Rating: 
Summary: Never worked, tech support agrees
Review: I was really looking forward to this software after all the glowing reviews. Unfortunately, I could never get it to install and run correctly. I tried 5 PCs, 3 operating systems, and all the generous support the publisher provided. I'm a Microsoft professional, so it wasn't a dumb user to blame. Tech support said they had known issues with version 8.0 and said I should send for a refund. I hope they get it corrected.
Rating:
Summary: Can't be installed
Review: I would advise anyone at this point not to buy this product. The product itself might be very good, but I'll never know after finding that it cannot be installed on either of my two computers. I called The Learning Company for technical support, and they admitted that this has happened to thousands of people. They haven't yet found out what the problem is, but they said they would notify me. It's been well over a week since then, and I have not heard from them. I guess I'm just stuck with the hassle of sending it back and waiting for a refund. Save your money and don't buy this product!
Rating: 
Summary: evaluation of new software
Review: Iam new customer, i am very interested to have this software entiltled " Learn to Speak French". For me to evaluate and/or review this product I would like to ship me a demo CD om my follwing address:
Tripoli, Libya
Waha Oil company-Planning Department
Po.box395
Ali.H.Alsudany
Rating:
Summary: evaluation of new software
Review: Iam new customer, i am very interested to have this software entiltled " Learn to Speak French". For me to evaluate and/or review this product I would like to ship me a demo CD om my follwing address:
Tripoli, Libya
Waha Oil company-Planning Department
Po.box395
Ali.H.Alsudany
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't work with Windows NT or 2000!
Review: In general, this isn't that great a tool for learning French. I gave it a decent rating, however, based on its one redeeming feature, the speech-recognition feature. This feature is an excellent tool for practicing pronunciation of French.In the "Vocabulary" section, you have a list of words that you can click on to hear a native French speaker speak the word. You also have a needle-style gauge with buttons for record and playback. You hit the record button, pronounce the word, and the gauge shows how well you did, from "tourist" to "native". This might not be an optimal tool for honing your accent, because it doesn't give you any indication of what you're doing wrong. It's an excellent tool otherwise, because it allows you to practice endlessly and because it gives you decent feedback. I had already had explanations of what shape your mouth should be for pronouncing certain things and the difference between the 'ou' sound in vous and the 'u' sound in tu. If you can get that, and if you have a decent ear, you can accomplish a lot with this software. Anecdotal evidence: I used this software for about half an hour to an hour a day for about six months before moving on to instruction that involved real people. Everyone that I spoke to in French told me that I sound like a native French speaker. Disclaimer: as with anything in life, you'll only get out of it what you put into it. Your mileage may vary.
Rating: 
Summary: Great tool to hone your accent
Review: In general, this isn't that great a tool for learning French. I gave it a decent rating, however, based on its one redeeming feature, the speech-recognition feature. This feature is an excellent tool for practicing pronunciation of French. In the "Vocabulary" section, you have a list of words that you can click on to hear a native French speaker speak the word. You also have a needle-style gauge with buttons for record and playback. You hit the record button, pronounce the word, and the gauge shows how well you did, from "tourist" to "native". This might not be an optimal tool for honing your accent, because it doesn't give you any indication of what you're doing wrong. It's an excellent tool otherwise, because it allows you to practice endlessly and because it gives you decent feedback. I had already had explanations of what shape your mouth should be for pronouncing certain things and the difference between the 'ou' sound in vous and the 'u' sound in tu. If you can get that, and if you have a decent ear, you can accomplish a lot with this software. Anecdotal evidence: I used this software for about half an hour to an hour a day for about six months before moving on to instruction that involved real people. Everyone that I spoke to in French told me that I sound like a native French speaker. Disclaimer: as with anything in life, you'll only get out of it what you put into it. Your mileage may vary.
Rating:
Summary: Will not run
Review: Installed and reinstalled programs in an attempt to get it run. Failed to work properly created error messages. Tried on two computers with same results. Very dissappointing!
Rating:
Summary: Learn to Speak French 8.01
Review: It was easy to install but I could not run it until I called the support. I did not have the problems that I read others have had with talking to them. The girl I spoke with was very helpful, and walked me through editing the registry. The program is now running. I have not had too much time to use it, but what I have seen and used so far is great. This is a very easy to use program. They just need to get this error resolved so people don't have to call or visit thier web site to get it fixed.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good!
Review: It's a pretty good program over all and pretty easy to use!
Rating:
Summary: Good - if used as a supplement.
Review: Let me start off by saying that I am a native English speaker, and I am also an ESL teacher. I purchased this program so that I could use it to supplement my classes and give my students some extra practice. It has its up points and down points. Let me explain what I think of this program from a teacher's point of view. THE GOOD: 1) Like other "Learn to Speak" titles I would have to say that its strongest point is helping students learn vocabulary and pronunciation. It has some good vocabulary lists, a gauge that allows students to see how their recorded pronunciation compares to a native speaker, and wonderful simulated conversations that allow learners to practice English in a very life like manner. 2) It has several cultural movies about cities in the United States. They are very enjoyable and teach students about geography, history and U.S. culture while allowing them to practice their listening skills. 3) If students want to study something other than the lessons included on the four CDs, they can download additional lessons from the Internet. It is very easy to do, takes about ten minutes, and there are several topics to choose from. THE BAD: 1) The dictionary is good for nothing except helping students to pronounce words. Since this program is entirely in English, there is no translation for the words. It really is quite a useless dictionary! 2) You can't print anything! I thought it would be nice to print out the words and expressions so that students could take them home to practice them, but alas, you cannot. 3) The program (including instructions) is entirely in English. Don't get me wrong, there are many benefits to this, but if a student is using this for self-study I don't think they will get far before tiring of trying to understand all the English instructions. (For Spanish speakers I would suggest "Hablemos Ingles" from this same company.) 4) This program really is for lower level learners (first and second year.) My advanced students enjoyed the cultural movies, and found the simulated conversations novel, but the rest wasn't helpful to them. 5) If you already have version 7.0, then don't bother upgrading to this one. Only the simulated conversations are better. The movies and lessons seem to be the same - only organized a bit differently and in a more confusing manner. OVERALL: This is a good program if being used to supplement a current course or to give learners extra practice. I wouldn't recommend it for self-study because lower level students might have a hard time with the English instructions, and more advanced students would find it too easy. Definitely don't upgrade from version 7.0! If you are thinking about getting this program I would actually recommend that you get version 7.0 - you can find it for a much cheaper price, it is very nearly the same and it is organized better.
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