Fluenz, established by graduates from Harvard and Cornell Universities, produce foreign language software to help native speakers of English learn to speak another language. They offer a limited range of languages at present, being a small company and their emphasis is on quality not quantity.

Unlike other foreign language programs on the market Fluenz don't offer a cookie cutter program that is easily replicated into other languages. The Fluenz approach is on intimate one to one teaching, as personal as it gets in a computer interface. Each program has hours of specially recorded video to assist you in the learning process.

Fluenz have three French level programs currently available, their third level having just been released in July 2010. As part of my family's intention to learn a foreign language as a subject of our homeschooling program we chose to purchase Fluenz over another major competitor because of the afore mentioned personable approach and a belief in their philosophy of a teacher instructed classroom environment superimposed onto a computer interface.

We found Fluenz a joy to use, even for the kids as long as we oversaw their learning. Installation is easy and straightforward. The on-screen tutor introduces each section and was obviously very intelligent and friendly. After a lesson students overhear a conversation which is then dissected by the tutor. Having a real person onscreen guiding you through each part of the phrase is reassuring, much like a teacher would be in a real classroom. If you are after point, click and respond language learning then there are other options.

Fluenz then allows you to interact with the software by typing in words which makes learning happen at a cognitive level; you take the information in, process and interpret it. At present Fluenz don't believe that speech recognition software is at the level where it is more than a novelty, it gets in the way of, rather than enhances, learning. As a result they have decided not to include it in their programs. I tend to agree, and found their alternative to be effective. You simply record your voice saying a phrase and compare it to native speakers and so improve that way.

Fluenz DVDs also come with a small phrase book and a CD with MP3 files, both handy for on the go refreshers. Their customer support is also exemplary and they have a Facebook page to interact with students. So if you are learning French, check out their site to see how the company and products resonate with you.