Primer for Advanced Beginners of Chinese
by Duanduan Li, Irene Liu, Lening Liu, Hailong Wang, Zhirong Wang and Yanping Xie Columbia University Press
- Pub Date:
- 06/2002
- ISBN:
- 9780231125574
- Format:
- Pb+ 224 pages
- Price:
- AU$58.95 NZ$67.27
Product Status: In Stock Now
Other Available Formats:
This first-of-its-kind, two-volume primer is addressed to meet the needs of the rapidly growing number of Chinese language students who were raised in the United States in Chinese-speaking homes and can speak the language but who cannot read or write it. The book's lessons and exercises build upon the cultural knowledge of these 'advanced beginners' in order to facilitate full language acquisition. As a culture-based primer, this text takes an unusual and innovative approach, with lessons organized around readings on Chinese history, culture, geography, literature, folktales and mythology, customs, and cuisine. The focus, therefore, is not on sentence grammar, but rather on reading strategies and on 'discourse grammar,' a new, more authentic approach to the study of languages.
Volume OneList of AbbreviationsIntroduction: The Basics of Pronunciation and CharactersLesson 1. Chinese NamesLesson 2. Chinese FamiliesLesson 3. China: The North and the SouthLesson 4. The Ten SunsLesson 5. Heaven and EarthLesson 6. The Story of Chinese IdiomsLesson 7. The Great WallLesson 8. Li Bai Learns A LessonLesson 9. Shen Nong and Chinese MedicineLesson 10. Chinese FoodAppendix I. A Brief History of the Creation of Chinese Characters and the Evolution of the Chinese Writing SystemAppendix II. Comprehensive Vocabulary List (English--Chinese and Chinese--English)Appendix III. Character Stroke OrderVolume TwoList of AbbreviationsLesson 11. The Chinese ZodiacLesson 12. Chinese New YearLesson 13. The Story of The Dream of Red MansionsLesson 14. Shaolin Martial ArtsLesson 15. ConfuciusLesson 16. The Story of MenciusLesson 17. The Story of SilkwormsLesson 18. Chinese TeaLesson 19. Chinese PorcelainLesson 20. The Character of BambooAppendix I. Comprehensive Vocabulary List (English--Chinese and Chinese--English)Appendix II. Character Stroke Order
It is rare to find a Chinese language textbook that is linguistically accurate, culturally rich, and pedagogically sound.... The attention paid to the principles of character formation makes Chinese character learning an unexpected pleasure. The emphasis on culture and literacy addresses most directly the needs of heritage language learners. The ample opportunities for reading and writing and the varied and flexible exercises make teaching and learning a truly productive and creative experience.
Agnes Weiyun He, SUNY-Stony Brook
