CITOYEN.NE.S: Conversation en Français

Reviewed by Renee Altergott, Postdoctoral Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor, Wabash College on 11/6/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This textbook does an excellent job representing the true diversity of the Francophone world and speakers of the French language. A. Dolidon’s inclusive aims can be seen in the thematic content right down to some of the grammar exercises (for example, correcting a sentence to use more neutral language). The use of hyperlinks to external authentic materials such as articles and websites not only embraces the everyday tools at our students’ disposal, but reinforces their active engagement with the cultural topics, which may enhance learning and retention.

The author makes it clear that this textbook is designed for intermediate-level students; it follows that greater attention is paid to vocabulary enrichment and cultural competency, whereas a wide range of grammatical points are brief and mainly for review. This textbook also balances the conservative, traditional approach to teaching written French with extensive examples from the spoken register and colloquial expressions drawn from Cameroon, Tahiti, and Québec.

This textbook would be especially useful for an advanced conversation course, once students have a solid grammatical foundation (ie, as a bridge course after Beginner and Intermediate, perhaps to complement a writing-heavy Composition course). It would also set students up for success in study abroad programs, as they will be better prepared to interact with their peers.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

This textbook is drawn from extensive research, and manages to cover a wide range of current and perennial topics in a nuanced way. The selection of authentic materials is nicely varied, including films, songs, websites, literary excerpts, and a bande dessinée. Its content is designed to develop conversational French in a way that more accurately represents spoken French across the francophone world. This will likely be an adjustment for educators, but students will greatly benefit from learning to speak in the colloquial register of their peers if they wish to study abroad or engage with French speakers in other contexts.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This is a groundbreaking textbook that illustrates what inclusive pedagogy should look like in the language classroom. For this reason, it may serve as a model for other language educators beyond French who wish to revamp their approaches to teaching the advanced conversational level in their respective languages. Certain trends and statistics may evolve and need to be updated along the way, but as for the thematic organization, vocabulary, and representations of francophone diversity, this textbook is exemplary and raises the bar for French language teaching materials.

Clarity rating: 4

Sub-sections on culture and vocab are rich yet succinct. Grammar review sections are useful and cover more commonly-used structures without getting bogged down in exceptions. It could be helpful to more clearly indicate which words belong to the extremely informal register; however, it will be easy enough for educators to clarify this in the classroom.

Consistency rating: 5

Citoyen.ne.s consistently uses l’écriture inclusive (inclusive writing) throughout, which creates an open, inclusive environment for all students in the language classroom. The author is equally consistent in her balanced attention to diverse francophone cultural norms that depart from the Metropole. Although some of the vocab terms seem to be inconsistently translated/not translated, this fits into the broader goal of urging students to take an active role in their own learning process, and does not detract from the resource as a whole.

Modularity rating: 5

Citoyen.ne.s is divided into five thematic units with two subsections, each ending with readings and more elaborate creative activities. This will be fairly straightforward to adopt to a semester-long course that takes 2-3 weeks to work through each unit. There is also a natural scaffolding of the materials within each unit, to ensure that students move from more straightforward, concrete tasks to more abstract or creative applications of the material covered. I could also foresee using cultural material and prompts from this textbook to complement a more grammar-heavy, lower-level intermediate course.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The organization of each chapter is clear, and follows a logical progression from learning and integrating new vocabulary to nuanced discussions and creative applications of the new material. It will be rather straightforward to construct lesson plans that use some or all of the material of each chapter.

As for the flow of the 5 chapters in their current order, while I do see the points raised by previous assessments of this textbook (regarding the difficult questions and grammar raised in Chapter 2), I also find it refreshing to tackle the subjunctive earlier on in the semester, as this will give students a chance to actually practice it and master it, as opposed to most of the textbooks I have used thus far that save it for the end, which too often freaks students out just before the final exam.

