<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I'd like to improve my French language skills over the summer to help me with the SAT subject test as well as my French B SL IB course. My main plan is basically to read loads of books, but I need to compile a reading list.</p>
<p>One thing that I've found particularly helpful is books that consist of the text on the right and any difficult vocabulary with its definition on the left page. I used this for the CR section of the SAT I, and was wondering if they have anything similar for French. Here's what I found:</p>
<p>Candide:</a> A Kaplan French-language Vocabulary Building Novel: Amazon.co.uk: Voltaire: Books</p>
<p>This is along the lines of what I'm looking for, but Voltaire isn't exactly the best starting point for reading for me as it contains a lot of archaic language etc...</p>
<p>Do you know any other books that have this vocabulary-building format? Also, would you recommend any other intermediate level French books for me to read over the summer that will be effective in broadening my vocabulary and understanding of French. Any other internet sources would also help.</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>I think that Huis clos is a perfect book to bridge from intermediate to advanced levels. Its vocabulary isn’t too difficult, and the play format allows you to enjoy the story without being bogged down by overly flowery description and difficult prose to read. L’etranger is pretty good too, because the syntax isn’t too difficult and it’s pretty interesting to read.</p>
<p>Yup, I’ve got L’Etranger and I’ve been going through that. I’ll check out Huis Clos as well. I also found a number of books that contain parallel texts - where one side is in english and the other in french, so that you can take a peek at the english section in case you don’t understand a word. They also have a glossary at the back for difficult terms.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>
<p>I teach French B SL and I would say that while reading literature is wonderful, it would be also a great idea to read current newspapers, magazines, and practice your writing. The coming IB tests will not cover any literature, although that will change when the curriculum changes in a couple of years. Right now the test covers a variety of texts, NOT literature, including interviews, letters, travel brochures, etc. and you will be asked to respond to these. Then you will be asked to write a personal essay which answers a task set to you (you will choose one out of four possibilities). This could be a letter (formal or informal), newspaper article, diary entry, etc. Don’t only read literature to practice for this particular test. The Fr B High Level is a different story. You will probably be taking a couple of practice tests during the coming year so that you will understand the format of the test. </p>
<p>As far as the internet goes: Look into the podcasts “One Thing in a French Day,” and “Cultivate Your French.” Also, read French language newspapers online (not just from France by the way-- don’t ignore other Francophone countries). Search for “French grammar exercises” online. You will find lots that are interactive and practicing grammar, while boring, is really important. Bon courage!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the response. In the past papers I have done, I’ve seen many newspaper articles etc. so you’re right in saying that I should read those consistently. I’ll check out the podcasts as well.</p>