Débuts: An Introduction to French

Welcome to Débuts: a completely integrated film-based introductory course for learning French language and culture. The film narrative of Le Chemin du retour is what drives the scope and sequence of vocabulary and grammar, the presentation of culture, and the development of reading and writing. A two-hour feature-length film, Le Chemin du retour is the story of a young television journalist, Camille Leclair, and her pursuit of the truth about her grandfather’s mysterious past. Through Camille’s quest, students learn language and culture in the functional context provided by the story. The textbook/film package grew out of the authors’ conviction that language learning is more than just learning skills: it is also a process in which understanding of culture must surely occupy a central position. Therefore, Débuts and Le Chemin du retour emphasize the importance of cultural awareness and understanding, not only of French and Francophone culture, but also of the student’s own culture. In addition, the Débuts program contains both literary and cultural readings, as well as a playlist of Francophone songs, to provide even more authentic input to students on current or provocative topics, allowing for more student interaction in class. There is also CourseSmart eTextbook version of this title available. Students can save up to 50% off the cost of a print book, reduce their impact on the environment, and access powerful web tools for learning. Faculty can also review and compare the full text online without having to wait for a print desk copy. For maxiumum portability, e Textbooks can be viewed on an iPhone or iPod Touch, and they can be printed.