Absolutely fabulous way to learn French, though to get the most out of it you need access to all the accompanying materials. Nowadays the video and the invaluable audio portions are available online for free, but the workbooks are also critical for learning, and the English-language study guides are very helpful, too. Loved it all and am thrilled to have finally finished the course! ( )

NA

The origins of French in Action go back to 1949-1956, when Pierre Capretz, then in his 20s, taught at the University of Florida. Capretz was a highly gifted instructor who was at heart a frustrated filmmaker; he found a way of turning language instruction into art, and created the memorable tale of the American (conveniently with a French mother) Robert and the girl he falls in love with in Paris, Mireille, along her family and friends. The series is now dated and its use is in decline, which is a pity. It can never be updated, because it is in itself a creation of genius that lesser talents would botch. But Mireille and Robert (and Marie-Laure, Mireille's impish sister) live on, certainly, in the memories of quite a few aging students of French. Though now almost 25 years old, it remains a method to be considered. Truth be told, however, it really works well only with gifted students -- but then few of the others stick with French long enough to master the language anyway, and with the Capretz method they have a good time while they struggle at it. And it was designed to be able to be used by an individual working alone. If you want to learn French and you have a gift for learning, this is the method for you! ( )

Language Dunce - even have trouble with English: I went through the 52 PBS programs first, then went through them again making notes, then I bought the book.

This immersion method I believe is like a child learning their own language for the first time - you watch and over time figure out what people are saying - you do not begin taking courses for 5 years.

If I had, had to take a typical language course to learn my native English - I believe I would never have learned.

The book is the immersion method in writting [and also in French]. You can go back and forth between the book and the 52 programs and everything is in French. You pick a word here and a phrase there and then start putting a few togeather. You learn the situations also.

For a person like me who fails every language course - this has been fun. It makes me want to go through the chapters and tapes over and over again.

So if you think of this method as a way to pick up French as a child would - a word here and a phrase there and a spark to continue to learn - it can be a lot of fun.

So far I recommend the 52 PBS programs and this Book.