Download or read book The Way of the Linguist written by Steve Kaufmann and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2005-11 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey. It is now a cliché that the world is a smaller place. We think nothing of jumping on a plane to travel to another country or continent. The most exotic locations are now destinations for mass tourism. Small business people are dealing across frontiers and language barriers like never before. The Internet brings different languages and cultures to our finger-tips. English, the hybrid language of an island at the western extremity of Europe seems to have an unrivalled position as an international medium of communication. But historically periods of cultural and economic domination have never lasted forever. Do we not lose something by relying on the wide spread use of English rather than discovering other languages and cultures? As citizens of this shrunken world, would we not be better off if we were able to speak a few languages other than our own? The answer is obviously yes. Certainly Steve Kaufmann thinks so, and in his busy life as a diplomat and businessman he managed to learn to speak nine languages fluently and observe first hand some of the dominant cultures of Europe and Asia. Why do not more people do the same? In his book The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey, Steve offers some answers. Steve feels anyone can learn a language if they want to. He points out some of the obstacles that hold people back. Drawing on his adventures in Europe and Asia, as a student and businessman, he describes the rewards that come from knowing languages. He relates his evolution as a language learner, abroad and back in his native Canada and explains the kind of attitude that will enable others to achieve second language fluency. Many people have taken on the challenge of language learning but have been frustrated by their lack of success. This book offers detailed advice on the kind of study practices that will achieve language breakthroughs. Steve has developed a language learning system available online at: www.thelinguist.com.
Download or read book Hacking Chinese written by Olle Linge and published by . This book was released on 2016-03-26 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learning Chinese can be frustrating and difficult, partly because it's very different from European languages. Following a teacher, textbook or language course is not enough. They show you the characters, words and grammar you need to become proficient in Chinese, but they don't teach you how to learn them! Regardless of what program you're in (if any), you need to take responsibility for your own learning. If you don't, you will miss many important things that aren't included in the course you're taking. If you study on your own, you need to be even more aware of what you need to do, what you're doing at the moment and the difference between them. Here are some of the questions I have asked and have since been asked many times by students: How do I learn characters efficiently? How do I get the most out of my course or teacher? Which are the best learning tools and resources? How can I become fluent in Mandarin? How can I improve my pronunciation? How do I learn successfully on my own? How can I motivate myself to study more? How can I fit learning Chinese into a busy schedule? The answers I've found to these questions and many others form the core of this book. It took eight years of learning, researching, teaching and writing to figure these things out. Not everybody has the time to do that! I can't go back in time and help myself learn in a better way, but I can help you! This book is meant for normal students and independent language learners alike. While it covers all major areas of learning, you won't learn Chinese just by reading this book. It's like when someone on TV teaches you how to cook: you won't get to eat the delicious dish just by watching the program; you have to do the cooking yourself. That's true for this book as well. When you apply what you learn, it will boost your learning, making every hour you spend count for more, but you still have to do the learning yourself. This is what a few readers have said about the book: "The book had me nodding at a heap of things I'd learnt the hard way, wishing I knew them when I started, as well as highlighting areas that I'm currently missing in my study." - Geoff van der Meer, VP engineering "This publication is like a bible for anyone serious about Chinese proficiency. It's easy for anyone to read and written with scientific precision." - Zachary Danz, foreign teacher, children's theatre artist About me I started learning Chinese when I was 23 (that's more than eight years ago now) and have since studied in many different situations, including serious immersion programs abroad, high-intensity programs in Sweden, online courses, as well as on the side while working or studying other things. I have also successfully used my Chinese in a graduate program for teaching Chinese as a second language, taught entirely in Chinese mostly for native speakers (the Graduate Institute for Teaching Chinese as a Second Language at National Taiwan Normal University). All these parts have contributed to my website, Hacking Chinese, where I write regularly about how to learn Mandarin.
Download or read book How to Learn a Foreign Language written by Paul Pimsleur and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2013-10 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this entertaining and groundbreaking book, Dr. Paul Pimsleur, creator of the renowned Pimsleur Method, the world leader in audio-based language learning, shows how anyone can learn to speak a foreign language. If learning a language in high school left you bruised, with a sense that there was no way you can learn another language, How to Learn a Foreign Language will restore your sense of hope. In simple, straightforward terms, Dr. Pimsleur will help you learn grammar (seamlessly), vocabulary, and how to practice pronunciation (and come out sounding like a native). The key is the simplicity and directness of Pimsleur’s approach to a daunting subject, breaking it down piece by piece, demystifying the process along the way. Dr. Pimsleur draws on his own language learning trials and tribulations offering practical advice for overcoming the obstacles so many of us face. Originally published in 1980, How to Learn a Foreign Language is now available on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Pimsleur’s publication of the first of his first audio courses that embodied the concepts and methods found here. It's a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the mind of this amazing pioneer of language learning.
