The published resources listed on these pages have been recommended by experienced tutors currently teaching in Cheshire. It's true that opinions vary, about course books and whether to use one at all and about the perfect example, which naturally, just doesn't exist. Books are listed according to language and there are indications as to the level at which each one is appropriate. Wherever possible, the publishers are given together with a link to their website, so that tutors trying to evaluate different course books can read the publishers' description.

It does seem that learners appreciate having a book they can refer to at home, which contains the essential elements of vocabulary, structures and grammar explanations. Homework set from a course book helps to develop a certain independence and is a practical and effective way of showing learners how to consolidate what they have done in class, evaluate their progress to date or prepare for a new topic.

Recommended resources for any language

For more easily photocopied visuals, look at the Miniflashcards Picture Bank Books. Series A and Series B are available with line drawings of all the cards laid out 20 to a page. Photocopying rights are included in the price. The books contain other visuals ready for photocopying plus plenty of ideas for exploiting the material to the full.

Susan Thomas, the originator of the series, can be contacted via Miniflashcard Language Games, PO Box 1526, Hanwell, London W7 1ND. Or check out the website and online catalogue: www.mlgpublishing.com/

Recommended resources for French

Beginners:
French Steps (online + A step or two more activities on www.cheshirenetword.or.uk/steps/ )
www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/lj/

Talk French + cassettes + video
BBC Books www.bbcshop.com

Voilà + cassettes
Hodder & Stoughton
www.hodderheadline.co.uk

Façon de Parler 1 + cassettes
Hodder & Stoughton

Au Secours + cassettes
Mary Glasgow Publications www.nelsonthornes.com

French for Starters + cassettes
Cambridge uk.cambridge.org

Communicative Games for Beginners
Publisher's details to follow

Tu Parles
Nelson
Pair work activities & role plays www.nelsonthornes.com

Year 2
Au Secours + cassettes
Mary Glasgow Publications www.nelsonthornes.com

A Vous la France + cassettes + video
BBC Books www.bbcshop.com

The French Experience 1 + cassettes + video
BBC Books

Ma France (online) start at Year 2
www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/mafrance

Talk 2 French + CDs
BBC Active www.bbcactive.com

Year 3 / 4
Façon de Parler 2 + cassettes
Hodder & Stoughton www.hodderheadline.co.uk

Tu Parles Encore
Nelson
Pair work activities & role plays

The French Experience 1 & 2 + cassettes + video
BBC Books

Voici + cassettes
Hodder & Stoughton

Etincelle (Authentik) (magazine + cassette)
Authentik Language Learning Resources www.authentik.com/

Post GCSE
Communiquez! + cassette
Hodder & Stoughton

Elan 1 AQA (AS)
Elan 2 AQA (A2)

Zénith
Publisher's details to follow

Au Point
Nelson www.nelsonthornes.com

Authentik (magazine + cassette)
Authentik Language Learning Resources

France File 2 & 3
Carel Press www.carelpress.co.uk/

Bien Dire (magazine + cassette)
Bien Dire www.biendire.com/

Recommended resources for Italian

Beginners:
Italian Steps (online + A step or two more activites on www.cheshirenetword.org.uk/steps/ )
www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/lj/

Talk Italian + cassettes + video
BBC Books www.bbcshop.com

Contatti 1 + cassettes
Hodder & Stoughton www.hodderheadline.co.uk

Ci siamo + cassette + workbook
Heinemann Educational Secondary Division www.heinemann.co.uk/

Buongiorno Italia
BBC Books

ELI - Vocabulario Italiano
European Schoolbooks www.esb.co.uk/

Usborne Beginners' Italian Usborne
www.usborne.co.uk/

Year 2 and beyond:
Italianissimo + cassettes + video
BBC Books

Contatti 2 + cassettes (post GCSE)
Hodder & Stoughton

Qui Italia (good for structured grammar)
Le Monnier (order through European Schoolbooks www.esb.co.uk/)

Recommended resources for German

Working with German
Nelson Thornes
Business oriented - for false beginners www.nelsonthornes.com

Wechselspiele
Great ideas - watch this space for publisher/supplier

Themen Neu 1 & 2 + cassettes + workbooks
Max Hueber Verlag (order through European Schoolbooks www.esb.co.uk/
"arguably the most popular German course book ever"

Deutsch Plus + cassettes + videos
BBC Books www.bbcshop.com

Talk German
BBC Books
Good phrases, but not meaty.

Year 2:
Themen Neu 1 & 2 + cassettes + workbooks (as above)
Modern, with attractive pictures and good exercises. Teacher's book available too.

Deutsch Plus + support materials
BBC Books

Abgemacht
Nelson Thornes
www.nelsonthornes.com

Aktion Grammatik
Hodder & Stoughton www.hodderheadline.co.uk
German grammar well explained

Schaum's Grammar
watch this space for publisher

Year 3 & GCSE & beyond:
Anstoss GCSE
Hodder & Stoughton
www.hodderheadline.co.uk

Katapult magazine (Authentik)
Authentik Language Learning Resources www.authentik.com/

Recommended resources for Spanish

Beginners:
Spanish Steps (online + A step or two more activities on www.cheshirenetword.org.uk/steps/ )
www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/lj/

España Viva + cassettes + video
BBC Books
www.bbcshop.com
Vaya Nelson Thornes
www.nelsonthornes.com

Talk Spanish + cassettes + video BBC Books
www.bbcshop.com

Trato Hecho + cassettes
Hodder & Stoughton
Business language www.hodderheadline.co.uk

Year 2 :
Sueños + cassettes + video + workbook
BBC Books

Pasos + cassettes + workbook
Hodder & Stoughton

A School Spanish Course Collins Educational
www.collinseducation.com

A la Escucha + cassettes Santillana
Al Teléfono + cassettes Santillana (order via European Schoolbooks www.esb.co.uk )

Colloquial Spanish + cassettes
Routledge

Pronto
Collins Educational www.collinseducation.com

Year 3 & beyond:
A School Spanish Course
Collins Educational

Al Tanto + cassettes
Nelson Thornes www.nelsonthornes.com

Working with Spanish 1 & 2 + cassettes
Nelson Thornes

Antenna 1 / 2 / 3
Sociedad General Espanola de Libreria
S.A.(Equipo Avance). Available from ESB. www.esb.co.uk

Practice in Spanish Grammar
Nelson Thornes

Recommended resources for Welsh

Beginners:
Dosbarth Nos 1
CBAC(Cardiff)

Cloncian J. Philip Davies Uned Iaith Gogledd Ddwyrain Cymru

Cwrs Wlpan - Elwyn Hughes
Uned Iaith Prifysgol Gogledd Cymru
Popeth Cymraeg Dinbych (01745 812287)

Deunydd Cyfathrebu 1 a 2
Cynllun Colegau Cymru (CBAC)

Sbardun i siarad - Nan Griffiths (Gwasg Gomer)
Gair neu ddau Bwrdd yr Iaith

Year 2:
Dosbarth Nos 1 a 2
CBAC(Cardiff )

Cwrs Wlpan - Elwyn Hu
U.C.N.W. Bangor

Year 3:
Dosbarth Nos 3
CBAC(Cardiff)

Cwrs pellach (Wlpan) - Elwyn Hughes
UCNW Bangor

Audio visual
Welsh in a Week S4C
Welsh for parents 1130 a.m. S4C Digital
Catchphrase (On line) BBC
Now we're Talking Videos - (4sets) ACEN