Introduction

The Collins Primary Illustrated French Dictionary is a bilingual dictionary aimed at primary school children who are starting to learn French.

Access to a dictionary which is pitched at an appropriate level is a vital part of the language-learning process. The content of this dictionary has been carefully selected to reflect current trends in primary education and help children with acquiring basic language-learning skills.

The key aims of the Collins Primary Illustrated French Dictionary are:

• to develop both language skills in French and language learning skills in general

• to cover the four key areas of language attainment: listening, speaking, reading and writing

• to reinforce key aspects of the language by the use of notes and feature boxes throughout the entries

• to extend cultural awareness by providing information about France, especially where traditions differ from those in Britain

The Collins Primary Illustrated French Dictionary supports language learning in a number of specific ways:

• it develops children’s knowledge of how language works by encouraging them to understand, analyse and use simple aspects of grammar

• it develops children’s individual learning skills by using a wide range of notes that explain things in a simple but interesting way

• it enables children to make comparisons between French and English by encouraging them to explore the similarities and differences between the two languages and cultures

• it introduces young learners to all the basic elements of a bilingual dictionary and provides detailed instructions on how to get the most out of using the dictionary

The Collins Primary Illustrated French Dictionary is presented in an easy-to-use format which is intended to appeal to children of primary school age. It provides lots of simple, relevant examples and tips on how to remember words, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls of translation. It also features key phrases, illustrations and information about life in France, making it an invaluable and exciting resource.