Fluent Forever - Language App Reviews

by Mallen/

The account management for FluentForever and website is extremely confusing. Sometimes the web app makes you sign in with the phone, or vice versa. And if you sign in with an an account with a certain email, and try signing into your account with the same email a different way (I.e. directly with email, or through Google, or Facebook, or Apple ID using that email) — they will all act like separate accounts, and will charge you separate subscriptions.

This resulted in me getting double charged subscription fees, and even after canceling the subscription of what I thought was my account, there was another account I didn’t know about secretly charging me subscription fees for half a year without me knowing. After explaining to customer service, they didn’t really do anything and acted like the confusion was all just my fault.

Modern apps will sign you into the same account for the same email, or direct you to sign in with the original sign in method that you chose for that email. This confusion should never happen.

by Galaxy6294

I have the “Fluent Forever” book and it's a really good book so I was excited for their app too. Upon download (I already know there might have been a subscription because of the “in-app purchase) I tried to log in being that FluentForever was free to download I assumes that there might be an additional thing for more features for the subscription like Duolingo, Bable, you know things like that. However, the problem was that I was unable to use it whatsoever being that I was forced to purchase it upon logging in. I would not recommend FluentForever being that you just waste time downloading FluentForever only to then be forced to pay. I didn’t pay because I use all free apps, websites (etc.). However, I would recommend for FluentForever developers just make people purchase FluentForever that way it can be used. Or have some free features and some more exclusive features to get upon purchasing the subscription version. Because there can be people who know about the book like me being excited to try FluentForever only to then have FluentForever be useless. Or people that are eager to learn a language or find something new or different to use than the popular language apps only to stumble upon this one and feel dissatisfied, and disappointed. I gave it two stars instead of one because I feel that FluentForever has potential but due to this unfortunate experience with FluentForever I was unable to even test it.

by Lbareit

I’m not sure if this problem is inherent to FluentForever or if it is due to users (I’m not sure if the image suggestions come straight from Bing or if it suggests the most frequently selected photos by other users of FluentForever ), but for probably 1/3 of words racy/sexual images appear when I try to make flash cards using the BASIC vocabulary. They aren’t even racy words - random words like “46” or “teacher” or “pants” seem to far to often suggest lewd photos for my flash cards. I got tired of it and quit on FluentForever . I wanted so badly to like it and I DID like how easy it made creating flash cards (though some of the sentence examples were a little out there, seems like it is mostly helpful for a super new beginner who just wants to do straight vocab out of context or a high intermediate/advanced learner who’d like to encounter some new vocab in the context of sentences).

If these two problems (especially the first one) could be fixed I would very likely begin using FluentForever again. As I said - it is very user friendly and that made creating flash cards feel so much more manageable.

by Leonard434

Had an issue. Created ticket. Support got back with me within a few days. My issue details were explanatory plus gave person my login information so she could visually see what I was seeing. Issue had to do with subscribing to an additional language. A second language so two license purchases. Rep not only didn’t respond to correct question she gave me link on how to make a payment via PayPal so I could just send money with nothing received in return. I have responded to the satisfaction survey. Let’s see how they respond. I specifically asked to NOT hear from this rep again. I had spent around 1 hour on emails and attachments to be clear and clearly rep just scanned info and did a quick standard response. Yep.... everything is OK when I can see under my account settings that it is not. She should have seen that if she took the 30 seconds to check the info. Decent product. Bad support.

by Narnzel

What FluentForever does better than most, if not all, language apps out there is combining picture flash cards with self-testing. This is a powerful way to memorize because it forces recall without being led or prompted to the answer.

The major flaw though for me is the lack of grammar instruction. I have been learning Russian, which is very difficult for English speakers to grasp because of the many cases and declensions. FluentForever attempts to tackle this complexity by basically saying, “grammar rules are hard to learn so just look at sentences and you’ll figure it out.” That might work for a language that doesn’t have up to 12 forms for each noun, but it’s not so great for Russian.

