They have to! After all, we are extremely demanding when it comes to English proficiency and it is virtually impossible to get a decent job in these countries without fluent English. In theory at least…Īlthough America, Canada, and the UK are some of the most diverse countries in the world, which should make learning foreign languages a breeze, there’s a major problem for us: most foreign residents speak excellent English. If you’re fortunate enough to have a French community in your city, then there will be plenty of opportunities to get to know people and practice your French with them. If you’re really not in a position to spend some time in a French-speaking country, the next best thing would be to find a language exchange partner in your home country. The editors have done an excellent job in moulding a highly satisfying book for upper-intermediate learners that provides just the right level of exposure to France’s rich literary heritage without giving cause for any feelings of demoralisation. None of the texts are too long, and the extensive vocabulary index at the back of the book keeps things moving nicely. This, combined with the useful cultural notes and translations of difficult words that appear at the bottom of each page, makes reading this book a joy. That said, all of the short stories – ranging from Voltaire’s Micromégas to Camus’s L'Hôte have been handpicked for the very reason that they are both interesting and surmountable. There’s no denying that the texts in this collection are difficult: only solid upper-intermediate learners should attempt them. How can intermediate learners dip their toes into the choppy waters of French literature without feeling defeated after the first few pages? The answer is this wonderful book of classic French short stories. This means that you can pick or choose sections depending on your strengths and interests, or, alternatively, work your way through it systematically.Ĭombined with Anki, it is the single best way to accumulate a large enough word base to sit the B1-C1 exams. The first subsection contains basic vocabulary, whereas the last one will prepare you to authoritatively discuss the topic in question. Using French Vocabulary is divided into 20 section (the natural world, industry, leisure & tourism, the physical body, etc.), and each section is divided into three subsections. Learning vocabulary can sometimes feel like a slightly random and chaotic experience – we get to grips with some areas quickly, only to discover (at just the wrong time!) that we have embarrassingly large gaps in our knowledge. If not, you will have to take our word that this is an invaluable textbook, that will raise all aspects of your French proficiency. The vocabulary in these books is still pretty simple, but the grammar is often more regular than those aimed at younger readers.įor those of you who have studied other languages, you may be familiar with Cambridge University Press’s excellent ‘ Using X Vocabulary’ series. There is nothing easy about children’s literature – especially for learners of French! Although the concepts and storylines are simplistic enough to be enjoyed by toddlers, you face a number of surprisingly tricky linguistic challenges, such as a confusing array of diminutives, strange vocabulary, and irregular sentence structure.Ī far better option would be to start off with something aimed at older children/teenagers. Many language guides come out with the same suggestion: start with children’s books. So where is the best place to start once you’re ready to venture out into the world of literature? The vast majority of books and newspapers available to you will be too challenging at this point, and yet, equally, you can’t stay tethered to the artificially simplistic exercises in your textbooks for too long. Choosing reading material is not easy when you’ve just started learning a foreign language.
0 kommentar(er)
