- Paperback: 128 pages
- Publisher: Teach Yourself; 3rd Revised edition edition (26 May 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340914580
- ISBN-13: 978-0340914588
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 16 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
177,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #17 in Books > Languages > By Language > French > Phrase Books
- #72 in Books > Languages > By Language > French > Grammar & Vocabulary
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
... A language lifeline ... fun, fast and easy (The Independent )
Teach Yourself Instant German: The elements are simple and very straightforward ... strong encouragement ... plenty of opportunity for spoken practice. This course worked very well for me.
('Professional Manager' magazine )
We have completed your Instant French. We think it is wonderful.
(Tom and Maureen Peil, Preston )
... Elisabeth Smith's Instant Greek was a real help ... the simple scripts and audio make it crystal clear ... I'm delighted with my progress.
Teach Yourself Instant German: The elements are simple and very straightforward ... strong encouragement ... plenty of opportunity for spoken practice. This course worked very well for me.
('Professional Manager' magazine )
I am terrible with languages yet I am picking up Spanish! I found Instant Spanish excellent!
We have completed your Instant French. We think it is wonderful.
(Tom and Maureen Peil, Preston )
It is now a year since I first came across [Instant French] at my local library and I have benefited tremendously from this happy occurrence ... I loved the sense of humour ... Each week I did the final test with bated breath wondering if this time the little bar chart [...] would take a nose dive - but it didn't.
(Lesly Hopkins, Twickenham )Product Description
First published in 1998, the Instants have established themselves as the best-selling range of language titles from teach yourself. When published as part of the teach yourself relaunch in May 2003, they were given a new cover, internal text re-design and availability on CD for the first time, but now they have undergone an extensive revision, with 16 more pages to give room for additional exercises and flashcards, and an extra CD to double the amount of audio practice.
The 35-minutes-a-day, six-week course is highly structured and has a fresh approach to language learning which appeals both to readers who have not learnt the language before and to those with some basic knowledge of French. The author has used her wide teaching experience to refine the course so that it covers only the grammar (explained in no-nonsense English in the book and on the CDs) and vocabulary which are really necessary. Her day-by-day, no-nonsense programme is easy to follow and fun to do. At the end of six weeks, readers have the confidence and knowledge to tackle all the situations they’ll need to know about, such as shopping, eating out and getting around. With fewer than 400 words to learn, and flashcards at the back of the book to help learn them, progress is fast and enjoyable.
Sales of the Instants (over 150,000 units since in the last two years) have established Elisabeth Smith as the UK’s leading language author (Bookscan figures) and her large amount of fan mail is witness to the success of her unique method.
The book (0340914572) and CDs (0340914599) are available separately.
(19990901)
The 35-minutes-a-day, six-week course is highly structured and has a fresh approach to language learning which appeals both to readers who have not learnt the language before and to those with some basic knowledge of French. The author has used her wide teaching experience to refine the course so that it covers only the grammar (explained in no-nonsense English in the book and on the CDs) and vocabulary which are really necessary. Her day-by-day, no-nonsense programme is easy to follow and fun to do. At the end of six weeks, readers have the confidence and knowledge to tackle all the situations they’ll need to know about, such as shopping, eating out and getting around. With fewer than 400 words to learn, and flashcards at the back of the book to help learn them, progress is fast and enjoyable.
Sales of the Instants (over 150,000 units since in the last two years) have established Elisabeth Smith as the UK’s leading language author (Bookscan figures) and her large amount of fan mail is witness to the success of her unique method.
The book (0340914572) and CDs (0340914599) are available separately.
(19990901)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
80 of 84 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am doing GCSE french and coming up to the final year of my course I have, like many french students looked for a quick way to learn all that information that I previously slept through. Although not being focused on the GCSE tact this book provides useful phrases and gives you the ability to generate your own. Even though it claims not to show you grammar you quickly pick up the past and future tenses by the third and fourth weeks.
To test the book I decided to start it 6 weeks before a summer trip to france, working my way through the book I encountered everyday situations and slowly but surely got through the whole course in just under four weeks. During that period I started constructing sentences purely of my own will which was even an amazement to myself. This boost in confidence sped up my speech and gave me a better understanding of how the french language works.
