Débuts Information Center:

Débuts: An Introduction to French, Second Edition, 2/e

H. Jay Siskin, Cabrillo College
Ann Williams, Metropolitan State College of Denver
Thomas T. Field, University of Maryland, Baltimore

An innovative film-based program designed to motivate and inspire beginning French students.

Le Chemin du retour and Débuts

Le Chemin du retour is a two-hour feature-length film, divided into twenty-two episodes and an Epilogue. Each episode includes on-screen pre- and post-viewing activities that make the film accessible to students. Episodes are approximately fifteen minutes in length and correspond to the chapters in the textbook. Over eight hours of viewing bring the richness of French language and culture to beginning students, while at the same time exposing them to clear and natural French that they can understand.

Le Chemin du retour is an engaging story about a young French journalist, Camille Leclair, and her pursuit of the truth about her grandfather’s past. Through Camille’s quest, students are introduced to many facets of today’s French and Francophone cultures as well as to important historical events in France. They learn language in the functional context provided by the film, and concepts are reinforced by the on-screen activities that help students verify their comprehension.

Each chapter of Débuts, the textbook, is correlated to an episode of the film. The textbook prepares students for the film viewing experience through the chapter vocabulary presentations and activities and through additional pre-and post-viewing activities. The vocabulary and grammar presentations and activities recycle and expand on the dialogue and structures presented in the film. Paired and small-group activities enable students to talk about the characters in the story and their own lives. The cultural content of the film is further explored in cultural notes and readings in each chapter.

Click on the links on the left-hand side of this page to learn more about Le Chemin du retour and the exciting new second ediiton of Débuts!

For more detailed information on the film Le Chemin du retour, including film trailers, plot synopses, character and actor bios, and more, visit the film's supersite.

Registration to this Web site is no longer required. All of the student resources contained on this site are freely accessible; you may disregard the registration instructions and the registration code printed on the card at the front of your textbook.