À L'Aventure: An Introduction to French Language and Francophone Cultures, by Evelyne Charvier-Berman, Anne C. Cummings (1998). This book uses lively characters with exciting adventures to engage readers in real-life problem solving activities. It features a combination of traditional grammar practice and communicative activities. [Wiley]

Allons-y! Le Français par étapes, by Jeannette D. Bragger, Donald B. Rice, 6th ed. (2004). The function-oriented approach of Allons-y! enables students to use French in real-world situations. Each étape within the chapter builds upon the other and represents a complete teaching unit while facilitating a smooth progression of recycling and revision. A book-specific video filmed on location around the Francophone world models the functions, grammar, and vocabulary presented in the text. Includes online workbook and online study aid ancillaries. [Heinle]

Chez Nous: Branche sur le monde francophone, by Albert Valdman, Cathy Pons, Mary Ellen Scullen, 3rd ed. (2006). This complete program for beginning French offers a traditional emphasis on correct form combined with the best current innovations in language teaching -- a communicative approach, focus on the spoken language and on a functional view of language, stress on culture taken broadly to include francophone countries as well as France, and use of authentic material. Using a careful progression from skill-getting to skill-using activities and a mature treatment of francophone culture, the text and its full complement of supplementary help students develop listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills by exposing them to authentic, contemporary French and encouraging them to express themselves on a variety of topics. [Prentice Hall]
Contacts. Langue et culture françaises, Jean-Paul Valette, Rebecca M. Valette, 7th ed. (2005). This text presents grammar lessons in a logical sequence, reinforces and recycles vocabulary and gives students practice in the four skills--listening, reading, writing, and speaking. In addition, Contacts meets the five "Cs" of the national standards for foreign languages--culture, connections, comparison, communities, and communication--which are denoted by icons when they appear in the text. [Houghton Mifflin]
Débuts. An Introduction to French, by H. Jay Siskin, Ann Williams, Tom Field (2005). Débuts is a completely integrated program for the first year French course based on the French filmLe Chemin du retour. The film is an engaging story about a young French journalist, Camille Leclair, and her pursuit of the truth about her grandfather’s past. Through Camille’s quest, students are introduced to many facets of today’s French and Francophone cultures as well as to important historical events in France. They learn language in the functional context provided by the film. Episodes correspond to the chapters in the textbook, which offers pre- and post-viewing activities, as well as vocabulary and grammar practice and personalized activities. [McGraw-Hill]

Deux mondes: A Communicative Approach, by Tracy D Terrell, Mary B. Rogers, 5th ed. (2005). Deux mondes is widely regarded as the most communicative text available for beginning French courses. Based on the Natural Approach developed by Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen, this text offers beginning language students a way to develop language proficiency, especially in listening and speaking, that allows them to participate in real conversations at a very early stage. Following this approach, Deux mondes presents material inductively (so that the activities drive the grammar), students quickly become excited about their rapid growth in comprehension and vocabulary acquisition and enjoy speaking in the non-threatening environment made possible by the activity formats. [McGraw-Hill]
Entre amis, by Michael Oates, Larbi Oukada, 5th ed. (2006). Entre amis is a performance-oriented program designed to expand students' interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communicative skills by introducing and rehearsing situations similar to those they will encounter in real life. The text offers thorough coverage of all four-language skills with a strong emphasis on oral communication. The language presented and practiced is always embedded in a French cultural context. [Houghton Mifflin]
French in Action: A Beginning Course in Language and Culture, Part 1, by Pierre Capretz, 2nd ed. Textbook (1997), Audio CD (2003), Workbook (1994). This innovative video-based French language program effectively combines video, audio, and text to help students use real, unsimplified French in the dynamic context of actual communication. [Yale U Press]

Horizons, by Joan H. Manley, Stuart Smith, et al., 3rd ed. (2006). This textbook follows a step-by-step, skill building approach. Each chapter is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a separate language competence. New vocabulary and structures are introduced in rich contexts with visual support. The book contains many interactive, varied activities and clear grammar explanations. Students are learn to communicate effectively in French while becoming culturally connected to the Francophone world. Includes supplemental Internet activities that provide grammar and vocabulary practice as well as interaction with authentic materials. [Heinle]
Invitation au monde francophone, by Gilbert A. Jarvis, Thérèse M. Bonin, et al., 2nd ed. (2005). This text promotes communicative proficiency within culturally-significant situational and functional contexts. Three grammar points are introduced in each of the 15 chapters, and grammar exercises are contextualized to demonstrate how the structures might be used in authentic cultural settings. As the title suggests, the book invites students to examine and appreciate differences and similarities among individuals and cultures in an interconnected world. Multiple ancillaries are available. [Heinle]

