Berlitz Communicate & Connect French

Rating:
Summary: Buyer beware of Syracuse Language products
Review: This review deals not so much with this CD-ROM as with its producer, Syracuse Language. I have two Syracuse Language CD-ROMs, for French and Italian, purchased a couple of years ago. I rated them as fair, until we upgraded to Windows XP. We were not surprised when the CDs no longer worked, but we were surprised at Syracuse's attitude when we called them about upgrades. We were told that they were no longer making language CD-ROMS (a statement that this listing on amazon would tend to belie) and that no upgrades or any other assistance were available to us. No apologies for the inconvenience, no thanks for our past business. I am not the most technical, computer savvy person around but, to me, this is like buying a book and then having the ink disappear after two years.

In short, I would caution against investing in Syracuse Language products (which also go by "Knowledge Adventure" and "Sierra") as the support for products is not there.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This software was extremely helpful in my journey to speak French. I had always trusted Berlitz and their fine, effective techniques in teaching new languages. It was easier for me to decide which of the many programs to use because of the high reviews from my peers.
The fun,lively backgrounds and real life experiences made the experiences all the more enjoyable. The interactive persona who guide you through the directions makes this a easy to learn software. This an excellent way to learn the new steps to a language! It provides excellent grammar, vocabulary, and feedback!

Rating:
Summary: Confusing
Review: This software, first of all, was easy to install. The microphone was hard to set up to your voice, and had to be readjusted every time a new user came on. I found it easier to use the microphone included with my computer, which runs Windows Me.

Berlitz does not start you off with basics, and it is very boring! It immediatly starts asking you to say words, without first teaching you to pronouce sounds correctly! Their "sound wave" feature, which allows you to compare your sound waves with the native speaker's, is useless. I found my waves were completetly different! It was frustrating. After Lesson 1, they start you saying words far more complicated than Bonjour, etc. I suggest French for Dummies or some other more basic program instead of this. Unless you live in France and/or have to speak French daily, don't get this program!