<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>Norton's colorful Gimmick series provides a rapid and practical way to master the basics and begin speaking a foreign language. Author Adrienne's key to teaching a language is to eliminate "the boring repetition of inane exercises". She emphasizes vocabulary, frequent tests, and writing that uses common words and idiomatic phrases that people use in real-life situations. Includes 3,000 words and phrases.<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br>Adrienne's key to teaching a language is to eliminate the boring repetition of inane exercises. She emphasizes vocabulary, and lots of it (grammar will then come naturally); frequent tests (indispensable if you want to learn the language in less than ten years); and writing right away, maybe describing your house or job. Jump in!<br /><br /> The Gimmick Books are based on the author's many years of successfully teaching languages to tourists, business people, diplomats, and other international travelers.