These language-learning periodicals comprise mainly extracts from newspapers in French, German and Spanish, with a related tape. Etincelle, La Cometa and Katapult are intended for “intermediate” students and Authentik for “advanced” ones, which means that they correspond, more or less, to the first and second years of an A-level course. However, since they are designed more for individual than class use, the lower levels could be of interest to bright 15-year-olds and either level to adults wanting to improve their language skills.

The content is fairly heavyweight throughout, particularly in Authentik, with more about the single currency, transport, immigration and technology than about pop music and fashion - though there is some concession to the presumed tastes of young readers in each issue: items of star news, interviews, and so on. At the same time, the “intermediate” magazines have lots of well-presented grammar and comprehension exercises linked to the texts, and Authentik includes an “Exam Practice” section covering similar ground.

There are also transcriptions of the tapes (which are well-recorded by native speakers with pleasant voices).

All in all, these could be the sort of auxiliary materials that more advanced and well-motivated students need to help them with listening comprehension, essay-writing and reading.