French All-in-One For Dummies, with CD

In 1963, my school introduced those of us with parents who wanted their children to attend a university, to a survey course in one of three foreign languages. Spanish had always been the number one language selected, presumably because of its practicality, followed by Fench, which almost exclusively selected by girls. No idea why . Latin . Why? Anyway, at the end of the year assembly, the principal pointed out that there was a significant increase in students electing to take up French. What he failed to mention was that the vast majority of those students were male. The French teacher ( no names, but you know who you are) was fresh out of college, and undoubtedly the best looking junior high teacher in the entire state. The average 13 year old boy. overflowing with poisonous hormones, was unable to resist the sirens' call of Sur le Pont, d'Avignon. But it was in high school where I encountered one of my two best teachers, who actually managed to teach me. foreign language that i retain to this day. Unfortunately, my language skills have deteriorated somewhat ( use it or lose it) and after over 60 years since completing French 6 at University, i am going to France for the first time, and I do not want to embarrass Miss Schreibstein. The book is a dream to navigate. I can read a French document, or listen to a French podcast, and then jump into the appropriate section of my Dummies book in order to straighten out my deficiencies . I do not believe that the book would work for someone with no French skills, but it would be a great asset for struggling beginners who do not have the highly skilled teaching that I experienced, as well as people with virtually any level of French short of being bilingual.

In 1975, while in the U.S. Army, I studied French language at the "Presidio of Monterey, Ca, Language School (DLI) for 25 weeks. I graduated at the top of my class. I am using this book as my “Bible” for my continuing French foreign language study. In my opinion, this is best book available to study French with. The pronunciation guides are “spot on.”

These days there are many non-professional videos on YT which are better than most of the material commonly found on the CD's and DVD's of books to teach French. This book covers a round of basics serving as a tangible visual reference. More so than some other languages French needs to be seen as well as heard and spoken to comprehend it. No one will ever learn to speak a foreign language merely listening and repeating words and phrases. No one will learn a language merely reading books. You have to interact with French speakers and preferably at least a few who speak informally like you are going to encounter in an environment of French speakers. I cannot say what you ideal conditions are for learning but I know I need to recall how the words are spelled and how sentences are constructed in a fraction of a second as I hear what is said around me and think of what and how to respond. Of all the books available on Amazon this one seems to fill some of the void as I attempt to familiarize myself with the French language.

This is a really great book for learning French. Very detailed and descriptive.

I like that it comes with a cd. That is helpful.

I am taking a French class next semester in uni and got this book to practice before the class starts!

Always love these Dummies books, so informative and easy to read.

The book looks good, but the CD will not play as it is warped and wont go into any of our three CD players.

I ordered this French for Dummies book because the ‘complete edition’ was cheaper than buying all the other books separately. However, it is extremely large and cumbersome, and I’m unable to take it places when I want to go and study French. Which is why we therefore recommend the individual additions which can work on separately and take easily with you.

Really good book to practice french

It does what the information says. It is a big book and there's a CD, lots of pages with translations etc. I bought it for my son as he wants to update his French.

Tal y como me lo esperaba. De todos los libros que miré, este me pareció que estaba escrito en el mejor orden. Me está gustando:)

Es muy bueno, buenas bases del francés, la verdad si siento que he aprendido, si tú eres de hacer ejercicios manuales, no creo que sea tu libro, en cambio si eres como yo que lo lees y posteriormente escuchas audios sin necesidad de escribir tanto porque tienes buen autoaprendizaje creo que es ideal para ti, buen libro, es grueso y algo grandesito eso sí, se parece aprox... En tamaño a un libro mediano, de 3 dedos de grueso