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Contents
Preface
Easy French Step-by-Step will help you learn the basics of Frenchfor speaking, reading, and writingas quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Prepared for beginners and advanced beginners, this book teaches French grammar and natural, everyday speech in logical order to enable you to develop and build on your language skills.
To take full advantage of the grammatical progression of this book, youll need to learn each chapter or stepand the sequence within each chapterone after another. We advise you not to skip around. Each step you take will lead you to the next. Chapters consist of clear grammar explanations, numerous reinforcement activities (with a complete Answer Key), vocabulary study, and short practice readings in French. Try to learn every concept before you undertake the next one.
present the fundamentals of verb conjugation and verb use in the present tense (to express declarative statements, negation, yes/no questions, and information questions). We start with the most common French verbs, tre (to be) and avoir (to have), and the largest group of verbs (those with infinitives ending in -er). Complete model verb conjugations allow you to practice all the forms as you learn their meanings. Chapters 4 through 9 present the rest of the regular and irregular verb system, step-by-step, alongside other topics. Vocabulary was selected based on frequency and thematic usefulness. The vocabulary lists will help expand your communicative skills and allow you to function in various settings.
A variety of exercises and activities follow each grammar step and vocabulary list. You may use them to check your understanding and progress. There is a complete Answer Key in the back of the book, which also includes sample answers to all personalized questions. We suggest that you also keep a journal or diary, jotting down your own vocabulary lists, questions, and statements so you can practice them aloud. If you take control of your own learning, youll never be bored!
Original, author-written readings are included in every chapter (starting in ). They become more challenging in form and content as the book progresses. Use these Reading Comprehension sections to learn additional vocabulary (a list of new words follows each reading), to practice reading aloud, and to gain confidence in reading other materials. Try to answer the follow-up questions in complete sentences.
Easy French Step-by-Step is divided into three parts. The first part gives you the elements of French, using the present tense. Youll notice that the word order of English and French is essentially the same. This makes learning in the early stages very quick. The second part explains the use of object nouns and pronouns, pronominal (or reflexive) verbs, the present participle (equivalent to the English -ing), and the imperative (or command form). You will find some of these structures different from English in syntax (word order). The third part of Easy French Step-by-Step expands your competence into the past and future tenses, and the conditional and subjunctive moods, with usage specific to French.
English speakers often say that French is easy enough to readthere are an extraordinary number of cognate (similar) words in the two languagesbut that it is difficult to pronounce. French does have several sounds that do not exist in English; youll need to learn those. Most French sounds, however, both consonants and vowels, are quite similar to English. Be sure to use the upcoming Guide to Pronunciation section for study, review, and reference. Return to it whenever you wish to check something. Practice the sounds and examples out loud. If possible, try to practice with a native or near-native French speaker. Throughout the book, remember to read all the French examples and activities aloud to help develop your pronunciation.
Once you have some experience with the sounds and the letter combinations, you will see that they are limited and consistent, which, believe it or not, will make French easy for you to understand and to spell. If you can spell in English, which is notoriously difficult, you will be able to pronounce and spell in French. Supplement your study by listening to French radio and online broadcasts, CDs, movies, videos, and television programs. With modern media, these opportunities are increasingly easy to come by.
