Basic Mandarin A

About the Book

Comments from author’s students Kiveli Venz Paneda The textbook was very helpful & student/user-friendly. It can be easily appreciated by those who opt for self-studying whether they have or lack any previous knowledge and/or experience in speaking Chinese (Mandarin). However, it is better understood when with the guidance of a teacher.The concepts & the basics were discussed thoroughly & therefore establishes a good foundation for those who want to learn the language. Harold Diokno Basic Mandarin A is a very useful tool for studying Hanyu. Not only does it provide realistic and simplified lessons, it also gives the students a smooth and navigable approach to learning a rather complicated language, through its exercises, vocabulary and supplementary notes. There are relatable and situational examples after every lesson, not to mention the updated and easy-to-learn drills on Chinese characters.

About the Author

Shirley has been teaching Chinese as a first language to third/fourth generation Chinese-Filipinos since her 20s in downtown Manila. The school’s prescribed method proved to be unsatisfactory as most students could not communicate the language both in oral and written forms after 12 years of studying the course. Although the main culprit everybody wanted to pinpoint was due to lack of language atmosphere, but Shirley thought a textbook that caters to the students’ immediate needs would probably change the entire scenario. She then resigned from old school method and transferred to a new environment literally and figuratively where she could have a free hand doing what she thought would be more effective, thus the birth of this book which her full-blooded Filipino students found very helpful and interesting to the extent that some even went on vacation to China and what a delight they felt when they were able to engage in simple conversation with the local Chinese. Author email address: Shirley K. Sy, email: xuyouzhen@gmail.com