Part I: Introduction / Units 1-4 / Character Lessons 1-3

Each section and recording in Part I is available as an individual file, as well as a single download. Additional audio and other supplemental files are available with purchase of this textbook.

Complete Part I text and audio (ZIP)

CONTENTS FILES

Background

1. China
2. Chinese speech
3. Chinese writing
4. Key terms
5. Further readings and references

 Chapter (PDF)

Sounds and symbols: An overview of pinyin

1. The syllable
2. Tones
3. Initial consonants
4. Rhymes
5. Miscellany
6. Writing connected text in pinyin
7. Recapitulation

Chapter (PDF)

0.2.3 The low-tone (MP3)

0.3.1 The consonant chart (MP3)

Unit 1

1.1 Conventions
1.2 Pronunciation
1.3 Numbering and ordering
1.4 Stative verbs
1.5 Time and tense
1.6 Pronouns
1.7 Action verbs
1.8 Conventional greetings
1.9 Greeting and taking leave
1.10 Tones
1.11 Summary
1.12 Rhymes and rhythms

Chapter (PDF)

1.10.1 Tone combos (the first 6) (MP3)

Exercise 3c (MP3)

Exercise 3d,e (MP3)

Characters 1

1.1 General features of Chinese texts
1.2 The form of characters
1.3 Function
1.4 Writing
1.5 Presentation of characters
1.6 Numbers
1.7 Dates
1.8 Days
1.9 Surnames and pronouns
1.10 More pronouns and function words
1.11 Stative verbs and associated function words
1.12 Action verbs and associated function words
1.13 On the streets

Lesson (PDF)

Stroke Order (PDF)

Unit 2

2.1 Pronunciation
2.2 Adverbs
2.3 More stative verbs
2.4 Nouns and modification
2.5 Identity
2.6 Names and titles
2.7 Location and existence
2.8 Miscellany
2.9 Dialogue: At the airport
2.10 Reflections: What have you learned?
2.11 Pinyin notes and practice
2.12 Summary
2.13 Rhymes and Rhythms

Chapter (PDF)

2.4 Nouns and modification (MP3)

2.7.1 Some Chinese place names (MP3)

2.9 At the airport (MP3)

2.11.3 Tone combos (the next 6) (MP3)

Characters 2

2.0 Review
2.1 Set 1, with notes
2.2 Set 2, with notes
2.3 Set 3, with notes
2.4 Set 4, with notes
2.5 Form of characters
2.6 Miscellany
2.7 On the street #2

Lesson (PDF)

Stroke Order (PDF)

Unit 3

3.1 Pronunciation: Initials of rows 3 and 4
3.2 Amount
3.3 Nationality
3.4 The cardinal directions: NSEW
3.5 Yes and no
3.6 Thanks and sorry
3.7 Things to drink
3.8 Why, because, so
3.9 Money
3.10 Other numbered sets
3.11 Courses and classes
3.12 Dialogue: Courses and classes
3.13 Sounds and pinyin
3.14 Summary
3.15 Rhymes and rhythms
Appendix: Countries and nationalities

Chapter (PDF)

3.4.1 Dialogues (MP3)

3.7.1 Dialogue (MP3)

3.12 Courses and classes (MP3)

3.13.1 Tone combos (the last 3) (MP3)

Characters 3

3.0 Review
3.1 Set 1, with notes
3.2 Set 2, with notes
3.3 Set 3, with notes
3.4 Set 4, with notes
3.5 Creating new characters
3.6 Miscellany
3.7 On the street #3

Lesson (PDF)

Stroke Order (PDF)

Unit 4

4.1 Tone contrasts
4.2 Existence and location
4.3 Time phrases
4.4 de revisited
4.5 Names in detail
4.6 Years
4.7 Studying and working
4.8 Forms of address
4.9 Introductions
4.10 Dialogue: On the bus to Miányáng
4.11 Food (1)
4.12 Pinyin: Initial w and y
4.13 Summary
4.14 Rhymes and rhythms
Appendix 1: Courses of study and university names
Appendix 2: The 45 most common surnames

Chapter (PDF)

4.2.1 Places (MP3)

4.10 On the bus to Miányáng (MP3)

4.11.1 Two short narratives (MP3)