Champs-Elysees Inc

Learning a second language can boost your job prospects

Check out our new page Learning a Second Language Improves Career Prospects and find out why foreign language attainment is now more relevant than ever in the world of business.

Champs-Elys�es online translation

If you're looking for a translation of a word or phrase in one of our audio magazines and you can't lay your hands on a dictionary or a Lexibook electronic translator then our new translation service is just the thing for you! Simply enter the word or phrase you need translated and our new translation service will do the work for you.

New About Us Page goes live

We've reorganised the Information tab on our menu system and added a new "About Us" page.

Avenue des Champs-Elys�es--Resource Page

By popular request, we've added to our web site a resource page on theAvenue des Champs-Elys�es. This features useful information about the famous Parisian boulevard as well two articles (with streaming audio) from past issues of our French audio magazine on this iconic destination.

New Amex and multicurrency options

We've updated our on-line shop to provide more options for customers wishing to pay using Amex in different currencies. To find out more take a look at FAQ 14, "Can I pay in my local currency?/What credit cards do you take?" on our updated Frequent Questions Page.

Relaunch of online forums

We've now upgraded all forums to make it easier and more secure for people to post. Here are some of the improvements we've put in place:

All our forums now use enhanced anti-spam protection allowing you to post your messages instantly.
An easier on the eye new layout, with better navigation between forums.
The ability to create profiles when you register so that you can post using an alias.
Improved control of your privacy settings e.g. there is now an option to display your email address when posting a message. This is set to not display in your profile by default.
Each forum now has its own RSS feed so that you can keep up to date with the latest posts from your favorite forum.
Use smilies and html signatures on your posts to link to your personal blog or web page and inform the world about your interests.
Link to external websites from within posts.

We ported over nearly all the published posts from the old system. However, in order to use the new system everyone will need to register. This is a one-off process and should take less than a minute to do. Once you have registered you will be able to post to all four of our forums.

The General Talk forum is for discussions about language-learning issues and about european lifestyle, culture and travel; the Books, Films and Music forum is there for you to talk about your favorite foreign-language books, films and music; the Support Forum is for questions about using and getting the most from Champs-Elysées, Schau ins Land, Puerta del Sol and Acquerello italiano; and lastly, the Teachers Resources forum is set up as a resource for foreign-language teachers.

Hopefully, with the richness of content available there should be a thread in one of the forums that you will find useful and of interest to you. As a Celect subscriber and language-learning enthusiast, we hope you enjoy reading and contributing to the forums.

Test Your Spanish language skills!

Test your language ability in Spanish with our interactive quiz. The quiz uses a mix of text and audio-based questions and should take about 10 minutes to complete. Upon completion you will receive both an assessment of your level and suggestions of appropriate products to help you improve further. Go on take the challenge!

Reorganisation of online forums

By popular request we've reorganised our forums along languages lines. We now have six forums: French Language and Culture, Spanish Language and Culture, Italian Language and Culture, German Language and Culture, General Talk (for anything not covered by the four language forums) and lastly, the Support forum for issues to do with our audiomagazines. All existing posts have been reallocated to the appropriate new forum heading. We hope you find that the new look makes it easier to find and post messages.

New Bookmarking service

If you use a social bookmarking service, then try out Champs-Elys�es' new social bookmarking service. You can now Digg us, add a Stumble, or bookmark us to your Facebook profile, among others, all from one easy location. Simply look out for the bookmark button at the top of most pages on the site.

Puerta del Sol Blog Covers the Tumultuous Events in Spain

Jonathan Holland, Puerta del Sol Notes Editor, has been recording his thoughts on the recent tumultuous events in Spain on the Puerta del Sol Blog, a web site dedicated to 'Reflections on Spain and Spanish life'. Articles are posted on a weekly basis and visitors can register their thoughts on each topic by using the 'Comments' feature on the site. Click on the link above to get involved.

Balade en France (virtual presentation)

Champs-Elys�es is delighted to announce the re-release of Balade en France, a compilation of 18 fascinating travel features that have appeared in Champs-Elys�es over the last several years. Comprising two 70-minute compact discs and a colorful softbound book, Balade en France is a unique traveler's companion and French language course rolled into one.
Check out our new 'turning page' demonstration for an interactive preview of Balade en France.

Conversations francaises: Les Relations transatlantiques

The relationship between France and America is still a hot topic. Our audio CD with book, Conversations françaises: Les Relations transatlantiques, presents a unique perspective on contrasting French views on this issue. For more information, go to the dedicated mini site Friends or Faux.

Vocabulary on Facing Page

As a result of subscriber feedback, we have decided to make a change to the format of the vocabulary section of all four of our audiomagazines. Vocabulary definitions, which were previously listed at the back of the transcript booklet, are now conveniently located on the right-hand facing pages opposite the glossed words. The notes on the people, places and events covered on the program remain in a separate section at the back of the booklet. This change to the layout and format of the audiomagazine booklets takes effect with the following issues:

Champs-Elys�es 21, 10

Schau ins Land 17, 6

Puerta del Sol 12, 2

Acquerello italiano 11, 3

Voces de Espana--Now an Approved University Text

Voces de Espa�a: Voices of Spain, a history of Spain in the 20th Century has been approved for use on Spanish language courses at high school and university level. Go to the Puerta del Sol site for more information and for details on bulk discounts for schools.

