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New textbook issues, what should I do?


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Posted

I started New Practical Chinese Reader 2 this semester, (previously I had used integrated chinese by cheng & tsui so the arrangement is a little different). I think the book has alot of good points, but my biggest qualm is that there is no pinyin and many characters that are unfamiliar for me so I dont know how to look up the words I dont know. I spend so much time trying to memorize the new vocab PLUS the unfamiliar vocab used in the exercises/dialogue but nothing seems to change because the next lesson theres just ++ more.

Ive never used NPCR before, am I so lost because I never went through volume 1? or is the overabundance of characters natural for this textbook?

Also I was wondering if any of you had any strategies for going through this book?

Posted

I studied for 2 years using the Elementary Chinese Readers 1-4. After my course finished, I took up the NPCR for self-study purpose. I thought I should probably start at 2, because I already had a vocabulary of ~2000 with me from my 2 years of classes. However, NPCR 2 just had too many words to make me feel unfit even for its level 2!

Like you said, the text has no pinyin. I was ok with it because there was no pinyin with text even in my course book Elementary Chinese Reader after the first book. I think it is good to develop the habit to read without pinyin. As for the new words which are being introduced in the chapter, it has a new words section right after the text which gives pinyin and English explanation. As for the words which you are "supposed" to know from the NPCR 1, may be you could try looking them up in the dictionary as a part of lesson preview? If it's really the problem of too much new vocabulary, it's going to stay more or less the same throughout all the 4 NPCR books. The point of unknown new words will be solved if you could devote some extra time to cover up the vocabulary of the NPCR 1, like I did.

At the time when I started NPCR,I assumed I could just breeze through one chapter a day. That won't work. Even for someone who knew quite some vocabulary and had studied "similar" stuff earlier, it was not possible for me to finish a chapter in one or two days [unless studying Chinese is the only thing you are doing, I had my graduation study going along at the same time].Take it easy on yourself.

Hope I could help :)

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Posted

If you switch textbooks it always causes big issues with vocab, they all introduce different vocabulary at different stages in the learning process. I originally learnt with NPCR from 1-4 and the vocab continues pretty fluidly from one to the next. If you have time to look over the vocab from NPCR 1 I think it will make things much easier for you, they use the same themes again and again. :)

Posted

Yes this helped alot thanks :D

Im gonna try and grab NPCR 1 and go through it in my spare time. I just get so flustered when I come across words I dont know and it embarrases me that i Spend more time looking up the words than actually completing the lessons. I agree the lessons on NPCR do take more than just one sitting to get through. I usually try and split it up throughout the week so it doesnt become too much since my professor seems determined to follow the syllabus on a timely schedule x__x.

Do you guys have a special dictionary to suggest? So far I have just been using online and the back of my two chinese textbooks as reference but its inconvenient when im not at home/near my computer.

Posted

NPCR 1 has pinyin for all conversations. And yes, you will need to know all the NPCR1 vocab to use NPCR 2 painlessly.

NPCR is very careful about listing all new words in the vocabulary listing, so if you know all the vocabulary from previous lessons and read the new vocab before starting the lesson, you will be set. I finished the first five volumes of NPCR and have never had issues with unexplained vocabulary.

As for paper dictionaries, I use Oxford Concise when I'm on the move, and many many others do too. At home, I like my New Century, but that one is really heavy duty. Excellent investment, though, especially if reading higher-level stuff. When behind a computer, nciku usually works fine.

Posted
When behind a computer, nciku usually works fine.

Sorry to sidetrack, but do you sit in front of a computer or behind a computer? :) Is it right to say that when you are using a computer you sit in front of it; and when you say that someone else is using it, that someone is behind it? Or does it make no difference?

Posted

Skylee, when I saw that, I also thought that sounds wierd. I have never heard any one say they are sitting behind a computer. I have only ever heard people say they are sitting in front of their computer. Even when describing someone else. I have heard of people sitting at the computer or using a computer.

Shelley

Posted

Behind the computer sounds normal to me, but it maybe that I'm influenced by some other european languages. I'ld say behind refers not so much to the physical location as well to the line of control. A car moves into a direction, but is controlled by the one behind the wheel, one is scammed by the people behind the scheme, the lightshow is started by the guy behind the console. I see a clear distinction between a logical location (chain of effects/command chain) and a physical location.

Posted

I can understand what you mean, but I would still say at the wheel of the car although it is common for people to say behind the wheel.

The example of the lightshow struck a chord with me as I have spent about 35 years in the sound and light hire business. The sound engineer stands in front of the desk. He is at the desk, or even on it but I haven't heard behind used much, except as a question:- who is behind the desk tonight? I think it is probably down to cultural and local conventions.

And IMHO the people who scammed you are not behind the scam...they are scum :)

Interesting sidetrack, wonder it there things like this in chinese and what are the conventions. I would have thought in chinese one would say I am using the computer. Any other suggestions?

Shelley

Posted

Actually, now I'm not sure myself anymore.

Usually you'd say "behind a computer screen", and it refers to a computer on a network -- the screen is between you and the network.

It didn't seem odd when I wrote it, but my English skills are admittedly in a bit of a free fall.

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