FluentForever does an excellent job with dozens of pronunciation videos and explainers, and similar videos for grammar, along with the effective self-testing, would take FluentForever from just another semi-useful language app to one that might actually deliver fluency forever.

by Nrb-plant

I like FluentForever better than a lot of others because it combines grammar, vocabulary, and listening comprehension with a lot of emphasis on pronunciation guides.

The pronuncian videos and exercises are a little confusing. When they show English and Spanish pronunciation, it’s not always clear whether they are demonstrating cases when they are similar or different. As a learner, it would be helpful to have the purpose explained more clearly.

The flash card quizzes are odd - because most of them are not actually quizzes. You just listen to the word or phrase or sentence and then tell FluentForever whether or not you got it right. This is not a helpful system. It would be much better if these were actual quizzes, where you have to select the word or fill in the blank and FluentForever checks if you got it right or not.

by Sionainn J.

FluentForever is fantastic as a way to easily and efficiently make flash cards and review them. I also enjoy the ability to easily search for photos or add my own from my camera roll. It would be an invaluable tool to my language learning except for a pretty serious drawback for us advanced learners: There is no way to add your own words/sentences as flash cards. The explore tab rarely ever returns a match for any vocabulary I’ve encountered naturally through the media I consume in my target language, and it rarely includes the right conjugations of verbs when I’m trying to learn grammar. I can’t add chunk phrases I’m trying to learn, either. I’m disappointed that fixing this issue hasn’t been made a bigger priority. Users absolutely need to be able to add their own material!! It’s frustrating because otherwise I think FluentForever is a near-perfect tool, but I hate being limited to only the material available through the explore tab. So, great for a beginner to whom all vocabulary is potentially new, but unbelievably frustrating to use as an advanced student. Please, please fix this issue! It has SO much potential aside from this!!

by Sithmaith

I am in the middle of my free trial, and I will admit that I have learned a lot so far. I read the book a while back, and have been trying to find some way to make the flashcards that incorporate pronunciation. I thought that this was it. I love the design of the flashcards. They test you on pronunciation details, spelling, and translations, and they have the spaced repetition built in. Sounds great.

Here's my problem, though. Where on earth did they get the words? In the book, the author said that you should learn 625 words that will give you most of what you need for a basic conversation, and that you should use this list to make your flashcards. So you would think that the flashcards in FluentForever would come from this list, right? Nope. I have flashcards for "gray album" and "Yugoslav album". People don't use albums anymore, for either music or photos, and Yugoslavia isn't even a country anymore. There are a lot more examples, but I can't go look them up, because the only way you can see your cards is to do a review of the flashcards. I can't find a list of my flashcards anywhere in FluentForever .

Since FluentForever isn't using the recommended word list, and I have no control over what words are made into flashcards, I have to dock 2 stars off my rating. I don't know if I'll continue with the subscription after the free trial. It's that annoying.

by Reviewsrarely

I am a dedicated user of FluentForever, studying French, and it has really helped my comprehension and pronunciation. It is certainly among the best apps out there for these skills. I am pretty frustrated, however, that the source dictionary for the word-only flashcards in FluentForever does not include gender, making the vocabulary-building function of FluentForever pretty useless. No point in making noun flashcards that don’t integrate gender.

I do like the immersive aspect of the grammar but I’m having a hard time building the specific vocabulary I’d like to acquire outside of the example sentences offered. All it would take is using a source dictionary that includes gender. I inquired with customer service about this and discovered that the Spanish version of FluentForever DOES include genders for word-only cards, which means French learners do not have access to what Spanish learners have, though French is certainly nearly as popular a language for an English-speaker to learn. I would LOVE to know when we will have full access to this vocabulary-building feature!

by CassielM16

FluentForever is really great for training your brain to think and listen in your target language. And that’s something I definitely think is lacking in other apps like Duolingo. However, the interface is a bit messy, in my opinion. It’s not as clear cut as I think it could be. As well there’s only 6/7 languages available to learn. Duolingo has lots of different languages to learn. The reason this is bothersome for me personally is that none of my target languages are available on FluentForever. I’m currently studying Gaeilge at my university and Dutch in my spare time. Neither are available so I looked at the German course which is the closest to Dutch. It’s well constructed however, there’s an assumption that everyone know IPA which I don’t think is correct. I’ve never used it and none of my professors use it in their teaching style either. I get that it’s supposed to make it easier but it’s basically learning an international alphabet to learn the target language alphabet. It’s a bit disorienting to say the least. Overall FluentForever has outstanding potential and I hope they get some more languages added soon!