Je veux bien!, by Jeannette D. Bragger, Donald B. Rice, 2nd ed. (2002). Two-book system: Students learn grammatical structures, improve listening comprehension and pronunciation, and review vocabulary outside of class with the Manuel de préparation and come to class ready to apply what they've learned. In-class activities for learning vocabulary, functions, and culture, reviewing grammar, and integrating skills in class are found in the Manuel de classe. The two books are written with a tight system of crossreferences that tells the students precisely what they are to do to prepare for class, so that class time can be spent doing communicative activities. Includes presentation of Francophone cultures. [Heinle]
Mais oui!, by Chantal P. Thompson, 3rd ed. (2004). This introductory text offers a unique, motivating approach to discovering the French language and the French-speaking world. Immersed in authentic input, students learn to think independently, analyze, draw analogies, and infer meaning. A series of guided tasks develops critical-thinking skills and empowers students to take control of their own learning. In this edition, students are encouraged to develop fuller answers with sentence-level production that characterizes the intermediate level of proficiency. [Houghton Mifflin]
Motifs: An Introduction to French, by Kimberly Jansma, Margaret Ann Kassen, 4th ed. (2006). Motifs immerses students in French and encourages them to become active participants in learning about the language and its people. Grammar appears strategically at the end of the chapter for handy reference and easy self study. 15 chapters. [Heinle]
Parallèles: Communication et culture, by Nicole Fouletier-Smith, 3rd ed. (2004). [Prentice Hall]
Paroles: Introductory French, by Sally Sieloff Magnan, Yvonne Rochette Ozzello, et al., 3nd ed. (2005). Paroles encourages the reader to work with intellectual, personal, and cultural content in all five skills through the first year of language study. By instituting diverse learning strategies for the four basic skills and utilizing a process approach to foreign language education, the reader is able to work with authentic linguistic and cultural materials from all over the Francophone world. [Wiley]
Pas à pas French: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, by Thomas H. Brown (1991). This first-year French language text develops all the basic skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The chapters are organized into small, easily managed steps (pas), taking into account that the four basic language skills are not acquired in the same manner. [Wiley]
Rapports. An Introduction to French Language and Francophone Culture, by Joel Walz, Jean-Pierre Piriou, 5th ed. (2003). This beginning French text balances a four-skills approach with communicative-oriented instruction. It emphasizes everyday life and culture in France and Francophone countries through explanations, cultural notes, authentic cultural readings, and authentic documents linked to the author web site. Program components are integrated with the student text and are flexible enough to be adapted for a variety of different class schedules. [Houghton Mifflin]

Rendez-vous, by Judith A Muyskens, Alice C. Omaggio Hadley, 6th ed. (2002) This complete beginning college-level French program has a fully integrated multimedia package. The overall goal is to provide students with the basic tools of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, along with abundant and varied opportunities for practicing French in communicative and interactive contexts. Emphasizing French within a cultural context and as it is spoken in authentic, everyday situations, Rendez-vous strives to develop proficiency in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, while introducing students to the richness and diversity of the French-speaking world. [McGraw-Hill]
Système-D 4.0 CD-ROM. Writing Assistant for French, by James S. Noblitt, 2nd ed. (2005). This software program provides learners with rapid access to language reference materials while composing in a standard word processor. The toolbar allows users to readily look up vocabulary and phrases, check usage, and refer to grammar notes while writing. Contains an 80,000 word bilingual dictionary with native-speaker pronunciation of words. [Heinle]

Vis-à-vis: Beginning French  by Evelyne Amon, Judith A. Muyskens, Alice C. Omaggio Hadley, 4th ed. (2007). The fourth edition includes a fully integrated and revised multimedia package, as well as updated cultural information. The overall goal of the text is to promote a balanced four-skills approach to learning French through a wide variety of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities, while introducing students to the richness and diversity of the Francophone world. [McGraw-Hill]
Voilà! An Introduction to French, by L. Kathy Heilenman, Isabelle Kaplan, Claude Tournier, 5th ed. (2006). This introductory French textbook allows students to communicate meaningfully in French while encouraging them to interact with and respond to French and francophone cultures and literatures. It has abundant teacher support and resources and effectively helps students to develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. [Heinle]

