Basic Written Chinese Practice Essentials: An Introduction to Reading and Writing for Beginners (MP3 Audio CD and Printable Flash Cards Included) - Softcover

Kubler, Cornelius C.; Kubler, Jerling Guo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0804840172 ISBN 13: 9780804840170

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing, 2012

Synopsis

Basic Written Chinese is a beginning-level course in written Chinese that employs a revolutionary new method designed to have you quickly reading and writing simple, connected Chinese sentences. It teaches you to recognize the 600 most basic characters and 1,000 words used every day by millions of Chinese speakers. It explains the history and development of the writing system over many centuries, teaches you how Chinese characters are built up from more basic elements, and how to use those elements to write them, read them and remember them. All the characters presented in the lessons correspond to those in Basic Spoken Chinese—the companion volume which helps you acquire rapid proficiency in speaking the language.

Basic Written Chinese Practice Essentials is the companion workbook for Basic Written Chinese. This practical guide includes a broad range of drills and exercises designed to dramatically enhance your proficiency in reading and writing Chinese. While designed for use with the companion textbook, it can be used together with any Chinese textbook or teaching program to hone your Chinese reading and writing language skills.

About this title

About the Author:

Cornelius C. Kubler is Stanfield Professor of Asian Studies at Williams College, where he teaches Chinese. He was formerly Chinese Language Training Supervisor and Chair of the Department of Asian and African Languages at the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State, where he trained American diplomats in Chinese and other languages.

Jerling Guo Kubler is a graduate of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures of Soochow University, Taipei. Her experience in language education spans more than 35 years. She has taught all levels of Chinese as a Second/Foreign Language from pre-kindergarten to university level at institutions including Williams College, Eisenhower College and Taipei Language Institute.

Review:

"Outstanding for its carefully graduated presentation of material ... and perhaps most important of all, its separation of the task of learning to speak the language from the very different processes of learning to read and write Chinese characters ... The most exciting Chinese language textbook I have seen in many years."—Dr. James E. Dew, retired associate professor of Chinese, Univ. of Michigan; former Director of the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies in Taipei

"A breath of fresh air ... Its dual track for spoken and written language finally gives American students a chance to develop oral proficiency without being slowed down by the character writing ... An ideal textbook for any program that seeks to advance rapidly in spoken Chinese and to fully prepare the students for their encounter with China."—Dr. Jingqi Fu, Associate Professor of Chinese, St. Mary's College of Maryland

"Contextualized so learners know not only what to say, but why, when, and with whom it is appropriate to use such language — thorough and clear — refreshing."—Dr. Matthew Christensen, Associate Professor of Chinese, Brigham Young University

"Kubler's books distinguish themselves with natural, culturally-rooted dialogues, detailed notes (for both written and spoken language), generous practice activities and an amazing care for organization. These books will be valuable tools for both students and their teachers."—Prof. Eric Pelzl, Wisconsin Lutheran College

"An ingenious introduction — Basic Spoken Chinese is the finest textbook for learning Modern Standard Mandarin that I have ever encountered."—Dr. Victor H. Mair, Professor of Chinese Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania

"The ideal material for any committed learner embarking on the journey of learning the Chinese language."—Dr. Jun Yang, Senior Lecturer in Chinese, University of Chicago

"Revolutionary in its approach ... The dream of having engaged and fully-prepared students in every class is an easily reachable reality for any program that adopts this series."—Professor Cecilia Chang, Chair, Department of Asian Studies, Williams College

"This is one of the best elementary Chinese textbooks, I believe, ever produced in the history of teaching Chinese as a second language ... A great and unique work which will benefit students and teachers for many years to come."—Dr. Shengli Feng, Professor of Chinese Linguistics, Chinese University of Hong Kong

About this edition

• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0804840172
• ISBN 13: 9780804840170
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224