This is Probably the most delightful, useful, and comprehensive elementary book available for learning spoken and written French, either with or without a teacher. Working on the principle that a person learns more quickly by example then by rule, Lemaître has assembled colloquial French conversations on a variety of subjects, as well as grammar, vocabulary, and idiom studies. presented through French sentences that demonstrate the language rather than merely describe it.
The student will find pleasure in the amusing sketches and drawings used to imbed new vocabulary firmly in the student's mind, in the many excellent photographs of Paris and other French towns and landmarks, and in the glimpses of French culture and custom subtly interwoven into the conversational material.
This book, though eminently useful for self study, is especially amenable to classroom use or study with a private tutor. The variety of teaching aids that this book places at the teacher's disposal is remarkable. Each lesson contains a dialogue, a section on grammar and idioms (replete with examples), and extensive practice exercises. In addition there are 13 double-page sketches of specific scenes (train station, beauty parlor, interior of a house) with pertinent items numbered and identified in French and English; sketches and photographs which the student is asked to describe in French; collections of French sayings, quips, etc.