PREFACE

The authors expect this book to be an added proof that to teach French in French is the only logical method of obtaining from the pupil spontaneous expression in that language. The Grammaire de la Conversation does not pretend to be in any sense a grammar for grammarians; on the contrary, the "technicalities" of the language have been purposely omitted. Drill upon the essentials of grammar is the one thing that has always been kept in mind.

The so-called difficult points which confront every student of French are taken up one by one, and so simplified that they become easy of comprehension. The constant repetition of simple phrases necessary to daily conversation enables the pupil to speak grammatically from the outset, and not only grammatically but with ease and flexibility.

By a system of questions and answers, arranged progressively and dealing with the usual topics of real conversation, the student is gradually familiarized with necessary forms and grammatical rules. Each lesson is an easy step to the following one, and all lead to readiness of expression; for it is that which renders idiomatic construction natural and makes permanent an ever enlarging vocabulary. The lessons are not recitations in the usual sense of the word, but the give and take of conversation — living speech. Although students, of course, at first can say only a few things, from the outset they are made to think these things in French.

In the first twenty lessons, only those sounds are used which can be mastered easily by English-speaking students; they are not allowed to use the difficult or so-called abnormal sounds until they have had time to acquire them. The lessons are conducted orally in French, and the daily self-corrected written exercise is merely a repetition