Modern Languages

Paris, 1960. Jean-Louis (Fabrice Luchini, Potiche, The Girl From Monaco) lives a bourgeois existence with his neurotic socialite wife Suzanne (Sandrine Kiberlain, Mademoiselle Chambon) while their children are away at boarding school. The couple’s world is turned upside-down when they hire María, a Spanish maid who introduces Jean-Louis to an alternative reality a few stories up on the sixth floor servants' quarters. Befriending a group of sassy Spanish maids (including Pedro Almódovar’s star Carmen Maura, Volver, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown), the women teach him there’s more to life than stocks and bonds, and their influence on the house ultimately transforms everyone’s life. (StrandReleasing.com). Location in Cinema for French Conversation, 4th Edition: Chapter 10.

"Colleagues who teach courses on contemporary France in French departments will be very pleased by the much-anticipated arrival of the fourth edition of Les Français, co-authored by Jean-François Brière and Julie Fette. While the updated version reflects the profound changes that have taken place in French society since the publication of the third edition in 2001, among them the effects of the digital revolution and the increasingly visible roles of women and minorities, the book remains faithful to the spirit of the book’s original author, Laurence Wylie. Unlike other textbooks on contemporary France, Les Français does not merely catalog recent events in French history. Instead, it focuses on the ways in which the history and traditions of French society and culture have shaped current attitudes toward a variety of issues, from the debates on laïcité to the laws on parité and le mariage pour tous. This historical and comparative perspective, which gives American students the tools to understand why the French think and behave differently from Americans, constitutes the greatest strength of the book, making it the foremost French-language textbook on contemporary France." —Venita Datta, Professor of French Studies, Wellesley College

Click here to watch authors Julie Fette and Jean-François Brière's Les Français online book launch event hosted by the Institute of French Studies at NYU.

This text is based on 23 songs by Bulat Okudzhava and is designed to facilitate Russian language through aural exercises by listening to the songs. Each is followed by listening exercises on cultural and grammatical details. Includes audio CD.

". . . a most valuable project. It will provide a much-needed tool to college and university professors who teach courses on minority literature in general; however, most notably Jewish German and Austrian culture."
      —Dagmar C.G. Lorenz, University of Illinois at Chicago

Mapeando a Língua Portuguesa através das Artes is an exciting, comprehensive textbook for intermediate Portuguese courses. Mapeando features interviews, authentic texts, and works of art, all of which serve as springboards for students to express themselves in Portuguese through performance, debate, and communicative exercises. Each of the twelve units is structured around a particular art form, such as photography or literature, and includes three grammar lessons, three original texts, and integrated audio and video activities.  A complementary website featuring streaming video and audio files is available here. Course instructors: Request the Mapeando a Língua Portuguesa através das Artes textbook answer key here (PDF only).

Bubbling with wit, stellar performances and lavish cinematography, MOLIÈRE stars multi-Cesar®-nominated French actor Romain Duris as Molière, a down-and-out actor-cum-playwright up to his ears in debt. When the wealthy Jourdain (Cesar®-winner Fabrice Luchini) offers to cover that debt (so that Molière's theatrical talents might help Jourdain win the heart of a certain widowed marquise), hilarity ensues. Disguised as a priest, Molière becomes a guest in Jourdain's palace on the pretext of teaching Jourdain the craft of the stage, which annoys his wife, Elmire. But, soon after, the confrontation between Elmire and Molière turns seductive. Too busy to notice, Jourdain enlists the aid of a well connected and scheming acquaintance, to help him pursue the young widow. Romantic yearning, human foibles and laughs galore all characterize MOLIÈRE, a delightful film that slyly captures your heart. (SonyPictures.com). Location in Cinema for French Conversation, 4th Edition: Chapter 16.

"On the Move! Spanish Grammar for Everyday Situations is accurate, engaging, and pedagogically sound. The authors provide concise explanations of complex grammar and incorporate them into chapters organized by the presentation of cultural material relevant to major cities throughout the Spanish-speaking world. This is an innovative approach to teaching grammar in context that will be far more engaging for students than the dry, abstract, and lengthy explanations that one finds in other textbooks. . . . The approach is consistent with content-based teaching and compatible with expectations for the abilities of intermediate-level learners as described by ACTFL Proficiency Standards." —Juliet Lynd, Illinois State University

"This text follows a natural order, is engaging, pedagogically sound, and acknowledges the way students learn and apply increasingly complex grammatic structures. The exercises are clearly presented and challenge the students to apply the structures they have reviewed." —Gustavo Arango, State University of New York, Oneonta

Additional Resources:

Audio Recordings: Twelve brief audio recordings, streaming freely online, allow students to hear for themselves regional differences in accents, intonations, and linguistic variations.

