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Learning Another Language
Léo
le Chat comes to Play!
by Opal Dunn, illustrated by Cathy Gale
(Frances Lincoln)
This book is written as a conversation between the reader and Léo,
who only talks French. The reader's section has the French in bold and
the English translation beside it in italics. Leo's dialogue is written
in French on flaps which the reader lifts to find the English underneath.
All the phrases are short and easy and the large, bright illustrations
tell the underlying story of Léo's over-ambitious attempt to skateboard.
The pronunciation guide at the end helps parents read the words correctly
and provides extra vocabulary for talking about the pictures. Aimed at
very young children, it could also find a place in a class library for
older ones although the flaps would wear out with constant use.
Also available in Spanish as El Gato Leo comes to Play!
Buy
French version from Amazon
Buy
Spanish version from Amazon
The Alternative
GCSE Guides - French
by Rachel Wright
(Scholastic)
Written in a friendly style with plenty of cartoons, this revision guide
provides useful reminders of how French works plus hints on how to tackle
exams and liven up your writing. It's likely to appeal most to motivated
students who are happy to work on their own, especially those who find
the school textbook either too challenging or too simple.
Buy
from Amazon
German Fun
French Fun
by Catherine Bruzzone, Lone Morton and Louies Comfort
(b small publishing)
The wide range of activities in this book include a dot-to-dot, a crossword,
pictures to match, differences to spot and clothes to cut out for a couple
of press out characters. Not so good for the classroom as most sections
can only be used once, but fun for language practise at home.
Buy
German Fun from Amazon
Buy
French Fun from Amazon
Colour in
French
Colour in
Spanish
by Catherine Bruzzone and Clare Beaton
(b small publishing)
These books introduce a range of useful words illustrated with pictures
to colour. Unfortunately there is no pronounciation guide but, if you're
going on a foreing holiday, one of these could provide an interesting
way to keep a child busy on the journey.
Buy
French version from Amazon
Buy
Spanish version from Amazon
My First
Oxford French Words
My First Oxford
German Words
Illustrated by David Melling Compiled by Neil Morris
(Oxford University Press)
Both these books are identical - only the languages are different. Each
consists of attractive double page illustrations packed with detail and
with small pictures each side together with the appropriate french or
german word. These spreads cover useful sets of vocabulary including going
to school, animals, the professions and a particularly delightful one
for going to bed which features plenty of fairy tale characters. Other
pages offer illustrated guides to the words for numbers, shapes, opposites,
weather and time plus a match the word to the picture activity. The index
lists the 400 French or German words used together with the page where
they are illustrated but unfortunately there is no help provided with
pronunciation. An appealing book for children at the beginner stage and
likely to hold the attention of reluctant readers. Useful for providing
extra help at home or for the reading corner in the classroom.
| (with thanks to Carol) |
Buy German version from Amazon
The Usborne
Book of Everyday Words in French
The Usborne
Book of Everyday Words in German
(Usborne)
Again both these books are identical - only the languages are different.
These are illustrated with large photos of models of various situations
surrounded by small photos of objects and their French or German names.
The useful range of topics includes the bathroom, the office and the garden
as well as a birthday party and a trip to the park. In addition, some
pages only have smaller photos to give lists of vocabulary including types
of foods, clothes, vehicles, parts of the body and numbers. All the words
used are listed at the back with their meaning and a phonetic version
to help pronunciation. Useful for providing children at the beginner stage
with the basic vocabulary they need.
Clear enough to use with children with special needs although older ones
may find the pictures too young.
| (With thanks to Carol) |
Buy German version from Amazon
Beginner's
French Dictionary
Beginner's
German Dictionary
Beginner's
Italian Dictionary
Beginner's
Spanish Dictionary
by Helen Davies and others
(Usborne)
The words in these identical dictionaries are divided into topics although
unfortunately the headings are only given in English. Each topic has a
double page spread with colour drawings on which vocabulary words are
written in the appropriate language. These words are also listed in boxes
on the page together with their English meaning. There is no pronunciation
guide given at this point but it is available in the English-French word
list (or its equivalent) at the end of the book. This is useful for revision
and allows children to look up the word they want to use. However it doesn't
help them find the meaning of a French, German, Italian or Spanish word
so these books cannot completely substitute for a traditional dictionary.
The range of topics covered is well chosen to cover most of the subjects
children may be asked to write or talk about plus some more unusual ones
including politics. The grammar section at the back is easy to follow
and a useful memory jogger. Despite their names, these books are best
for children beyond the complete beginner stage and can be used throughout
key stage 3.
Ages 11+
| (with thanks to Carol) |
Buy German version from Amazon
Buy Italian version from Amazon
Buy Spanish version from Amazon
Latin for
Beginners
by Angela Wilkes
(Usborne)
This is one of a series of books dealing with different languages. Despite
their titles, they are not easy for beginners to use because they lack
help with pronunciation (unless they include a tape) and progress very
quickly. However, the Latin one featured here is a delightful way to brighten
up a usually dull subject. It treats learning Latin in the same way as
learning any other language with phrases and vocabulary you need for a
variety of situations including eating a meal, asking the way and looking
for a lost hamster. Useful for older children and adults who are already
studying Latin.
| (With thanks to Carol) |
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