À votre tour! Intermediate French, by Jean-Paul Valette, Rebecca M. Valette (1995). The main objective of À votre tour! is to advance students to a level at which they can comfortably express themselves on a variety of French and francophone topics. Avoiding the excessive rigor of most intermediate texts, À votre tour! immerses students in authentic language and cultural contexts to achieve three key objectives: to build and reinforce oral and written communicative skills, to develop reading skills and cultural awareness, and to forge a strong linguistic base. New edition coming in 2007. [Houghton Mifflin]
Bonne continuation: approfondissement à l'écrit et à l'oral, by Nina M. Furry, Hannelore Jarausch (2001). This textbook is designed for students continuing from intermediate to advanced levels of French in fourth- and fifth-semester courses. It provides a rich variety of authentic content through which linguistic skills can be practiced and enhanced. Text types include engaging short stories, poems, songs and expository selections such as newspaper articles, art reviews, historical discussions or letters. The accompanying activities are designed to improve reading comprehension and writing skills, to encourage progress in listening and speaking, to increase vocabulary and to reinforce the students' ability to use the structures of French appropriately. A presentation of grammar structures follows each unit for easy reference and practice. [Prentice Hall]

Bravo!, by Judith Muyskens, Linda Harlow, et al., 5th ed. (2005). Students come to intermediate courses with different levels of language preparation. Bravo enables students of diverse backgrounds to review first-year structures independently before delving into new material. Students are empowered to come to class on a more level learning field with those students who are better prepared. As a result, more time will be spent in class using the structures functionally as well as practicing new material. No other intermediate French program offers more in-text and study tools to help instructors teach and students learn effectively bridging the gap between introductory and intermediate course. [Heinle]
Collage: Révision de grammaire, by Lucia F Baker, Ruth Allen Bleuzé, et al., 5th ed. (2001) Collage is one of the most widely used programs for intermediate French courses. The program consists of a grammar review, a cultural reader, and a literary reader. The result is a very flexible program that can be used in any combination and can be easily adapted to suit a wide variety of instructors and courses. The new edition of Collage retains the flexible format that works so well in the classroom, and offers a host of new features as well as a streamlined grammar presentation. [McGraw-Hill]
Controverses, by Larbi Oukada, Didier Bertrand, Janet L. Solberg (2006). This student-centered, advanced intermediate French program is geared toward the communicative, analytical classroom. Built around the goals of the National Standards and French thought (including point/counterpoint/synthesis), Controverses presents issues that are important to the French and francophone world, and relevant to today's students. The high interest topics and well-crafted activities presented in the text stimulate conversation and thoughtful debate in the classroom, foster students' conversational skills, and stimulate their motivation to learn and practice the language. Each chapter provides students with opportunities to express themselves both in writing and orally while systematically addressing each of the 5C's. [Heinle]
En bonne forme, by Simone Renaud Dietiker, Dominique Van Hooff, 8th ed. (2006). This complete intermediate text is written entirely in French and emphasizes grammar as the key to learning the language. Clear, comprehensive explanations of grammar topics with comparisons between French and English are the core of every section, with readings chosen to illustrate the specific topic of each chapter. Readings illustrate the use of structures presented through a variety of genres. [Houghton Mifflin]
Ensuite: Cours intermédiaire de français, Chantal Thompson, Bette Hirsch, 4th ed. (2003). This intermediate French program places readings at the core of each chapter. Both literary excerpts and articles from journals and magazines serve as the basis for each chapter’s vocabulary development, grammar, and many of the communicative activities. The authentic materials are interesting to students and effective for building language skills. Pair and group activities integrated within the grammar sections encourage meaningful conversation. [McGraw-Hill]
Explorations: La littérature du monde français (with Système-D 3.0 CD-ROM: Writing Assistant for French), by Susan Schunk, Janet Waisbrot, 4th ed. (2004). This book combines engaging literary readings at the intermediate level with a step-by step approach to reading development. Through a progressive and systematic application of reading strategies, students become more sophisticated readers and interpreters of the written text. [Heinle]
French in Action: A Beginning Course in Language and Culture, Part 2, by Pierre Capretz, 2nd ed. Textbook (1997), Audio CD (2003), Workbook (1994). This innovative video-based French language program effectively combines video, audio, and text to help students use real, unsimplified French in the dynamic context of actual communication. [Yale U Press]