Interface rating: 4

Generally speaking, the interface is clear and fairly easy to read; the exercises will be easy for students to complete by hand or on a computer. I found that the hyperlinks worked fine on a laptop, but not on an ipad via Dropbox. It might be worth testing them on phones, as well, as students will likely refer back to the text during class. It might help students transitioning from traditional textbooks full of images to open source materials to have a bit more consistency in the way vocab or grammatical points are laid out, for example, to visually signal the type of content for increased legibility. Hyperlinks internal to the document could also improve navigation between sections.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The occasional typos do not detract from the overall quality of the textbook.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This is easily the most culturally relevant textbook I have ever seen, in both directions (target language and target audience). A. Dolidon makes space for diverse francophone traditions and contexts that are usually neglected in traditional textbooks. Of equal importance, the author also accounts for the diversity of the textbook’s future student users, who deserve to see themselves represented in pedagogical materials.

Comments

I am eager to implement this textbook in the future!

Reviewed by Tara Smithson, Visiting Assistant Professor, Saint Mary's College on 6/15/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Simply put, Citoyen.ne.s is the resource that I had been waiting for. As a textbook, it offers compelling content organized around five themes and a wealth of exercises, collaborative tasks, project ideas. It could be used in its entirety, to drive the curriculum of an intermediate sequence (perhaps over two semesters) or in one semester in a faster-paced conversation course.

Citoyen.ne.s distinguishes itself in its choice to truly center cultural content, often incorporating authentic resources, in accordance with best practices in Speech and Language Acquisition. Each unit provides sufficient context and an array of entry points so that students can engage meaningfully with the questions related to each theme while also developing communicative competence in French. Overviews of relevant structures and vocabulary complement cultural readings, and the grammar and vocabulary exercises embedded in each chapter lend themselves to the kind of deliberate practice many students and instructors may expect in a language class. Citoyen.ne.s does not belabor every “gotcha” grammatical exception or whizz through a checklist of discrete grammar points, but takes a more holistic, contextualized approach to communication. It focuses on the most used structures and provides students with interesting input such as author-created pieces, authentic resources, open-ended activities that will necessitate their use of the pertinent grammar and vocabulary, and links to websites where students may learn more.

If the chosen themes are familiar, the non-homogenizing approach offers a fresh take. For example, the first chapter, “Connaissances de base,” opens with a topic that is a familiar point of departure for many French textbooks: greetings and initial interactions with strangers. The author, Annabelle Dolidon, presents the topic as a nuanced social ritual that varies from place to place, and can be inflected with other identities (regional, gender, or religious). She includes a map of France that shows how the number of bises or “cheek kisses” can vary from 1-4 depending on the region, highlights the more liberal use of “tu” in Québec, and notes differing expectations about cross-gender touch (in handshakes, for example) among Muslim communities in West Africa. The discussion questions encourage students to reflect on their own unexamined implicit cultural norms for interacting with loved ones, acquaintances, and strangers, which facilitates students’ understanding that they, too, are cultural beings, rather than neutral parties examining a foreign culture.

The absence of a glossary is an intentional choice on the part of the author, and one that aligns with best practices in Speech and Language Acquisition insofar as key terms are presented in context then recycled in exercises and texts such as songs, films, popular press articles, and literature. On a practical level, searchable electronic documents make a glossary less of a necessity. And, as Dolison notes, students may look up unfamiliar words on the Internet as needed.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The information presented in the book is well-researched and presents controversial matters in a way that is informed, truthful, and just. Citoyen.ne.s engages with France’s involvement in the Atlantic slave trade and the country’s colonial history in a substantive way rather than reflexively celebrating the widespread usage of French with no real recognition that the language’s prominence worldwide is in large part a byproduct of systemic violence. The author acknowledges in the preface that her own frustration with the conservative content of traditional textbooks that “shy away from issues that matter” spurred a desire to write this manual. The result is a textbook that is more representative of the populations featured and the people who use it. Occasionally using the first person to reference her own experiences, Dolidon does not perpetuate the pretense of a purely objective authorial perspective. Nor does she presume to have the “final say” on any particular topics. Rather, she offers a pedagogical resource that is balanced and encourages students to articulate their perspectives on crucial issues while seeing additional information through the linked authentic resources and open-ended research tasks.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Citoyen.ne.s’ recent publication date (2021) is an asset. Current issues benefit from incorporation of the most recent information, but are also contextualized historically so that students have a sense of chronology. The statistical information is likely to be the material that ages the least well; however, a quick Internet search for a more recent study offers an easy fix to instructors wishing to selectively supplement or swap out portions of the book. When I used this textbook in a second-semester intermediate class, students appreciated the slang terms and expressions, which also allowed us to discuss questions of register and code-switching.

