Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988

13. The Hidden Truth
1. Opening Gambits

Study this advertisement for a French course that claims it is better than all other courses.

Learn to speak and think in French in 10 easy lessons!

by F. L. Murphy

Chairman of French Quick Ltd.

Aren’t you surprised at how quickly a child learns a language? We, at French Quick Ltd, have studied how children learn and we have produced a course that’s second to none and makes learning French as easy as child’s play!

No need to learn all those boring lists of irregular verbs or pages and pages of dull vocabulary. We guarantee you’ll be speaking French like a Parisian in just 10 lessons.

Our new revolutionary approach — “Exclusive Submersion” —with the aid of video, and programmed lessons on computer, teaches you how to think and speak in French! You may ask, “How long will this take?” Well, not as long as you think. In just 10 lessons using the famous “Exclusive Submersion” method, we provide you with a vocabulary equal to that of the averagenative speaker of French, and you don’t get a headache in the process!

The programmes are delivered to your door in carefully designed modules which you can work at in the comfort of your own home and at your own speed.

You’ll be speaking French right from the very first lesson! And after only 10 lessons you’ll be able to take part in any French conversation!

So don’t waste another day! Write to me personally today, and I’ll send you a free demonstration lesson.

Professor E L. Murphy

French Quick Ltd.

The French Academy

36 Cottage Lane

Avon by Sea

Frankly, I doubt if ...

Let’s face it,

The catch is ...

The truth of the matter is ...

The real question is ...

¹Come on now!

Let’s be realistic.

1. Used only with friends.

Speaking

In small groups, pick out sections of the advertisement which you find questionable. Discuss them using the phrases in the list.

For example:

"He says here, 'in just 10lessons' The catch is, how long is each lesson?"

Writing

Write a complaint to the newspaper about the advertisement Use the phrases from the list You may find phrases from the following list helpful as well

It's not fair to say ...

It's deceptive to say ...

He makes useless promises.

A typical sales technique

Money-back guarantee.