''Conversational French books are available to students, but many of them presuppose some knowledge of French, some experience with another foreign language, or an adequate knowledge of grammar. Many of the books are addressed to secondary school students and the material is not pertinent to an adult. Some beginners are frightened and give up because the material seems too difficult and/or the subject matter inadequate.

Conversational French: Quick and Easy is presented to the adult or the college student who wants to attain a speaking knowledge of French with the stress more on communication and comprehension than on grammatical depth. It is useful to tourists, business people who travel to French-speaking countries, and those who want the enrichment and enjoyment of learning a foreign language.

This book accompanies a course that will be very useful to the student and still not intimidate or embarrass him with long grammatical terms; i.e. demonstrative adjectives are called ''Ways to say 'this' or 'that';'' possessive adjectives are called ''Ways to explain possession;'' conjugations are explained in terms of how we explain during each lesson, and mistakes in grammar are minimized if not entirely overlooked. Again, the main purpose of the book is for the student to speak and to understand the spoken word, even if imperfectly. He is encouraged to use motions or descriptions in vocabulary with which he is acquainted if he does not know the exact vocabulary; i.e., 'facial tissues' could be 'papier pour le nez' (paper for one's nose) or even 'le Kleenex'.

The general format of each lesson includes:
1. Vocabulary: to be repeated many times in class and memorized, partially by classroom repetition but also at home, aloud, if possible.
2. Explanation: an informal explanation, in layman's terms, of grammar.
3. Culture: some description of French customs so that the American will not make an inappropriate remark to a French-speaking person. It also includes helpful material for the tourists.
4. Practice: suggestions for impromptu dialogues and conversation. Grammatical exercises or explicit duplication of French for English is purposely avoided so that the student can ''think in French'' as much as possible in this short of a course.
5. Extra vocabulary: Since a minimum of vocabulary which the student can use to make himself understood is offered in the first part of each lesson, extra vocabulary is presented at its end for enrichment.

With the use of this book, students will be speaking French to one another and to the teacher from the very first day of class. Emphasis is on repetition. Only the present tense is used in the first ten lessons. The future and a past tense are introduced in Lessons 11 through 15.

There are two forms for ''you'' in French, one used with close friends and relatives and one used with strangers or people in high positions. Since the student will probably be dealing with French people whom he does not know very well, the first ten chapters will use the formal 'vous', and the informal 'tu' will be introduced in Chapter 11.

The lessons are kept light and personal so that the student is relaxed and perhaps even entertained. Use of the first name is encouraged, regardless of age.'' (Preface, iii-iv)

CONTENTS

Preface

French Pronunciation

Lesson 1 - Présentation (Introduction)
Vocabulary -- Greetings, introductions, telling one's name, farewells.
Explanation -- Accent marks, abbreviations, conjugation - Verb aller
Culture -- Greetings

Lesson 2 - Parlons (Let's Talk)
Vocabulary -- Useful expressions, nationalities, adjectives
Explanation -- Small and capital letters, plural, negative, questions, gender, number - Verb être
Culture -- Places where French is spoken

Lesson 3 - La famille (The Family)
Vocabulary -- Family members, numbers, "er" verbs
Definition -- Definite article, "er" verbs - Verb avoir
Culture -- The French family

Lesson 5 - L'Heure et le Temps (Time and Weather)
Vocabulary -- Telling time, time expressions, weather expressions
Explanation -- ''ir'' verbs, ''avoir'' expressions, numbers
Culture -- The 24 hour clock and weather in France

Lesson 5 - Les Métiers (Occupations)
Vocabulary -- Occupations, ''re'' verbs, days of the week, numbers
Explanation -- Indefinite article, ''re'' verbs, use of the definite article - Verb vouloir


Culture -- French government, calendar, and sports

Lesson 6 - La Maison (Home)
Vocabulary -- Rooms, meals, activities, location of the house, months, dates
Explanation -- Use of the definite article, possessions, use of ''some'' and ''any'', ''du'' and ''des'', ''au'' and ''aux'', ''dates'', ''on'' - Verbs vernir pouvoir
Culture -- Guests in a French household, French housing

Lesson 7 - Un voyage (A Trip)
Vocabulary -- Travel in a French speaking country, money exchange, luggage, local transportation, numbers, seasons
Explanation -- Numbers, noun modifiers, position of adjectives, ''je voudrais'', demonstratives, negatives, verb followed by infinitive - Verbs voir savoir
Culture -- Travel in France

Lesson 8 - Un restaurant (A Restaurant)
Vocabulary -- Foodstuffs, beverages, tableware, meals, ''avoir'' expressions
Explanation -- The words for ''what'', numbers, spelling changes
Culture -- French food and restaurants

Lesson 9 - Faire les Courses (Going Shopping)
Vocabulary -- A shopping trip, clothing, gift items, colors
Explanation -- ''Ought'' and ''to have to,'' use of subject pronouns, and disjuntive pronouns, command forms
Culture -- Stores in France

Lesson 10 - Le Corps Humain (The Human Body)
Vocabulary -- Illness, parts of the body, medicine, personal services
Explanation -- Use of ''the'' with parts of the body, prepositions with verbs, ''il faut'' with pronouns - Verb mettre

Culture -- Using gestures

Lesson 11 - Le Bureau de Poste et la Banque (The Post Office and the Bank)

Vocabulary -- Mailing letters, packages, and post cards, cashing checks
Explanation -- Future, ''n'est-ce pas?'', questions, use of familiar form of ''you,'' command forms - Verb prendre
Culture -- Exchanging American currency and use of ''tu'' and ''vous''

Lesson 12 - Les Fêtes (Holidays)
Vocabulary -- Parties, national holiday
Explanation -- The reflexive pronoun, use of ''jouer,'', irregular comparatives - Verb s'asseoir

Culture -- Family holidays and fairs, parks

Lesson 13 - Le Supermarché et le Marché en Plein Air (The Supermarket and the Open Air Market)
Vocabulary -- Shopping for foodstuffs, clothing and luxury items
Explanation -- Comparisons of equality, comparisons of inequality - Past tense ''y'' and ''en''

Culture -- Canada and Tahiti

Lesson 14 - L'Aeroport (The Airport)
Vocabulary -- Airplanes, departure, on the airplane, arrival at destination
Explanation -- ''Connaitre'' and ''savoir'', ''en'' for ''upon'', present participle, indirect object pronouns - Verb connaître
Culture -- Transportation

Lesson 15 - Le Diverstissement (Entertainment)
Vocabulary -- Dating, dancing, theater, watching TV, going to ball game, etc.
Explanation -- Irregular comparatives, ''se'' and ''nous'' meaning ''one another'', use of ''être'' in past tense, use of ''si'' (yes) - Verb rire
Culture -- Education and pastimes

Vocabulary -- French - English

Vocabulary -- French - English