The chapters on studying abroad and employment offer pertinent cultural information and practical tips for students gearing up for a future stay in a francophone country or reflecting on a recent experience abroad. Likewise, the segment on how to conduct informational interviews offers a valuable exercise for college students exploring their career options and often contending with anxiety about life after graduation. Useful templates for cover letters and CVs reiterate the idea that studying a foreign language is a marketable skill that can create additional employment opportunities. Regardless of whether or not students intend to pursue employment abroad, the unit on the working world will bolster students’ proficiency in the transferable skill of narrating their experiences and competencies within the framework of its potential value to employers.

Clarity rating: 5

For each unit, the author provides overviews written in clear, conversational French. These short, introductory articles will be accessible to most readers at the intermediate-mid level and beyond, especially with some instructor scaffolding and explicit literacy coaching. For example, an instructor might remind students to anticipate the contents of the text based on prior knowledge of the subject and visual paratexts or scan the article for high-frequency words and topic sentences before attempting to read it. Dolidon facilitates this princess by including apt titles, beautiful images, and bolded terms that call readers’ attention to key concepts and orient their interpretation. Likewise, the spacing between paragraphs and the inclusion of hyperlinked material, mirrors the formatting students are used to seeing online, making Citoyen.ne.s more familiar and consequently more accessible than many textbooks. Unfamiliar or idiomatic terms are parenthetically glossed, at times, and vocabulary lists are provided, though not every term is translated, which may be a departure from what many students are accustomed to seeing.

Consistency rating: 5

Citoyen.ne.s has an internally consistent style with an easy-to-use framework. Each unit has two subsections that can be used in tandem or independently. An author-composed introduction orients readers to the topic, then several visual and text-based authentic resources (excerpts from news articles, literature, graphs, video advertisements, and artwork) offer multimodal possibilities for exploration. Each subsection also features a grammatical structure and vocabulary list (usually with some straightforward, fill-in-the-blank exercises as well as more open-ended tasks). Units equally feature a suggested cultural artifact for more in-depth study of the central theme such as film, song, or graphic novel. Discussion questions throughout each unit check for comprehension, as well as eliciting personal responses, academic analysis, and intercultural reflection. Perhaps most refreshingly, each unit presents possibilities for creative work (composing an acrostic about one’s hometown, making a collage about a social issue, designing a zine to inform an audience about a topic of personal importance)that invite students to “play” with language and think divergently.

Modularity rating: 5

The text’s structure (5 thematic units with two subsections, each further divided into short readings and activities) lends itself well to consistent pacing. Depending on the number of course meetings per week and the extent to which instructors wish to supplement or subtract sections, students could feasibly focus on 2-5 page chunks per class period. Generally speaking, the text moves from more concrete, easier tasks (using vocabulary in context) to more complex, abstract tasks that synthesize a greater range of material (compiling a sociolinguistic/professional portfolio to orient someone to a particular topic). That said, the text can be reorganized and realigned with little disruption to the reader insofar as it does not assume that the user has moved through all sections of the text in the order presented. For this reason, individual exercises or readings could also be used in excerpt, even if the text is not the centerpiece of a course.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

