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Ultimate French Beginner-Intermediate (CD/Book) (Ultimate Beginner-Intermediate) Bilingual Edition

by Living Language (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars 28 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-1400021055
ISBN-10: 1400021057
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Product Details

  • Series: Ultimate Beginner-Intermediate
  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Living Language; Bilingual edition (September 21, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1400021057
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400021055
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 2.4 x 10.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,398,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsRecommendation from a French teacher
By Prof de francais on August 1, 2006
Format: Paperback
The Living Language Ultimate series is my personal number 1 choice when it comes to learning foreign languages, and this French version is no exception.

The whole course is based around realistic dialogues, so you are learning spoken French all the way through the book. Of course you will learn to read it too, but the focus on the spoken language to the extent to which it is presented here helps you build up speech patterns.

Each dialogue features certain language points that are covered in detail in the explanations that follow. These explanations are easy to follow, but extensive enough to give you everything you really need to know, rather than obscure facts and features of the language you are never going to need. In addition, cultural notes support each unit.

The audio component is unique to Living Language, a far as I know. Of the 8 cassettes or CDs, 4 are for use in class, and contain only French. The other 4 are for use at those times when you are travelling, exercising etc. i.e. when you are unable to use the book but you are able to listen and repeat. The `On The Go' recordings feature explanations in English, which support and reinforce the learning you do with the textbook. Far from being a gimmick, these recordings offer a unique element to the course, which allows you to extend your knowledge, even when you cannot learn in a traditional study environment.

A further feature of the course is the advanced volume, which is based upon the same conversational approach as the beginner/intermediate course, and which offers the student the option to take the language further in a format he or she is used to, and therefore, comfortable with.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsAnother French teacher who loved it!!!
By T'Pau, High Priestess of Logic on October 4, 2006
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I loved, loved, loved this package! In fact, I'll have to buy a new book soon since my old one is so worn out from nights of study and review. This set, to me, is so much better than Pimsleur. It all depends on what you wish to learn. Pimsleur is all audio, so from a purely conversion vantage it might be better for tourists, but it doesn't teach you the ins and outs of the language. Grammar is basic (sometimes non existent). This is the exact opposite. You learn the language properly, by learning how to build it noun by verb etc. It's the way that every child should be taught his primary language (but seldom is, hence Prof. Higgins' rant!). After completing this course (which, if you're studying it thoroughly, should be at the rate of a lesson a week), you will have all the tools you need to construct sentences in several forms of the past, present, and future, as well as having a very solid foundation for pronunciating (most students biggest complaint about French) correctly. I bought this set my senior year of high school to prepare me for college French, and I must say, I learned more from this set than I did all four years of high school French and the first year of college. If you really want to lay the ground work for French fluency, voici le livre!!!
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent!
By Randy on October 19, 2005
Format: Paperback
Excellent self study course as is all of the ultimate series. If you are motivated and organized in your studies you can learn much from this course not only about the language but also how to use it which is most important. You will not need a teacher. In fact I have never known anyone to become truely proficient through classes. You must study every day. I would reccomend this course along with Barrons mastering. Barrons for the drilling method which may be old but us tried and true and Ultimate for the up to date diologues and vocabulary. Also listen to movies with french tracks and also the internet news in French can be invaluable in developing your listening comprehension.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn easy way to learn French !
By Marti Fabien on March 16, 2007
Format: Paperback
I am French and I teach French as a foreign language. I highly recommand thsi method. It starts with simple dialogues which get trickier and trickier but very gradually. The voices, intonation and accent sound really authentic too. A very good choice !
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5.0 out of 5 starsBalanced with Good Presentation
By Chris C. on September 20, 2008
Format: Paperback
For the analytically minded language learner who really wants to LEARN the language, this course is probably the most balanced available. It is well laid out and presented in a clear, concise manner. There are plenty of practice problems. The text itself takes you farther than most beginning language courses and the advanced book (sold separately) picks up where this one ends. There is lots of audio--two separate series on the CDs, one following the book, the other supplemental (can be listened to while you are driving, exercising, or whatever).

I like the Living Language books because they are self-contained and I don't feel as if I need to be working through other course books concurrently as I do when working through offerings from some other language-learning publishers. The only negative for me personally is that the vocabulary comes quite fast. I find myself getting way ahead in the grammar while being stalled with loads of vocabulary. This, however, is a personal weakness/strength issue and you may not have this problem. Other than that, I can't think of a thing that I don't like about this course.

How does this offering compare with other company's offerings? I would have to say that Living Languages and Hugo are my favorites. Hugo is great for stripped down, no fluff presentation. I really like their stuff. But, they tend to be very intense and typically do not have sufficient practice problems. Living Language is more balanced and takes you farther with the grammar and vocabulary. I'd say the two are tied for my favorites. Teach Yourself also has some great offerings... but choose wisely, because they are not consistent and offer some real dogs as well. Living Language and Hugo have a consistent format and you know what to expect from all of their courses.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 starsWould have like a replacement but was notified three were none

pages 1-17 were missing. Would have like a replacement but was notified three were none. Suggestion: check books to see if all pages are there. thank you!

Published 12 days ago by barbara holzel
5.0 out of 5 starsNice textbook

Great book so far. I'm using this as a reference alongside Duolingo to brush up on my French. It's a solid text book.

Published 13 months ago by El Lobo Rojo
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great book for learning.

Published 20 months ago by Sandra Chambers-Rohling
5.0 out of 5 starsI totally recommend! Bonne Chance

Very informative book at a really reasonable price ! I totally recommend ! Bonne Chance !

Published on July 3, 2014 by Nadia Zul
4.0 out of 5 starsAs advertised. Thank you.

Nothing more to say. I don't see the point of this site forcing one to be so very, very wordy.

Published on February 21, 2014 by Musyka
1.0 out of 5 starsNot for beginner

Not for beginner -CD starts from reading dialogue #1, #2, and then go on..
I don't see how the beginner can use it.

Published on February 19, 2013 by Megan
5.0 out of 5 starsBook ordered was excellent condition

I was very pleased and surprised to find that the book ordered was in excellent condition, even though it stated used condition. Read more

Published on May 9, 2012 by Neil G
1.0 out of 5 starsSomething's Wrong Here

Bought the book for about $15 from Amazon, not paying too close attention to the details. Reviews are glowing and give one the impression that the book comes with CD or CDs. Read more

Published on October 7, 2011 by W. Brown
4.0 out of 5 starsGood program

I am pleased with the Living Language system. It provides a good baseline for a beginner to the language: pronunciation, verb use, basic vocab. Read more

Published on May 27, 2009 by Judd G. Hardina
5.0 out of 5 starsFor serious learner

If you are a serious learner, this course is for you. I have used also Pimsleur and Fluenz. They are suitable for a tourist, but they won't really teach you the language. Read more

Published on March 28, 2009 by Ahmed Badawy

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