Fluenz

Launched in 2005 by Sonia Gil, Fluenz is a language learning program offering instruction designed specifically for use by English speakers in several languages:

• Spanish (Latin American or Span)
• French
• Italian
• Mandarin
• German
• Portuguese

Lessons are created by Harvard, Oxford, and MIT grads and are aimed at fluency. They consist of a pre-lesson video explanation, reading, writing, and listening. Rather than Rosetta Stone's immersion approach, Fluenz actually helps people learn by offering part of the instruction and explanations of grammar and syntax in English, so you understand from a theoretical perspective, rather than just visual.

The Fluenz learning platform includes the following:

• Periodic explanations about your language, with hundreds of in-depth video tutorials
• Tips and tricks from an English-speaker's point of view
• Immersive workouts and flashcards

Users can access Fluenz several ways:

• Via the online platform for Mac or PC, available for purchase and immediate download online
• Via mobile device apps for iOS and android
• Via a software order that ships you the program with an installer DVD with fast and free delivery

The app includes syncing between devices, downloadable lessons, podcasts, and flashcards.

Once you pay, you get a lifetime license access to use on all of your mobile devices. Each online purchase comes with a 100 percent money-back guarantee.

Each language consists of five different packages, except for Mandarin, which only has three levels. In general, they can be purchased in bundles or individually:

• $187 per level
• $258 for levels 1 and 2
• $308 for levels 1, 2, and 3
• $320 for levels 3, 4, and 5
• $408 for levels 1-5

Fluenz offers special programs for homeschoolers, middle and high school students, college students, government workers, companies, and non-profit agencies.