Intrigue: langue, culture et mystère dans le monde francophone, by Elizabeth A. Blood, Yasmina Mobarek, 2nd ed. (2006). Intrigue is an intermediate French program that presents grammar, vocabulary, culture, and literature within the context of a compelling fictional mystery story. Using a unique approach, the book develops the four basic communicative skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) while exposing students to the different cultures of the French-speaking world. The mystery evolves through the narratives, dialogues, listening comprehension selections, communicative activities, and grammar exercises in the textbook. Each activity gives insight into the characters' motives by giving clues related to the twists and turns of the storyline. [Prentice Hall]

Mise en scène: cinéma et lecture, by Cheryl Krueger, Elizabeth Dolly Weber, Brigitte G. Martin (2006). This intermediate-level textbook motivates students to build and practice their French language skills through the study of film by balancing attention to content, culture, and communication. Using authentic films and readings created for French-speaking audiences, Mise en scène helps students expand their capacity to use French as they engage independently with these materials and interactively with fellow students and native speakers. [Prentice Hall]
Montage: Deuxième niveau, by Lucia F Baker, Ruth Allen Bleuzé, 3rd ed. (1997). Montage is an intermediate level French text that offers in one volume the best of the popular multi-volume Collage series. Montage is based on the conviction that students learn a language best when grammar, communication, culture, and literature are presented as interrelated elements within an interesting theme or topic. A solid foundation in vocabulary and grammar is enhanced by a rich and interesting selection of activities, literary readings and cultural information. The book provides second year French students with the tools they need to make significant progress in their cultural knowledge and language skills. [McGraw-Hill]
Quant à moi ... - Témoignages des Français et des Francophones, by Jeannette D. Bragger, Donald B. Rice, 3rd ed. (2005). This book is written for intermediate courses that emphasize meaningful in-class communication and in-depth exploration of Francophone cultures. It utilizes an easy-to-use Manuel de préparation for independent grammar review and practice, allowing class time to be devoted to the culturally rich communicative activities found in the student textbook. [Heinle]
Ouvertures: Cours Intermédiaire de Francais, by H. Jay Siskin, Thomas T. Field, Julie A. Storme, 4th ed. (2005). Ouvertures uses content-based culture as the organizing principle to its communicative approach in the teaching of speaking, reading, listening, and writing. It also promotes a contrastive approach to culture that encourages (self-)exploration rather than judgments. The text provides a manageable amount of material while paying throrough and appropriately distributed attention to all five skills. [Wiley]
Personnages. An Intermediate Course in French Language and Francophone Culture, by Michael Oates, Jacques Dubois, 3rd ed. (2003) Personnages is an intermediate French text that features a learner-centered, four-skills approach with a strong emphasis on oral communication. Students are exposed to the language and culture of the French-speaking world through features that present characters interacting in different Francophone settings. The text also highlights 10 different French-speaking areas around the world. [Houghton Mifflin]

Sur le vif, by Hannelore Jarausch, Clare Tufts, 4th ed. (2006). Designed specifically for one-semester intermediate French courses, Sur le vif offers a contextualized review of the fundamentals, adding just enough new material to expand the language skills of students without overwhelming them. Since the textbook is divided into an in-class conversation text and an out-of-class grammar reference, instructors may choose among readings, activities, and grammar practice to meet the varied needs of intermediate students. The 9 short chapters skillfully weave grammar review into thought-provoking chapter themes, while refining reading, listening, composition, and conversation skills. [Heinle]
Tout Ensemble: A Complete Intermediate French Program, by Raymond F. Comeau, Normand J. Lamoureux (2002). This one-volume intermediate French text is derived from the popular four-volume Ensemble program. Each chapter contains grammar explanations in English with contextualized exercises and communicative activities, a wide variety of authentic materials, and cultural, historical, or literary readings. Numerous lively and communicative exercises encourage students to experiment with the language in context, moving form theory to practice. [Wiley]

