Ultimate French: Basic-Intermediate Coursebook (LL(R) Ultimate Basic-Intermed) [Paperback]

Annie Heminway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0609806793 | ISBN-13: 978-0609806791 | Edition: Rev Upd

Learn French with the most comprehensive, up-to-date text available.

Developed by the experts at Living Language, this book offers a highly effective combination of conversational French with grammar and culture. It covers the equivalent of two years of college-level study.

Contents Include:
40 lessons with lively, authentic dialogues including the most common and useful expressions for everyday conversation.
English translations and explanations of French grammar and usage, pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural notes.
Quizzes and review sections to check your progress.
A complete summary of French grammar, and verb charts covering all major tenses.
A section on letter writing for business or social occasions.
An extensive two-way glossary.
Revised and updated with additional exercises, the latest in computers, the Internet, euros, and more!

While this book stands on its own as a complete course and an invaluable reference, you'll find that it's even more effective when used with the recorded lessons. Living Language Ultimate French cassette and compact-disc packages include this manual, along with the recordings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Perfect for motivated beginners--well-integrated and authentic--promotes active practice and enjoyable learning."
MARGUERITE MAHLER, Framingham State College

Language Notes

Text: English, French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Living Language; Rev Upd edition (October 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609806793
• ISBN-13: 978-0609806791
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #668,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, but not perfect., March 25, 2002

By 

Lemuel Bannen "Someday Author" (Norwalk, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate French: Basic-Intermediate on CD (LL(R) Ultimate Basic-Intermed) (Audio CD)

Okay, so there doesn't seem to be a "perfect" course out there, but there's a good reason for that. You simply cannot become "fluent" in a foreign language without regular interaction in that language with another person. That said, this course has many positives one should consider.

It's lessons are designed nicely to teach some vocabulary, verb conjugation, grammar, common phrases, etc. The audio tapes & CD's are very helpful with pronunciation & getting your brain used to hearing the language. I must point out, however that it seems a bit advanced for the "beginner", so beginners may get frustrated & quit very quickly.

My recommendation!: This program nicely complements the Pimsleur program. Pimsleur is unbelievably user friendly and gives you an incredible comfort level with the language very quickly. There is no frustation for the beginner. Living Language helps to explain grammatical structures & verb usage in a way that Pimsleur doesn't. First do Pimsleur (as many levels as you can afford!), then round out your learning with Living Language. Finally, go find a native speaker & practice, practice, practice!

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My opinion about Ultimate French : Basic - Intermediate, January 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate French: Basic - Intermediate: Cassette/Book Package (Living Language Ultimate. Basic-Intermediate Series (Manual & Cassettes)) (Audio Cassette)

I like this book very much. It contains a complete French course for beginner. Native speaker-spoken dialogues, pronunciation guide, vocabulary, grammar usages, and excercises + key. You can rely on this book for studying French. Unfortunately there is not enuogh excercise. There's only 5 questions each section. That's why I put 4 stars for it. Otherwise, I would have put 5. To the author: if you want to publish a new edition of this book in the future, add some more excercise, 15-20 questions each section will do.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the beginner or someone who just wants to brush up, March 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate French: Basic - Intermediate: Book (LL(R) Ultimate Basic-Intermed) (Paperback)

I had a sudden desire to brush up on my French after taking three years in high school over a decade ago, so I picked up this book help me review. I found this book to be effective at teaching basic concepts while keeping my interest. The format is easy to read and organized well, the dialogues are never boring. I have other introductory French books which are less organized, difficult to read or follow, and have boring unrealistic dialogue. I tend to begin those only to stop part way through. However, Ultimate French is different. It helped motivate me to completion. I plan on starting the next book in the series, the Advanced Ultimate French book.

BTW, I agree with the reader from Indonesia about the number of questions in each exercise. I feel I could get a better grasp of the concepts if there were more of them.