Learn Chinese Textbook
Foreign Service Institute Standard Chinese: A Modular Approach – Web site Designed to give a practical command of spoken standard Chinese with nine situational modules. Each module consists of tapes (MP3), a student textbook (PDF), and a workbook. In addition to the core modules, there is a resource module and eight optional modules. Over the years, Sinosplice has reviewed a number of textbooks (and other books on Chinese) on its pages: Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar Shanghai Dialect for Foreigners A Chinese two-channel contrastive textbook of Mandarin and Shanghai dialect 学说上海话（第二版） My Chinese Classroom (1) Two HSK Prep Books The Contemporary Chinese Dictionary 汉语听力 Series Speaking Chinese. Learning Chinese comes with an extensive set of audio clips that serve as a personal guide to the Chinese language material in the book. These, as well as vocabulary lists (both Chinese-to-English and English-to-Chinese), keys to exercises, and other special features, can be found at the com- panion website yalebooks.com/wheatley. Chinese language–Textbooks for foreign speakers–English. Ma, Jing-heng Sheng. PL1107.R65 2014 495.1′82421–dc333 ISBN: 978-0-415-82715.
Allof us agree that reading gives us joy, beauty, and education. By exposing ourselves to a wide range of words,we build our vocabulary. By working out what happens in stories, we train ourcomprehension skills. Additionally, books give us a path to a fun and biggerworld.
Forthose who are learning a foreign language like Chinese, reading definitelyaccelerates overall progress. People not only learn Chinese grammar along with vocabularyfrom books, but also Chinese culture. So, here comes the question: how do you choose Chinese books for yourkids?
Beforeanswering this question, think about which stage your child is at:
- Beginner Stage: just started learning Chinese, able to recognize Pinyin, can understandsimple words or phrases
- Intermediate Stage: able to recognize Pinyin and basic Chinese characters, have noproblem expressing themselves with simple sentences
- Advanced Stage: able to read independently, understand advanced grammar and syntax
Forbeginner stage children, a Pinyin book with pictures will be a good choice. Forintermediate stage children, go for books with both characters and Pinyin, and for advanced stage children, books with higher-level words and more complex sentencesare required.
Every kid has their own needs. To cater to these different needs, here are some amazing Chinese books for kids:
1. Chineasy for Children: Learn 100 Words
Difficulty level
- Beginner Stage
- Intermediate Stage
This is a book written by a woman called“ShaoLan” who wanted to inspire her children to learn Chinese in a fun and easyway. She developed a groundbreaking visual method for learning Chinesecharacters.
Chineasy is aesthetically pleasing bookwith that uses a novel approach to learning Chinese characters. In this book,you will see Chinese characters transformed into beautiful and interestingpictograms. These colorful pictograms explain the meaning and origins ofChinese characters. Kids always find it easier to memorize Chinese charactersusing this book because they see characters as diverse meaningful symbols. Thebook is organized by theme, such as numbers, family, animals, and food.Vocabulary is introduced based on each theme.
Please note that this book is mainly for picking up Chinese characters. Some of the characters used in this books are in “traditional” forms.
This book is for those who would like to:
- Reinforce Chinese characters
- Build vocabulary
- Understand Chinese culture
Other Chineasy books to consider:
2. Easy Peasy Chinese: Mandarin Chinese for Beginners – 走向中文
Difficulty level
- Beginner Stage
- Intermediate Stage
The author of “Easy Peasy Chinese,” ElinorGreenwood, is a writer and editor of children’s books. She has a Chinese degreefrom Leeds University and is eager to promote Mandarin Chinese. She likes tomotivate Chinese learners with fun activities and teaching aids, such asstickers and pictures.
If your kid has just started learningChinese and wants to learn about self-introduction, numbers and dates, tellingthe time, talking about food and interests, and knowing more about Chineseculture, try this book! “Easy Peasy Chinese” is a fun-filled book with an attractivelayout. It covers the basics for beginners and is based on Pinyin. Your kidswill learn the most common words and phrases and then be able to form simplesentences in Chinese.
