The Arc-en-ciel four-stage, wide-ability French course is for beginners in middle and secondary schools through to pupils sitting GCSE and Standard Grade exams. Addressing the full range of Levels of Attainment and Programmes of Study specified by the National Curriculum, it emphasizes genuine communicative competence, and authentic French is introduced right at the beginning. Each stage of the course shows how French works, gives information about its cultural and historical background and explains points of grammar in context. Opportunities for group activities and assignments as well as pair and group work, arise throughout.