Customer Reviews

New Practical Chinese Reader Textbook 5 (v. 5) (Chinese Edition)

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I completed the entire New Practical Chinese Reader series through self study. The first 4 texts progressed along with a good selection of common vocab, and similar layouts.

Book 5 is totally different than the rest. It is a true reader, and contains literary chinese passages with mostly literary vocab and grammar, as well as a conversation and listening section. This is NOT SPOKEN CHINESE. Many of the words are relatively rare, even in the short conversation sections. Grammar is very literary and rarely used in spoken language. However, there are some useful vocab items and grammar items, not all is rare.

In short, if you are looking to read literary Chinese, continue on with Book 5. If not, then branch off into something like Streetwise Mandarin, or even start reading a basic ordinary novel. Think before you continue with Book 5.

The New Practical Chinese program continues with level 5. It's the best program for grammar and vocabulary for Mandarin Chinese that I've seen, and the fact that there is only as much English as necessary tells me how much I've been taught using these books.