Excerpt
Contrastes: grammaire du francais courant is a French grammar text geared specifically to English-speaking students. It can be used either as an integral part of an advanced or a high intermediate French language course, or on its own, as a reference grammar.
Contrastes is meant for those who have already acquired a good foundation in French (through contextual or communicative approaches), but who need a thorough review of grammar as they move to the next level of proficiency. It should be of particular use to students planning to study abroad. It is also designed for instructors who prefer to use a traditional grammar textbook in tandem with their own choice of cultural materials, composition books, and/or literary materials or readers, rather than to rely on a single manual in which grammar, literature, and culture come as a prepackaged unit.
Contrastes is written in French, with occasional footnote explanations in English. Although the treatment of grammar is by no means definitive or exhaustive, it covers areas that are most confusing for English speakers, and directly addresses their unique set of questions. Related and/or confusing structures within the French language are clarified through a wealth of contrasting examples that also help to emphasize the syntactical differences between French and English. Contrastes further illuminates the more vexing grammatical issues by illustrating (in strike-through style) the most common mistakes and by explaining how to avoid them; students can therefore learn better how to self-correct. All examples are accompanied by idiomatic American English translations. These are meant to provide both clarity and efficiency and to ensure that unknown vocabulary does not stand in the way of the learning process, especially for students at the intermediate level or for those who are using Contrastes simply as a reference grammar. These translations also offer the opportunity to review, reinforce, and expand useful, day-to-day vocabulary.
Pedagogical Features
- Twenty independent chapters. These can be studied in any order, according to students' needs and course levels. Each chapter is organized in a progression that is coherent yet flexible. Undoubtedly, some chapters will take longer to study than others, especially the more challenging ones that have been placed in the second part of the book. (The difficulty of any given chapter is, of course, a matter of individual assessment.)
- Grammatical points are clearly numbered for easy reference, so they can be studied in various sequences, depending on students' abilities. Asterisks mark more advanced or complex topics or issues within each chapter, allowing teachers and learners to tailor the textbook to their own pedagogical approach or needs.
- Nota Bene, explicitly numbered and titled, also help draw attention to exceptions, contrasts, or common confusions.
- Tableaux synthetiques allow students to grasp key information at a glance. Generous lists of frequently used verbs, helpful vocabulary, and familiar idiomatic expressions are provided within the body of the text (rather than in appendices), and make for easier learning and retention. Explanations using basic grammatical terminology are given in accurate yet accessible French.
- Autrement dit. For more difficult issues, however, Contrastes provides a few footnote explanations in English. These are meant especially for intermediate students, who should not have to struggle to get the point, and for those wishing to use Contrastes as a reference grammar.
- Short verification exercises (with answer keys at the back of the book) have been placed strategically within each chapter; they are designed to help students to master key concepts and rules and to build their confidence as they move from simple to more complex structures.
- Accompanying Workbook. This supplement closely follows the presentation of each chapter and provides opportunity for additional practice. Exercises (with answer keys at the end of the book) move from basic to more advanced structures, from "fill in the blanks" to open-ended sentences, culminating in short English/French translations and compositions. More challenging exercises are marked by an asterisk so that instructors may choose assignments according to the level and strength of their students. A number of exercises require oral or written work with a partner, and thus can easily be used as an in-class activity.