Textbook Answer Key: Request the On the Move! textbook answer key (PDF only) here.

Chapters quizzes: Thirteen chapter quizzes (PDF only), one for each chapter plus the introduction, are available to qualified instructors. Request the PDF chapter quizzes here.

A masterful example of the psychological novel in French literature, this edition has been designed to help the English-speaking student approach the original French through the use of a thorough and informative introduction, ample and informative notes and study questions, all of which are contained in one convenient volume. Pierre et Jean is a naturalist work written by Guy de Maupassant in 1887. It tells the story of a middle-class French family whose lives are changed when a deceased family friend, leaves his inheritance to Jean. This provokes Pierre to doubt the fidelity of his mother and the legitimacy of his brother. The Focus Student Editions are appropriate as introductory texts for French language courses in literature and culture. 

Written entirely in Spanish, the book is designed to help native English speaking students improve their Spanish pronunciation. Appropriate for those with two years of Spanish on up, the text is ideal for lower level classes to catch bad speaking habits before they set in. For upper level classes the book can serve as a tool to refine pronunciation skills. The book is designed to be completed in one semester and covers specific pronunciation issues common to English speakers and solutions to these problems. Side by side English and Spanish word comparisons are made to allow the student to first pronounce the English and then the Spanish words, providing ear training and articulating exercises. A variety of oral exercises are included which can be practiced in groups. Course Instructors: An electronic instructor's manual is available for qualified course instructors who have adopted this text for their course. If you have adopted the text, click here to request the instructor's manual.

Newspaper articles of general interest serve as the basis for numerous exercises intended to help the student gain an active knowledge of the vocabulary and phraseology characteristic of written and spoken Russian and essential for reading and communicating in Russian at an advanced level. Special attention is devoted to word formation and the use of new vocabulary and phraseologies in their typical contexts. A review vocabulary list at the end of each lesson indicates words the student is expected to master in each lesson, and a cumulative vocabulary list at the end of the text shows where each item occurs.

Drawing on authentic cultural materials ranging from thought-provoking artwork to classic literature and short contemporary films, Retratos: Arte y sociedad en Latinoamérica y España offers a fresh and inspired approach to the teaching of advanced Spanish Composition. In each of the eight thematically-organized chapters, these primary source materials provide a "portrait" of an historically or culturally important figure in the Latin American and Spanish worlds, offering students rich opportunities to explore cultural differences, learn grammar in context, and complete writing activities directly related to both their own daily lives and the world around them. North American Rights only.

Russian Folktales: A Reader for Students of Russian, Second Edition, offers intermediate and advanced students an ideal opportunity to engage with eight authentic cultural texts of the Russian folkloric tradition. Each transmits a popular tale long beloved by Russians—from The Frog Princess, to Prince Ivan, to Vasilisa the Beautiful, and others—that moreover presents a wealth of linguistic content. The Second Edition builds upon strengths of the First by offering a greater range of pre-reading and post-reading exercises to suit a wider variety of learning styles. Notes and a Glossary offer further aids for comprehension and interpretation. 

Russian-language audio/video files of each tale may be found on the Russian Folktales title support page here.

A combined reader/workbook for second-year German, Sammelsurium focuses on cultural awareness while building competence in reading, writing, and speaking, and can be used with equal effectiveness as either a supplementary text or as the main reader in a course. Included are thirty-eight brief yet stimulating readings on a wide range of topics of special significance to German culture, each of which offers intermediate-level grammatical constructions and vocabulary. Many readings incorporate a verb-tense exercise, and each reading is accompanied by a separate set of vocabulary as well as an array of comprehension questions and communicative exercises. From the Brothers Grimm to German film—and from fashion to the nightlife of Berlin—Sammelsurium offers something for every taste, while strengthening skills needed by every student of German.

An electronic (PDF only) instructor's manual and a (PDF only) test bank for Sammelsurium are available to qualified instructors who have adopted the text for their course, click here to request a copy.

