Language: French
I bought the OptiLingo French language course because my company was relocating its headquarters to Quebec and moving all its employees (including me) along with it. Now, I had never studied French at all, and this took me as a complete surprise. Needless to say I was just a bit panicked at the thought of having to learn a new language in just a few months’ time.
Well, lo and behold, I just finished the whole course last week and I'm feeling tres bien about my ability to speak French in any context. I can easily read, write, speak and understand French without too much difficulty. (Note: French movies, shows and news programs can be a little bit difficult to follow, but I can usually figure out what is going on and I can read cartoons pretty well.)
Shirley House
Language: German
Altogether I've taken four years of German in the classroom setting with a couple of years of studying on my own on top of that. Still, I simply could not master speaking German. It wasn't until I started using OptiLingo's German course that everything started to come together and make sense. Instead of speaking in phrases, I started speaking in complete sentences!
In the classroom there was very little opportunity to speak German. Same thing with the commercial programs that only teach you what to say as a tourist. But I wanted to learn to communicate in every day situations. Basically, I was seeking to become fluent in German instead of just learning phrases like, "Where is the restroom?" And "Can you please carry my bags?" Instead, I learned, "Excuse me, could you please help me?' As part of the OptiLingo German Language course. This phrase can be used anywhere for any reason you need help. See the difference?
Scott Caldwell
Language: Italian
I picked up OptiLingo for Italian to prep for a trip to Italy. I focused on the audio portion of each lesson to practice listening to Italian. The lessons start off pretty short and easy, but as you advance in skill, they become longer and more in-depth. OptiLingo recommends that you spend about 30 minutes a day per lesson. This wasn't difficult, and some days I could do 3 lessons a day. I like to take notes for each lessons, because it really helps me learn.
The way the lesson is laid out is with Italian on the left and English on the right. On the bottom of the page are notes on grammar and culture. I have always enjoyed grammar as a language student. You learn the grammar as you go, so it integrates well with what you are learning. I also found the notes on culture very helpful for understanding the basis of the language, and also come in handy for my trip to Italy.
Anthony Clark
Language: Russian
I just spent the summer abroad exploring St. Petersburg, Russia for an international immersion program. I have always wanted to visit St. Petersburg, with its rich culture and golden palaces. I was a little nervous before my trip because I spoke no Russian. But, I did not need to be thanks to OptiLingo Russian Language Course.
I came across the course when I did an internet search. I was a little weary because OptiLingo is not a name that I have heard before when it came to language learning. I found out later that OptiLingo courses are very popular in Europe.
Michael Grier
Language: Spanish
The only Spanish word I knew before starting the OptiLingo Spanish course was “hola”. But now, after completing the program, I can speak Spanish! In fact, I can also read and write Spanish without much difficulty. Sometimes, when I’m watching Spanish TV, they speak so fast that some words pass me by but overall, I understand what everyone is saying - and now I’m hooked on Spanish soap operas!
I got to test out my Spanish skills on a short missionary trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras and now I feel even more competent in my language abilities. I had no trouble expressing myself and was able to order in a restaurant with ease and sit down and talk to the locals. I even gave a talk in front of a hundred or so people at the church - in Spanish! Now I can see myself doing more traveling in Spanish speaking countries and listing my new skill on my resume!
Kenneth Rainey