While Citoyen.ne.s’ design does not mandate that users progress through it in the order presented, the sequencing is logical. The first unit includes familiar content (greetings, introducing oneself and describing one’s identity) and structures (question-asking, reflexive verbs, the passé composé and imparfait) while expanding the language provided to proactively include LGBTQ students. In conjunction with the subject matter, it also includes several partner and small group activities that can serve as ice-breakers. Chapter 2 delivers on the consequential, dialogue-worthy contemporary issues Dolidon evokes in the Avant-Propos, such as immigration, climate change, laicité, and public memory with respect to atrocities such as the repression and state-ordered killings of Algerians on October 17, 1961. Instructors who wish to establish more rapport with students and before addressing these fraught topics may opt to follow the first chapter with chapter 5 on arts and sports. The chapter still raises substantive, social justice oriented questions (Should artwork acquired from former colonies be repatriated?), but much of the vocabulary and some of the content will already be familiar. Chapter five’s grammar (adjectives, adverbs) is also more likely be be a review or easily assimilable as opposed to the structures in chapter two (the subjunctive, relative pronouns).

Interface rating: 4

The interface is visually appealing, logically arranged, and easy to navigate; however, it could be improved if the table of contents allowed one to jump directly to chapters rather than scrolling or searching within the document. With this in mind, I wonder if a Google doc with subsections on the sidebar would facilitate navigation. With the minor exception of a few expired hyperlinks, the text is excellent.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Grammatical errors do not detract from the readability or credibility of the text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Citoyen.ne.s deserves the highest praise for its meaningful contributions with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity, in all its facets, is intentionally and effectively embedded into every aspect of the text from the vocabulary included (for discussing sexual orientation, class and other dimensions of identity, for instance) to the representation of individuals (from an array of geographical locations, linguistic backgrounds, etc.), to the topics addressed and the kinds of nuanced questions raised about each theme. The consistent use of l’écriture inclusive from the title onward makes the classroom a more welcoming place for all students while also reiterating that individuals have the agency to act on institutions, such as language, in accordance with their values, not simply operate within predetermined strictures. In the best way possible, Citoyen.ne.s creates an opening for students to reflect on the rights, responsibilities, and attitudes we have towards the spaces we inhabit and the people we encounter there.

Comments

Finally, after using this book with my second semester intermediate students in the spring of 2022, I would highly recommend it to others. Both they and I were impressed with the overall quality, interest level, organization, and cultural relevance of Citoyen.ne.s.

Reviewed by Sarah-Kay Hurst, Assistant Professor of French, The George Washington University on 1/24/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This textbook conscientiously integrates diversity and inclusion, seeking to present a more heterogeneous representation of French speakers and an exploration of francophone cultures beyond Metropolitan France. Additional resources, like news articles and government websites, are often hyperlinked in the text to allow the reader to further explore particular topics, such as ethnic and cultural identity. Open-ended debate questions are also integrated throughout the work to encourage students to explore the topics and develop their own opinions.

As explained in the prefatory material, the textbook is designed for the intermediate level, not for beginner learners. The text is rich in terms of current topics and colloquial vocabulary, but would perhaps be best suited to an upper-level conversation class, following at least four semesters of French language to solidify grammatical foundations. Given the vocabulary (for example, specific terms for the French university system), this would be an excellent resource to prepare students who plan to study abroad in France.

