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Breaking the Barrier has offered French curriculum since 1997, written by experienced classroom teachers with a time-tested methodology.
Breaking the French Barrier Beginner "A" and Breaking the French Barrier Beginner "B" are designed for middle school and introductory high school students seeking elective credit. Each level is a complete, year-long course combining a full-color print textbook with an Online Access component.
Breaking the French Barrier Beginner "A"
The STEPS Section:
Students begin their journey with an engaging foundational section covering ten essential building blocks — greetings, family, telling time, numbers, weather, days of the week, home and school vocabulary, and more — that help students begin speaking immediately. Students build confidence from day one!
Core Content Covered:
After the foundational section, students work through thematically organized chapters. Most chapters feature a region of the French-speaking world.
Each chapter includes:
- A visually designed cultural map of a part of the French-speaking world
- Vocabulary with interactive flashcards for fun and easy practice
- Clear presentation and explanation of grammar topics with plenty of practice exercises
- Online practice activities with correction feedback and the ability to repeat as needed
Key Grammar Topics Covered:
- Present tense (regular and irregular verbs)
- Passé composé (past tense)
- Progressive constructions
- Object pronouns (direct and indirect)
- Prepositions
- Adjective agreement and placement
Rappel !
A section in the middle of each chapter called Rappel ! focuses on concepts presented in earlier chapters, so that students can review prior material as they learn new ideas.
Cultural Content:
Up-to-date cultural information from countries and regions such as France, Belgium, Switzerland, Québec, Senegal, and Morocco is offered at the beginning of each chapter. Through immersive articles, videos, and literary selections, students encounter a variety of French accents from across the French-speaking world.
Preview Sample Materials:
Explore the table of contents and a complete sample chapter below.
Breaking the French Barrier Beginner "B"
Breaking the French Barrier Beginner "B" picks up where Beginner "A" left off, and is designed for middle school or introductory high school students.
Students will first review the major vocabulary and grammar from Breaking the French Barrier Beginner "A," including the present tense, passé composé, progressive constructions, object pronouns, prepositions, and adjective agreement.
Key Grammar Topics Covered:
- Imparfait (imperfect tense)
- Future tense
- Passé récent (recent past)
- Commands (imperative mood)
- Reflexive constructions
- Relative pronouns
Rappel !
A section in the middle of each chapter called Rappel ! focuses on concepts presented in earlier chapters, so that students can review prior material as they learn new ideas.
Cultural Content:
Up-to-date cultural information is introduced at the beginning of each chapter from regions such as Togo, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benin, Madagascar, Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and more. Through immersive articles, videos, and literary selections, students encounter a variety of French accents from across the French-speaking world.
Explore the French Curriculum Path