Synopses & Reviews
Since it was first published, French in Action: A Beginning Course in Language and Cultureand#151;The Capretz Method has been widely recognized in the field as a model for video-based foreign-language instructional materials. The third edition has been revised by Pierre Capretz and Barry Lydgate and includes new, contemporary illustrations throughout and more-relevant information for today's students in the Documents sections of each lesson. A completely new feature is a journal by the popular character Marie-Laure, who observes and humorously comments on the political, cultural, and technological changes in the world between 1985 and today. The new edition also incorporates more content about the entire Francophone world. In use by hundreds of colleges, universities, and high schools, French in Action remains a powerful educational resource, and the third edition updates the course for a new generation of learners.
Review
"I have been an unconditional proponent of French in Action for 14 years and continue to useand#160;it with great success. Why? Because French in Actionand#160;is the only text that allows French to be taught without using English. The pedagogical sections of the videosand#8212;and not the English languageand#8212;serve as the reference point for the text. Where events have overtaken the movie (i.e., the euro, the Internet, le tand#233;land#233;phone portable, etc.), it is easy for a professor to continue to use the videos and all the mise en oeuvre questions with minor updates."and#8212;Jeffrey H. Fox, College of DuPage
Review
"Unique in its magnitude, versatility, and state-of-the-art method. . . . A real breakthrough."and#8212;Antoinette Shewmake, French Review
Review
"The closest thing to a total immersion in language and culture short of a trip to France. . . . Capretz and his colleagues have set a new standard for foreign language teaching materials."and#8212;Roger Neff, Modern Language Journal
Review
and#8220;[A]n entirely new feature is the journal maintained by the ever-popular character of Marie-Laureand#8230;It is exactly this aspect of the third edition that will keep students interested in using
French in Action. . . . I also like the fact that the latest edition of
French in Action incorporates much more material on the entire Francophone world.. . . [T]he third edition comes complete with concise grammar explanations that support the grammar exercises in addition to thirty pages of
conjugaison des verbes types. "and#8212;Eileen M. Angelini,
The NECTFL ReviewSynopsis
French in Action is a model for video-based language instruction, and the new edition updates the text and workbook for today's students.
About the Author
Pierre Capretz is the creator of French in Action and a pioneer in video-based foreign-language instruction. He taught French at Yale University from 1956 to 2003 and was director of the Yale Language Laboratory from 1963 to 2000. Barry Lydgate is professor of French at Wellesley College.