T’es branché 1 par Toni Theisen, Jacques Pécheur, and: T’es branché 2 par Toni Theisen, Jacques Pécheur, and: T’es branché 3 par Toni Theisen, Jacques Pécheur (review)

teacher’s editions in the context of twenty-first-century language pedagogy. The introductory materials remind teachers of best practices (“Maintain the Target Language,” “Cultivate Critical Thinking,” and “Encourage Use of Circumlocution”). Teachers also receive tips on using performance assessments and following the instructional design of the books. The latter is broken down into six steps, the structure of each chapter: context, vocabulary, media, culture, structure, and skill synthesis and communication. The authors could have left this information in the introductory materials, but it is clear that they have intentionally structured the entire D’accord! series in order to provide teachers support and direction through every chapter. The teacher’s editions have full margins on almost every page, as opposed to other editions with more white space and shorter, less-frequent tips and reminders. The teacher’s marginal notes go beyond just ideas for supplemental activities. They bring up the 5 Cs on a regular basis, direct teachers to specific components of the Supersite, relate sections to other sections, and give media synopses and content explanations throughout . Though lesson preparation is always key, teachers have an abundance of materials, online and in print, that can greatly facilitate their preparation and shorten the time that they have to spend, from creation of lesson plans to grading of assignments. Bob Jones University (SC) Jeremy Patterson Theisen, Toni, and Jacques Pécheur. T’es branché 1. St Paul: EMC, 2014. ISBN 9780 -82195-852-0. Pp. 568. $109. . T’es branché 2. St Paul: EMC, 2014. ISBN 978-0-82195-997-8. Pp. 592. $109. . T’es branché 3. St Paul: EMC, 2014. ISBN 978-0-82195-999-2. Pp. 614. $109. Can a title say it all? It does with this series of textbooks intended for high school students. As a matter of fact, the textbook as an object will be deemed branché by their users for its colorful layout, its art and visual realia, as well as its integration of new and established technologies, such as quick response codes (QR codes) and short video clips illustrating dialogues from native speakers of French. As a pedagogical tool, instructors will also consider this method branché for its innovative approach to content delivery and its inclusion of the latest language learning principles. Unlike other language textbooks, T’es branché organizes each chapter around an essential question. Finding answers drives students to take an active role in their learning through a variety of well-designed communicative activities. In addition, cultural components are explored with the three modes of communication competencies emphasized by ACTFL: interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive. Each level contains 10 chapters, which are further divided into three lessons.All chapter activities contribute to building the language and cultural competencies for students to form their own opinion on how they might answer the essential question leading each chapter inquiry. Instructors should not refrain from adopting this text because of its 242 FRENCH REVIEW 90.2 Reviews 243 innovation; a focus on all skills remains. Indeed, the text includes sections dedicated to vocabulary, grammar presentations, and pronunciation as well as a mix of structured input followed by structured output activities which lead to communicative activities for students to experience language on a more personal note. Other features worth noting are the comparative inserts both in language and culture that ask students to reflect on different perspectives; the inclusion of visual arts, literature excerpts, and comic strips to culturally immerse students in each chapter’s theme while developing different types of literacy; a systematic recycling and review of grammatical points and vocabulary starting in the second volume; task-based projects ending each chapter; and a series of assessment activities which assist students in becoming self-directed learners. The drawback in having such a rich textbook with so many interesting activities is that one might find it frustrating not to be able to cover everything. In my view, one limitation of this program is the ancillary components which are not consistent with the innovative aspects of the textbook it complements. Both workbook and listening activity manual introduce more practice on cloze and open-ended activities, however it leaves behind the rich cultural focus present in the textbooks. Nonetheless...