Finally a modern book for high-intermediates., June 3, 2003
　

The thing that is so exciting about this book and made me buy it right away is that it actually is at my level. There are so many books for beginning Chinese. All beginner books will present a few different words that others will not, but finding challenging vocabulary that is presented in the context that assumes a foundation of Chinese is a godsend.

What makes this book particularly strong is its ability to recycle the words with the right timing so that as you are beginning to forget the word, you get reminded of it. The exercises force you to recall or at least know that you have just learned the new word and go to look for it. Often times, a couple of sentences down, you will see that new word as part of the exercise question. This really reinforces vocabulary study and makes memorization somewhat effortless.

Chinese is really the language where this approach works since most people can't associate Chinese words with familiar words. Also mastering the basics of grammar are not that bad in this language and vocabulary has been my weak point, which is probably true among other high-intermediate students as well.

This is not for beginners, but if you are ready to take your Chinese to the next step with all the most modern vocabulary, including computer terms, this is the book.

Continually Impressed, September 8, 2005
　

Schuam's does a great job of giving pertinent information, in well organized and logical sections. If you were to dedicate some serious time to this book your vocab. would truly be impressive. I wish they had more products for learning chinese, the Grammar book is incredible.


　

Excellent, March 18, 2006
　

This book (along with "Practical Chinese Grammar"(...)) are the two books I use whenevr I don't understand the right way to say something in Chinese. Neither are for beginners, but after about a semester or two of Chinese, they are indispensible. Many times I know I'm saying something with the wrong grammar, and a quick look-up sets me straight.

Excellent!!!, January 12, 2006
　

The raves this book has received are well warranted. Extensive vocabulary in most areas of everyday life and even travel make this remarkable resource a fabulous help to anyone from beginners and tourists to intermediates and up. I can't help but say I love this book, and it well deserves the 5-star reviews it's earned. :)

Great for building advanced vocabulary, November 7, 2005
　

This book is an outstanding vocabulary builder for those studying Mandarin Chinese. It would be very helpful for intermediate students. It is not meant for beginners since it is assumed the student can read and understand basic Chinese sentences. It does not have a section on Chinese grammar, which would have to be learned from some other source.
The book has many chapters, each dealing with a particular subject. Sample chapters include "At the Restaurant", "The automobile" with detailed vocabulary words for such things as the gas pedal, clutch, neutral gear, etc., a sports chapter with vocabulary for basketball, tennis,
etc. and even a chapter on computers with words such as Pentium (Benteng), hard disk (yingpan) and floppy disk (ruanpan). There are exercises at the end of each chapter with the answers provided at the end of the book.
I found this book very helpful for building vocabulary that goes beyond the usual basic beginning grammar book.

If you are serious about learning Mandarin...., May 26, 2005
　

This is an OUTSTANDING book for those who are both begiiners and those who are experienced. The logical flow and relevancy is awesome! HIGHLY recommended!