A language learners’ forum

Looking for 1 book for simplified character learning. Any recs?

Tuttle?
https://www.amazon.com/Tuttle-Learning- ... ese+tuttle

Chinese blockbuster?
https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Blockbus ... ters&psc=1

First 100 Chinese Characters?
https://www.amazon.com/First-100-Chines ... characters

I’ve never tried to learn Chinese, so I’m really in no position to comment on what is most effective, but I’m really drawn to the "Chineasy" books which are wonderfully illustrated. See here.

I like the way the imagery really creates hooks to remember the characters. That imagery combined with spaced repetition I think would work really well.

Take my recommendation with a bit of salt (I only put a few hours into Mandarin out of curiosity and as a part of procrastination some time ago):

Scritter. An app that teaches characters through drawing them. It has character lists based on HSK and also on many coursebooks, I think your Integrated Chinese must be on the list too.

And just RE: the Chineasy book that was mentioned in this thread: don't do it. I am surrounded by Sinologists in daily life and they all hate it with a passion (and I trust their judgement). Even if it looks pretty.

brilliantyears wrote:And just RE: the Chineasy book that was mentioned in this thread: don't do it. I am surrounded by Sinologists in daily life and they all hate it with a passion (and I trust their judgement). Even if it looks pretty.

Ah, this is interesting. In fact a google search for some more information on "Chineasy" supports this view. Victor Mair of University of Pennsylvania has quite a lot to say about how bad it is.

So best not to judge a book by its cover (or its pretty pictures!)

Overseas Chinese Language and Cultural Education. Lots of workbooks and picture books here for children who are learning Chinese overseas. Free to download, have a look through them.

ロータス wrote:Its always going to be Integrated Chinese vs Practical Chinese Reader vs HSK Standard Course. Since you seem to focus more on speaking, Integrated Chinese seems best.

Also recommend checking out: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseLanguage/

Might be a good idea on IC since that's also the textbook i'm using. Hmmm.

ロータス wrote:Its always going to be Integrated Chinese vs Practical Chinese Reader vs HSK Standard Course. Since you seem to focus more on speaking, Integrated Chinese seems best.

Also recommend checking out: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseLanguage/

Okay, just bought the first level on ebay. thanks!