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Mastering French Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach (Mastering Vocabulary Series) 2nd Edition

by
Wolfgang Fischer (Author)
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Wolfgang Fischer (Author), Anne-Marie Plouhinec (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 31 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0764123948
ISBN-10: 0764123947
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Product Details

  • Series: Mastering Vocabulary Series
  • Paperback: 544 pages
  • Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 2 edition (July 1, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0764123947
  • ISBN-13: 978-0764123948
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsA wonderful resource for students of French
By Paul Walther on December 30, 2001
Format: Paperback
This book is the best tool I have found to aid in aquiring a solid and useful French vocabulary. It was well thought out, is very comprehensive, and has made my time spent studying French more productive. This is because I'm able to focus my studies on the most used words on the topics most important to me.
The authors claim the number of words needed to take part in simple conversations is 1200 to 1500. To assume an active role, 2500 to 3000. And to do so without having to ask "what does that word mean?", 5000 to 6000. Langenscheidt's "Basic German Vocabulary" judges the magic number to be 2000 words, in order to carry on everyday conversation or read a text written for the average native speaker (2000 words constitute 80% of words used in all written and oral communication). This book, Mastering French Vocabulary, seperated their nearly 6000 words into those to be learned first, numbering about 3000, and those to be learned later, numbering an additional 1943. They were organized into 35 thematic categories (which were broken down into further sub-categories) to make learning easier and more enjoyable (this approach worked well for me).
Some examples of the 35 categories used are: biographic information, appearance and character, feelings, making evaluations, shopping eating and drinking, clothing, fields of art, at work, politics, weather and climate, and colors and shapes etc..
Aside from the quantity of words, and the nice organization into seperate themes, the authors wrote out each word phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet, just as any quality dictionary would, but something most other vocabulary building tools fail to do. This was complimented by the best explanation of the french pronounciation of the IPA that I have yet to see.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsinstead of memorizing the dictionary...
By Maria B on February 21, 2002
Format: Paperback
Sometimes I've wished I could just increase my vocabulary in a huge chunk by reading the dictionary--but of course that isn't very practical or efficient, since on my way to learning useful words I would probably be distracted by hundreds more unuseful ones. This book offers the practical alternative to reading the dictionary! You can start with the chapters that are most interesting to you, and even within those chapters, see at a glance the subset that will be the most useful to start out with (sections of chapters are divided into "learn first" and "learn later" parts). Every time I have looked at this book and gone through a chapter or section, and then have a conversation, watch a movie, or read a book in French, I've recognized words that I just saw in this book. I sometimes prefer it to a dictionary--there is an alphabetical index of French entries--because when I look up one word I might be intrigued by and learn some of the related words near it. The introduction talks about the painstaking and lengthy process the editors went through when trying to decide what words were useful enough to include in these books, and how to categorize them--that is exactly the kind of thing I would hope the creators of a vocabulary book would do. I very much recommend this book for someone (like me) who has a good functional grasp of the language but is short on vocabulary. If you already have a very strong vocabulary, it might be useful for filling in any gaps (or for self-validation of your vocabulary prowess!).
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5.0 out of 5 starsSolid ,and very helpful
By G. D. on January 21, 2005
Format: Paperback
This book is great for beginner and non-beginner alike. Its modular approach not only takes the boredom out of memorization, but aids in retention of vocab and makes it easy for use as a reference guide. It's quite enjoyable. I recommend it to the beginner and someone (like me) who's looking to brush on ages of non-use of francais, ce livre est tres magnifique!
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3.0 out of 5 starsAdequate but Not for the Advanced Student
By Diana Faillace Von Behren VINE VOICE on November 6, 2003
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
While this book does indeed contain pages of vocabulary words, expressions and verbs presented in a thematic format the words offered are elementary, not advanced or specific enough for a speaker who wants more nuanced vocabulary for more detailed conversations or writing.

For the beginning French student, I would think that this book could be a god-send, once your writing or conversational topic is decided upon, all you need on a basic level is included---no need to constantly refer back and forth to a dictionary.

Recommended to beginning French language enthusiasts only.
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5.0 out of 5 starsBest most complete Pronunciation Key in the Literature
By A Customer on September 14, 1999
Format: Paperback
Between the integral organization of the Book and its huge index, the reader will easily find the contextual meanings of all the words a student has had only a vague understanding of through general definitions. The great bonus of this book is the best pronunciation key I have seen in the literature -- rather than describing French Pronunciation with French Words (which, if we knew, we wouldn't need to be studying French) the book gives its examples with English sounds, or, in the case of uniquely French sounds, gives uniquely understandable directions on how to make such sounds oneself. It has a grammer and a section on verb conjugations. It is a nice enough book that I am getting another copy which I can take to work for quick studies or as reference for my other French books. I like it.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAs good as they come!!!!
By B. Alcat on January 7, 2003
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I have studied French for several years now, and I know most of the vocabulary included in this book. Despite that, I found useful the way in which it is divided, that is, in thematic categories, because those categories allow me to search for the specific vocabulary I need when I need it. That feature saves time and it is very practical. The task of learning new vocabulary can be quite tedious, but this book makes it more approachable, by allowing the reader to choose what themes he is going to study, and in what order.

I don't regret buying it, because I think it is a thoroughly useful reference book. Due to that, I recommend "Mastering French Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach" to you :)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 starsThree Stars

Yawn!

Published 14 months ago by Pete
5.0 out of 5 starsQuick vocabulary reference to master the French language!!

Great book for the price and all I am going to learn is priceless. An organized-clear-vocabulary handbook, that works like a small pocket dictionary. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Luis Cabrera
5.0 out of 5 starsHelpful for those trained in the fundamentals of French

Very helpful review for those already versed in the fundamentals of French. Reviews useful everyday vocabulary and conversational tips. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Charles Sinclair
4.0 out of 5 starsA Must-Have for Students of Vocabulary

PROS: categorized into themes such as the human body, sexuality and reproduction, senses and physical reaction. Read more

Published on November 20, 2014 by Ibrahim
4.0 out of 5 starsExcellent French vocab book

This is a really awesome book for increasing French vocabulary. I got it as a supplemental learning tool to try to teach myself French, and I found it very effective in teaching... Read more

Published on October 18, 2014 by MJP
5.0 out of 5 starsDefinitely Buy This Book

We strongly suggest buying the book: Mastering French Vocabulary: Words and Phrases Translated and Divided Into 24 Thematic Categories (by Barron's). Read more

Published on October 3, 2014 by MooreNoLess
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Book was in great condition and was received in about 10 days

Published on September 30, 2014 by elaine methe
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book. Good for keeping up with my language ...

Great book. Good for keeping up with my language skills.

Published on July 20, 2014 by Joseph S. Morris
5.0 out of 5 starsVery browsable and usable

This is an older version but is nice to have around for study or casual browsing and satisfying my curiosity.

Published on February 1, 2014 by EricJT
5.0 out of 5 starsMastering French Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach

This is a well organized book. The words are divided into themes.The themes include business terms, medical terms, household terms, scientific words and phrases, units of... Read more

Published on July 25, 2012 by Donald A. Nitkin

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