Graded French Reader: Première Étape, by Camille Bauer, 6th ed. (2007). This reader of simplified selections includes pre- and post-reading activities, communicative activities, and review exercises. The book includes grammatical explanations for the basic structures and footnote translations for unfamiliar vocabulary and features selections by the acclaimed French authors Dumas, Hugo, Bernard, Verne, Mme. de Beaumont, Perrault, and Diop. [Houghton Mifflin]
Trésors littéraires: Initiation à la littérature française et francophone, by Anne-Marie Bourbon, Debra Popkin, Gloria Sawicki (1999). This reader for French is the perfect supplement for any beginning or intermediate French grammar text. [McGraw-Hill]
C'est la vie! A French Reader, by Evelyne Amon (2005). This collection of four original short stories brings the Francophone world to life through the experiences of students and young professionals in France, Guadeloupe, Belgium, and Canada. Accompanied by activities, the stories are written specifically for high-beginner and intermediate learners of French. Characters are portrayed in authentic, everyday situations and cultural settings that will pique student interest and offer a glimpse of daily life in different French-speaking countries, encouraging students to read for pleasure in French and thereby further develop their language skills. [McGraw-Hill]
Graded French Reader: Deuxième Étape, by Camille Bauer, 4th ed. (1992). This reader provides original readings and simplified selections from different periods of French literature. Pre- and post-reading activities are provided, as well as communicative activities and review exercises segments at the end of each section. Grammatical explanations for the basic structures and structural exercises appear in each selection. [Houghton Mifflin]
L'Art de Lire: Le Récit, by Geoffrey Hope, Quentin Hope, 3rd ed. (2002). Designed to help intermediate-level students develop reading ability in French —especially in preparation for the study of literature (narrative fiction)—L'Art de lire presents nine modern, intriguing, humorous, moving, exciting, well-paced, interesting, and accessible French short stories. [Prentice Hall]

See additional French readers.

Communicating In French: Novice Level, by Conrad J. Schmitt (1991). This book/audio cassette package teaches the reader the practical everyday French needed to survive in daily real-life situations on an elementary level. [McGraw-Hill]
Communicating In French: Intermediate Level, by Conrad J. Schmitt (1991). This book/audio cassette package teaches the reader the practical everyday French needed to survive in daily real-life situations on an intermediate level. [McGraw-Hill]

Faisons le point! Discussion et reflexion, by Karen Harrington, Josette Penso-Cortes (1996). Faisons le point! has two complementary goals. First, as a collection of texts drawn from the popular media, it is a conversational tool that will encourage students to use their basic knowledge of French to discuss timely events, thereby strengthening their confidence in the use of the French language. Second, it will enable students to discover the intricacies and delights of French culture and society. The text's primary means of attaining these goals is to apply contemporary culture to the practice of reading, writing, oral and aural skills. Approprate for intermediate-level French conversation or culture courses. [Prentice Hall]

À vous d'écrire: Atelier de français, by Gisèle Loriot-Raymer, Michèle E Vialet (1996) This textbook is meant for third-year composition courses. The text is organized around genres of writing, specifically focusing on the types of writing these students are generally asked to produce. The book provides students with step-by-step guidance during the writing process along with lively writing models. [McGraw-Hill]

Contrastes: Grammaire du français courant, by Denise Rochat (2005). Contrastes is a French grammar program that can be used as an integral part of an intermediate or advanced course or on its own as a reference grammar. It anticipates and provides answers to typical questions and common confusions encountered by English-speaking students. Contrastes is ideal for French language courses, study abroad programs, translation courses, senior seminars, and graduate courses in the teaching of French. [Prentice Hall]
Developing Writing Skills in French, by Graham Bishop, Bernard Haezewindt (2005). This book aids intermediate to advanced students of French write clearly, coherently and appropriately in a variety of contexts. Meant either for self-study or classroom use, the text is structured to guide students toward a better awareness of word choice, register usage, and stylistic differences. Each chapter contains a selection of model texts, activities, and notes on the format, style, and language usage demonstrated in the text. [Routledge]
Ecouter pour s'exprimer, by James Strancel (1996). Ecouter pour s'exprimer is a listening comprehension text for intermediate to advanced French students. Designed to develop students' listening skills, the 15 chapters and their listening passages cover a wide range of interesting topics. The task-based orientation sets it apart from other intermediate French texts. In addition to the listening comprehension activities, the book includes reading and writing activities and topics for group discussion, partner role-plays, and individual projects. [McGraw-Hill]
Ensemble: Grammaire en action, by Raymond F. Comeau, Normand J. Lamoureux, 7th ed. (2005). This book first provides a brief review of basic grammatical structures in a clear and concise format, then tackles intermediate grammatical topics that will help readers develop their knowledge of the French language as well as gain the ability to use it orally and in writing. [Wiley]
L'Essentiel de la grammaire française, Leon-Franco Hoffmann, Jean-Marie Schultz, 3rd ed. (1995) [Prentice Hall]
French for Oral and Written Review, by Charles Carlut, Walter Meiden, 5th ed. (1993). This text is designed to review all the common elements of French grammar, both orally and in written French. Numerous exercises are provided. [Heinle]
French Grammar and Usage, by Roger Hawkins, Richard Towell, 2nd ed. (2001). This book is the extensively revised and updated edition of a reference renowned for its sweeping coverage, straightforward approach, and simple explanations. The authors give extra attention to areas that are especially difficult for English-speaking learners. It is designed for people with an intermediate or advanced knowledge in French, and it covers both formal and informal language. The new edition features fresh examples and even easier to use cross-referencing and indexing. [McGraw-Hill]
La Grammaire à l'oeuvre Text, by John Barson, 5th ed. (1996). Media edition (2003). This classic review of French grammar is written in French specifically for English-speaking learners. The media edition includes access to Quia online activities. [Holt, Rinehart, & Winston]
Grammmaire Française, by Jacqueline Ollivier, Martin Beaudoin, 4th ed. (2007). Written entirely in French, the text provides complete and systematic grammar coverage intended for students at the intermediate level. [Heinle]
Modern French Grammar, by Margaret Lang, Isabelle Perez, rev. ed., (2004). This reference guide to French combines traditional and function-based grammar in a single volume. [Routledge]
Sans détour: A Complete Reference Manual for French Grammar, by Priscilla Gac-Artigas, Gustavo Gac-Artigas (2000). An indispensable grammar reference book, this complete self-learning guide for beginner as well as advanced students of French offers a succinct, clear, and easy-to-consult format. Each subject is presented in its own chapter and the book includes many charts and formulas for easy reference. Covers the foundations of grammar, as well as conjugations of essential regular, irregular, stem changing, and reflexive verbs. [Prentice Hall]

