in French

2009-01-29T00:17:00.000-08:00

French is spoken by around 128 million people as first or second language. Around 72 million people as well know this beautiful romance language with limitations. It is never late to start learning this popular language.

Getting the most important vocabulary is so important for any language learning process. First Thousand Words in French book provides these words with large, colorful photos in various theme categories like the kitchen, travel, the park, etc. There is a glossary/dictionary at the end of the book for fast review. All female or masculine articles are added in front of the words as well.

Suitable both young French language learners and adults.

Buy First Thousand Words in French Book

First Words in French for Babies Audio CD

2009-01-29T00:03:00.000-08:00

Actually, this blog is about French language learning programs, but I have decided to inform my readers about the high quality French learning books, audio cds as well. Baby's First Words in French was created by linguistic experts who know that babies grab a language easier than adults just by hearing sounds, songs and rhymes.

I am sure your baby will enjoy this 60 minutes cd. You can sing along with your baby using lyrics sheet. There is a companion language learning guide book which explains how children learn languages.

All songs, stories and words are pronounced by native French speakers.

Buy Baby's First Words in French

Fluenz French 1 and 2 - A Good Competitor to Rosetta Stone

2008-12-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

I was wondering why there were only a few products which teaches a language on a professional comprehensive level eventhough the software market for languages had emerged long time ago.

2008 was a rewarding year for language learning enthusiasts because of the release of Rosetta Stone French Version 3 and Fluenz French Learning Suite.

I had reviewed Rosetta Stone in my previous article and myself use it to learn French. It is an excellent program which imitates how a baby learns a language, which is titled as dynamic immersion.

On the other hand, Fluenz uses English language (Most people know it on the level which is enough to learn a new language) as a leverage for French learning process. These technique is useful when you go slowly learning every aspect of previous chapters.

So, what it makes Fluenz a real competitor to Rosetta Stone? It is the amount of detailed lessons, interactivity level with a real tutor named Sonia Gil, videos and the culture lessons which Rosetta lacks of.

The way the lessons are introduced are traditional with reading, writing, conversation practice, vocabulary, grammar and speaking guides. Each element is supported by separate activities after the core lesson. There are 60 sessions of around two and half hours for each.

With the support of English explanations of the teacher, it is more suitable for people who are not much experienced on learning new languages, possibly the first foreign language. It is more suitable for travelers as well who want to learn very essentials first like asking directions, hotel conversations with cultural aspects. As far as I see, Fluenz creators criticize Rosetta Stone French technique and emphasize that French is a tough language to learn. I personally don't agree with that since I can learn it without an extra effort. I know that Finnish or Hungarian are widely considered as the toughest on the other hand.

Overall, a customer can freely choose Fluenz French or Rosetta Stone French. Both are highly qualified, professional programs.

Fluenz French 1+2 Learning Suite Windows, Including DVDs, Audio CDs, Podcasts, and Fluenz Navigator. Next-Generation French Language Learning Software

Rosetta Stone French Version 3 - Amazing Language Software

2008-12-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

There are different language learning techniques for studying at home. The most common ways are to learn by books, audio files or using both. Today's language learning suites perform better than books or audio CDs alone, because they can control your progress and give the complete elements of a language learning which include grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, vocabulary where you can't acquire alone with books or audio cds.

Rosetta Stone is the leader of language learning software market for years and by the release of their latest French 1,2,3 levels software suite they continue to hold the high quality over other software competitors like Fluenz, Tell Me More, Instant Immersion, Berlitz etc.

Rosetta Stone teaches French as the way babies learn any language. I am a Turkish man and already can speak English, Russian fluently before my 30 and continue with Rosetta Stone French 2nd level program. Quite happy until now with my progress. Since I am experienced in language learning process, I can evaluate my progress easily. I only knew a few words before I have started studying these cds.

The technique is basically a mental association of words and images starting with the simple words and building sentences step by step with pronunciation for each image and action.

For a concrete example for this natural technique, check the following related screenshots.

The very first words "une fille" and "un garçon" are spoken with related images and you are expected to simply choose the correct image. It is the start of core lesson.

On the next screen, a certain action is added to our previously learned words. In this example "manger" and "boire" verbs are introduced for the girl and boy with the correct form and you are expected to choose "Le garçon boit" image. These are just the beginning and eventhough you don't understand why there is a change for manger to mange or boire to boit and the additions of le and la, you will intuitively learn the perfect grammar because of the lessons they provide step by step as well as developing vocabulary.

Here is another core lesson example from Beginner Level - Unit 3- Lesson 2 - Grammar

You are expected to choose the correct sentence structure after the speaker pronounce the beginning of it. Le pain a bon gout. (The bread has a good taste). Just checking the girl's face impression. Although I didn't look at the dictionary at all until this lesson, I had already acquired the nouns like the bread, the taste; difference between Le, La, Les; Il a, Elle a etc. and the adjectives like bon, mauvais in previous units.

After finishing core lessons such these, you will have several tests including listening, writing, speaking (with voice recognition), reading etc. activities. You have always chance to pass the tests again and again until you make them 100% for every trial if you prefer. There is a progress bar for each unit and milestones to take review tests. Each unit ends with a complete photo story where you are expected to apply what you have learned mainly in that chapter including the previous units.

It is a really comprehensive program where you will find several thousands of such language learning activities in 3 levels.

Rosetta Stone is used by U.S. Army, NASA, Deutsche Telecom, IKEA, Royal Dutch Shell etc. and thousands of schools worldwide as a main language learning tool.

Simply, if you are serious and highly motivated to learn the language like a native French person, Rosetta Stone is the best software choice. The only concern can be the high price but I compensate the investment by learning French effectively.

Read more customer reviews & Buy at Amazon

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2006-04-11T01:49:00.000-07:00

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