Download or read book Remembering Simplified Hanzi 1 written by James W. Heisig and published by University of Hawaii Press. This book was released on 2008-10-31 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At long last the approach that has helped thousands of learners memorize Japanese kanji has been adapted to help students with Chinese characters. Book 1 of Remembering Simplified Hanzi covers the writing and meaning of the 1,000 most commonly used characters in the simplified Chinese writing system, plus another 500 that are best learned at an early stage. (Book 2 adds another 1,500 characters for a total of 3,000.) Of critical importance to the approach found in these pages is the systematic arranging of characters in an order best suited to memorization. In the Chinese writing system, strokes and simple components are nested within relatively simple characters, which can, in turn, serve as parts of more complicated characters and so on. Taking advantage of this allows a logical ordering, making it possible for students to approach most new characters with prior knowledge that can greatly facilitate the learning process. Guidance and detailed instructions are provided along the way. Students are taught to employ "imaginative memory" to associate each character’s component parts, or "primitive elements," with one another and with a key word that has been carefully selected to represent an important meaning of the character. This is accomplished through the creation of a "story" that engagingly ties the primitive elements and key word together. In this way, the collections of dots, strokes, and components that make up the characters are associated in memorable fashion, dramatically shortening the time required for learning and helping to prevent characters from slipping out of memory.
Download or read book Learning Mandarin Chinese Characters Volume 1 written by Yi Ren and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2017-02-28 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reinforce your written Chinese with this practice book for the best-selling Tuttle Learning Chinese Characters. Learning Mandarin Chinese Characters helps students quickly learn the essential Chinese characters that are fundamental to the language. This character workbook presents 178 Chinese characters and over 534 standard words using these characters. It is intended for self-study and classroom use and includes the characters and words students need to know if they plan to take the official Chinese government HSK Level 1 Exam or the Advanced Placement (AP) Chinese Language and Culture Exam. Each character is presented plainly and transparently. A step-by-step diagram shows how to write the character, and boxes are provided for freehand writing practice. The meaning and pronunciation are given along with the critical vocabulary compounds and an example sentence. Review exercises reinforce the learning process, and an index at the back allows you to look up the characters according to their English meanings or romanized Hanyu Pinyin pronunciation. Key features of this Chinese workbook include: Designed for HSK Level 1 and AP exam prep Learn the 178 most essential Chinese characters Example sentences and over 534 vocabulary items Step-by-step writing diagrams and practice boxes
Download or read book The Simple Way To Learn Chinese written by Lei Xiangjian and published by Bad Creative. This book was released on 2019-04-09 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While in school, we learnt stuff we probably don’t use today. However, language is essential to almost every aspect of the human condition. How do you expand your business beyond your continent for more sales? How are you going to express your love for the beautiful lady that just walked past? How do you get directions to the magnificent Great Wall? With the knowledge of language, that’s how. This book contains a lexicon of some of the most used words in everyday Chinese conversation. It makes use of the age-old learning techniques of repetition and rote memorization, to condition the brain for learning Chinese as quickly as possible. In addition, an auxiliary feature called story mode has been included to aid the reader in a test for comprehension. Finally, it should be noted that while this book will aid in a visual recognition and comprehension of words in the Chinese language, students must also understand their proper pronunciations. To help with this, there is an accompanying audiobook that will be made available, to enable listening lessons. And so, from the beautiful city of Beijing, the city of love and all things fashionable, we present to you, The Simple Way To Learn Chinese.
Download or read book Basic Spoken Chinese written by Cornelius C. Kubler and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2014-08-12 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a beginning-level course in spoken Chinese that employs a revolutionary new method designed to have you quickly speaking and comprehending Mandarin Chinese. Along with its sister book Basic Written Chinese and their accompanying workbooks, Basic Spoken Chinese offers a complete introductory course to the Chinese language. As a native English speaker, working hard to learn Chinese is not enough; you have to work smart to learn this very different language efficiently. Downloadable audio and video reinforce the material introduced in the book. No matter why you've chosen to learn Chinese--for business, travel, cultural studies or another goal--the Basic Chinese approach of two separate but integrated tracks in spoken and written Chinese will help you learn this language most efficiently and successfully. Detailed explanations in English of Chinese pronunciation, grammar, usage, culture, society, and recommended learning approaches. A digital Instructor's Guide is available electronically. A written Character Transcript (Simplified and Traditional) is available electronically. The downloadable materials feature: 40 videos with dozens of native speakers filmed on location in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. 6 hours of native-speaker audio, including all of the book's conversations. Build up sections, new words, and pronunciation exercises. Available separately, Basic Spoken Chinese Practice Essentials is the companion workbook for Basic Spoken Chinese. This practical guide includes a broad range of drills and exercises designed to enhance your proficiency in speaking and comprehending dramatically. While intended for use with the companion textbook, it can be used together with any Chinese textbook or teaching program to hone your Chinese language skills.