by Hbeard05

I started using Fluent Forever in July to learn French after reading the book. I think it is a more effective method than apps like Duolingo, and I am willing to pay for that, but at a $10 a month subscription I think FluentForever has too many bugs still. It crashes on me fairly regularly and the word count often doesn’t go up after a review session when I’ve moved words from short to medium term memory. Since this is FluentForever ’s only measure of progress (an area I think could also be improved because after B1 there’s such a huge jump in vocab to reach the next level) this is especially frustrating. It also makes me unsure if the progress in the review session was recorded by FluentForever or if it will keep showing me those cards because they haven’t been moved to the medium or long term sections. I also find it frustrating there is no way to access your known words/ flash cards outside of the review sessions randomly giving them to you.

by IAmTrackMom

I have had two major problems with FluentForever .
Each time there was not a good fix and I have needed to start complete over again . I was logged in always for two month then I got a message that my month was up... I had bought a 12 month package how could it be up already and it hadn’t even been 12 months yet?Very hard to communicate detail problems via email in the first help with no help whatsoever and I ended up spending an exorbitant amount of time and in the end I had to delete one of the apps that I accidentally purchased and the one that I kept did not have all the work that I had done on it and there was no way to rectify that so I had to buy another app delete the first app and start over. This time I had to change the password and when I change the password once again I lost all of my work and have to start over and I have appreciably lost weeks of my work. I want FluentForever to work so I’m giving it one more chance.

by JackLibertine

FluentForever is great for developing your ear and I love that. Sometimes it will just repeatedly offer you the same card over and over at the end of an exercise because you are having a difficult time with the card. It is disheartening. I wish it would mark those cards as difficult for the user, let you finish the exercise, and then direct you to relevant lessons.

Additionally, FluentForever is largely targeted to North Americans. The closest French-speaking region is Quebec, which has a very different accent. While FluentForever assists with learning to hear some of the new sounds that a Canadian or American would need to learn Québécois French, there are also a lot of oversights. For example, there are some pronunciations that have more in common with Mandarin than the accents from français au France.

There are so many English-speaking immigrants in Quebec who are struggling to learn Québécois French. I think that serving them, especially at this $10/month price point, would be a fantastic business decision.

by Celiineeee

I’m using FluentForever for Korean.
FluentForever is well designed to build vocabulary and pronunciation. Choosing my own pictures was already helpful, but the option to use photos and self-drawn pictures for the Flashcards makes for optimal memorization through personal connections with the vocabulary. It is easier to remember the word for “mother” with a picture of your own mum than with the picture of a random woman holding a child.

I also appreciate the audio on all Flashcards. Being able to replay and repeat is very helpful, but sometimes difficult to do since the sentences can be quite fast. An option to repeat a single word should be added here in my opinion.

While 99% of all Flashcards are error-free, there are some Flashcards that contain spelling errors or a difference in phonetic script and the printed rule. This definitely has to be fixed for future versions.

One thing to note is that, while Fluent Forever explains the Korean writing system and the characters briefly, there is no opportunity to practice them within FluentForever . Duolingo’s first few lessons came in as a helpful supplementary resource until I could read Hangul sufficiently.
The opportunity to practice reading and writing non-western writing systems would be a wonderful addition to FluentForever .

