Customer Reviews

Integrated Chinese, Level 1, Part 2: Textbook (Simplified Character Edition) (C&T Asian Languages Series)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These are great books. I have gone through several approaches to learning; software, audio cds, "bookstore" language learning books. These finally worked, but they are texts designed for use in a classrom. There were type-o's and simple drawings in the first edition of these books, but buyers should note, it is in SECOND edition. I have studied in both the US and China, where my teachers were very impressed with these books.
Their strength is the order in which new vocabulary is introduced and the frequency and intervals at which it re-occurs throughout the series. Compared with other materials I have used, these have the most well thought-out sequence. As a result, I retained more of the material I covered.
A self-motivated learner can employ them for individual study if they have the audio cds, and take time EVERY SINGLE DAY to work among the materials. A full set consists of the Textbook, Workbook, Character Workbook, and Audio CDs. Each "set" is available in three levels: Level 1 Part 1, Level 1 Part 2, and Level 2. However, if you are serious about learning a language like Chinese or Arabic (these are among the most difficult), you should use these materials in a university course where a teacher will guide your progress, coach pronounciation, and provide the discipline and cohesion essential for success.
In summary, this is a great series that makes a difficult language accessible. The order of presentation of the vocabulary is very well thought out, specifically the way the many homonymns in Chinese are dealt with. Do not be discouraged, but make sure you get the second editions! You cannot learn Mandarin by picking it up and setting it down every once in a while. But if you make it part of your day, you WILL be talking and writing in Chinese.

I purchased Integrated Chinese, Level 1, Part 2: Textbook (Simplified Charaters Edition). The title alone gives a hint at the many problems with this language series. Overly complicated for the information given. The textbook seems to be written without much cohesive planning, just slapped together dialogs with vocabulary lists and grammar "hints". Another very disappointing and frustration aspect of the series (I have ordered every version and "part") is the incredible number of mistakes and typographical errors. I have to rely on my Chinese friends to correct the book! I feel sorry for a student who doesn't have access to a native Chinese person to point out the errors. The English sentence examples are atrocious. Why didn't the author/publisher hire at least one English professor to even glance at this series?
My opinion is, from trying to study and learn from these books, that the authors got together and realized a need for such a text and decided it would be a great way to make money. There doesn't seem to be much of a desire to help students learn a foreign language, just put together a book and hope to sell lots. The illustrations alone prove this. They are terrible, sloppy and unprofessional. A graduate student in the University of Hawaii's art department could have done a job that wouldn't be embarrassing to look at.
I am indeed disappointed but since there is a limited number of Chinese instructional texts at the undergraduate level, I'm "stuck".

The grammar is not clearly explained; it's a mess. There's too much vocabulary that's overwhelming. Not useful at all if you want to learn Chinese. The language taught in the book is very artificial, and apparently not what Chinese people use in daily life. The Chinese taught is simply not practical. You won't be able to learn Chinese with this book.

I'm a beginner / intermediate learner and I found this book very useful.

I took 3 terms of a short course (one class per week for 20 weeks) and this was our prescribed textbook. I've since stopped attending the classes but instead I'm learning on my own (I can speak Cantonese but cant write Chinese) and still find this book useful.

In particular I like the way it reuses characters from previous lessons to help reinforce the ability to recognise characters, which I believe is one of the main hurdles to overcome.

Part 2 also cleverly prints the English translation at the back of the lesson so you are "forced" to read in Chinese.

All up, learning Chinese is definitely NOT easy and NOT like learning European languages. But if you put in the time and effort you will get the rewards and this textbook so far has been a great companion.