Savoir-Faire. An Advanced French Course, by Elspeth Broady, Catrine Carpenter (1999). Savoir-Faire offers a structured, progressive and effective combination of relevant source materials, a clear focus on language skills development, oral practice, and grammar reinforcement. Each of the 10 chapters focuses on a particular topic and skill set and ends in a project that draws together the chapter material and encourages speaking, writing, reading, and listening in advanced French.
Système-D 4.0 CD-ROM. Writing Assistant for French, by James S. Noblitt, 2nd ed. (2005). This software program provides learners with rapid access to language reference materials while composing in a standard word processor. The toolbar allows users to readily look up vocabulary and phrases, check usage, and refer to grammar notes while writing. Contains an 80,000 word bilingual dictionary with native-speaker pronunciation of words. [Heinle]
Tâches d'encre. French Composition, by H. Jay Siskin, Cheryl L. Krueger, Maryse Fauvel, 2nd ed. (2004). Using a process-writing approach, this third-year composition text helps students master writing skills and gain confidence as writers. The text is set up in a workbook format and is written entirely in French, except for the first chapter. Students broaden their repertoire of related speech acts, vocabulary, grammatical structures, and stylistic elements through three major sections. Each chapter features a model text--a literary piece, journalistic selection, or informal writing--that represents the Francophone world. [Houghton Mifflin]
Un style certain: Les Mots pour l'ecrire, by Monique Fol, Paul Barrette (1991). Presented entirely in French, this book contains a broad mix of literary texts and stylistic analyses which gives advanced students of French the opportunity to enhance their writing skills. [Prentice Hall]

Autour de la littérature. Ecriture et lecture aux cours moyens de français, by Peter Schofer, Donald B. Rice, 5th ed. (2006). Unique among textbooks, this book encourages students to play and create with the language as they explore both classical and non-traditional francophone literature. Includes audio CD. [Heinle]

La civilisation française en évolution I - Institutions et culture avant la Ve République, by Ronald St.Onge, Ross Steele, Susan St.Onge (1996). This book is is a modern and provocative look at French history and civilization from prehistory to the Ve République. Organized into six dossiers, each dossier examines a particular facet of France's development. Includes authentic texts, timelines that summarize important events in French history, thought-provoking discussion questions, writing assignments, and role-playing tasks, and full-color art reproductions. [Heinle]
La civilisation française en évolution II - Institutions et culture depuis la Ve République, by Ross Steele, Susan St .Onge, Ronald St.Onge (1997). This second volume immerses students in the complexities of post-war France, and offers detailed overviews and in-depth insights into everything that makes France French. The book features high-interest authentic readings and statistics that encourage analysis of cultural data. Also includes full-color art reproductions. [Heinle]
Classiques pour débutants, by Raymond F. Comeau, Marie-France Bunting (1993). This brief reader provides classic works of French and francophone literature selected for beginning students. The 25 readings by 12 distinguished authors, from Voltaire to Diop, represent a variety of genres and cultural experiences. The selections are arranged chronologically, beginning with the 20th century, moving back through the 17th, and are graded by difficulty. [Houghton Mifflin]
Contre-Courants: Les femmes s'écrivent à travers les siècles, by Mary Ann Caws, Nancy K. Miller, et al. (1995). This anthology of 71 works by 46 women writers from the Middle Ages to the end of the twentieth century illustrates the breadth of French and Francophone women's writing in a variety of genres. [Prentice Hall]

