Liaisons: An Introduction to French by Wynne Wong, et al (review)

video, Madagascar, Carnet de Voyage, was not granted the attention it deserved in terms of the activities developed for it. Although the theme of this Oscar-nominated (2011) court métrage, an exquisite watercolor-like animated movie, is about the Famadihana, none of the pedagogical activities reflects the theme. This may be due to the a priori assumption about this unique funerary festival. The Malagasy people of Madagascar celebrate every few years the Famadihaha, also known as “le retournement des morts” or “the turning of the bones.” During the festival families bring forth the bones of their ancestors from the family crypts and re-shroud them in fresh cloth. Although this may sound macabre, the Famadihana is actually a festive way (with lively music and food) to celebrate the family ties between the living generations and the departed ancestors. Overall, this manual/DVD package provides instructors and students with a well-organized mix of pedagogical activities aimed at developing various language skills. The artsy court métrage films are both entertaining and educational. Southern University and A&M College (LA) Fatima Chajia WONG, WYNNE, STACEY WEBER-FÈVE, EDWARD OUSSELIN, and BILL VANPATTEN. Liaisons: An Introduction to French. Boston: Heinle, 2013. ISBN 978-0-495-80969-2. Pp. 522. $156.95. Created in response to research in second language acquisition, this text provides students and teachers of beginning-level French with a valuable resource based on communicative language learning and teaching. Liaisons focuses on demonstrating to language learners “how they can make connections or liaisons with their classmates, their instructor, their community, the French-speaking world, and the global world at large” (AIE-9). By integrating the text’s film Liaisons, students receive significant occasions for connections between media and content throughout their language study. Each of the fourteen chapters, including the preliminary chapter, focus on themes that are relevant to students of all ages, such as “Du marché à la table” and “Les relations interpersonnelles.” Within each chapter, students and educators find consistency in the presentation of materials, as each chapter is broken into three parts, and each part divided into vocabulary, grammar, and culture. A noteworthy feature of this text is the presentation of materials based on current research. The vocabulary and grammar lessons are structured on an input-to-output approach, allowing learners to first connect to new information and then produce and practice the material. In addition, the research-based structure provides ample activities that build from more formfocused to open-ended and task-based as learners progress to higher levels of language competency. Also unique to this text, renowned artist Marie Lafrance provided spectacular accompanying illustrations that give life to the vocabulary words students are asked to acquire. Opportunities for students to make connections between themselves and others are presented throughout the text. For example , each chapter ends with unique components that allow students to create liaisons to the film and to Francophone culture, such as literature, music, and historical events. Students are also able to connect to their instructor and fellow classmates through the interactive iLrn tool and can use this suite of online materials to complete practice activities and homework assignments, take practice tests, or review video materials. The Web site also allows students to connect with a virtual 1244 FRENCH REVIEW 86.6 partner to complete activities and record audio for their instructor’s review. As students interact with material ranging from classroom vocabulary or numbers to Francophone professional athletes or “une alimentation équilibrée,” this textbook provides students who have diverse interests with ample opportunities to connect with each other and the Francophone world. The artistic illustrations, dynamic film, and opportunities for pronunciation practice and authentic communication combine into a thoughtful, well-conceived resource for language learners and educators alike, particularly in the university beginning-French classroom. University of Nebraska, Lincoln Sarah Faltin Osborn Film edited by Michèle Bissière 34e Festival International de Films de Femmes, Créteil, 30 mars–8 avril 2012. . The September 2012 issue of Les Cahiers du Cinéma includes a subtitle, “Où sont les femmes?” For thirty-four years now, the Festival International de Films de Femmes has been answering that question, although it would have benefited...