I enjoyed this book tremendously and changed my view on the whole french language.
As for the trip, it was great, I understood most that was said and could actively take part in light conversation which was once just a noise.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an absolute must have for the jaded and discouraged student of beginners French. Even if you have reached that dreaded plateau this book will rekindle your enthusiasm again. This book cuts to the chase and concentrates on the essentials. No wrestling with endless grammar tables, just tips. Meaningful dialogues in French with English translations. 389 words to say nearly everything and some very useful flashcards at the back of the book. There is a daily guide and a progress chart. Study this for 35 minutes everyday and your French will improve dramatically. I know, I've tried it!! However, you still need to read, listen to French radio, watch French film and TV where posssible and practise your conversation with native speakers at every opportunity. A weekly class just isn't enough. Put this little book in your pocket. You'll be so glad you bought it!
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm a busy person with work and Open University studies.
After foolishly ditching languages at school and making regular trips to Brussels I decided it was time to revive my French to a workable level so I looked round for courses.
This one caught my eye as it looked to be just about the right level, not too basic but not too advanced. I wanted one with CD's so that I could use my 2hrs commuting everyday to learn French.
So I got the course put the disc in and off I drove all was well until reaching the 4 or 5th day when there are long passages of text to translate from English to French. For learning at home this is fine but in the car its no good.
So I've basically stopped there and I'm now trying a different teach yourself french course designed for learning in the car.
But what I did listen to an learn this is a well put together course, practical words and phrases presented in a pleasant and non patronising manner.
So good for the home not for the car
After foolishly ditching languages at school and making regular trips to Brussels I decided it was time to revive my French to a workable level so I looked round for courses.
This one caught my eye as it looked to be just about the right level, not too basic but not too advanced. I wanted one with CD's so that I could use my 2hrs commuting everyday to learn French.
So I got the course put the disc in and off I drove all was well until reaching the 4 or 5th day when there are long passages of text to translate from English to French. For learning at home this is fine but in the car its no good.
So I've basically stopped there and I'm now trying a different teach yourself french course designed for learning in the car.
But what I did listen to an learn this is a well put together course, practical words and phrases presented in a pleasant and non patronising manner.
So good for the home not for the car
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Learn French Easy
Can't say I'm fluent but this was my first attempt at learning French, this book is a great help, the CD's are very good. The Flash cards at the back are a bonus. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Kate
Instant French
It arrived in clean and crisp condition!Am not sure if it is the book or the condition it came in I am supposed to be reviewing! Read more
Published 17 days ago by Rosy
review
the book is useful for the limited aims it sets itself: but it does need the accompanying CD if no native French speaker is available. Read more
Published 1 month ago by coudois
Very organised book
This is a great little book. Very organised and simple to use.
I highly recommend it, but dont skip any of it. Rushing will not help you. Read more
I highly recommend it, but dont skip any of it. Rushing will not help you. Read more
Published 8 months ago by alimac
Teach Yourself French
Book in excellent condition and promptly delivered by seller.
With the cassette forms an impressive course- interesting and stresses the important aspects of conversational... Read more
With the cassette forms an impressive course- interesting and stresses the important aspects of conversational... Read more
Published 12 months ago by pod
The one that works!
This really works, and I've tried lots of French courses and always get bored, but this is great and you can actually the words you know when you get to France - highly... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. J. Plowman
The best user friendly language course on the market
If you are going on a short holiday or business trip to France, this is the best course you can possibly buy, without exception. Read more
Published 24 months ago by M. McManus
Good Book
Helps you get over the basics of communication quickly. I think it should be supplemented with other material for best result (I combined with a French verbs book). Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2009 by C. Obianyor
Excellent
Excellent to refresh your French knowledge - but MUST use book and cds together (I understand you can purchase them separately but wouldn't be as good) However, I think the course... Read more
Published on 21 May 2009 by J. Sheldon
a good first course
I got mine ages ago now and it was a very good starter from a CSE (remember those?) poor grade, taken years ago.
From the start its pacey without being 'heavy'. Read more
From the start its pacey without being 'heavy'. Read more
Published on 18 May 2009 by Robin Hood
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