Chinese (Mandarin) I

Chinese (Mandarin) I
by Pimsleur Language Programs

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Book Summary Information

Author: Pimsleur Language Programs
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Format: Audiobook
Published: 2000-01-01
ISBN: 0671790617
Number of pages: 159
Publisher: Pimsleur
Accessories:

Book Reviews of Chinese (Mandarin) I

Book Review: The best start to chinese!!
Summary: 5 Stars

I have been studying chinese intensively about 6 months. I am actually able to carry on with staff at chinese restaurants, and talk to people at a low level online. I am actually planning a trip to beijing in a year or two and want to speak very well when I get there. Also, there is a business opportunity to open up new markets in China, so this is important and practical to me. I think this is very important background information when you read a review about pimsleur. This is because pimsleur seems to be designed for businessmen, practical people who need conversational chinese quickly and efficiently. For these purposes, pimsleur cannot be beat for any language. Period. I have used living language, fsi, pdq, and most of them. Pimsleur made the basic syntax of chinese grammar, the pronounciation of the tones, and the uniqueness of the chinese measure words all very clear and simple. Anyone who does not appreciate the excellence of pimsleur probably doesn't understand how difficult it is for a mature english speaker to wrap their head around these concepts -- until pimsleur's mandarin. After finishing 1,2,3, I went on to barron's mandarin (to get the basics down in a more academic way), McNaughton's Reading and Writing Chinese (for the writing - which is actually very easy, not worth acquiring until after you have verbal fluency), and Schaum's Outline of Chinese Vocabulary (for more vocabulary) and Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar (for comprehensive grammar). All of these other study materials are very facile after pimsleur. Pimsleur duplicates the experience of being a child and learning language naturally from one's parents. There is plenty of time for didactic grammar and literacy after verbal fluency, just like most readers of this learned their english. I don't think including pinyin transcripts is a good idea actually, because living language does that, and I found it confusing, that the verb to-be "shi" was really said like "sure". It was better to just learn the language. Now when I use a pinyin book like the chinese vocab book, I make pronunciation analogies to words I do know, and my pronunciation per chinese natives is supposed to be very good for my level. I credit pimsleur with my excellent pronunciation and intuitive understanding of syntax. If you do something besides pimsleur, your business task will be much more awkward. I can only imagine negative comments come from students, who need material that ties in with all the useless stuff that goes on with academic language instruction. I still can't get several useless phrases about pens and tire companies out of my head from years of school and university French! Pimsleur is about talking -- to chinese people. Talk that gets the job done -- find a bathroom, book a hotel, order a dinner, catch your plane, and sign your contract. That's what you need.

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Summary of Chinese (Mandarin) I

Comprehensive Chinese (Mandarin) I includes 30 lessons of essential grammar and vocabulary -- 16 hours of real-life spoken practice sessions -- plus a Culture Booklet.

Upon completion of this Level I program, you will have functional spoken proficiency with the most-frequently-used vocabulary and grammatical structures. You will be able to:

* initiate and maintain face-to-face conversations,

* deal with every day situations -- ask for information, directions, and give basic information about yourself and family,

* communicate basic information on informal topics and participate in casual conversations,

* avoid basic cultural errors and handle minimum courtesy and travel requirements,

* satisfy personal needs and limited social demands,

* establish rapport with strangers in foreign countries,

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