How to learn Chinese on your own using books
It is not a secret that people are inclined towards learning new languages whenever they get an opportunity. One such language that has caught the interest of thousands of people is Mandarin Chinese. Along with Chinese immigrants in various countries who want to preserve their culture, many people are trying to learn Mandarin Chinese as it is a widely spoken language.
Mostly, people choose digital resources to indulge in their Mandarin Chinese learning journey. However, the authenticity and effectiveness that books offer are unparalleled. If mastering the language is the goal, learn from Mandarin Chinese books.
Here are 20 Mandarin Chinese books to help your child learn Chinese:
1. Reading And Writing Chinese (Third Edition)
One of the most important aspects of learning Mandarin Chinese is learning how to read and write Mandarin Chinese characters. This is one of the best books for learning traditional Mandarin Chinese characters as it includes characters that are extremely common and are used frequently. Also, this book narrates the story behind each character, making memorization easy.
2. Chinese For Dummies
Though the title might sound offensive, this book by Wendy Abraham teaches day-to-day Mandarin Chinese conversations easily. It helps learners get accustomed to the tone and introduces character writing throughout the book. Amongst other Mandarin Chinese books that teach basics, this book is the best.
3. 2000 Most Common Chinese Words
The first time someone goes through this book, they might think of it as a travel guide. However, it is one of the most practical and easy-to-understand books to learn Mandarin Chinese. It is perfect for beginners or travelers who want to get around the country without a language barrier.
4. Integrated Chinese (4th Edition)
Integrated Mandarin Chinese is a textbook that has visual prompts, online audio clips, and review exercises. This book focuses on the core language skills, i.e., listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It helps learners get familiarized with the language and with elements of the Chinese culture explained in a story format. Moreover, it includes tips and tricks to learn Mandarin Chinese as a beginner.
5. Standard Course: HSK (Series)
This is another Mandarin Chinese textbook series implemented by the Chinese government for students. The HSK system is beneficial for studying Mandarin Chinese by yourself. It is popular to such an extent that if anyone asks, “What is the best book to learn Mandarin Chinese?”, this series is definitely on the list. All foreigners learning Mandarin Chinese have the HSK books.
6. Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (Modern Grammars)
Grammar is a crucial part of any language. This book is highly recommended if you want to get a grip on the grammatical facet of Mandarin Chinese. This book covers all the complex rules, patterns, and quirks of Mandarin Chinese grammar, connecting all Mandarin Chinese language concepts. The detailed index of the book makes it equivalent to a grammar dictionary.
7. Niubi: The Real Chinese You Were Never Taught in School
The slang part of any language is often left out while learning. In learning Mandarin Chinese, slang is often left out as it is grammatically incorrect, inappropriate, and sometimes the author is unaware of them. This book covers all of the Mandarin Chinese slang that completes the language. It is a light-hearted book, making the Mandarin Chinese language fun and meaningful.
8. 500 Common Mandarin Chinese Idioms
Mandarin Chinese idioms or chengyu are difficult to learn. This book covers 500 common idioms, their meaning, backstory, synonyms, and antonyms. It is one of the best books to learn Mandarin Chinese idioms.
9. Chinese Made Easier
This book is extremely useful if you want to build a strong Mandarin Chinese vocabulary. It teaches readers how to use Mandarin Chinese rather than memorizing for the sake of learning. It also has activity sheets at the end to test what the reader has learned.
10. Oxford Chinese Dictionary
Having a Mandarin Chinese pocket dictionary makes daily conversations easy. It is a profitable investment to access Mandarin Chinese meanings or words someone wants to use easily.
11. Easy Peasy Chinese - Mandarin Chinese for Beginners
This book makes learning Mandarin Chinese easier by covering all the basics and providing a workbook and a CD with audio lessons. It helps in speaking Mandarin Chinese fluently and learning basic conversations.
12. Colloquial Chinese
Colloquial Mandarin Chinese is another book that fills the vocabulary and phrase bank of the reader. What sets it apart is that it has a few modern slang terms and is a Mandarin Chinese book on basic conversations.
13. Fundamentals of Chinese Characters (Yale University)
For learners who want to understand Mandarin Chinese characters much better, this is the book they need. This book breaks down each character into separate constituents and builds up the character concepts from history. This is also one of the best books for learning traditional Mandarin Chinese characters.
14. New Practical Chinese Reader
The New Practical Mandarin Chinese Reader, initially called Practical Mandarin Chinese Reader, comes in 6 volumes. The first four are appropriate for beginners, and the last two are curated for intermediate learners. Purchasing all the volumes can help in constructively obtaining command over the language.
15. Beyond The Basics
As the title suggests, this book is made for intermediate and advanced Mandarin Chinese learners. However, if beginners like to challenge themselves, they can purchase this book to widen their knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese language. Exercises offered in this book highly impact the fluency and understanding of the language.
16. Learn Chinese: Comprehensive Guide to Learning Chinese for Beginners
This book offers detailed information on vocabulary, phrases, grammar, and short stories. The reader can learn Mandarin Chinese and enjoy short stories in one go.
17. Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook & Dictionary
This phrasebook is an upgrade from a Mandarin Chinese dictionary. If the learner has not yet established a command over the language but has to interact immediately, they can quickly pick up phrases and words from this dictionary. Moreover, it has a pronunciation guide so that the speaker does not make mistakes.
18. Starting Out In Chinese
It is an audiobook for absolute beginners, focusing on simple dialogues and the basics of the language. Repeated lessons and practice sessions are an added benefit.
19. Abridged Chinese Classic Series: The Besieged City
After attaining a little expertise in the language, learners can choose this book for their first Mandarin Chinese novel. This book is written as a simpler version of the classic version and enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills. People can learn from Mandarin Chinese books and novels about the practical usage of the language.
20. Times: Newspaper Reading Course of Advanced Mandarin Chinese
If the learner is up for another challenge, they can get this newspaper reading course. Here, they can read newspaper articles, learn from additional lessons, and practice in associated workbooks.
Become A Pro In Mandarin Chinese Word By Word
Learning a new language is not a five-finger exercise. Yet, these Mandarin Chinese guides and books can provide a starting point for beginners to gradually learn all the fundamentals and master the language.
Along with well-paced books, LingoAce’s Mandarin Chinese learning programs can be extremely fruitful for young Mandarin Chinese learners. At LingoAce, each lesson your child takes with us is a product of over 100 hours of curriculum creation, courseware production, mock teaching, teacher training, and quality control (QC) rounds.
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