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Rating: Summary: Great for refreshing rusty knowledge Review: I can see why a complete beginner would not like this software. I agree that it would be difficult for a beginner to use. The glossary and the grammar instruction are not placed in obvious locations. You end up having to 'stumble across' them. However, once you do find them, they are in fact pretty useful, providing pronunciation for all glossary words and useful examples of grammar. This software would definitely not offer the same benefits as a traditional beginning French class though.
As a supplement to a class, or for those who are rusty in their French, and/or who have grammatical knowledge but who have not had much experience in interacting with those who speak the language and need work on speaking and understanding, I think it's a fantastic resource. It's been at least 10 years since I spoke French, and I found it very helpful to me in regaining my knowledge and in improving my pronunciation. It's a definite winner for those reasons, but it lacks 'user-friendliness'.
Rating: Summary: I'm returning it if that tells you anything. Review: I don't know why I gave it two stars. I guess I felt a little generous. I have been studying French for a little over 4 years and I wanted something really interactive. It's semi-interactive but most of it is just a jumbled mess. The exercies don't go together. There are no themes to choose from. It's hard to learn any new vocabulary when it is all jumbled together. I wouldn't call this instant immersion. I would call it instant confusion.
Rating: Summary: Very good. Review: I really like this software. The fact that it is based on immersion (you hear the language first, and then communicate) is a real advantage of this software. Immersion has been considered the best way to learn a language, that is why spending time in a country is the best way to learn a language. That is what happens with this software, but you don't have to travel to France! It is also very complete as it involves reading, speaking, listening,... It is a great value as well as you receive a very complete package.
Rating: Summary: One star is certainly too generous for this product... Review: Is it just me or is having "long live Parisian Bread" as one of the first things taught to you in a foreign language a little ridiculous? If you want to be thrown into a language -- I guess that's what Topics Entertainment considers "immersion" -- and then randomly learn various words, expressions, etc., without any kind of basic French foundation -- like the alphabet, maybe? -- to build upon or some cumulative-based structure to work with in the process, then you definitely should buy this. Otherwise, forget it--it really is a waste of your money. (Goddamn Best Buy for it's no returns on opened software. Perhaps I'll have some luck on ebay.com HAHA!)
Rating: Summary: One star is certainly too generous for this product... Review: Is it just me or is having "long live Parisian Bread" as one of the first things taught to you in a foreign language a little ridiculous? If you want to be thrown into a language -- I guess that's what Topics Entertainment considers "immersion" -- and then randomly learn various words, expressions, etc., without any kind of basic French foundation -- like the alphabet, maybe? -- to build upon or some cumulative-based structure to work with in the process, then you definitely should buy this. Otherwise, forget it--it really is a waste of your money. (Goddamn Best Buy for it's no returns on opened software. Perhaps I'll have some luck on ebay.com HAHA!)
Rating: Summary: Zero stars should be an option for this product Review: This is the worst software product that I've ever owned, bar none!!! It has no systematic plan of instruction and it thrust the user into language tranlation situations right out of the chute, with out even the slightest preparation. As a primer it is totally worthless. It doesn't begin with an overview of the alphbet, nor a review of basics of French grammar, nor does it deal with the elements of sentence structure. It jumps right into conversational translation without the least bit of preparation. If you are a beginner, steer clear of this product. It's a waste of your time and your money. Never have I encountered a more frustrating software product. Were I the developer, I would not want my name associated with this product.
Rating: Summary: Zero stars should be an option for this product Review: This is the worst software product that I've ever owned, bar none!!! It has no systematic plan of instruction and it thrust the user into language tranlation situations right out of the chute, with out even the slightest preparation. As a primer it is totally worthless. It doesn't begin with an overview of the alphbet, nor a review of basics of French grammar, nor does it deal with the elements of sentence structure. It jumps right into conversational translation without the least bit of preparation. If you are a beginner, steer clear of this product. It's a waste of your time and your money. Never have I encountered a more frustrating software product. Were I the developer, I would not want my name associated with this product.
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