Unamuno's thought-provoking 1931 novella of a village priest who remains devoted to his people while he struggles with religious disillusionment touches on Spanish tradition as well as existential and religious philosophy. The Focus Student Editions are appropriate as introductory texts for Spanish language courses in literature and culture. They have been designed to help students approach the original Spanish text through an introductory essay, vocabulary and cultural notes, and study questions. All material is in Spanish, and complete in one volume.

On its own, or in conjunction with a variety of free online resources--grammar and vocabulary exercises, pronunciation drills, and more--this accurate and well-organized book is the ideal reference for students of Spanish at any level.

"This guide is like having four semesters of Spanish textbooks in your pocket. All of the necessary grammar is right here. Very handy, surprisingly comprehensive, and the price is right." —Louise Detwiler, Salisbury University

"For over a decade, David Wren's Spanish Grammar: A Quick Reference has been an invaluable resource for students majoring and minoring in Spanish. Here at Indiana University Bloomington, we have often bundled it together with our other Spanish textbooks." —James Lynch, Indiana University Bloomington

Additional Resources: Spanish Grammar additional resources website.

Completely redesigned in this 3rd edition, and now offered as an exclusively online product, START: The Sound and Writing Systems of Russian facilitates teaching the sounds and writings systems of Russian to first-year English-speaking students more effectively than ever. As a supplement to any standard first-year Russian textbook, START, 3rd Edition integrates its presentation of the Cyrillic alphabet, Russian sounds, and Russian writing systems through text, audio, video, written exercises, dictations, and auto-correcting quizzes so that students can acquire a solid grounding in fundamentals before moving on to more advanced material. Read more about START, 3rd Edition - including instructor and student FAQs.

Course Instructors: Click here to create a user account and request preview access to START, 3rd Edition.

Students: If your class is using START, 3rd Edition please contact your instructor for information on how to purchase access. If you have questions about student purchases please email customer@hackettpublishing.com.

START explains the fundamental concepts of Russian pronunciation and writing to first year English-speaking students. Pronunciation by native speakers is given with reference to English sounds and words: hard and soft consonants, voiced and voiceless consonants, regressive assimilation, and the reduction of unstressed vowels. Self-quizzes and dictations are included at the end of every chapter. 

START, 2nd Edition is now out of print, replaced by a new Online 3rd Edition. Click here for information about the completely redeveloped and entirely Online 3rd Edition of START.

A new edition of a classic anthology, published in five convenient and inexpensive volumes, updated for the modern student. Selections in French, with introductory material and notes in English. Includes time lines, introductions to each period and its culture, and short biographies of the authors.

A new edition of a classic anthology, published in five convenient and inexpensive volumes, updated for the modern student. Selections in French, with introductory material and notes in English. Includes time lines, introductions to each period and its culture, and short biographies of the authors.

A new edition of a classic anthology, published in five convenient and inexpensive volumes, updated for the modern student. Selections in French, with introductory material and notes in English. Includes time lines, introductions to each period and its culture, and short biographies of the authors.

A new edition of a classic anthology, published in five convenient and inexpensive volumes, updated for the modern student. Selections in French, with introductory material and notes in English. Includes time lines, introductions to each period and its culture, and short biographies of the authors.

A new edition of a classic anthology, published in five convenient and inexpensive volumes, updated for the modern student. Selections in French, with introductory material and notes in English. Includes time lines, introductions to each period and its culture, and short biographies of the authors.

Three Centuries of Spanish Short Stories invites readers to discover seventeen Spanish short stories written by well-known and also several newly recognized authors from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Authors represented in the anthology include: Juan Valera , Mercedes Abad and Jose Maria Merino. Intermediate and advanced students of Spanish learn about the modern Spanish short story and gain confidence in their literary analysis while strengthening their speaking, reading and writing skills. Numerous pre and post-reading activities for each short story generate classroom conversations. For Spanish language courses in third year or higher, in Spanish literature, the Spanish short story, history of literature, or topics courses where short stories form special topics. 

Designed to prepare students to actively engage in the dynamic world of Italian business, Un buon affare is a versatile textbook aimed at the upper-intermediate level that fosters cultural competency, hones practical communication skills, and cultivates linguistic expertise necessary for making connections in one of the European Union's most important economies. It will also be of great use to professionals conducting business in Italy or with Italian companies.

Additional Resources: Additional materials, links of interest, a sample syllabus, and the answer key to the exercises in Un buon affare is available for online reading and PDF download on the Un buon affare title support webpage here.

