Easy Chinese (Mandarin, Level 1) is a self-study course designed for anyone interested in learning the Chinese language using a step-by-step-approach. The program includes a book (Easy Chinese: Basic Text and Workbook) and a CD-ROM (Easy Chinese Tutor). The Easy Chinese Self-Study Program is most appropriate for those who want to learn the Chinese language on their own with the help of a computer; it is also intended for those who are enrolled in a regular class as an enrichment or a tutorial program. The Easy Chinese program is noted for the following: 1. It teaches Chinese characters, compound words, and sentences that appear most often in modern Chinese publications and everyday correspondence. 2. It emphasizes especially on reading and writing the Chinese language. 3. It employs a systematic, self-paced, and outcome-referenced approach. The learners know precisely what they will learn and how learning will be measured. 4. It allows the learners to learn both! traditional and simplified Chinese characters with a just little extra effort. 5. It provides numerous learning tools, examples, sentence patterns, exercises, and self tests. 6. It includes more than 700 compound words and 1,000 sentences in the first course. 7. It emphasizes on comprehension rather than rote memory.
Easy Chinese: Basic Text and Workbook: Each lesson in the book includes a number of base characters from which many compound words and phrases are formed. Each character set includes traditional and simplified characters, compound words or phrases, pinyin pronunciation guides, and definitions. Except for the first two lessons, each lesson in the first course includes a number of illustrative sentences using words and phrases already introduced. Each set of sentences includes traditional characters, simplified characters, an English translation, and a pinyin pronunciation guide. At the end of each lesson, a variety of exercises are provided to reinforce learning. Both a Chinese index and an English index are included for easy reference. The Easy Chinese Tutor CD-ROM: The Easy Chinese Tutor CD-ROM offers a variety of learning tools, exercises, and tests that are not found in the workbook. Some of the features include: Animated character writing. Brief story or origin about each character. Templates are provided for printing hollow Chinese characters. Diagrams and boxes are used to explain sentence structures. Logical cues are provided for learning compound words and phrases. Pronunciation by a native speaker. Conversion from traditional characters to simplified characters, and vice versa. Information about Chinese grammar. Phonetic drills.
System Requirements: Windows 95 or higher. 100 MHZ or faster 4xCD-ROM drive or faster. Speakers
Note: Based on all models tested, the Easy Chinese Tutor CD-ROM is
compatible with Windows XP. In the event that it doesn’t work on your own
computer, please first make sure that you have followed the instructions
provided on how to start Easy Chinese Tutor. If it still doesn’t work,
please feel free to return it to the seller for refund.
About the Author
Easy Chinese is created and developed by Edward C. Chang. Dr. Chang is a
retired chairman and psychology professor of Albany State University. Prior
to his retirement from active teaching, he received several federal grants
to design and conduct research on computer-assisted instruction. He is the
translator of the well-known book Knocking at the Gate of Life and Other
Healing Exercises from China
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