Hassle-free travel and communication in French (Easy French: Photo Phrase Book (Collins))

Member Name: velissaria

Product:	Easy French: Photo Phrase Book (Collins)
Date:	05/07/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great unique combination of language and modern culture with photos, words and phrases

Disadvantages: You need to have some idea about the pronunciation beforehand but there is a CD version too

Collins Easy French - A Photo Phrase Book (Paperback). 2006. HarperCollins Publishers. 192 pages. ISBN-10: 0007208405, ISBN-13: 978-0007208401
Publisher's price: £6.99
£4.89 & eligible for Free UK delivery on Amazon
Got mine for £1.99 from the Works (www.theworks.co.uk)

I recently visited France for the first time on a business trip and, although I am familiar with its culture, I did not know what to expect regarding modern French lifestyle. E.g. what kind of labels and signs do they use? telephone booths? ATMs? credit cards? public transport? tickets? food? and so on. This book was my saviour.

Unlike the usual phrase books that put all the emphasis on the language, this book is kind of a short easy guide to the everyday culture as well, with real photographs of sings, objects, locations, etc. This combination of general practical information, photos and phrases is really invaluable. The book is fully coloured, glossy and slim, so it fits easily in a hand bag.

Topics it covers:

*numbers
*pronunciation
*everyday talk
*addressing people properly
*everyday France with tips
*directions
*banks & Money
*time & timetables
*tickets
*public transport
*taxi
*car hire
*driving
*Paris - Calais - Brussels maps and tips
*shopping
*foods
*phones, email, internet, fax
*out & about, sports
*accommodation
*camping
*special needs
*with kids
*health

After this section, it has another one dedicated to Food & Drink in restaurants, a map with the specialities of each French region, and a menu reader to help you with your food selection. At the end, there is an English>French and French>English modern glossary, and even a short section on very basic grammar and on how the language works!

The only difficult area is that you need to have some idea about French pronunciation, because the pronunciation guide below each phrase is rather confusing. However, this book is also available in a pack with a CD that covers 22 topics!

I bought from the same series:

*Collins easy Italian photo phrase book
*Collins easy Spanish photo phrase book
*Collins easy Greek photo phrase book
and I know there is also a German one.

All the books have the same layout and they all have an optional CD.

Summary: Great quick reference book - Don't visit France without it!