Download or read book Tuttle Learning Chinese Characters written by Alison Matthews and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2011-12-20 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This user-friendly book is aimed at helping students of Mandarin Chinese learn and remember Chinese characters. At last--there is a truly effective and enjoyable way to learn Chinese characters! This book helps students to learn and remember both the meanings and the pronunciations of over 800 characters. This otherwise daunting task is made easier by the use of techniques based on the psychology of learning and memory. key principles include the use of visual imagery, the visualization of short "stories," and the systematic building up of more complicated characters from basic building blocks. Although Learning Chinese Characters is primarily a book for serious learners of Mandarin Chinese, it can be used by anyone with interest in Chinese characters, without any prior knowledge of Chinese. It can be used alongside (or after, or even before) a course in the Chinese language. All characters are simplified (as in mainland China), but traditional characters are also given, when available. Key features: Specially designed pictures and stories are used in a structured way to make the learning process more enjoyable and effective, reducing the need for rote learning to the absolute minimum. The emphasis throughout is on learning and remembering the meanings and pronunciations of the characters. Tips are also included on learning techniques and how to avoid common problems. Characters are introduced in a logical sequence, which also gives priority to learning the most common characters first. Modern, simplified characters are used, with pronunciations given in pinyin. Key information is given for each character, including radical, stroke-count, traditional form, compounds, and guidance on writing the character. This is a practical guide with a clear, concise and appealing layout, and it is well-indexed with easy lookup methods. The 800 Chinese characters and 1,033 compounds specified for the original HSK Level A proficiency test are covered.
Download or read book How to Learn and Memorize German Vocabulary written by Anthony Metivier and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2015-12-23 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you've ever wanted to improve your ability to learn and memorize German vocabulary by 100% ... 200% ... 300% (or more) using simple skills you can learn in under an hour (or less), then this second edition of How to Learn and Memorize German Vocabulary may be the most important book you will ever read. Believe it or not, it doesn't matter if you have a good memory or not. The information in this book will teach you: * Why memory techniques are like a bicycle everyone can ride (with some minor personal adjustments). * The real reason why no one should ever be squeamish about memorization or learning a language. * Why and how some of the most famous memory skills are applicable to learning any language, especially German. * How to create a 26 "letter location" memory system based on the alphabet English speakers share with the Germans. * Sample examples that will show you exactly how and why these memory techniques and strategies work. * Unique approaches that will have you literally "tuning in" on the German language so that you can memorize its vocabulary and recall it with ease. * How to use actors, other public figures and famous pieces of artwork to help you memorize German vocabulary. * How to separate German words in the most effective manner for memorization and recall. * A simple strategy for memorizing the male, neuter and feminine genders (a process that some people consider the ultimate nightmare of language learning.) * A list of resources, including the secret to finding the absolute best dictionary to use when learning and memorizing German vocabulary. * How having a larger vocabulary will fill your travel in German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) with greater freedom to explore and enjoy the sights and culture. * ... and much, much more! These techniques have been used by real language learners, most of whom previously considered themselves owners of a "bad memory" to make real strides in acquiring German. Don't worry! None of these techniques are rocket science. Frankly, if you can memorize a short email address or the name of a movie, then you can use this system to memorize a language as rich and diverse as German. Plus, everything you'll learn in this book applies to every other language that shares the same alphabet with English. And with a little imagination, the ideas are easily transferable to other alphabet systems. But there's really no time to lose. Every day that you are not using this simple vocabulary memorization system, you are literally stealing from yourself the joy of reading, speaking and knowing German as you easily expand the natural abilities of your mind.
