French Course Part 1: A New French Course by Ron S Horan & John R Wheeler

The aim of this book is to provide an introduction to the study of the French language based largely on an aural-oral approach.For the student commencing the study of a foreign language, very little pleasure, and in many cases little benefit, is derived from translating into French whole sets of sentences and grammatical exercises. Hence this aspect of language work occupies only a minor place in this book which breaks with the traditional grammar and translation approach. The principal objectives are to get the student to understand the simple spoken word, to be able to say simple things with a reasonably good accent, and to comprehend what he reads.The lessons afford ample opportunity for practising oral techniques. The passages of French have been written to illustrate grammatical points, and questions in French bearing on these passages test the student's comprehension of the text and ability to give simple answers in French.Each lesson contains a dict嶪 which consolidates the grammatical material presented. Common class-room commands and questions have been included so that as much French as possible may be used in the course of each lesson. Exercices de prononciation, which, it is hoped, will help students acquire a reasonably good accent, are included in the book. The various positions of the organs of speech for the production of the vowel sounds have been described briefly and as simply as possible.Many teachers will no doubt use the passages of French for class oral reading practice; we have therefore indicated liaison by using a suitable sign.To maintain the pupil's interest, the exercises in each lesson have been varied as much as possible. Simple exercises in sentence composition have been included to give the student practice in self-expression in French.The vocabulary used in the book consists principally of words appearing in the official list drawn up by the Commission du Fran蓷is 幨幦entaire. By limiting in this way the range of words met, we have ensured that the student learns the commonest words first.The amount of time available in the First Form for the study of French may vary considerably from school to school. Many classes will not commence French until the second term or later in the year. It is suggested therefore that, where all the material in the book is not covered in the First Form, it could be conveniently completed in the first term of the Second Form when the books would not yet be wanted by the new First Form students.We would like to thank Madame J. Radisson of the French Embassy and Dr E. Goldstein for valuable assistance in the preparation of the book. We would like to also express our thanks to Mr R. Mitchell and Mr K. Gilmour of Fort Street Boys' High School for their much appreciated help with the song settings.It is sincerely hoped that this book will provide students with a sound foundation in French which will enable them to further their study of the language.R. S. HoranJ. R. WheelerFrench Course Part 2French Course Part 3French Course Part 4French Course Part 5French Course Part 6 - A French Vocabulary