This course offers interviews with persons from a variety of backgrounds, and thus a variety of vocabularies and speaking styles. You are led slowly through the interviews first, a bit at a time, and also have the typescript of the whole thing. Finally, the interview is recorded at its normal speed.

By listening to the recording a few times, one is prepared for the "real speed" version. My friends and I gained a good bit in confidence from lesson to lesson. Our only regret was that there weren't more interviews. We need a follow up course; a "son of fluent French."

The ONLY way to learn a language is to absorb it...listen, immerse oneself, and, eventually, jump in and start speaking. It is NOT to learn grammar from a book. Grammar should be the last car on the train. I know this from years of living in French-speaking countries, and how I learned French. This is a great product because it has real French conversations spoken the way real people speak...running words together, dropping endings of words, etc etc. Using this in one's car would be very helpful for developing an ear for French and becoming comfortable with the language. The CD-ROM is even better because it has the videos of the speakers, with facial expressions, hand gestures, etc, it has beginning to advanced, and a person can watch, read, translate, jump around, etc to suit their own learning style. I think SmartFrench is probably the best product available out there for actually learning how to speak the language.

The ONLY way to learn a language is to absorb it...listen, immerse oneself, and, eventually, jump in and start speaking. It is NOT to learn grammar from a book. Grammar should be the last car on the train. I know this from years of living in French-speaking countries, and how I learned French. This is a great product because it has real French conversations spoken the way real people speak...running words together, dropping endings of words, etc etc. Using this in one's car would be very helpful for developing an ear for French and becoming comfortable with the language. The CD-ROM is even better because it has the videos of the speakers, with facial expressions, hand gestures, etc, it has beginning to advanced, and a person can watch, read, translate, jump around, etc to suit their own learning style. I think SmartFrench is probably the best product available out there for actually learning how to speak the language.

This method made learning French much easier for me. I started using them on my own at first and then got so interested in learning the language that I found myself a teacher. But even taking some classes - I still use the method because it is so helpful to help my comprehension level and conversation skills. Highly recommended.

This method made learning French much easier for me. I started using them on my own at first and then got so interested in learning the language that I found myself a teacher. But even taking some classes - I still use the method because it is so helpful to help my comprehension level and conversation skills. Highly recommended.

If you already had some French previously, and like to brush up on speaking/listening skills, this is an excellent addition. The program uses snapshots (with common daily vocabulary) of real life interviews with French people to tune up your listening as well as speaking skills. The lessons starts with going slowly, reading the written text, and ends with the normal speed of French people speaking. Practice in your car for a couple of weeks, and you'll be amazed how much your pronunciation improves.

The accompany text is just the translation of the interviews. At this level, you should have a solid background of French vocabulary and grammar, and probably don't need a detail text on the translation, except for looking up a word here and there. We're really happy that we found this excellent tool. Have fun!

I tried a lot of material before, but all I was looking for was good tight nicely designed, organized and natural dialogs, with different degree of complexity and good vocabulary. Up to date course. This information isn't just thrown at you, but is being guided through, by the author who created this courses. You feel more like you are in the classrom and he is tutoring you, this is so valuable when you are trying to learn it fast with our our speedy needs. The name speaks for itself. Smart person's choice definitely!
Thanks a lot Christian!

I learned virtually nothing from this audio tape. It is a waste of money.

My investment in SmartFrench was the best money I've spent in a long time. I'd had some French experience in my growing up years while living overseas, and some high school and college French. But though I had a basic understanding and comprehension of the language, I didn't feel comfortable enough to actually open my mouth and attempt an actual conversation! About three months ago I purchased the Intermediate/Advanced cds from SmartFrench. The best way to describe the effect that my exposure to these cds has had, is to say that my mouth feels comfortable (and even rather delightful) with French rolling about in it now! After all the listening and repetition (the cds have been my constant driving companions), I'm no longer feeling tentative about pronunciation, or even the rhythm of the language. It's as though I've learned some dance steps and am now free to, albeit somewhat tentatively, move about the dance floor!
It's also very enlightening to listen to the French interviews and learn to understand what is being said by the non-teacher-types!
In addition to the new freedom I feel with the language, SmartFrench has clarified a lot of what categorizes a non-French speaker as just that - and has given practical advice on how to sound more French and less obviously foreign.
French feels approachable and adventuresome to me again, and I'm excited that I discovered these wonderful cds.

I have learned French, but when the time came to speak it with my French friends or colleagues, I was lost. These Cds were the solution. As their title says, they are for Intermediate and Advanced. For Beginner students, try 'SmartFrench - Introduction to French, vol.1' and 'vol.2'. The method used is the most sound I have found so far. In French, you read a certain way and you speak another way. It's like a huge secret that is revealed in these Cds. I recommend them absolutely if you want to learn french well.

Not suggested for true beginners. You are expected to listen to French conversations and repeat the words over and over. Disappointing.