Download or read book Mandarin Chinese Characters Made Easy written by Michael L. Kluemper and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2016-10-18 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This highly-visual book introduces an effective new method for learning Chinese characters using visual stimuli and pictographs. Learning the necessary characters used to write even simple Chinese sentences can be a long and arduous process. Chinese Characters Made Easy makes the learning process fun and easy by presenting the 1,000 most common characters using a new mnemonic approach that associates each character with a memorable visual and verbal clue--making memorization easy. The character for person, for example, is superimposed over a sketch of a man representing "a person standing on two legs"—drawing the reader's attention to the distinctive shape of the character and associating the sketch with the character's meaning. The Chinese characters are presented in groups or clusters all sharing common elements and meanings, for context and ease of identification. These groups of characters all share common root symbols known as radicals or relate to a particular theme or topic such as colors, numbers, animals, or body parts. Pronunciations, meanings and vocabulary compounds are provided for each character in the group. Key features of Chinese Characters Made Easy include: An introduction to the history and structure of the Chinese writing system 1,000 characters and over 3,000 words for beginning learners of Chinese This Chinese character book's visual approach is a powerful learning tool. It can be used by serious students and is entertaining and useful to general readers who are curious about how the Chinese writing system works and how it developed.
Download or read book Fluent Forever written by Gabriel Wyner and published by Harmony. This book was released on 2014-08-05 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NATIONAL BESTSELLER • For anyone who wants to learn a foreign language, this is the method that will finally make the words stick. “A brilliant and thoroughly modern guide to learning new languages.”—Gary Marcus, cognitive psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Guitar Zero At thirty years old, Gabriel Wyner speaks six languages fluently. He didn’t learn them in school—who does? Rather, he learned them in the past few years, working on his own and practicing on the subway, using simple techniques and free online resources—and here he wants to show others what he’s discovered. Starting with pronunciation, you’ll learn how to rewire your ears and turn foreign sounds into familiar sounds. You’ll retrain your tongue to produce those sounds accurately, using tricks from opera singers and actors. Next, you’ll begin to tackle words, and connect sounds and spellings to imagery rather than translations, which will enable you to think in a foreign language. And with the help of sophisticated spaced-repetition techniques, you’ll be able to memorize hundreds of words a month in minutes every day. This is brain hacking at its most exciting, taking what we know about neuroscience and linguistics and using it to create the most efficient and enjoyable way to learn a foreign language in the spare minutes of your day.
Download or read book Colloquial Chinese written by Qian Kan and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-08-27 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Colloquial Chinese: The Complete Course for Beginners has been carefully developed by an experienced teacher to provide a step-by-step course to Chinese as it is written and spoken today. Combining a clear, practical and accessible style with a methodical and thorough treatment of the language, it equips learners with the essential skills needed to communicate confidently and effectively in Chinese in a broad range of situations. No prior knowledge of the language is required. Colloquial Chinese is exceptional; each unit presents a wealth of grammatical points that are reinforced with a wide range of exercises for regular practice. A full answer key, a grammar summary, bilingual glossaries and English translations of dialogues can be found at the back as well as useful vocabulary lists throughout. Key features include: A clear, user-friendly format designed to help learners progressively build up their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills Jargon-free, succinct and clearly structured explanations of grammar An extensive range of focused and dynamic supportive exercises Realistic and entertaining dialogues covering a broad variety of narrative situations Helpful cultural points explaining the customs and features of life in China An overview of the sounds of Chinese Balanced, comprehensive and rewarding, Colloquial Chinese is an indispensable resource both for independent learners and students taking courses in Chinese. Audio material to accompany the course is available to download free in MP3 format from www.routledge.com/cw/colloquials. Recorded by native speakers, the audio material features the dialogues and texts from the book and will help develop your listening and pronunciation skills.
Download or read book Learn Mandarin Chinese Workbook for Beginners 2 Books In 1 written by Leo Chang and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2021-01-31 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ① Learn Mandarin Chinese Workbook for Beginners: ✓ When you are learning Mandarin, you can learn all the rules, but you need to practice. But where do you go to find the best resources? You do not need to look any further because we are here to help! With this workbook, you can expect to make great strides in your journey toward becoming proficient in Mandarin. You will be learning how to read and write basic Mandarin words and phrases. Upon completing this workbook, you will be able to converse with a native Mandarin-speaking individual. You will learn about the weather, how to tell time, how to count, how to order a meal, and even how to ask about another person's occupation. You cannot learn Mandarin without ensuring there is a degree of culture embedded into your work. This is why we have included some Chinese idioms for you to practice reading. According to history, the use of these specific idioms is to inspire you to continue on your journey to becoming fluent in Mandarin. As you start to immerse yourself in this book's content, you will begin to feel the joy of correctly translating your first pinyin word into Chinese characters. It is when you can shuffle