A fun and easy new way to quickly acquire or enhance basic reading skills
These unique guides are based on the premise that the best way to learn a language is to start reading it, immediately. Suitable for raw beginners to intermediate-level language learners, the new editions of these popular titles feature engaging readings of progressive difficulty that allow learners to rapidly build comprehension.
Easy French Reader begins with the adventures of two friends, an American and a Parisian, as they learn about their respective cultures. This is followed by readings on the history of France, from ancient Gaul to the present. The final section features four abridged short stories by famous French authors.
Similarly, Easy Spanish Reader begins with the story of two high school seniors involved with their Spanish Club, followed by a history of Mexico, from the Conquistadors to the present, and an abridged version of the classic story of "Lazarillo de Tormes."
Progressive format makes it easy to quickly build comprehension
Marginal word glossaries conveniently present new words and phrases
Exercises challenge comprehension and build reading skills
Attractive new editions, fully updated and featuring appealing new artwork and expanded exercises
Excellent Value - Accessible This is an excellent self-teaching French language guide - and a good value for the price. The book is divided into three sections. The first section is a typical boy-girl 'let's learn about our two cultures' storyline. Nothing exciting here. But the second section is more interesting and consists of twenty-two short biographical and historical sketches (from Vercingetorix, Clovis, and Charlemagne through the two world wars and accounts of more recent figures like Estaing, Mitterand, and Chirac). These little essays are sufficiently interesting and accessible to almost make the reader forget that this is primarily a language learning effort. The third section offers four short stories by Daudet, Theuriet, Zola, and Maupassant. It's an excellent selection. There is real patriotic emotion in Daudet's 'La Derniere Classe' and the familiar, razor sharp irony of Maupassant's 'La Parure'. Throughout the Reader helpful vocabulary translations appear in the margins.
Easy first dip into reading French I found this book well organized and written as a first reader. The concepts were introduced in a carefully thought out fashion with progression from easy to difficult.
Easy French Reader I studied French for two years back in High School. It has been over 40 years since I have had any contact with French. This book is excellent for someone with a small amount of knowledge of the French language and is trying to rebuild their reading skills. There is a small dictionary in the back which helps with some of the words.
This book is laid out in such a way that you progress with each chapter. It is divided into three sections. The first section is simple french dialogue; the second section covers French figures in history and the third section has four short stories from well known french authors (Alphonse Daudet, Emile Zola, Andre Theuriet and Guy de Maupassant)
If you are looking for pronunciation assistance, this is not the book you want. If you are simply wanting to ease your way back into reading French. I highly recommend it.
What a great book! With very little French (what I got from a phrasebook on holiday for a couple of weeks), I bought this book and started reading it on the train to work. It was great. It has a good lexicon in the back, and as you progress most new words appear in the margin with a translation. It still takes effort, but is a great way to get your vocab and reading up and running. I am now reading it again, as my French improves, and it is still improving my vocab and comprehension.
It has been the best book I have had as a beginner learning French.
My first French Reader - hit the mark I am middle aged, poor at languages, and attempting to learn French. I have completed 50 hours of lessons that have mainly focussed on learning language fragments. With this book, everything started to click into place for me.
The book is in three sections, each progressively more difficult. I tried to read the whole book in one go and found the first section very accessible, the second section less so, and the third section impenetrable. It is a well graded book. The stories are engaging and designed to teach bits of French culture and history in addition to the French language. I have started reading the book a second time, and this time I am picking up more of nuances of the language. I will continue to use this book to supplement my formal learning, and when I am finished with it I know that my skills will have developed significantly.
Like others, I have found it annoying that not all the difficult words are included in the glossary/dictionary at the back. However, this book has helped me so much that I am willing to forgive this small point (that can be overcome with an accompanying dictionary) and give five stars.
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