Amazon.com
Need to learn French
rapidement? Not interested in delving into the language, but want just enough to get by on a vacation or business trip?
Joy of Talking: French is a crash course designed to help you just get by while staying in control of conversations. As the professor warns you, you "won't be able to read Molière in the original, but you will be able to find your way to the bathroom." The professor is a native French speaker; his student is an American who seems to have no background in the language. The entire class takes place at the professor's desk, as the two practice pronunciation and basic words and questions. Helpful advice is proffered, such as always have a pen and paper so people can write down numbers for you. Subjects covered are the airport, the taxi, the hotel, the restaurant, the pharmacy, at the café, and help (for those times when you lose your passport or need the police). This video will be too simplistic for anyone with a smattering of French, but for the complete novice,
Joy of Talking: French will give you the tools to order a café au lait and more.
--Jenny Brown
