Abstract:

This article describes an intermediate level verb program for IBM compatibles. The content of the program is based on the most common difficulties encountered by students in third semester college French courses. It is not text-specific. The exercises are designed to encourage both reflection on appropriate verb forms, and precision in typing-in forms required. The introductions to each of the five lessons are based on recent research in French verb morphosyntax. "Little Red Riding Hood" is the context for most of the exercises, and each lesson provides a version of the story that focuses on the structures of that lesson. The basic storyline is a composite of three recordings made in France by native speakers between 1980 and 11981. Lesson one deals with the present tense of 16 morphologically and syntactically interesting verbs, lesson two with the prepositions preceding an infinitival complement, lesson three with hypothetical structures, lesson four with the past tense in narration and discourse, and lesson five with the future — as viewed from the past or the present. The goal of the program is to provide students with verb practice within a familiar and interesting context.

Author: Jana A. Brill