Classes and Materials

The goals of the class are to familiarize you with the basics of the language and to get you to perform in the language environment. The class is conducted in both Chinese and English. Even though the textbooks are written for beginners, with limited vocabulary and rudimentary syntax, the class pedagogy is developed to train you to do the language not to  study it. There are supplementary language materials such as grammar drills, skits, additional readings. These materials are copyright protected, and you need a password to access them.

Required Textbooks:
  • Integrated Chinese Textbook, Level I Part I (Simplified Character edition); third edition, edited by Tao-chung Yao and Yuehua Liu; Boston: Cheng & Tsui, 2009; ISBN: 978-0-88727-638-5
  • Integrated Chinese Workbook, Level I Part I (Simplified Character edition) third edition; edited by Tao-chung Yao and Yuehua Liu; Boston: Cheng & Tsui, 2009; ISBN: 978-0-88727-640-8
  • Integrated Chinese Character Workbook, Level I Part I (Simplified Character edition) third edition; edited by Tao-chung Yao and Yuehua Liu; Boston: Cheng & Tsui, 2009; ISBN: 978-0-88727-648-4

There are technical gadgets like smartphones that you may find useful for this course. For example some cellphones come with the capabilities to transcribe human speech into character texts, and record yourself. You can also translate Chinese texts into English.