Product Description

This brand-new intermediate level textbook for modern Chinese, in two volumes, is designed for those studying on their own or for class use. Part One is task-based while Part Two is more culture based. The materials have been thoroughly class tested at Columbia (where they were developed), Yale, Indiana and MIT, all schools with strong programs in Chinese. Each lesson is fully supported by many forms of exercises as wells as cultural notes. Sketches enliven the text. The goal of the text is to advance not only listening and speaking but also reading and writing, so audios and CDs are an essential part of the course. The book has been well-received by reviewers. Primarily in traditional characters but simplified characters also noted. A version in simplified characters is also in the works.

We recommend this text as the best choice for intermediate level study.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #566228 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews

A must for anyone who wants to learn Chinese
This is an excellent book for the intermediate learner of Chinese. As a current student I cannot recommend this book enought. The book introduces practical building blocks of vocabulary, sentence structures, grammer and new words coupled with new characters. Each chapter is enough to push the student to reach and learn, however, it is not too much to discourage the student. One section that is especially useful is a section with practice sentences. These sections have helped me speak and understand Chinese as an adult (using complex sentence structure and connectors) rather than as a child using loosely connected phrases. Having studied Chinese in Japan, Australia, Taiwan and now the U.S, based on my experiences this book has clearly helped me significantly improve my ability to speak, read, write and listen to Chinese. Don't waste money or time on other books, this is easily the best for serious students of Chinese.

FULL of Rich material and well worth the money!
This review regards to the Books/CDs version. These books cover specific grammar usage,in a very comprehensive way- with plenty of practice and exercises. Listening comprehension (CDs) work well and are compatable with the books included. In the reading exercises, the main vocabulary words are written beforehand, in Traditional (and sometimes Simplified) characters ,in pinjin, and English translation. All of those elements combined, to me, persuades me that this course (that it is) is well worth the money. The writers and contributers of this course are all professors and, are fluent and knowelegeble in the Chinese language - who teach and lecture from some of the finest universities in the US. Besides language, customs and traditions are well summarized and described. This, to me, is vital to know about when a person would like to travel to the PRC or mainland China. Note that this course is taught at the intermediate level, so just keep this in mind. A definate "dive" into the details of Chinese language and culture.

Traditional Character Version
Be careful to purchase the correct version, look at the very top line of the cover. I ordered this version on Amazon and had to purchase a second because this is not SIMPLIFIED Chinese. The book itself is really well organized and great to learn with, but the title doesn't say anything about which version you're selling, and I still have an unused copy from two years ago:(