Chemins 1 & 2. French for a Connected World éd. by Harold Swearingen (review)

Reviewed by: Chemins 1 & 2. French for a Connected World éd. by Harold Swearingen Khadija Khalifé Swearingen, Harold, éd. Chemins 1 & 2. French for a Connected World. Vista, 2023. ISBN 978-1-54336-230-5. (Teacher's Edition). Pp. 536. In the dynamic field of language acquisition, Vista Higher Learning has consistently distinguished itself by its product quality improvement and innovation. This is reflected in their latest release in 2023 of Chemins: French for a Connected World tailored for high school students. The methodology and approach of Chemins lessons are similar to those found in other VHL textbooks designed for college students. However, there are slight variations depending on the respective targeted audiences, particularly in the content of the second unit, "Au lycée" (equivalent to "À la fac" in the college editions). The Scope & Sequence in the teacher's edition provides the instructors with an overview of the entire Chemins series (Chemins 1, 2, 3, 4), enabling them to grasp the entire curriculum. Within each lesson, a SMART communicative goal is announced, ensuring that objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound. The lessons are well structured, presenting the content progressively. A balanced approach is taken to cover all language modalities—listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking, and writing—. Each chapter incorporates the sociocultural elements of the language and integrates relevant activities. As always, the margin notes offer invaluable tips, including, among others, suggestions for the activities and references to additional resources. Flexibility and customization, specifically with the online learning tools, are crucial because they meet the diverse needs of learners. The online site offers two options, Prime and Supersite, to accommodate varying school resources. The site also features great "learning templates" that prompt the creation of pre-built lessons, with various options and levels. To actively engage students in the outcome of their own learning process, Chemins incorporates "I can" statements in every lesson. These statements can assist students in recognizing and assessing their performance and, with time, identify areas of improvement. Furthermore, for each unit, Chemins offers a "diagnostic assessment" followed by a personalized plan and recommendations, which is unique to VHL. The instructional design of Chemins follows a structured six-step approach: Context, Vocabulary, Media, Culture, Structure, and Synthesis. This aligns with the recommended progressive three stages of language learning development known as PPA which stands for preparation, controlled practice, and real-life application. The printed format of each textbook, with over 250 pages per volume, presents an easily navigable layout, high-quality photos, and illustrations. Besides the vocabulary and grammar overviews in every unit, the textbook includes appendices with a glossary of grammatical terms, verb conjugation tables, essential vocabulary, and a grammar index. In conclusion, this textbook embraces a proactive approach and enhances differentiated instruction. Moreover, its user-friendly design ensures that both students and instructors can engage in an enjoyable and efficient French learning journey. [End Page 161] Khadija Khalifé Independent Scholar (CA)