Blog #6 - FluentU - What's the buzz?

As a language learning enthusiast and a language teaching academic, I was quite interested in exploring the buzz around the newer language learning software named FluentU. In both Bing and Google searches, it has managed to hold top spots in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and is also something I've seen promoted frequently in such places as language learning conferences and language learning technology publications.

So is this the next Pimsleur, a 1980s audio-cassette language program? Or will it rival the still popular Rosetta Stone, which is now categorized in the fast growing "Brain-Training" software market? Will we all be self-taught and fluent in any major world language we set our aims for? Will this be a program which language teachers can exploit and have at their fingertips for any lesson? I've allegorical evidence for this type of program. We often have the best intentions when taking them on. However, within a few weeks, the reality is, most of is give up, but are still left paying out our yearly membership fee.

So can FluentU rise above this? Will my field as a "human" teacher of general English become irrelevant? After doing a thorough review FluentU, it seems as if it does a decent job at some aspects as a language learning tech tool, but in the end is just another business plan with limited pedagogical application.

The good things about FluencyU revolve around it's quality. It is basically a large video library of graded contextualized videos. The videos are then paired with language learning software like optional translation, quizzes, and flashcards. Although this style of language learning is based on "Audiolingualism" like Pimsleur or Duolingo, it is an effective way for beginners to learn.

The Misnomer

FluencyU does subscribe to the pedagogical theory of more media for the same thing = deeper understanding. It is also well graded for different language. It also tries to use "cool" topics to heighten interest. However, whoever named this program has missed the point. Language fluency, most often connected to fluency of speaking, comes from practicing in real situations. This program is more of a vocabulary and grammar building program. I don't see how it can improve someone's speaking fluency if it is limited to multiple choice vocabulary and grammar quizzes. True, we can clean the framework of language learning from such programs and exposure, but it doesn't give us real world practice. Furthermore, although the library is large, many of the videos are commercials and/or are simplified and uninteresting. To practice fluency or stimulate the minds of post-secondary students, this is very limited.

So, as a rating and a classroom tool, I would not recommend FluencyU. It's too expensive, doesn't provide opportiunities to truly practice fluecy, and for post-seconday students, offers a very limited amount of topics which would stimulate critical thinking.

The homepage of FluentU seems to be very ambitious in its scope. They offer courses on practically every major world language for both independent and classroom programs. They also go in-depth for English and cover specific purposed language such as Business English, Proficiency Testing, and General English.