My Next Steps

[Sam Fairhall 92]

Hi Stephen,

Firstly, it's fine advertising a book. Roddy deleted a post I made because it was a link to a pdf for a book, didn't realise that was disallowed but now I do .

Secondly, I'm trying to find the best ways to learn characters too, From reading most of the discussions on these forums there doesn't seem to be many books which specifically target Chinese characters.

Heres what i found extremely helpful yesterday (yes i'm 2 days into learning them).

Firstly look at this website:

http://fluentinmandarin.com/content/how-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-part-1/

Theres 3 posts about characters - read them all.

Then read imrons post about chinese characters on these forums:

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/20067-visualizing-pinyin-tones/page__st__20#comment-166892

What i find useful in conjuction with his technique is using this website:

http://www.archchinese.com/chinese_english_dictionary.html?find=%E5%AD%90

It basically shows you how to pronounce the word, and shows you which stroke order you should be using in your mind. I'm finding it useful to use Imrons technique for remembering characters, while picturing the character simulation from that website ^^.

I'm going through the book suggested above " Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook by Yip and Rimmington" and learning the characters for the exercises. I'd also recommend this book.

Hope this helps .

[Stephen Gardner]

Hi Singe,

Just had a look at the book New Chinese Practical Reader, it looks good. Is the CD with the book good as well?

Regards

Stephen

[Stephen Gardner]

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the advice, the book looks good as well.

Regards

Stephen

[Johnny20270]

I learned 1000 characters before I came to Beijing and it was highly valuable.

Which list did you use? I see there are several different lists by DaJun (Modern / classical / combined) and Huangs 1994 list.

[Singe]

Hi Stephen

The CDs are reasonable and there is a workbook too though I didn't feel they helped much. The gripe many people have with this series is that the cost can get quite expensive once you've added up all the various bits and pieces through the entire series (i.e. workbooks textbooks CDs).

[Stephen Gardner]

Hi Guys,

What do you think of this as my next choice of book?

http://www.amazon.com/New-Practical-Chinese-Reader-Vol/dp/7561926227/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377114756&sr=1-4&keywords=Practical+Chinese+Reader

Many thanks

Stephen

[Singe]

I don't think you can go far wrong with that series Stephen. The link you provide is for the workbook and not the textbook. Textbook would definitely be priority if you are on a tight budget. If you have money to burn then buy both and CDs. There are 6 in the series though there is a big shift to a literature type study in the latter part of the series. Book one combines characters with pinyin but by book 2 the characters definitely take over and, from memory I don't think there is much pinyin, if any, in book 3.

[tysond]

Which list did you use? I see there are several different lists by DaJun (Modern / classical / combined) and Huangs 1994 list.

I used Heisig's Remembering Simplified Hanzi. I ended up completing Book 1 and 2 in a year, giving me familiarity with 3000 characters.

[Glenn]

I'm also a fan of Heisig.

[gombicek]

I also got NPCR, both textbook and workbook yesterday. So I only skimmed trough it and did the first lesson. This second edition comes with a cd,good think about them is that each dialog in the textbook has its own mp3 file with new words read at the end. It would be better if the new words had its own file, but you can easily cut them of from dialog in any audio editing software. Also the MP3 are clearly named and indicated in text, so they are convenient to use.

I think the workbook is a good addition to the textbook. Only problem is that there is no answer key, which would be nice.

Dialogs in the textbook are in simplified characters, but if you prefer traditional, you can download the dialogs from their site.

So mine first impressions are good, and I'm happy with the purchase.

[Stephen Gardner]

Hi Singe,

Can you tell me what is the difference between the textbook and the workbook?

There is only a couple of reviews, what I'm looking for is a book to teach me the characters and sounds with the aid of an accompanying CD. I'm assuming it would have characters with the Pinyin sound next to them that would be on the CD?

The book looks good, I'm just not sure what it includes?

Help appreciated again.

Stephen

[Singe]

Hi Stephen, I'm away from home at the moment, back tomorrow evening. Let me have a look again at the book and I'll respond when I get back. I have the textbook, workbook and CD but it's a long time since I have looked at number 1 in the series. Will reply again tomorrow evening.

[Stephen Gardner]

Hi Singe,

Thanks very much.

Stephen

[Singe]

Hi again Stephen

The workbook very much accompanies the textbook and there is plenty of time spent on learning the tones with accompanying characters. Likewise, the CDs accompany the workbook and give you plenty of opportunity to learn with the text in front of you. The characters in pinyin do have the tones shown in the workbook. I think I am right in saying that you need to purchase CDs for the textbook AND different CDs for the workbook, be careful about this from an expense point of view. For what you need I think this will work well. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other queries.

[Stephen Gardner]

Hi Singe,

Thanks for all your helpful advice.

I will order the textbook as advised, I think initially having the CD's and Pinyin to accompany the characters is essential.

I think I'll be back for more advice.

Have a good weekend.

Stephen

[Singe]

You're more than welcome Stephen. Weekend is over where I live unfortunately, but at least heading towards spring. If you have any further queries please don't hesitate to post again or send a pm.

Regards