This is my review of Streetwise French (Book + 1 CD): Speak and Understand Everyday French (Streetwise!Series) by Isabelle Rodrigues,Ted Neather.

As an English speaker with A Level standard French, I do not know how truly accurate and topical the phrases in "Streetwise French" are. However, this attractively presented book is very easy to use with "parallel text" French/English conversations ( on how to complain, give advice, tell a story, express an opinion, and so on), slang and idioms highlighted in italics and thoroughly explained, a CD of conversations, and some written and aural tests to check learning. Despite the picture of young people on the front, and the opening conversation all about "gueules de bois" hangovers, the colloquialisms covered are wide-ranging and of interest to would-be French speakers of all ages.

I am working through this book to improve my ability to read modern French fiction and articles, understand French films better and last but not least make out more of "real conversations" when in France – plus I feel this is a good complement to the more academic text books available. I gather that French has changed a good deal recently – even for native-born speakers who have lived abroad a while – so it is good to have an accessible book to fill the gap somewhat.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars