Product Description
This book, and More Key Words and Expressions which followed it, have been
hailed by reviewers as a unique and innovative idea.
They give you the absolutely essential words that you need to navigate
everyday French conversation. Not the textbook formal words but the expressions
that real people in France use when they talk to each other.
You’ll learn when to use, and when not to use words and expressions like
truc, foutu… More >>
Speaking Better French: The Key Words and Expressions that You’ll Need Every Day
#1 by Rolando L. Gastelum on April 10th, 2010
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The book is good and I feel it’ll be a better fit for me once I am more advanced with my French. I’m at intermediate level right now and most of the expressions use a more advanced vocabulary which at my level is hard to follow.
Rating: 3 / 5
#2 by Gwendolyn L. Carlson on April 11th, 2010
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I am taking French as my minor at university. The problem with classroom French is that, at least for me, I tend to think in ‘sentences’ and this book helps we actually speak the language ….not every time do you speak English do you think or speak in ‘sentences’ ….you just ‘talk’ – and this book gives me this capability. I like the fact that the authors state the difference between formal and informal French….so classroom ‘exams’ are done properly but I now have the opportunity to improve my informal verbal communications.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Alicia Deavens on April 11th, 2010
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When I got this book, I was not sure what to expect but it is definitely a keeper. It is great as it addresses the connective phrases that we use very often in English but tend to escape us in other languages. Phrases like “just in case” and others. I really enjoy this little jewel.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Reader in Palo Alto on April 11th, 2010
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Excellent book for advanced beginner and beyond. Helps you transition to speaking French as it is really spoken—rather than just literally translating English word-for-word. Teaches you all those expressions that are used all the time in real life conversation, but which get barely a mention in textbooks. Highly recommended!
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Daniel Coverdale on April 11th, 2010
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As an American French language student, I normally avoid American sources for learning French. This is partly because I find the American approach to learning foreign languages typically overly utilitarian, a tool in the management of an empire. And, other Americans usually just reinforce my own mistakes (as I’m sure I do theirs). So Saul Rosenthal’s Speaking Better French comes as a bit of a shock. It’s not just the unfailing intelligence and good taste of the author, it’s his obvious love and respect for the French language. If you really want to learn spoken French, you need this book. You’ll need other books as well, you’ll need audio materials including French internet radio and TV5Monde, and you’ll need live language experience, preferably in France. But this book is a necessity.
Rating: 5 / 5