Vite Et Bien 1: Méthode Rapide Pour Adultes by Claire Miguel (review)

This complete program for the A1–A2 adult learner offers lessons on practical topics with exercises and supplements that will appeal to all types of learners. Units follow a similar structure, so learners will know what to expect as they progress through them. The volume is also similar to many of the CLE International texts for FLE, so instructors who use them will feel at ease. The first unit, for example, begins with four dialogues that take place in a café. This has become a common way to introduce students to situational French. The accompanying CD holds recordings of each of these conversations and can be used in class or for student practice at home. The audio recordings allow students to hear spoken language and follow along with the textual support in the manual. Following the dialogues, students find key expressions and documents that relate to the subject of the dialogue. In the case of unit one, this is a menu. Additional vocabulary is then presented with images and thematic lists. Grammar presentations follow and include what one would expect within the situation of a café with the verb avoir, along with numbers and articles. Each unit concludes with activities that address vocabulary, civilization, and grammar. These varied activities include mechanical exercises with fill-ins, word searches, matching, and dialogue completion. The end of each unit provides an evaluation that assesses the skills and concepts introduced in the unit with point values. With built-in evaluations, instructors would have the option to use those for assessments or to allow students to self-test. With the audio CD and answer key, there are many ways for students to get feedback while working at home. This will allow more class time for practice and application of language. In all, twenty units cover the use of situational French that A1–A2 learners would expect if traveling to a French-speaking country. Tasks such as ordering food, telephone communication, seeking information, talking about health, family, and tourism are just some of the topics covered. The volume is visually appealing with modern images and diverse activities that allow students with all learning preferences to have input. This is an ideal volume for accelerated courses offered at the university level for students who had some exposure to French in high school or for a true FLE classroom. Absolute beginners in the American classroom may feel frustrated by the lack of English for definitions or grammar explanations at this introductory level. That said, the volume is great for a more immersive experience.