Monthly email newsletter

Sign up to Celect, our fortnightly email newsletter and become part of the Champs-Elys�es audiomagazine community. The newsletter keeps you up to date with news about all our publications, with occasional special offers and with links to related language resources.

Spanish Audio Flashcards

Spanish Audio Flash Cards are a new addition to Puerta del Sol and comprise an audio CD with 100 words and phrases taken from the main program. The Flash Cards begin with issue XII, no 4 of Puerta del Sol. (This product must be purchased with a subscription to Puerta del Sol audiomagazines.)

New Look Puerta del Sol Blog!

If you're a fan of Jonathan Holland's notes in each issue of Puerta del Sol you will want to check out his regular posts on life in Spain and Spanish culture on the Puerta del Sol blog. As well as a new look, we've redesigned the blog to make it easier to access the extensive archive of past posts using the new "category" and "calendar" functions. Bookmark the site or use the RSS syndication feature to stay up to date with all of Jonathan's blog entries.

Italian Audio Flashcards

Italian Audio Flash Cards are a new addition to Acquerello italiano and comprise an audio CD with 100 words and phrases taken from the main program. The Flash Cards can be ordered through our online shop and begin with issue XI, no 6 of Acquerello italiano. (This product must be purchased with a subscription to Acquerello italiano audiomagazines.)

Ordering in Chinese Yuan

Owing to requests from Chinese customers, we've now added the Chinese Yuan to the currencies you can use to pay for purchases in our online shop.

Champs-Elysees Blog

Hugh Schofield, the Champs-Elys�es Notes editor has just embarked on his maiden voyage in the Blogosphere. Check out his regular posts from Paris on life in France and French culture at the newly launchedChamps-Elys�es Blog.

Champs-Elysees Plus now with translations

Champs-Elysées Plus now comes with translations. Starting with issue 22-09, the four features covered in the Champs-Elysées Plus audio CD and supplement booklet will also come with a complete translation set out at the back of the booklet. The translations are fairly literal, but they offer subscribers, especially those learners with a more basic level, another way to get the most out of the rich program content.

Schau ins Land Newsflash

Firstly, as of the next issue 19-01, Schau ins Land will be moving to a bi-monthly frequency. Existing subscriptions will still receive the number of issues that they signed-up for; new subscribers will be presented with a choice of subscribing for six issues for a year or 12 issues for two years.
Secondly, by popular request, we will be adding audio flashcards to Schau ins Land starting with 19-01.

Champs-Elysees Plus now with French Presenter

By popular request and to help with pronunciation, we've now added a French presenter to Champs-Elysées Plus starting with issue 23-02.

Calling all Spanish speakers--we want your views!

In an effort to improve our products we'd like to get your views on what type of Spanish you are most interested in learning i.e. Castilian Spanish and/or Latin American Spanish. Simply click here to complete our survey. The survey should take a minute to do and does not require you to divulge personal information.

New Online Survey Page

We've completely revamped our Online Survey Page. Whether you are a language learner new to our products or a past or present subscriber we want to hear your views. The survey should take less than a minute to complete and all information will be treated in strictest confidence. Thanks for your feedback.

Why Learn Another Language?

Check out our specially-commissioned article on the need for learning foreign languages in the world today. Written by David Graddol, author of the Future of English, the article's interesting and unexpected insights should help to stimulate debate about this subject.

New French Study Supplement: Champs-Elysees Plus

New in summer 2004: Champs-Elys�es Plus, a major upgrade to our French study supplement, including an audio component (CD or cassette). Go to the Champs-Elysées Plus page to find out more and to order online.

Call UK customer service for free!

We've set up our UK customer service operation so that it is now possible to call us for free using Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) if you're a Skype user. Check out our Contacts page for more details.

New French Crossword

Sharpen your wits and flex your French language muscles with our new bilingual English/French interactive quick crossword.

Teachers' Page

If you teach at the school, college or institute of higher education level you can use our special teacher's online ordering page to purchase a subscription to our audiomagazines by invoice.

New Spanish audio book on sale!

Voces de Espa�a: Voices of Spain, a history of Spain in the 20th Century comprising three, one-hour CDs with an accompanying book is now available to buy online. Go to the Puerta del Sol site for more information and to order online.

Stimmen der Zeit

Stimmen der Zeit is a survey of German history and culture in the 20th century, brought to you by the Schau ins Land team. This three-CD audio book is a must for all Germanophiles.

What other people are saying about our products

Find out what language learners all over the world are saying about our audiomagazines on our Customer Comments page.

Guest Book Questionnaire

If you have time, please check out the page and help us improve our products and web site by letting us know your thoughts.

Join the Language Learning Community!

Join our Discussion forums and talk with others about learning and teaching European languages. Once you've made your first post, new replies can be emailed automatically to you. Learning a language is all about communicating, so why not share with others your triumphs and tribulations.

Paying in Euros

European customers living within the eurozone area can now pay for our products at a fixed rate in euros.