All in all, a great product after an amazing book!

by Designplease

This is the best language learning app I’ve found, but I am not progressing as quickly as when I made flashcards for my own phrases and words. If that we’re an option, with audio and selection of photos... it would be incredibly powerful. I’d also like to be able to see all my known words in one place, and make playlists of word and sentence audio clips. It’d also be great to see a list of words not yet known, so that I can quickly set words I know from the list. For the sentences, I sometimes wish there was a slow audio option for when it’s hard to make out nuances. And I wish there were more common day phrases to choose from. I have such a hard time coming up with my own, it I’m often don’t have the right phrases to make a sentence in conversation.

by Edulearner

As someone who is interested in learning other languages for business purposes and pleasure, I have tried several applications. Most of them fell short of my expectations. They work at the very beginning until you reach a plateau. You build a limited vocabulary, but in the end, you can’t speak fluently.
Fluent Forever is different because it has been developed based on the science that explains how we learn a language. It lets you make continuous progress in a way that is both rewarding and pushes you forward. The application allows you to use your acquired vocabulary in conversation in a natural way.
It consists of a solid method to overcome the difficulties and frustrations of learning a new language. Nothing beats the pleasure of expressing yourself in a new language and being understood, traveling to foreign countries and feeling at home, and making new friends by breaking through language barriers! FluentForever is what I was looking for...

by HighwayFlower

The jarring reality of FluentForever is that it does not spoon feed you Kindergarten words and build up a basic arsenal of everyday phrases. No. It takes an approach that more closely reflects the reality of a baby who is born into a language: It is all around you, and it does not usually arrive in systematic boxes like “here are your numbers” or “these are the days of the week”.
I am two months into the program, and I am trusting the process. It’s shocking how much I have already learned, and it feels a little bit strange that I haven’t yet learned how to say “Hello, my name is...” That’s ok!
One of the facets about this program that was very difficult for me at first was being okay with being wrong. I like being right, but the algorithms in FluentForever actually help you learn better when you get things wrong. The program reinforces words from so many different angles that I don’t really feel like I’m memorizing. It’s more like a feeling of familiarity. And that is amazing to me!

by Luojieli

Okay, this seems a bit over the top but it’s true. I’ve studied over half a dozen languages using language apps, and this is by far the best I’ve ever experienced. The emphasis at first is on pronunciation and ear training with diagrams showing EXACTLY what is going on in the mouth to produce those sounds. Rather than just learning with a given set of pictures to show the meanings of words, you get to pick your own pictures that have meaning specifically for you. In the short term you are challenged to keep up a daily streak of short activities, and in the long term, you are encouraged to go for the first level of language proficiency in the CEFR scale (A1). Other apps sometimes make language learning seem just like another chore; this one makes it a challenge that’s also fun!

by Samuel J Loncar

Some background on me. I can speak and read German well, because I’m a scholar of German stuff and have lived there. That’s the only language I’d say I really know decently. However, I passed my French reading exam in grad school easily and can read some French, but I love French and wanted to learn the language to speak and understand. Enter Fluent Forever.

I discover Gabe some years back, but I love FluentForever and let me explain how it’s helping me. I think Gabe has made the most significant discovery in language learning in his focus on pronunciation. I’ve found afet very little work with the Fluent Forever method, I could begin aurally comprehending some of the French tv I watch with subtitles. This blew me away, but I realized it’s because my mind could actually make out the word distinctly. So, what may seem like a pain - all the spelling and pronunciation work - is actually the magic of language, and what eventually makes it become easy-seeming and fun.

When I’m farther through FluentForever ’s French course, I’ll see if I can update this review. But, having tried many different methods before Gabe’s, this is unparalleled for series language learners. Thanks to Gabe and your team!

by Hawaiianknowsall

I don’t like writing reviews for apps but I felt like I needed to for this one. I was introduced to fluent forever with the book and found out over a year ago they started a kickstarter. I have a huge passion for languages and the fluent forever method has been the best method I have ever come across. I have done countless of hours of research on methods and apps. As well as learning two languages on my own. Fluent forevers method is incredible. So when I saw that they were making an app I backed it on Kickstarter. If you have any desire to learn a language whatever that might be this is worth the money. This method won’t fail you! FluentForever streamlined the process that polyglots and hyperpolyglots use to learn and remember dozens of languages. The price point for access to FluentForever is on point and as long as you put in the time you won’t be disappointed!

by T20J10

My previous review is below. I originally gave them 3 stars. They've since fixed some things which I'm now giving 4 stars for. The bug mentioned previously seems to be gone although stability isn't perfectly there considering FluentForever has crashed on me a few times already. I still have a star removed because although it now gives the option of editing an image when I did it, the added image wasn't reflected the next time I saw the card. But a great step in the right direction.
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It's a great app. I'm not going into the details. I took off two Stars because there's something that's so annoying in here.

