High Ed Blends With High Tech To Create A True Innovation In Language Learning

Oct. 6, 2009 - PRLog -- Langenscheidt Publishing Group announces a new distribution partnership with Fluenz, a dynamic language learning software company based in Miami, FL.  Under the terms of the deal, Langenscheidt has the rights to distribute Fluenz to major national accounts and independent book retailers.  The Fluenz method emphasizes the most important element of a great learning experience:  an insightful teacher to guide learners through an intuitive learning style.  The Fluenz suite of products transforms language learning.

According to Marc Jennings, President of Langenscheidt Publishing Group, “We’re delighted to introduce a new language learning software program to our vast customer base that is unique and offers something that no other product on the market can.  Fluenz is essentially bringing the magic of a great teacher to your computer.  In Fluenz tutorials, a teacher reviews every single structure and word used, providing strategies on how to best learn and deploy them in real life situations.”

“We believe we’ve found something special in Fluenz, it is a return to classical education in the form of digital learning,” added Michele Martin, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer.  “Our own long history distributing one of the most trusted language brands in the world, Berlitz, makes Langenscheidt a natural choice to introduce Fluenz to the marketplace.  This is a product that complements our own line of language learning products brilliantly.”

For years, the creators behind Fluenz thought to themselves:  there has to be a better way to learn a language.  Why isn’t there anything on the market to help adults learn the way they’re used to learning—with a teacher?  As graduates of Harvard and Cornell, a group of friends—veterans of technology and media ventures—decided they would endeavor to design the ideal language learning software.  The creators found a unique opportunity to marry classical education with next generation applications and full-motion video in interactive software.

“Adults have a much more challenging time learning new languages, because of the extensive experience with the English language they already have,” says Sonia Gil, the teacher on Fluenz’s interactive program.  “We think of ourselves as the audience, these programs are not for children but for English-speaking teens and adults who are looking for a strong foundation in the language and who need to communicate the most in the least amount of time.”

How Does It Work?  Fluenz is an introduction to the world of leverage learning, where the teacher guides the learner all the way through the program.  The life-long passion for learning languages, and years of work, brought Fluenz to three principles that guide every single language program:

1.Fluenz believes in great teachers.  At the center of every Fluenz program is a passionate tutor who guides the learner every step of the way.  While most language learning software looks like PowerPoint, Fluenz strives to bring the human touch back to learning.
2.It really helps to use English to learn a new language.  When learning a new language as an adult, nothing makes more sense than to understand the process in English.  While small children learn arbitrarily, absorbing language like a sponge, modern linguistics points to how adults are better off having a clear understanding of what they're learning and how it works.  What a concept—approach the new language from the point of view of English!
3.Fluenz only teaches relevant stuff.  Instead of typical descriptive sentences that no one ever really needs to use ("The man is running," "The boy is eating"), Fluenz emphasizes learning how to formulate useful communication ("A cup of coffee, please").

The blending of old and new distinguishes the Fluenz program from other programs:  basic common sense teaching along with cutting edge linguistics.  A traditional setting with the most modern design.  Foundational grammar with pragmatic vocabulary to enable fast communication.  Fluenz applications are not cookie-cutter translations of other programs, but custom made by people who are passionate about each language.

“If you’ve tried using other high-end language learning programs, only to find them confusing and difficult to master, Fluenz is a dream product,” said Martin.  “When navigating through the workouts within the Fluenz program you really understand what you’re learning, not to mention you get this terrific teacher right there on your computer screen to help you along.”

Available at Borders and select retailers in October, Fluenz is available in several languages—Spanish, Italian, French and Mandarin Chinese—in various levels of advanced learning rated from one to three.  Software is available for Windows and Mac.

About Langenscheidt Publishing Group
Langenscheidt Publishing Group’s complete catalog is comprised of over 3,000 titles—including the largest selection of travel and language learning products in the world. Berlitz Publishing provides an unparalleled selection of phrasebooks, travel dictionaries, and audio programs.  The maps and atlases with the American Map and Hammond World Atlas Corporation brands have long been a staple of students and road warriors in the U.S.  Langenscheidt also owns several leading regional map and atlas brands including Hagstrom, the number one brand in the New York metropolitan area and ADC, the leader in the Mid-Atlantic. Distribution clients include, Michelin Maps & Guides, Mobil Travel Guides, and HF Ullmann.  Most recently, QNY, an imprint of Langenscheidt Publishing Group was added to publish original trade non-fiction.  www.langenscheidt.com or follow us on Twitter @Langenscheidt

About Fluenz
Fluenz develops language learning software designed to recreate the memorable experiences of one-on-one tutoring, with the goal of getting learners to reach functional fluency in languages in the least amount of time. Unlike most language learning applications that rely exclusively on text and graphics, the Fluenz programs use videos to place a teacher at the center of every session. All of the products are based on the company's unique language learning principles: use technology to replicate the face-to-face instructional experience, use the student's knowledge of English grammar and syntax as leverage for reaching fluency, focus on words and phrases with practical, real-world value, and develop an engaging experience that encourages learners. Fluenz's solution runs on both PCs and Macs.  www.fluenz.com

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Langenscheidt’s established brands include: Berlitz Publishing; ADC, the map leader in the Mid-Atlantic; American Map; Hammond; Insight Guides; and the exclusive distribution rights for Michelin Maps & Guides, HF Ullmann, and Mobil Travel Guide, and QNY, a