Before buying Fluenz, make sure your computer has the following:

    * DVD-ROM drive
    * G4 / Intel Macs with OS X 10.3 or above, including Leopard (Mac).
    * Pentium 4 or higher with Windows 2000 / XP / Vista (Windows)
    * 512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended)
    * Resolution of 1024 x 768 or higher
    * Video card
    * 16 bit sound card

If you want to take full advantage of Fluenz's recording engine you should have a headset microphone. Please note that Fluenz Mandarin 1+2 does not currently support USB microphones, but that Fluenz Spanish 1+2 as well as Fluenz French 1 do. Neither application supports the iSight microphone for Mac.

Mac users will need Missing Sync 3.0.2 or above to run the Fluenz mobile installer DVD-ROM.
At the center of Fluenz Spanish is language tutor Sonia Gil, who guides you throughout the program, providing detailed video explanations of all the material and relating the experiences of fellow Cornell graduate and program developer Rachel Margolis, who went to Latin America to perfect her Spanish before developing the program.

Fluenz

Having an instructor guide you can make all the difference in how fast you can learn your next language. Knowing what's going on and where you're going gives you the confidence and builds the motivation you need to be successful.

Fluenz teaches essential Castilian Spanish that can be used equally in Madrid, Miami and Mexico City, much like with the relationship between American, British and Australian English. Basic Spanish is the same everywhere.

Fluenz works on three essential principles:

      1. Our main learning experiences all involve active instruction. Learning a new language is difficult, especially if you have to teach yourself. With Live Learning, we have brought to computer education the essence of classroom learning: the teacher. All words and phrases are thoroughly explained and you are guided through a structured learning process.

      2. At the beginning you need to learn in English, and to relate basic Spanish grammar and syntax to English. Focusing on the many common links between the two languages will help you learn more quickly and comprehensively. Using the English you already know to learn Spanish is the essence of Leverage Learning.

      3. You want to communicate the most in the least amount of time, which means Fluenz takes into consideration which words are easiest to remember for English speakers, which expressions make the most logical sense to us, and which are most useful—cell phone instead of horse or man running. This is Relevant Learning.