Complete Language Pack French

Complete Language Pack French
From DK Canada

About the product

Combining the solid grounding of a practical language teaching course with the instant accessibility of a phrasebook, each Complete Language Pack is structured around simple conversations used in everyday situations. The courses cover basic vocabulary and grammar in sixty fifteen-minute daily units. Pronunciation guides and the audio CDs make speaking easy, and "cover and test" flaps and flashcards reinforce learning and make testing yourself fun.

Teaching what you need to know fast — arranged thematically, with simple conversations based on real-life situations, Complete Language Pack French includes the bestselling 15-Minute Language Course, Visual Phrase Book, and three audio CDs.

With a pronunciation guide for every word and phrase, a two-way dictionary that provides ready reference on the go, and a phrase book including useful cultural tips, Complete Language Pack French is ideal for both business and vacation travelers.

My Thoughts

I am impressed with the presentation and the French lessons on this product.    Yes the lessons are made with two French speaking people from France but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn something from it if you live in Canada and desire to learn French.    French Canadian is a bit different that French from France but nevertheless these CDs and books will be useful for someone willing to learn the language.

I couldn’t help but smile as I heard the “teachers” speaking English.  It was quite evident that it wasn’t their primary language.   Even when I speak myself people know that I am not English.    However, they are very professional, speak clearly and slowly, and will guide you through a series of exercises to learn how to communicate in French.

The pack comes with three CDs – two of them contain the lessons while the third one is in fact the visual phrase book CD.    Also included in the pack you will find an Easy Grammar, a Visual Phrase Book as well as the lesson book.   The Easy Grammar booklet provides useful information on the French grammar with sections on nouns and pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, questions and a reference section on numbers, days, months and time. The Visual Phrase Book is very compact and can be carried everywhere you go when you are visiting a French country or Quebec.    Sentences and images are both listed in English and French to help you communicate at the restaurant, at the store or anywhere you go.  

The CDs and lesson book is broken down into five daily lessons over the course of 12 weeks.    Each lesson is specifically designed to last 15 minutes and you will have plenty of exercises to practice.   You will have warm ups, Say It exercises, introductory paragraphs, as well as cultural and conversational tips.    At the end of the week, you will have the opportunity to review and repeat the lessons.    I originally tested this product while driving and realized that though it is a nice to be able to listen to the CD while driving, it is quite difficult to check the book at the same time.   So I would suggest that you could practice in your car while driving but when they are suggesting that you look at the book it would be preferable that you do so when you are at home or during your lunch time at work.  

Here’s the list of the lessons from both CDs.

CD 1

Week 1  Introduction – Hello, relatives, my family, to be and to have

Week 2 Eating and Drinking – In the Café, In the restaurant, To want, Dishes

Week 3 Making Arrangements – Days and months, Time and numbers, Appointments, On the telephone

Week 4 Travel – At the ticket office, To go or to take, Taxi/bus/metro, On the road

Week 5 Getting About – About town, Finding your way, Sightseeing, At the airport

Week 6 Accommodation – Booking a room, In the hotel, At the campsite, Descriptions

CD 2

Week 7 Shopping – Shops, At the market, At the supermarket, Clothes and shoes

Week 8 Work and Study – Jobs, The office, Academic world, In business

Week 9 Health – At the pharmacy, The body, At the doctor, At the hospital

Week 10 At Home – At home, In the House, The garden, Pets

Week 11 Services – Post office and bank, Services, To come, Police and crime

Week 12 Leisure and socializing – Leisure Time, Sport and hobbies, Socializing

As you can see, this product covers everything you will need to travel and communicate safely when you go to a French country or province.

Though I smiled when hearing the teachers as I listened to it, I can see that this product was specifically designed for anyone wanting to be able to communicate easily with French people around them.    I also think it is a great way for practice a second language.   As you might know we are a French language family – but I must be honest and tell you that the kids have a tendency to speak English first.   Knowing this, I figure these CDs will help them to interact more in French and also expand their vocabulary.    While I was listening to the CD as I drove for a last excursion at the Agriculture museum with the younger two, my son Jérémy took the time to repeat at each lesson.    My daughter was a bit more stubborn but I figure that she has no choice than listen as well…     Reinforcing the French is one of my objective this year – and yes in case you are wondering we do speak French at home but when the kids play I always hear English…

Other Complete Language Packs are available at DK Canada – Italian and Spanish.  

The Complete Language Pack French is available for purchase at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.