En bonne forme is a fully integrated intermediate French program based on the conviction that a solid knowledge of French grammar is essential for successful acquisition of the language. Although the core of each chapter is the grammar section, students are given ample opportunity throughout to improve all four skills?reading, writing, listening, and speaking. All of the grammar explanations and exercise directions are given in French to encourage greater acquisition of the language. Reading selections, carefully chosen to illustrate the grammar structures presented in each chapter, are immediately reinforced with exercises.
- New! Division of vocabulary into four flexible sections helps students reinforce word retention: Vocabulaire élémentaire contains cognates or near cognates; Vocabulaire actif presents new words that appear in the reading selection; Vocabulaire suplémentaire includes additional words that are related to the readings and useful for activities; and Français en couleurs provides words and expressions pertinent to the chapter's theme that are taken from colloquial French, slang, and teenagers' language (verlan).
- New! Addition of cartoons and line art offers humorous and interesting ways for students to learn the language as well as added opportunities for in-class communicative activities.
- New! Reading comprehension exercises (Activités sur la lecture) improve students' ability to read and understand a text.
- New! Updated reading selections present stimulating, humorous, and thought-provoking stories from contemporary French and francophone authors, which support the chapter's grammar structures, highlight cultural coverage, and promote themes for interactive activities, debates, and role-playing.
- Contextualized grammar presentation provides students with clear, understandable grammar explanations, chapter-by-chapter review, and extensive practice through the use of reading material and related activities.
- Balanced focus on language skills presents contextualized opportunities for reading, writing, listening, and speaking in the core text, the Student Activities Manual, and the SAM Audio CDs.
- Recyling of previously learned material strengthens and clarifies what introductory students have already learned, in order to build a strong base for the more advanced topics.
Simone Renaud was born in France, raised in Morocco (North Africa), and studied for seven years in the Sorbonne where her degrees (Licence de lettres classiques, CAPES de Lettres Modernes, Diplome de professeur de français à l'étranger) prepared her for teaching French abroad. Her teaching experience includes teaching French in Geneva (Switzerland) for Smith College and teaching all levels, from beginners to Master Degree classes and assistants programs, at the University of Oregon in Eugene and at San Jose State University. She created and ran for many years the Alliance Française of Santa Cruz, CA, where she is retired. In addition, Professor Renaud has authored many successful French textbooks.
Dr. Dominique van Hooff is a French native who specialized in French modern literature both in France and in the US. She currently chairs the Foreign Language Department at San Jose State University. She has taught all levels of classes in French from elementary to graduate at several universities. An active and well-known scholar in her field, she has authored many articles and books (3 textbooks) and has made numerous presentations both on scholarly literary subjects and methods of teaching French throughout the world. Professor van Hooff served as President of the AATF for Northern California for 9 years. She is a Knight in the order of the French Academic Palms.