One start is if you know the answer too quickly and tap the flashcard and swipe. It will not register or it will register that you don't know the card when you actually do. I have to let the sound play count to 3 and then swipe the card. It's so so annoying. Once that's changed I'm willing to move the score up

The other star is because if I need to go back and edit a card I can't do that. Once that feature is added I'll add another star. Thank you

by H.widdendream

I have been using the book’s method for over eight months now, and although I appreciate Anki being free and the freedom to determine what I want to learn, it can be really challenging to input material for cards, digest and create cards for grammar, and generally find good sentences with audio to make cards.

FluentForever removes that and makes the card creation process smooth, and I know that I’m not missing the meaning on new material as it is introduced. On an aesthetic note, FluentForever looks more visually pleasing than Anki, and is quick and efficient for the sole purpose of language learning.

I am still on the free trial for FluentForever , however, I see that over time FluentForever will be beneficial in reducing the personal difficulties I’ve had with using the book method.

by Solheim5678

FluentForever is great for the most part. I had already found in my own studies that I did better when I drew a picture on a flash card rather than “translating.” The reason this isn’t 5 stars is because it needs the ability to choose pictures from a camera roll, as well as to scroll through all your flash cards to be able to edit them or see all that you’ve learned. In his Ted Talk, he said to “give language life” and to tie it to stories or experience, and that would be SO much easier if we could use our own photos when desired.

by Saintlennybruce

Best language learning app on here! Wyder’s method is powerful, in the mathematical sense of fundamental & generalisable.

Starting with training on the given language’s IPA with a minimum of English allows learners to quickly assimilate phonological intuition, which then makes remembering morphology as simple as sounding words out.

Glad they’re working to expand the instruction on syntax (grammar), as it is the primary deficit in spaced-repetition generally.

Combining FluentForever with Anki, Duolingo, a good easy reader, audiobooks/podcasts in target language, and a reference grammar will go a long way quickly toward achieving at least B1-2 fluency.

eg For German, am using Fluent Forever with Duolingo, good Anki decks like German IPA (with audio, IPA, articulatory anatomy diagrams), Steinhauer’s “Easy German Reader” (see also André Klein, Olly Richards, Dover Dual Language), and watching series’ like “Dark” & “Babylon Berlin” on Netflix first with English subtitles, second with German subtitles, finally with no subtitles.

Just grabbed Wyder’s book, which is for any language, but if you’re also doing German:
Mary Grantham O’Brien & Sarah M. B. Fagan, “German Phonetics and Phonology”
Christopher Hall, “Modern German Pronunciation”
April Wilson, “German Quickly: A Grammar for Reading German”

by Danism166

I was an early user- i bought Fluent Forever the book and I had the beta version. FluentForever has already come such a long way! I’m here for it and can’t wait to continue using it and seeing where the development goes along with my language learning journey. I used duolingo for literally years with super subpar progress and I used the fluent forever method and immediately noticed an improvement in my vocabulary retention. Guys, I’m not even an avid user, I could be so much better about doing my daily goal but I’m still learning. PS (not in a dramatic way) but I should seriously apply to be a sales rep for FF bc I’m personally responsible for at least 10 people signing up- k get FluentForever, it’s better than any of the other Lang apps, bye!

by Ecrowls

Two years ago I read the Fluent Forever book and implemented the Fluent Forever system using Anki, a space repetition software. I was launched into an engaging, unique, and highly effective tool that pushed me towards fluency. But it took a lot of work just to get the tool going and useful. FluentForever is the latest (and seriously efficient!) innovation in a very effective system, making the Fluent Forever process much more user friendly, beneficial, and downright fun. The process focuses on learning images associated with words in the context of sentences within your target language -learning a language more like you would as a child- rather than relying on translation between languages and rote memorization. It works! Get it.