Diversité. La nouvelle francophone, by James Gaasch, Valérie Budig-Markin, 2nd ed. (2000). This intermediate- to advanced-level reader contains fifteen unabridged short stories about women protagonists. Cultural, geographical, and historical information heightens students' awareness of each of the countries represented. Updated author profiles written in English help students place the stories within a literary and cultural context. [Houghton Mifflin]
Les Francais, Laurence Wylie, Jean-Francois Briere, 3rd ed. (2001). This text sets out to help North American students better understand the French people by exploring French culture in depth and using history and cultural anthropology to illuminate the present. It offers an interpretation of the historical roots of French attitudes and institutions, as well as the changes in French society over the past three decades, to suggest and predict patterns of behavior. An analytical and comparative approach provides a framework that post-intermediate students can use to describe France and the French in relation to others and to themselves. [Prentice Hall]

La France contemporaine, William F. Edmiston, Annie Duménil, 3rd ed. (2005). This book immerses students in the France of today, through up-to-date information concerning the political, social, technological, and cultural forces that affect the society and its people. Students acquire valuable insights that improve their understanding of the Francophone world and, consequently, their communication in French. The clear prose permits comprehension of the many complex issues presented, while the engaging activities encourage critical thinking and discussion. With the addition of a fully integrated website, students are brought even closer to everything that makes France French. [Heinle]
Moments littéraires, by Bette Hirsch, Chantal Thompson, 2nd ed. (2006). Using a proficiency-oriented approach, Moments littéraires provides intermediate- to advanced-level French students with an excellent introduction to French and francophone literary masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present day. The selections are carefully chosen for their popular appeal, student interest, and linguistic accessibility. An innovative pre- and post-reading apparatus allows students to increase their proficiency in the four skills as they develop a working knowledge of French literature. [Houghton Mifflin]
Panaché littéraire, by Mary J. Baker, Jean-Pierre Cauvin, 3rd ed. (1995). [Heinle]
Transition: découverte du texte littéraire, by Madeleine Hage, Ross Steele, Pierre Verdaguer (1995). This reader is designed for students who need strategies to make the transition from reading elementary to more advanced texts, to make sense of the different levels of meaning in these texts, and to develop cultural and literary sensitivity. It introduces strategies that will enable students to begin reading literary texts with pleasure. [Prentice Hall]
Vagabondages littéraires: Initiation à la littérature d'expression française, by Scott Carpenter, Françoise Denis, et al. (1996) This graded reader for intermediate to advanced French literature courses includes complete and unabridged works by authors from many different Francophone cultures. Pre-reading materials provide students with just enough information to prepare them for the selection without overwhelming them with detail. Innovative comprehension questions are embedded in the stories at appropriate points to verify students' understanding as they read. The Instructor's Manual offers additional pre-reading activities as well as suggestions for supplementing the stories with other media such as films, music, and fine art. [McGraw-Hill]

See additional French anthologies, texts, & books about French literature.

Better Reading French: A Reader and Guide to Improving Your Understanding of Written French, by Annie Heminway (2003). Providing entertaining contemporary texts in the original language, Better Reading French is for those who want to brush up on a foreign language. Authentic readings on everything from music and sports to cinema and contemporary family life are arranged in increasing difficulty within chapters. Along the way, learners will find instruction and exercises to help develop improved reading speed, comprehension, and vocabulary. [McGraw-Hill]
French for Reading, by Karl C. Sandberg (1968). Programmed text for acquisition of reading skills for courses beginning or rapid review. [Prentice Hall]

