Horizons by Joan H. Manley et al. (review)

Extremely well laid out and visually enticing, this 7 ^thedition focuses on effective communication in the target language and acquisition of cultural competencies at the beginner level. The authors not only thoroughly update the previous edition, they integrate more effective and enticing cultural materials on one hand, and on the other, a wonderfully rich user-friendly platform, MindTap. Each chapter, including the preliminary chapter, opens with the new Géocultureand Vidéo-voyages. Images are colorful and inviting; readings brief enough to supplement the lesson without overwhelming the student. In addition, the pre-, during-, and post-video activities exemplify the superb pedagogical approach of this volume. The most valuable innovation of the new edition is clearly the well-designed, user-friendly (both for instructor and student) online platform MindTap. The online activities supplement rather than duplicate the text exercises. MindTap first introduces clear learning objectives, then presents new content through short videos, as well as through clear and concise visual images and textual means. Given the easily customizable approach of the platform, instructors can choose which activities will help their students learn the concepts that they find most important. Students receive immediate feedback and may attempt the exercises as often as needed. For my students, this repetition and ability to get a perfect score not only motivates them, it teaches them the material. While the user-friendly MindTap along with the responsive Cengage team alone make me wish to switch from our current text by another company, there is so much more that makes this text a worthy choice for teaching university students starting their French-learning journey. Both instructor and student will appreciate the clear and concise grammar explanations with plenty of examples and exercises to solidify learning, as well as the two-page Comparaisons culturellesand Résumé de grammairewhich summarize the objectives of each lesson. The structure of Horizonsdivides the chapter into four Compétencescontaining logically grouped chunks of materials. The cultural, grammar, and vocabulary reviews neatly frame each chapter. More importantly, the authors deftly incorporate multiple styles of learning, clearly presented grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation explanations and activities. All materials are well chosen with students' interests in mind, so important to motivating students to learn. The abundance of readings, grammar, video, and discussion activities permit the instructor to adapt the text to their own teaching style and level of students. For those who are strapped for ideas or time, the instructor's manual's teaching suggestions and strategies will increase communicative and cultural approaches and prove quite enticing. Given the clear grammar and cultural presentations, and bountiful well-scaffolded exercises, however, instructors will find themselves with more time for active learning in the classroom, and less time spent explaining concepts.