Motifs: An Introduction to French (with Audio CD) [Hardcover]

Kimberly Jansma (Author), Margaret Ann Kassen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0838459323 | ISBN-13: 978-0838459324 | Edition: 3

MOTIFS immerses readers in French and encourages them to become active participants in learning about the language and its people. Grammar appears strategically at the end of the chapter for handy reference and easy self-study!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"My favorite aspect of the book is the layout with the grammar explanations and self-correcting exercises at the back of each chapter. It makes clear to students what is homework and what is class work. There is also a nice mix of structured manipulation exercises and communicative exercises."

"The book reflects a good attitude toward language in general and French in particular - attempts to involve students personally in the learning process, to show that French is a living, and evolving, and ethnically diverse language. The book is modern, with modern technological supplements, and the whole is visually pleasing. The students themselves seem to like it."

"[When I adopted Motifs] I was looking for a book that would combine a communicative approach with topics that students would be interested in and that they could relate to in terms of their personal lives. Also, a book that would not exclusively focus on France as a setting was preferable, as was a textbook which would offer a wide variety of exercises from different sectors. However, I wanted a book which at the same time would not eliminate grammar teaching altogether but leave teachers and students the option to use some grammar material in the classroom."

"The activities are excellent. They are nicely varied and at times delightfully creative."

About the Author

Kimberly Jansma received her Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin. She coordinates the French Language Program at The University of California at Los Angeles where she directs TA development and teaches all levels of language, including French linguistics. She has published several pedagogical texts and presented research at major conferences. Dr. Jansma's areas of interest include content-based instruction, second language acquisition, and curriculum development.

Margaret Ann Kassen, who received her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, is Associate Professor and Language Program Coordinator in the Department of Modern Languages at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D. C. She teaches undergraduate French and applied linguistics courses and works with graduate and undergraduate teacher preparation. Her research interests include foreign language writing, technology-enhanced language learning, and TA development. In addition presenting at conferences Dr. Kassen has published articles on technology and writing and edited a volume on developing self-direction in foreign language learners.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Heinle; 3 edition (November 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0838459323
• ISBN-13: 978-0838459324
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,495,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Book does not come with the key for QUIA..., May 10, 2009

By 

J. Goodreau (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motifs: An Introduction to French, 4th Edition (Book & 2 CD-ROMs) (Hardcover)

I think this book is terrible and they need to get a different one for French, but that's besides the point because you need it anyway if your college uses it.

One important note though: When you buy this book, know that it does not come with the book key for QUIA (online companion). It does come with the 2 CD's which you never use in class, but can use at home. But if your professor will require you to do the QUIA stuff for homework, which they usually do, this book will not provide the key for it. Usually the one you can buy at your bookstore comes with a key, but is very expensive. What I did was buy a cheaper version on eBay, then bought the book key on the website which is about $90.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A feeble attempt to improve on Deux Mondes, February 9, 2005

By 

David Y. (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Motifs: An Introduction to French (with Audio CD) (Hardcover)

As a textbook, Motifs is not so bad. If you liked the style of Deux Mondes, but got really frustrated with all of the anglicisms, grammatical errors, and misleading or outdated pictures, Motifs might be a decent alternative. Beware, however, of the QUIA program that accompanies Motifs!!! The QUIA program is based on the Motifs workbook and from the first exercise it will lead you and your students into a quagmire of frustration through misleading model sentences and errors. I've used Motifs for two semesters and am in search of a textbook with a better package.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A disorganized and confusing textbook, October 16, 2007

By 

Gary H. Mims "mrpester" (Lubbock, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motifs: An Introduction to French, 4th Edition (Book & 2 CD-ROMs) (Hardcover)

At 64, I decided to learn French. I have a collection of CD French courses, and beginnng French textbooks. Finally, I enrolled for a class at our local university. Unfortunately Motifs is the textbook we are using, but fortunately I have an excellent instructor. The authors of this text should have given up rather than try to update it to a 4th edition.

The book is divided into modules. Each module has several themes (too many with useless and dated topics). The end of each module has the structure for each theme. You wear out the book by constantly flipping back and forth between a theme and the structure section. The structure informaion is minimal. What is written is often confusing. The exercises are sometimes vague and can have multiple correct answers. The book is slow to introduce useful conversational verbs. It is frustrating to try to speak when the only verb you know is the etre form. Module 4 finally gets around to introducing some useful verbs. The online Quia workbook is even more confusing. Often I resort to using one of my other textbooks to try to understand what Motifs is trying to present.

If you are looking for a beginning French textbook, do your students a favor, and skip this one.