Saloom, Barbara B. <br/><br/>
Conversational French : Quick and Easy / 
Barbara B. Saloom. 
 - Boxford, MA :  Barbara B. Saloom,  1993. 
 - xi, 131 p. :  ill. ;  28 cm. 
<br/><br/>''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. <br/> 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. <br/> 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: <br/>  1. Vocabulary: to be repeated many times in class and memorized, partially by classroom repetition but also at home, aloud, if possible. <br/>  2. Explanation: an informal explanation, in layman's terms, of grammar.<br/>  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. <br/>  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.<br/>  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.<br/> 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<br/> French Pronunciation<br/> Lesson 1 - Présentation (Introduction)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Greetings, introductions, telling one's name, farewells.<br/>  Explanation -- Accent marks, abbreviations, conjugation - Verb aller<br/>  Culture -- Greetings<br/> Lesson 2 - Parlons (Let's Talk)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Useful expressions, nationalities, adjectives<br/>  Explanation -- Small and capital letters, plural, negative, questions, gender, number - Verb être<br/>  Culture -- Places where French is spoken<br/><br/> Lesson 3 - La famille (The Family)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Family members, numbers, "er" verbs<br/>  Definition -- Definite article, "er" verbs - Verb avoir<br/>  Culture -- The French family<br/> Lesson 5 - L'Heure et le Temps (Time and Weather)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Telling time, time expressions, weather expressions<br/>  Explanation -- ''ir'' verbs, ''avoir'' expressions, numbers <br/>  Culture -- The 24 hour clock and weather in France<br/><br/> Lesson 5 - Les Métiers  (Occupations)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Occupations, ''re'' verbs, days of the week, numbers<br/>  Explanation -- Indefinite article, ''re'' verbs, use of the definite article - Verb vouloir<br/><br/><br/>   Culture -- French government, calendar, and sports<br/> Lesson 6 - La Maison (Home)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Rooms, meals, activities, location of the house, months, dates<br/>  Explanation -- Use of the definite article, possessions, use of ''some'' and ''any'', ''du'' and ''des'', ''au'' and ''aux'', ''dates'', ''on''  - Verbs vernir pouvoir<br/>  Culture -- Guests in a French household, French housing<br/> Lesson 7 - Un voyage (A Trip)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Travel in a French speaking country, money exchange, luggage, local transportation, numbers, seasons<br/>  Explanation -- Numbers, noun modifiers, position of adjectives, ''je voudrais'', demonstratives, negatives, verb followed by infinitive - Verbs voir savoir<br/>  Culture -- Travel in France<br/> Lesson 8 - Un restaurant (A Restaurant)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Foodstuffs, beverages, tableware, meals, ''avoir'' expressions<br/>  Explanation -- The words for ''what'', numbers, spelling changes<br/>  Culture -- French food and restaurants<br/> Lesson 9 - Faire les Courses (Going Shopping)<br/>  Vocabulary -- A shopping trip, clothing, gift items, colors<br/>  Explanation -- ''Ought'' and ''to have to,'' use of subject pronouns, and disjuntive pronouns, command forms<br/>  Culture -- Stores in France<br/> Lesson 10 - Le Corps Humain (The Human Body)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Illness, parts of the body, medicine, personal services<br/>  Explanation -- Use of ''the'' with parts of the body, prepositions with verbs, ''il faut'' with pronouns - Verb mettre<br/><br/>  Culture -- Using gestures<br/> Lesson 11 - Le Bureau de Poste et la Banque (The Post Office and the Bank)<br/><br/>   Vocabulary -- Mailing letters, packages, and post cards, cashing checks<br/>  Explanation -- Future, ''n'est-ce pas?'', questions, use of familiar form of ''you,'' command forms - Verb prendre<br/>  Culture -- Exchanging American currency and use of ''tu'' and ''vous''<br/> Lesson 12 - Les Fêtes (Holidays)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Parties, national holiday <br/>  Explanation -- The reflexive pronoun, use of ''jouer,'', irregular comparatives - Verb s'asseoir<br/><br/>  Culture -- Family holidays and fairs, parks<br/> Lesson 13 - Le Supermarché et le Marché en Plein Air (The Supermarket and the Open Air Market)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Shopping for foodstuffs, clothing and luxury items<br/>  Explanation -- Comparisons of equality,  comparisons of inequality - Past tense ''y'' and ''en''<br/><br/>  Culture -- Canada and Tahiti<br/> Lesson 14 - L'Aeroport (The Airport)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Airplanes, departure, on the airplane, arrival at destination<br/>  Explanation -- ''Connaitre'' and ''savoir'', ''en'' for ''upon'', present participle, indirect object pronouns - Verb connaître<br/>  Culture -- Transportation<br/> Lesson 15 - Le Diverstissement (Entertainment)<br/>  Vocabulary -- Dating, dancing, theater, watching TV, going to ball game, etc.<br/>  Explanation -- Irregular comparatives, ''se'' and ''nous'' meaning ''one another'', use of ''être'' in past tense, use of ''si'' (yes) - Verb rire<br/>  Culture -- Education and pastimes<br/> Vocabulary -- French - English<br/> Vocabulary -- French - English <br/> 
<br/><br/><label>ISBN: </label>0962775517 (pbk.) 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>French language<br/>French language--Spoken French<br/>French language--English.--Textbooks for foreign speakers<br/>French language--Grammar<br/>French language--English.--Conversation and phrase books