This complete program for beginning French offers a traditional emphasis on correct form combined with the best current innovations in language teaching — a communicative approach, focus on the spoken language and on a functional view of language, stress on culture taken broadly to include francophone countries as well as France, and use of authentic material. Using a careful progression from skill-getting to skill-using activities and a mature treatment of francophone culture, the text and its full complement of supplementary materials — including technology-based supplements — help students develop listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills by exposing them to authentic, contemporary French and encouraging them to express themselves on a variety of topics.