The book comes with a CD , so that yourkids will learn to pronounce Chinese phrases correctly.
This book is for those who would like to:
- Reinforce Chinese characters
- Build vocabulary
- Understand Chinese culture
- Improve pronunciation
- Have simple conversations
Workbook for practicing Chinese:
3. Mina’s First Day of School – 米娜上学的第一天
(Simplified version; Traditional Version)
Difficulty level
- Intermediate Stage
Katrina Liu, an American-born-Chineseauthor, wanted to raise her daughter to become bilingual. So, she created aChinese picture book series called “Mina Learns Chinese,” based on herdaughter’s life. All her books are especially designed for young audiences.
“Mina’s First Day of School” is a veryhelpful picture book with an adorable story and engaging illustrations. Followingalong with Mina on her first day of school, your kids get to read some easy-to-grasp dialogues and learn commonphrases in Chinese.
The book includes Pinyin, Chinesecharacters, and English. It also comes with an audio book. Even if you areunable to read the book to your kids, the audio book will.
Also, Mina’s story helps you to get yourkids mentally ready for school. Isn’t that great?
This book is for those who would like to:
- Build vocabulary
- Learn daily conversations
- Reinforce pronunciation
- Improve listening skills
More stories about Mina
- Mina’s Scavenger Hunt: Simplified Version; Traditional Version
- I love my grandpa: Simplified Version; Traditional Version
4. Father and Son – 父与子
Difficulty level
- Intermediate Stage
“Father and Son”, a well-known comic, was createdby German cartoonist E.O. Plauen in 1934. His masterfully drawn scenes show theaffection between a father and son in a vivid and artistically attractiveway. Interestingly, this version of “Father and Son” is printed with beautifulcolors and includes Chinese characters and Pinyin.
Unlike the other books listed here, “Fatherand Son” is a comic book series. Some parents tend to disapprove of comicbooks. I truly understand that children could rely too heavily on the pictures,but there are two sides to every coin. If you use comic books smartly, they canstill educate your children. The images in the books help children understandthe language easier. And honestly, students are often eager to read comicbooks, even when they are written in alanguage they are unfamiliar with.
If you loved this comic book series whenyou were young, your kids will love it, too. If your kids are interested in thestories, they will try their best to find out what the comics say.
This book is for those who would like to:
- Build vocabulary
- Learn daily conversations
More popular comic books with Pinyin
- Big Head Son and Small Head Dad （大头儿子和小头爸爸）
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid – 小屁孩日记
Difficulty level
- Advanced Stage
The author of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, JeffKinney, came up with the idea for this book series in 1998. It’s a collectionof the unique diaries of a middle-school boy. The series was posted online in2004 and published in 2007. There are more than 200 million copies of “Diary ofa Wimpy Kid” books available in 65 languages. You might be surprised that thereare even bilingual versions of this widely popular series.
Bilingual books are certainly moreaccessible to non-native speakers. It allows your kids to read and compare theChinese and English texts. The translation provides readers with clarificationwhen they come across words that they are not familiar with. It helps to read arelatively easy version of a popular children’s story because it teaches newwords (and sometimes, students learn more about English too).
What’s more important: it’s “Diary of aWimpy Kid!” Children love these stories!
This book is for those who would like to
- Build vocabulary
- Improve reading comprehension
Other Diary of a Wimpy Kid books
We believe that parents play an important role in helping their kids forming habit of reading. Choose a book and enjoy your family reading time today!
If you’re reading this page, you’re interested in learning Mandarin Chinese. Or you’re already learning and just need another resource to help you improve. Learning Chinese gives you global opportunities, and being able to understand and communicate with people in China makes life easier. We have gathered the Best Chinese Books to learn Mandarin Chinese for beginners, intermediate and advanced students, inside and outside of China.
I’ve made a list of quick video book reviews to help you narrow your choices and focus on the best books in the industry! Do you have any books that you want me to review? Message me here and I’ll add it to the list!
Quick Links
Best Chinese Books for Self Study
Living Language Mandarin Chinese
Pros: If you’re looking to self-study this book is for you. Don’t let the size of it put you off. It walks you through essential, intermediate and advanced Chinese with complimentary audio and a character guide.