"An accessible, engaging textbook that serves as an effective introduction to the world of Italian business through interactive pair and small-group activities, while also providing ample opportunities for students to continue developing their listening, reading, and writing skills in Italian. The communicative activities are designed to support students’ continued oral proficiency development and enable them to actively and confidently participate in the world of Italian business. In order to fulfill this objective, many of the activities employed throughout the book are couched within the Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) approach. It is evident that the content of Un buon affare was meticulously selected, and Tassone provides instructors of Italian for business a great variety of activities to cover in class or assign as homework. Given its many strengths, Un buon affare is sure to actively engage students as they continue refining their Italian language skills while also deepening their cultural knowledge. Offering students and instructors a wealth of resources and interesting activities, this textbook is indeed "un buon affare," a good deal—a bargain, as the author states in the Preface to the Instructor." —Christina A. Mirisis, St. Norbert College, in NECTFL Review

Making use of Dicionario do viajante insolito by Brazilian writer Moacyr Scliar as a point of departure, Viajando aims to help students develop reading comprehension and oral and written comprehension of Portuguese, filling a much needed void as a reader or complementary intermediate text.

Bilal, a 17-year-old Kurdish refugee, has struggled his way through Europe for the last three months trying to reunite with his girlfriend, who recently emigrated to England. But his journey comes to an abrupt halt when he is stopped by authorities in Calais, on the French side of the Channel. Left with no other alternatives, he decides to swim across. Bilal goes to the local swimming pool to train, where he meets Simon, a middle-aged swimming instructor in turmoil over his imminent divorce. Simon agrees to help Bilal, hoping to win back the affection of his wife, who does volunteer work helping immigrants. But what begins as a relationship based on self interest, develops into something much bigger than Simon could ever have imagined, as he too will ultimately risk everything to reach happiness. (FilmMovement.com). Location in Cinema for French Conversation, 4th Edition: Chapter 11.

Based on the pioneering text Cinema for Spanish Conversation, ¡De Pelicula! uses recent feature films with a PG or PG-13 rating to build Spanish language skills in listening, speaking, and reading. The text also provides a unique method to explore the cultural concepts depicted in the films. As with the parent text, ¡De Pelicula! provides a context for listening to the film through previewing exercises, background information, vocabulary, cultural material, and post-viewing exercises, including student exercises to be done in small groups. This version covers eight films and may be used as a primary or ancillary text in fourth year high school courses, for community college courses—especially those language courses taught in the evening—or in single-semester courses at most colleges. Course Instructors: An electronic (PDF only) instructor's manual is available for qualified adopters. If you have adopted the text, request the instructor's manual here.

À la recherche d’un emploi: Business French in a Communicative Context is designed to develop students' vocabulary and cultural knowledge in preparation for working in an international environment. Exceeding the need to learn business structures and practices, most students need business communication skills, including advanced cultural competency. To meet these needs, À la recherche d’un emploi uses authentic materials from Québec and France. Communicative exercises are reality based and task oriented, encouraging a student-centered classroom. The numerous activities in the text elicit natural language use, facilitate vocabulary acquisition, and provide students ample opportunities to create relevant and personalized documents in French. In addition to completing viewing activities from feature-length films and online resources, students examine their personal goals and assess their strengths and weaknesses as they develop a job portfolio. À la recherche d’un emploi promotes learning valuable crossover skills that develop students' French-language aptitude, while also preparing them for the job market in their own country. Edition 1.1 includes a number of corrections as well as updates reflecting changes in French business culture.

 An electronic (PDF only) instructor's resource manual is available to qualified instructors who have adopted A la recherche d'un emploi, Edition 1.1 for their course. Click here to request a copy.

Intended for intermediate or advanced students of French, À Table ! The Food Culture of France is a content-based cultural text centered around the cuisine of France and various French-speaking cultures. Organized like a French menu, each chapter includes prose, poetry, film references, and recipes, together with vocabulary, grammar points, and exercises. This second edition of À Table ! features a redesigned full-color interior to reflect the richness and color of French food culture and history. The author has also added questions for reading comprehension and has expanded and rearranged select readings to give the text a more coherent organization. A chronological arrangement of chapters, along with a variety of food-related sources, encourages a comprehensive yet flexible approach to learning French language and its cultural contexts. Course instructors: A PDF-only instructor's manual is available to qualified instructors who have adopted À Table ! (Second Edition) as a required course text. The PDF instructor's manual may be requested here by completing the instructor materials request form.