Screenland (May–Oct 1927)

SCREENLAND 85 I Scoffed at this new way to learn French —until I found it was easy as A-B-C I WAS never so nervous in all my life as I was the night when I took Jacques Lebault to my home to dinner. Jacques Lebault was a French banker. He controlled a large part of my company's foreign business. The vice-president of my firm asked me if I would mind entertaining Lebault. "I shall be delighted to entertain him," I replied. But no sooner were the words out of my mouth than I realized I was letting myself in for a difficult time. For Lebault knew, only a smattering of English. , "While escorting the Frenchman to my home, I discovered to my horror that he spoke even less English than I expected. My heart sank. How could we carry on a conversation? I knew only a little French that I had learned in high school. I did my best to talk to Lebault. But every minute the conversation grew more strained — more halting. When I thought of my wife who was waiting at home to greet us, I grew panic-stricken. She had never spoken a word of French in her life! What would she do? "Hello, Frank," was my wife's cheerful greeting. I smiled nervously. My heart beat fast as I introduced Monsieur Lebault to her. The Frenchman bowed low and kissed my wife's hand in true European style. "Ah, Madame," lie said, "enchante de faire votre connaissance!" My Big Surprise Imagine ^ my astonish» ment! a g i n e my a m a z ement ! My wife answered Monsieur Lebault in French ! i "Je suis tres heureuse de vous voir," I she said. My eyes opened wide. My jaw dropped. I was so surprised that you could have knocked me down with a feather 1 To my further amazement, my wife continued to talk French with Monsieur Lebault. All d ing dinner she chatted away — gaily — easily — as if French was her native lan guage. The Frenchman was delighted. As for me, I said nothing. I went through the dinner in a completely dazed state of mind. I could scarcely believe my ears. I thought I must be dreaming I When Lebault departed he was all smiles. "Merci, Madame! Merci, Monsieur 1" he cried, thanking my wife and myself for our hospitality. It was easy to see that, due to my wife's ability to speak French, he had thoroughly enjoyed himself. The instant my wife and I were alone I started firing questions at her. "Jane!" I exclaimed excitedly. "Where on earth did you learn to speak French ? Why didn't you ever tell me you knew French ?" Jane laughed. "I kept it a secret because I wanted to surprise you," she replied. And then she told me the whole story. "Do you remember that advertisement I showed you a few months ago?" she asked — "that advertisement for a new kind of French course ?" I paused in thought. Then I nodded. "Why, yes, I believe I remember," I said. "Do you remember how you scoffed at it? — how you said it would be foolish to try to learn French without a teacher?" my -wife continued. Again I nodded. "Well, Frank," said my wife, "I hated to give up the idea of learning French. And it didn't cost anything to see what the course was like, so I decided to send for it. A New Way to Learn French "Honestly, Frank, the course was wonderful — so simple — so easy! It's called the 'At-Sight' method. It is a method of learning French recently perfected by the Hugo Institute of Languages over in London. "The authorities of the House of Hugo have condensed all their knowledge of language instruction— their years of experience in teaching French — the secrets of their wonderful method — into a course of lessons ichich any one can udy at home !" Then Jane showed me the French course. "You can see for yourself how easy it is," she said. Jane was right. As I looked at the lessons, I realized that here was an entirely new way to learn French. The method was absolutely ingenious — so clear — so simple. I became so much interested in the lessons that I decided to study them myself. It was easy as A-B-C learning French this new way. The "At-Sight" method required no laborious exercises — no tiresome rules — no dull class-room drills. It was actually fun learning. I didn't study much — just a few minutes a day. And in a short time I was able to speak French — read French books and magazines — and understand French when it was spoken to me. Try It 5 Days Free This story is typical. You, too, can now learn French at home — quickly, easily, pleasantly — just as thousands of others are doing by the celebrated Hugo "At-Sight" Method. Twenty-four fascinating lessons, carefully planned. The most ingenious method of learning French ever discovered. Whole generations of language-teaching experience in all the leading European cities are behind this French course. The wonderful thing about this simplified Hugo method is that it makes you your own teacher. 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