Cons: Again, this audio comes on a CD. That might be an issue. Unless you want to revive your grandmas stereo player.
Bottom line: This four-volume monstrosity is incredibly thorough, well presented and ideal for self-study. The character guide is impeccable, detailing stroke order and this textbook even comes complete with extra writing paper to practice your handwriting. Well worth your money.
We really like it. Head over to Amazon to read their reviews and pick yourself up a copy.
Get Talking Chinese
Pros: Pictures, phrases, grammar, vocabulary, characters, audio CD, and more. Everything inside this book is pure, pretty gold. They only teach you the useful day-to-day language you need to know in China. My new favorite!!
Cons: Does this eye-candy have any drawbacks? Because I can’t find any flaws, every chapter is packed with useful information.
Bottom line: Let’s call this a phrase book plus. I haven’t felt as excited about a book since Integrated Chinese and you guys know that is my all time favorite book.
Head over to Amazon to snap us this gem. Remember if you’re in the UK store it’s called Easy Peasy Chinese.
Best Chinese Textbooks
Integrated Chinese Level One Textbook
Pros: The dialogue is current, modern and attractive to look at – like a magazine. It’s in color! The design and culture aspects are supported by a cohesive learning system to enhance your Chinese listening, reading and speaking skills.
Cons: It’s not cheap. Because this series is heavily used in USA high schools and universities, the workbook answers aren’t available to the public. (You have to have teacher credentials to access them.)
Bottom Line: Integrated Chinese has it all – even audio. If you’re going to China and plan on studying on your own, get this book and find a tutor when you land. There is no better textbook than Integrated Chinese.
Still not sure? You should read the verified purchase reviews from other students on Amazon!
New Practical Chinese Reader
Pros: This book has the largest section devoted to pronunciation and phonics of any textbook I’ve reviewed, gives plenty of workbook simulated exercises, and also includes audio.
Cons: You can get this book in China however it comes without English descriptions, which might complicate things if you’re a super beginner.
Bottom line: A contender to Integrated Chinese. The series was published by Beijing Language And Culture University Press and theoretically has higher HSK alignment.
Can this book dethrone the King? Grab yourself a copy on Amazon and find out.
Best Books to Learn Chinese Characters
Tuttle Learning Chinese Characters
Pros: Learning Chinese characters is not straight science. But, this book structures the characters efficiently alongside enjoyable stories to help you remember them.
Cons: I can’t stress enough how important audio is when learning Chinese, those tones are tricky. Again, this book lacks an audio component.
Bottom line: For
Need this book in your life? Amazon stocks it and they ship worldwide. Pick yourself up a copy here.
Tuttle Chinese Flashcards Volume One
Pros: The audio CD files are available on Tuttle’s website. Volume 1 aligns with HSK 1 & 2 vocabulary, so you’re covered if you want to take that exam.
Cons: Are they as convenient as a flashcard app? Maybe not. But, you’ll get distracted using an app on your phone unless you’re super ninja and turn off all your notifications – like me.
Bottom line: I appreciate tangible learning materials so much. Yes, you can get free flashcard apps on your phone, but you’ll probably learn more with fewer distractions – old-school flashcards for the win!
Get Tuttle Flashcards delivered to your door when ordering off Amazon.
Chineasy Everyday
Learn Chinese Book Free Download
Pros: It covers a lot of ground with new characters, culture, and expertly underpins language learning with visual cues. Teaches characters in a visually appealing way.
Cons: Some of the characters are in traditional Chinese so it’s less practical to learn if you’re in Mainland China.
Bottom line: This book is captivatingly pretty and good for learning characters while keep your motivation high! The author is Taiwanese so be aware that some characters are in traditional Chinese.
Head over to Amazon to read reviews from genuine people like you!
Learn Chinese Free
Affiliate link disclaimer: If you purchase any of these books through the links found on this page a teeny bit of the cost helps me pay my bills and continue to provide you with valuable content. Hope that’s cool.
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