French/Spanish Textbooks

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French Teachers Chatboard

French/Spanish Textbooks

by Fren/Span Teacher

Oct 13, 2012

I am currently looking for opinions on French textbooks. I am a fairly new and young teacher, and I have never had to adopt a textbook on my own. Since I am dual-certified, I am now both the Spanish and French teacher. Upon starting my job, the previous Spanish teacher ordered the Realidades series, and I love it! I had previously used Avancemos and Ven Conmigo at another school, and I disliked both. I found it odd that the teacher selected new textbooks that she was never going to use, but she actually did me a favor. Now, it is time for new French books. The previous French teacher used Discovering French Nouveau. This is my first official year teaching French (and teaching Spanish and French together). I am currently using the book and although it’s not bad, it’s not good either. I am considering the following books and would welcome any feedback/opinions/suggestions/etc.: Discovering French Today, Bien Dit, Bon Voyage, T’es Branche (did this replace C’est a Toi?). Are there...See MoreI am currently looking for opinions on French textbooks. I am a fairly new and young teacher, and I have never had to adopt a textbook on my own. Since I am dual-certified, I am now both the Spanish and French teacher. Upon starting my job, the previous Spanish teacher ordered the Realidades series, and I love it! I had previously used Avancemos and Ven Conmigo at another school, and I disliked both. I found it odd that the teacher selected new textbooks that she was never going to use, but she actually did me a favor. Now, it is time for new French books. The previous French teacher used Discovering French Nouveau. This is my first official year teaching French (and teaching Spanish and French together). I am currently using the book and although it’s not bad, it’s not good either. I am considering the following books and would welcome any feedback/opinions/suggestions/etc.: Discovering French Today, Bien Dit, Bon Voyage, T’es Branche (did this replace C’est a Toi?). Are there any other books I should consider?

I really like the set up and flow of Realidades. In the few years I have taught, I have been able to see my students progress from one level to the next, and they retain the information well. They are able to put things together and recall things they previously learned. I think Realidades is challenging, but not too easy. (I feel like Avancemos is too much, like an information overload. Ven Conmigo was way too easy.) I like how there are so many resources for practice and testing (textbook exercises, the Practice Workbook, and the Writing, Audio, & Visual Workbook). There is a Testing Book AND The Exam View CD (some textbooks have the same info on both, but Realidades has different materials). I like how the practice corresponds to the tests. I like the Guided Practice book (I use the lists as vocabulary lists). I really like the Audio Program (many different activities), and the Video Program is interesting and challenging, but still goes at a nice pace. (I think Avancemos is way too fast.) I use a lot of the little extras like Eres tu, Maria?, the Lectura books, the game show to review for tests, etc. The students really enjoy the culture (I always add things to it). My absolute FAVORITE part is the Presentation Express CD. The kids like it too. I love the audio, the little quizzes (nice checks for understanding), the review for the chapter tests, the grammar presentations, the grammar videos, etc. I use just about everything on that CD. Is there anything remotely close to this program, but in French? I know Pearson just came out with an AP French book. Are they planning on coming out with a textbook series for levels 1-4?

I have a Promethean Board, and I use it A LOT. Realidades plus the Promethean board was sort of just thrust upon me when I started teaching. My co-op for student teaching hardly used technology, and it wasn’t covered much in college. I feel that it is important to keep up on it, so I have been going to trainings or teaching myself. The students LOVE all the technology. I find it so much easier than just a white board and markers.

I want something that has materials for a Promethean/SMART Board. I basically want a French version of Realidades. I extremely dislike the quizzes and testing program for Discovering French. I also dislike the listening (a few are good, but the listen and repeat things are not). I do not feel like either workbook gives sufficient/meaningful practice. I do like most of the way the grammar is presented. I do not like how things are broken into lessons. I think the vocabulary is presented too quickly, and chapters are really long.

I would appreciate any suggestions or feedback from either French or Spanish/French teachers. I am sorry for the length of this post; however, I do not have anyone to ask for suggestions being the ONLY French/Spanish teacher at my school. I want to take this seriously since it is not every year that I am able to purchase a new textbook. Thank you so much for your help!

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