Question 1

Do I need to know any French before using Fluentessa?

Accepted Answer

A bare minimum helps — the French alphabet, basic pronunciation, a few common words. If you've spent even a few days with any beginner course, you're ready. The annotations handle the rest.

Question 2

Can I read with just the French?

Accepted Answer

Yes. By default the English sits directly above each French line — hover or tap any phrase for a note. Turn off Show translation to read the French on its own; a tap still brings the English and its notes back for anything you miss. See the live demo for samples.

Question 3

How is Fluentessa different from graded readers?

Accepted Answer

Graded readers are French books rewritten down to a learner's level — simplified vocabulary, shortened sentences, sometimes heavily edited plots. Fluentessa is different: the French text is unchanged — it's the complete original novel. Instead of simplifying the language, we weave inline English translations into every sentence so you can follow real French without slowing down.

Question 4

How is inline annotation different from other bilingual reading methods?

Accepted Answer

The core idea — embedding translations directly in the text so your reading flow stays unbroken — has been used by polyglots for decades. Fluentessa automates the annotation and delivers it in a browser reader where you choose how much help shows — the English translation on, or just the French with it a tap away.

Question 5

Will reading actually help me learn French?

Accepted Answer

Reading builds vocabulary and reading fluency reliably. Words you absorb from a novel often surface later when you hear or read French elsewhere — vocabulary is one of the strongest predictors of listening comprehension. It doesn't replace speaking or pronunciation practice — those need their own work — but for vocabulary and getting comfortable with real French prose, regular reading is hard to beat.

Question 6

Do I need to study grammar separately?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. You'll start picking up patterns naturally as you read — verb endings, word order, common structures. If you notice the same pattern coming up and want to understand the rule, look it up. But you don't need a grammar textbook to get started. Reading first, rules later.

Question 7

Do I need a dictionary while reading?

Accepted Answer

Usually less than with normal books. Fluentessa gives the meaning of each phrase in context, so you are not choosing between five dictionary senses. For individual words, dictionary lookup is planned.

Question 8

Are the annotations only in English?

Accepted Answer

For now, yes — annotations are in English for both beginner and intermediate learners. We're actively working on supporting other annotation languages so that speakers of different native languages can benefit too.

Question 9

Can I use this for languages other than French?

Accepted Answer

We're working on adding more languages, but for now only French is available. French is where we're focused on making the experience as good as possible first.

Question 10

Does Fluentessa include audio?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. Fluentessa is focused on reading first. Audio is planned, but today the product is for learners who want to build reading fluency and vocabulary through books.

Question 11

What can I read for free?

Accepted Answer

Contes de Perrault is free — the full book, fully annotated. Every other book in the catalog has a free preview before you subscribe.

Question 12

How does the subscription work?

Accepted Answer

A single subscription unlocks the entire catalog. Choose monthly ($7.99/month) or annual ($59/year). Cancel anytime — you keep access until the end of the period you've paid for.

Question 13

When does charging start?

Accepted Answer

Charging starts when you subscribe. There's no card required to try Perrault — you only enter payment details when you choose a paid plan.

Question 14

What's your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Annual plan: 30-day money-back guarantee. Email us within 30 days of any charge and we'll refund, no questions asked.Monthly plan: handled case-by-case — contact us and we'll usually honor it, especially if you haven't read much yet.

Question 15

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

You keep full access through the end of your billing period. After that, you can still read the free Perrault sample and previews of other books, but the rest of the catalog requires an active subscription.

Question 16

Is there a mobile app?

Accepted Answer

Native iOS and Android apps are on the way. For now the web reader works on phones — open the catalog in your phone's browser and start reading.

Question 17

How accurate are the translations and annotations?

Accepted Answer

Every book goes through a multi-stage pipeline — specialized AI models handle translation and annotation separately, and each book passes automated consistency checks before publication.That said, no AI system is perfect. You may occasionally encounter a slightly awkward phrasing or a note that could be clearer. If you spot anything that looks off, please let us know — it helps us improve the system for everyone.

Question 18

I have feedback or a feature request. How can I reach you?

Accepted Answer

We'd love to hear from you. You can fill out our short feedback form or email us directly at support@fluentessa.com.

Frequently asked questions