There is a brief table of contents, but no index or glossary. A glossary could be useful, particularly for some colloquial expressions that students may not have encountered in previous levels of French, particularly if they were studying with more traditional pedagogical materials. (However, it should be noted that the author states in the prefatory material that learners can use the Internet to look up terms with which they are not familiar). The grammatical explanations are brief and generally well organized, but would likely be insufficient as stand-alone elucidations (particularly for more complex topics such as relative pronouns): these descriptions and examples would serve as brief review highlights for students who had already studied the topics, or else be complemented by further explanations by a professor.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The integration of extremely colloquial French is likely to be appreciated by students, who often long for more informal and conversational expressions, yet may be greeted with reticence by educators seeking to impart a more formal register of French. Numerous abbreviations (philo, assoc’, resto, anniv’, appart) and colloquial items (truc, relax, dingue) are integrated into the dialogues, images, and vocabulary lists without necessarily indicating that these elements are more informal. However, the textbook is (as per the subtitle) designed to build conversational French. The content itself is overall accurate and error-free.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

As linguistic norms and societal tendencies evolve, updates may be necessary, but this textbook is currently at the forefront of the field, not only in terms of active pedagogical representations of diversity, but also in terms of a deliberate inclusion of francophone cultures beyond France. Some statistics (such as demographic information from 2020) could be updated in the future, and certain social media trends (such as Instagram hashtags) may evolve, but the work is currently very up-to-date and unlikely to become obsolete anytime soon.

Clarity rating: 4

The introductory sections for different topics are written in casual, conversational French to present information and to engage students in the learning process. For instance, several activities ask learners to do their own research in order to deepen their understanding, or include website links for further reading. There are also informative footnotes throughout the text to give students more context about usage and linguistic nuances for key vocabulary items.

Translations are provided for certain vocabulary items, but not consistently: this format was a conscientious decision (as explained in the prefatory material), as twenty-first century learners have access to the Internet and can look up vocabulary as necessary. However, some learners might appreciate a glossary to avoid having to search for several lexical items they likely would not have encountered in previous levels of French. Certain grammatical structures could also be noted as extremely informal and generally restricted to spoken French so that students are able to refine their knowledge of register.

Consistency rating: 5

The work is generally internally consistent, often using écriture inclusive (‘inclusive language’), as in the title (Cityon.ne.s), as well as regularly integrating a much more informal register than is typical of many mainstream pedagogical resources. Some of the more colloquial lexical items are indicated by the use of headings like argot (‘slang’), but others are simply integrated and might be assumed to be more neutral. Some notes about use and register are included for particular topics, such as verlan (‘French inverted syllable slang’), indicating that it ought not to be utilized in all situations, especially as certain terms may be perceived as pejorative.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is divided into five “units” or chapters, each with some cultural information and context, relevant vocabulary and expressions, grammatical elements to review, different debate questions and/or research projects, and authentic resources (such as songs, films, or literary texts). Discrete activities could certainly be selected for those who wish to use the textbook as a companion resource. It could be helpful to indicate page numbers for different sections (vocabulary, grammatical review and exercises, film analysis, etc), both in the table of contents at the beginning of the work, and perhaps at the outset of each unit/chapter, so that one could quickly navigate within a unit.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The work is organized by overarching themes (talking about oneself, current societal topics like immigration and climate change, traveling and taking care of oneself, work and the professional sphere, and art/entertainment). Each unit includes relevant vocabulary, grammar, and authentic resources to complement the chosen theme. The prefatory material encourages the user to change the order if preferred and/or to select relevant portions.

Interface rating: 5

There are no significant interface issues and the text is visually pleasing, esthetically divided into various sections in a way that invites the reader to continue exploring each chapter. Very occasionally, a hyperlink is missing, but the vast majority of the text is easily readable and allows for straightforward navigation.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There are minor inconsistencies in terms of agreement and occasional typos, but these discrepancies are very rare and do not detract from the overall readability of the text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This textbook’s central mission (as outlined in the preface and referenced in the title) is to be as inclusive as possible: the work integrates myriad representations of different ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, and identities. The text also includes numerous activities where students are encouraged to express their own perspectives/identities/experiences. The representations in illustrations and in examples (as evidenced by names) are diverse. Although many of the topics are centered on Metropolitan France, there are also sections about linguistic traditions, cultural conventions, or portraits of individuals from Quebec, Haiti, Cameroun, Guadeloupe, Morocco, Tahiti, Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium and Senegal, among others.