your knowledge between English, pinyin, and Chinese characters that you will be ready to tackle the next hurdle of Mandarin. For now, remember how you felt when you started learning Mandarin. Keep that passion burning, as it is going to make the process of learning Mandarin that much easier! ★★★ ② Learn Mandarin Chinese for Beginners: ✓ Have you ever had an urge to learn Mandarin but have been put off by other people saying it looks too difficult? Trust me, it is not as difficult as other people say it is. We agree that learning Mandarin can be seen as quite a daunting experience, but that is why books like this one exist. As soon as you know what to expect, as well as some rules regarding how to read and write Mandarin as a beginner, you will be well on your way to mastering the language. What's great about "Learn Mandarin Chinese for Beginners" is that it comes with a composite workbook that you can use to really hone your Mandarin skills. With this book, we will be explaining everything about Mandarin to you. This will include some history and help you understand your personal learning style. This will ensure that you will perfect Mandarin in the quickest amount of time possible! You will find yourself understanding the four different Mandarin tones, the different ways to master pinyin, as well as even learning some personal life lessons along the way. We have tailored this book to be unique for each student and not by using a one-size-fits-all approach. It does not matter why you are learning Mandarin. As long as you have the passion and dedication to put time aside every single day and commit to learning the language, we will have you conversing with native Mandarin speakers in no time at all. This book is your best guide! By picking it up, you have taken the very first step in learning Mandarin, and we are so excited to be on this unique, fun, and exciting journey with you. ★★★
Download or read book Chineasy written by ShaoLan Hsueh and published by Harper Design. This book was released on 2014-03-11 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn to read and write Chinese with Chineasy—a groundbreaking approach that transforms key Chinese characters into pictograms for easy recall and comprehension. Chinese is one of the oldest written languages, and one of the most difficult to master, especially for Westerners. With Chineasy, learning and reading Chinese has never been simpler or more fun. Breaking down the Great Wall of Language, iShaoLan Hsueh draws on her entrepreneurial and cultural background to create a simple system for quickly understanding the basic building blocks of written Chinese. Working with renowned illustrator Noma Bar, she transforms Chinese characters into charming pictograms that are easy to remember. In Chineasy, she teaches the key characters, called radicals, that are the language’s foundation, and then shows how they can be combined to form new words and even phrases. Once you’ve mastered these key characters, you can practice your skills with three stories—a fairy tale, an Asian legend, and a contemporary fable—told using the radicals. With Chineasy, readers of all ages will be able to navigate a Chinese menu, read signs and billboards, and grasp the meaning of most articles in a Chinese newspaper.
Download or read book Easy Peasy Chinese written by DK and published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd. This book was released on 2021-11-11 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do you want to learn the world's most spoken language? This easy-to-use beginner's e-guide and audio app will get you speaking basic Mandarin in no time. With useful tips, practice exercises, and fascinating insights into Chinese culture, Easy Peasy Chinese teaches you how to read, write, and speak Mandarin Chinese step by step. The accompanying audio app covers all the vocabulary in the book, helping you perfect your pronunciation and quickly get to grips with the Mandarin tones. Aimed at children aged 8+, but of appeal to beginners of all ages, it will teach you all the words and phrases you'll need to get by in China, so you can introduce yourself, read and write numbers, and chat about the weather, food, and interests. What's more, you can give yourself a Chinese name, haggle over shop prices, and learn all about the national culture. The ebook covers Pinyin, the system used to spell out Chinese characters using Roman letters, and introduces the Chinese writing system, identifying more than 200 of the most frequently used Chinese characters. Bold illustrations and photographs, and a compact, super-stylish design help make the process of learning fun and accessible. There is no Great Wall stopping you from learning now.
Download or read book Learn Mandarin Chinese for Beginners written by Leo W Chang and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2021-01-23 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ✓ Have you ever had an urge to learn Mandarin but have been put off by other people saying it looks too difficult? Trust me, it is not as difficult as other people say it is. We agree that learning Mandarin can be seen as quite a daunting experience, but that is why books like this one exist. As soon as you know what to expect, as well as some rules regarding how to read and write Mandarin as a beginner, you will be well on your way to mastering the language. What's great about "Learn Mandarin Chinese for Beginners" is that it comes with a composite workbook that you can use to really hone your Mandarin skills. With this book, we will be explaining everything about Mandarin to you. This will include some history and help you understand your personal learning style. This will ensure that you will perfect Mandarin in the quickest amount of time possible! You will find yourself understanding the four different Mandarin tones, the different ways to master pinyin, as well as even learning some personal life lessons along the way. We have tailored this book to be unique for each student and not by using a one-size-fits-all approach. It does not matter why you are learning Mandarin. As long as you have the passion and dedication to put time aside every single day and commit to learning the language, we will have you conversing with native Mandarin speakers in no time at all. This book is your best guide! By picking it up, you have taken the very first step in learning Mandarin, and we are so excited to be on this unique, fun, and exciting journey with you. ★★★
Download or read book written by Yuehua Liu and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: