"Easy French Reader" is based on the premise that there is no better way to learn French than to begin reading immediately. The first readings contain simple selections that even beginners can read. As the book progresses, the readings become more challenging. Word glosses in the margins present new words, exercises challenge comprehension, and a glossary provides support reference. This approach expands learners' vocabulary and strengthens their reading skills, while the content of the readings introduces them to the culture, history and literature of France. The book contains three sections. Section one follows the story of two teenagers learning about their respective cultures: Julie, an American, visiting her French friend Marc in Paris. This is for the beginning student. Section two presents the rich history of France in progressively more challenging readings, suitable for the intermediate student. Section three offers adapted abridgements of four short stories by French authors - Maupassant, Zola, Baudet and Theuriet - suitable for the advanced intermediate student.

Table of Contents

Introduction A quick review of grammar terms Points of speech articulation Major North American English vowels SESSION ONE 1.1 Introduction to Improve Your American English Accent 1.2 What's in Session One 1.3 The vowels 6 and 10 1.4 Vowel sound 11 1.5 Syllables 1.6 Syllable stress 1.7 Consonants: Stops and continuants 1.8 The glottal stop: An important extra stop sound 1.9 Voicing and vowel duration 1.10 Stress in abbreviations and initials 1.11 Let's try to apply this information 1.12 Assignment SESSION TWO 1.13 What's in Session Two 1.14 The vowels: Review of vowels 6 and 11 1.15 The vowels: Introducing vowels 3, 4, and 5 1.16 Different ways to pronounce stops 1.17 linking words together (as the native speakers do) 1.18 Three variations of -s|-es noun and verb endings 1.19 Syllable stress with suffixes -ion, -sian, -tion 1.20 Word stress in adjective + noun phrases 1.21 Let's try to apply all this information 1.22 Assignment SESSION THREE 2.1 What's in Session Three 2.2 The vowels: 1 and 2 2.3 The vowels: Front vowels 1, 2, 3, and 4 2.4 The vowels: Vowel 12 2.5 The three -ed verb endings (the regular endings for simple past and past participle forms) 2.6 Practice using the -ed endings 2.7 The between-vowel (intervocalic) d or t flap 2.8 Practice using the d or t flap 2.9 Stress in adjectives with -al, -ial, or -ual suffixes 2.10 Stress in noun + noun phrases 2.11 To stress or not to stress: the schwa 2.12 Stress and non-stress in some useful words 2.13 Let's try to apply all this information 2.14 Assignment SESSION FOUR 2.15 What's in Session Four 2.16 Vowels: Vowel sound 8 2.17 Vowels: Back vowels 8, 9, and 10 2.18 Contractions: Is 2.19 Contractions: Are 2.20 Contractions: Does 2.21 Contractions: Did 2.22 Contractions: Will 2.23 Contractions: Would 2.24 Contractions: Can and can't 2.25 Reducing the h in words that are not important 2.26 Stress with the common suffix -ity 2.27 Assignment SESSION FIVE 3.1 What's in Session Five 3.2 The vowels: lower vowels 6, 7, 8, and 11 3.3 Practicing stress, pitch. linking. and reductions in declarative sentences 3.4 Practicing non-stress 3.5 Summary of some important speech aspects 3.6 When joining a front vowel to another vowel 3.7 When joining a back vowel to another vowel 3.8 Forming new sounds by joining sounds together 3.9 linking words with the same (or closely related) sounds 3.10 Practice with some common helping verbs 3.11 Assignment SESSION SIX 3.12 What's in Session Six 3.13 Pitch pattern change after a subject has been introduced 3.14 Usual pitch patterns in English information questions 3.15 Usual pitch patterns in North American English yes/no questions 3.16 Usual pitch patterns in North American English either/or (choice) questions 3.17 Usual pitch patterns in North American English attached questions 3.18 Breaking the rules of stress in special situations 3.19 Let's try to apply all this information 3.20 Assignment

Author Biography

Charlsie Childs is a specialist in foreign accent reduction with many years of teaching experience.