Reading French in Arts and Science, by E. M. Stack, 4th ed. (1986). This text offers a systematic approach to comprehending and translating texts in the humanities and technical disciplines, focusing on the grammar needed for this task. It begins with short passages on familiar themes and gradually increases the difficulty level to more technical and literary topics. [Houghton Mifflin]
Skills and Techniques for Reading French, by Louise C. Seibert, Lester G. Crocker (2001). This book offers a tested method for teaching yourself to become proficient in reading French, quickly building your vocabulary, and enabling you to extract meaning without word-for-word translation. If you have had two years of high school or one year of college French, it will enable you to read with ease and enjoyment French periodicals and newspapers, or works in your special field of interest. [Johns Hopkins U Press]
Thinking French Translation, by Sándor Hervey, Ian Higgins, 2nd ed. (2002). This course book in translation from French into English offers a challenging practical approach to the acquisition of translation skills, with clear explanations of the theoretical issues involved. A variety of translation issues are considered including: cultural differences, register and dialect, genre, editing, and more. Texts encompass a broad range of spheres, from journalism and literature to commercial and legal texts to song lyrics and recorded interviews. [Routledge]

Cas pratiques pour le Francais des Affaires, by Salvatore Federico, Catherine Moore, 2nd ed. (1997). This text offers an active way of teaching business French through the case study method. This method is based on the analysis of actual, real-life business situations. The text fosters lively discussions about cross-cultural differences in business practices and enhances problem solving skills in the target language. [McGraw-Hill]
Business French. An Intermediate Course, by Jean-Luc Penfornis (2006). Business French is a task-based program that emphasizes oral comprehension and cross-cultural aspects of business relationships. The program includes realistic task-based activities, evenly paced grammar instruction and practice, recycling of vocabulary, and integrated cultural coverage. Designed to prepare students for jobs in a French-speaking environment, the text trains students for the Certificat du français professional examination and focuses on travel and the business world. [Houghton Mifflin]
French for Business: An Integrative Approach for Advanced Beginners,by Dominique Van Hooff (1997). Each section of this text presents material in a business setting. The vocabulary sections are divided into structural groups and present commercial terminology. The grammar sections complement the dialogues, and the exercises that follow use the commercial vocabulary in each example to reinforce the learning. The grammar structures are designed to complement the business activity under study and to amplify the student's working knowledge with the material. Other sections are designated as group work because most businesses and industries now stress the importance of groups and teams. [McGraw-Hill]

Parlons affaires! Initiation au français économique et commercial, by R.-J. Berg, 2nd ed. (2006) The program covers traditional business topics, as well as career practices and cultural concepts particular to French businesses. The core lesson within each module discusses in detail the latest trends in French business practice and culture. Each topic equips the student with crucial vocabulary, and the subsequent activities reinforce newly acquired terms. The focus on France particularly helps students prepare for the exams sponsored by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris, and additional information on Quebec acquaints students with French business practices in North America. [Heinle]

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Facile à dire: Les Sons du français, by Annie Duménil (2003). This book helps its users improve their pronunciation while learning the basic rules of “standardized” spoken French. The book also takes into account the major contrastive features of the sounds of French and English in its presentation, and addresses the particular challenges that North American native speakers face when learning to pronounce French. Chapter topics include detailed treatments of all the sounds of the language, and discussions of the sounds which present the most difficulty for learners—such as nasal vowels, mid vowels, semi-vowels, mute e, and liaison. Coverage also includes the correlation between sound and spelling in the case of all vowels and consonants, and pronunciation and transcription exercises that are based on everyday spoken French. [Prentice Hall]
French Phonetics, by Trudie Maria Booth (2000). French Phonetics is intended for college-level instruction, for self-study and for reference purposes. The text helps the student to become proficient in the pronunciation of French by explaining the characteristics of the French sound system clearly and systematically and by giving precise rules of pronunciation throughout. Cassettes or CDs are available by contacting the author. [U Press of America]
An Introduction to French Pronunciation, by Glanville Price, rev. ed. (2005). To speak French as it is spoken by native-speakers, one needs not only to hear the language, but to know what to listen for. This comprehensive and accessible guide to current French pronunciation fulfills precisely this need. Phonetic theory and technical terminology are kept to a minimum to make the text accessible to a wide range of learners. The author also alerts the reader to regional variations in the pronunciation of French. Apart from the basic vowel, consonant, and semi-vowel sounds, the author addresses such important aspects of French pronunciation as rhythmic groups, the syllable, liaison, and intonation. This book will be of interest to anyone with a basic knowledge of French who needs help and advice in achieving a more authentic pronunciation. [Blackwell]
Savoir dire, by Diane Dansereau, 2nd ed. (2006). Aimed at advanced students of French without an extensive background in linguistics, Savoir dire clearly and accessibly explains all major features of standard French pronunciation. The text successfully integrates pronunciation practice into all the major components of general French study: language, linguistics, culture, and literature. This new edition provides students and professors with a fresh view of contemporary French pronunciation. [Houghton Mifflin]

See additional books on French linguistics.

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