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Francés para Dummies
Con esta sencilla guía, concebida por los expertos de Berlitz, comenzarás a hablar francés rápidamente. Las autoras de Francés para Dummies, Dodi-Katrin Schmidt, Michelle M. Williams y Dominique Wenzel, son ampliamente reconocidas como profesoras de idiomas, traductoras y escritoras. Encontrarás lecciones prácticas, datos culturales sobre los países francófono y referencias útiles y divertidas, entre ellas un mini diccionario una lista de los principales verbos de uso cotidiano. • Empieza a hablar francés — tú también puedes hablar este idioma maravilloso y seductor. Hablar francés no es cosa de magia — en estas páginas encontrarás herramientas para comunicarte en francés. ¡Próxima estación! — imagínate viajando, viviendo y trabajando en un país de habla francesa... ¡con este libro podrás lograrlo! ¡Es la vida! — podrás saludar, hacer preguntas, dar indicaciones e incluso, resolver emergencias en francés. Aprenderás los fundamentos de la pronunciación y de la gramática francesa — y toda la información para construir frases y comenzar a hablar. Agradable y rápido de leer — escrito en un estilo vivaz. ¡Te invitamos! — a hablar francés sin ningún tipo de vergüenza.
520 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2011
205 people are currently reading
806 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 15, 2015
I don't know why, but I've got this kind of French thing going on in my life right now. It's not as if I know any French people or that I'm planning to go to France in the foreseeable future, it's just that I seem to come across a lot of French stuff at the moment.
The FM radio in the car is on the fritz, but the LW and AM works ok, and it's amazing what sort of stuff is on that band - there's Indian music, sport (a lot of sport), some English music and chat, and then there's stuff that's being broadcast from continental Europe!
There's this French station on LW162 that (as I found when I looked it up on the interweb) is being broadcast from Paris, and is a beguiling mix of music, but mostly Chanson, which is French songs sung by old French (mostly) guys that have been in the business for decades and re-invent themselves every few years to change with the times. Some of them sound like modern English bands and singers and it's a bit of a shock to find out that they're like 72 years old! Most of the music is quite different to English stuff - the French have a very unique style and it's very refreshing to listen to.
In-between the song though is the talking, and it's this that I find particularly interesting. It's amazing how quickly I can catch the gist of what is being said and how many words I know the meaning of.
It's a similar situation with this CD. I would say that I remember about 99 percent of the vocabulary from my French lessons at school. French 'O' level was the only one I failed out of the 8 subjects I took, but I can still get by in France easier than in Germany, even though I passed German 'O' level.
But even if I knew no French at all, this would have been a very clear and concise introduction to the language.
It's basically the contents of 2 CDs and it covers pretty much everything that you would find in a normal French guide book - you know, the one you buy in the airport when you realise that you're going to a country full of foreigners (and we're all foreigners somewhere) and you don't speak one single word of the local lingo.
The advantage of this audio book over a text book though is that you get to listen to how things are really pronounced, and you can replay it ad-infinitum.
I tried to replay it again when I finished, but ennui set in and ad-infinitum quickly became ad-nauseum; and lo didst I cry out, in fearsome tones of envy at what was to come ... 'Next!'
The FM radio in the car is on the fritz, but the LW and AM works ok, and it's amazing what sort of stuff is on that band - there's Indian music, sport (a lot of sport), some English music and chat, and then there's stuff that's being broadcast from continental Europe!
There's this French station on LW162 that (as I found when I looked it up on the interweb) is being broadcast from Paris, and is a beguiling mix of music, but mostly Chanson, which is French songs sung by old French (mostly) guys that have been in the business for decades and re-invent themselves every few years to change with the times. Some of them sound like modern English bands and singers and it's a bit of a shock to find out that they're like 72 years old! Most of the music is quite different to English stuff - the French have a very unique style and it's very refreshing to listen to.
In-between the song though is the talking, and it's this that I find particularly interesting. It's amazing how quickly I can catch the gist of what is being said and how many words I know the meaning of.
It's a similar situation with this CD. I would say that I remember about 99 percent of the vocabulary from my French lessons at school. French 'O' level was the only one I failed out of the 8 subjects I took, but I can still get by in France easier than in Germany, even though I passed German 'O' level.
But even if I knew no French at all, this would have been a very clear and concise introduction to the language.
It's basically the contents of 2 CDs and it covers pretty much everything that you would find in a normal French guide book - you know, the one you buy in the airport when you realise that you're going to a country full of foreigners (and we're all foreigners somewhere) and you don't speak one single word of the local lingo.
The advantage of this audio book over a text book though is that you get to listen to how things are really pronounced, and you can replay it ad-infinitum.
I tried to replay it again when I finished, but ennui set in and ad-infinitum quickly became ad-nauseum; and lo didst I cry out, in fearsome tones of envy at what was to come ... 'Next!'
April 11, 2020
I have always loved these 'For Dummies' books. This one is no exception. No matter whether you are an absolute beginner or someone who had a brush with the language earlier and would like to polish your skills, this one would come handy. Pick it up if you are keen on learning the basics of French language.
April 24, 2014
I found it hard to learn on my own using this book - I probably need more CD's than the one that came with this. I only have 1 year of high school French (eons ago!). Wish I could recommend it but c'est la vie!
Read
January 4, 2024it was such a satisfying feeling to listen to the audiobook (3 CDs recorded altogether) and to know that I understand and know and can use (freely) all the words, sentences, phrases and etc. (mentioned in that book!!!)
not much, but gave me hell of a confidence boost to keep improving until I reach C2 (!)
not much, but gave me hell of a confidence boost to keep improving until I reach C2 (!)
March 8, 2013
Forgive me any error. When one is reading French for Dummies, 6 books in one, and it isn't listed as an item in Goodreads, one may decide to go with what the program offers. My bookmark is restin in Book 2 chapter 5 at the moment and the suspense is magnetic. ~ googled, alas!
Pardonnez-moi toute erreur. Quand on lire en français pour les nuls, 6 livres en un seul, et il n'est pas répertorié comme un élément dans Goodreads, on peut décider d'aller avec ce que le programme offre. Mon marque-page est restin dans le Livre 2 du chapitre 5 en ce moment et le suspense est magnétique. (Googlé hélas!)
Pardonnez-moi toute erreur. Quand on lire en français pour les nuls, 6 livres en un seul, et il n'est pas répertorié comme un élément dans Goodreads, on peut décider d'aller avec ce que le programme offre. Mon marque-page est restin dans le Livre 2 du chapitre 5 en ce moment et le suspense est magnétique. (Googlé hélas!)
September 29, 2019
I guess it is a good book for someone who starts with almost no or very little knowledge of French. If you getting bored with Duolingo, than this might be a good book for a more structured approach to French. As for me, I knew most of the stuff and I used it mostly to add words to my vocabulary list on Anki.
That leaves me with the question: How can I improve my French? Intermediary French for Dummies? Will it contain things that I don't already know? I don't think so. I have grown tired of studying for the sake studying. My next step is to listen to French music or podcasts, watch a French movie, read a French comic or try to read a French book.
That leaves me with the question: How can I improve my French? Intermediary French for Dummies? Will it contain things that I don't already know? I don't think so. I have grown tired of studying for the sake studying. My next step is to listen to French music or podcasts, watch a French movie, read a French comic or try to read a French book.
May 6, 2016
Of all the French books I've read, I believe this is the most helpful. It comes with pronunciation guides, which for a "dummy" like me, is essential. There are also useful flags on the side that indicates what to remember, grammar notes and tips.
They also indicate the difference between Canadian French and the French French.
Recommended to all the beginners out there.
They also indicate the difference between Canadian French and the French French.
Recommended to all the beginners out there.
February 11, 2021
I love The Dummies audiobooks and books. This audio set is delightful. I speak fluent French, I practice everyday for fun. Definitely will listen to it again.
January 12, 2022
Un libro útil para adentrarse a la lengua francesa: te explica desde la gramática, pronunciación y expresiones típicas.
Obviamente, para aprender un idioma se necesita más que un sólo libro; y este se lo recomendaría especialmente a aquellos que van a visitar un país francófono y tienen interés en poder comunicarse sin muchas complicaciones, porque de hecho, el libro se concentra en muchas situaciones posibles al estar de viaje en el extranjero; y te da mucho vocabulario y tips muy útiles al viajar.
Resumiendo, es un buen libro para comenzar a adquirir esta lengua.
Obviamente, para aprender un idioma se necesita más que un sólo libro; y este se lo recomendaría especialmente a aquellos que van a visitar un país francófono y tienen interés en poder comunicarse sin muchas complicaciones, porque de hecho, el libro se concentra en muchas situaciones posibles al estar de viaje en el extranjero; y te da mucho vocabulario y tips muy útiles al viajar.
Resumiendo, es un buen libro para comenzar a adquirir esta lengua.
November 25, 2018
No vas a aprender francés con este libro, pero sirve a su propósito: una primera aproximación al idioma y saber unas cuantas nociones y frases básicas por si necesitas ir a un lugar de habla francesa. Aunque, como en todos los libros de esta colección, estaría bien que usaran el AFI. Pero en este caso se lo paso porque la transcripción es bastante aceptable, si bien deberían ponerla lo primero porque la empiezan a usar antes de explicarla y, claro, no sabes qué quiere decir.
April 8, 2021
It accomplish it's purpose. It has good and important information.
I wanted to see if it had more difficulty as I advanced, but no.
I wish it had more medium-advanced French.
Even though, it's a good read. Filled with great information. If you want to travel to France, this book would be in handy to ask for basic stuff.
I wanted to see if it had more difficulty as I advanced, but no.
I wish it had more medium-advanced French.
Even though, it's a good read. Filled with great information. If you want to travel to France, this book would be in handy to ask for basic stuff.
June 21, 2020
El primer libro que leo "para dummies". Es recomendable si te estás iniciando en francés; si ya tienes una base, aun siendo esta muy elemental, el libro no aportará demasiado. Sirve igualmente para repasar, pero se queda en un nivel muy básico.
December 12, 2017
It was good to know that those years of high school French was still in my head.
November 12, 2018
Really good for remembering French and for understanding the rules
Read
April 28, 2020A good review if you have taken French before but not suited for beginners (or dummies)
December 27, 2020
très utile pour apprendre le français j'étudie en utilisant ceci et Duolingo.
April 14, 2021
I liked it although it is quite dated. I particularly liked the phrases and the appendix of verbs.
September 8, 2021
Not bad at all but it is really basic level, i'm recommend read smth else after this book, coz it's even not A1 level
February 16, 2022
A little outdated, but still full of valuable information. Helped a lot with grammar. A nice supplement to what I've been learning in Duolingo.
April 20, 2022
Didn’t bring anything new or profound to the table. A but of a bore. Better French studies out there.
February 25, 2023
Only three stars cuz it helped me a little bit with the language...
May 19, 2024
Thank goodness for this book. Merci beaucoup Dodi!! Germanic languages can be a headache.
October 7, 2024
Some good information. I will have to read/listen to this again at a later time when I have learned more French and about France.
February 13, 2025
I would have liked a little more time to guess the French response but other than that it was good. Will listen a few more times to go along with other learning formats.
February 19, 2025
It's really good but needs to be updated
July 30, 2025
Really great. Some sections are more complex and need several repetitions to get smoothly. I also recommend listening and repeating at .9 speed.
Want to read
February 14, 2009It is really outdated, but I like reading it anyway. Read this and skip to that. I guess it is for dummies.
November 3, 2008
the first few chapters are almost too easy if you have ever taken any french...even in high school 12 years ago.
February 10, 2009
Read a lot of the beginning pages and some of the conversations on the accompanying disc. Didn't find it particularly helpful, but I may read the rest sometime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews