Chinese / Mandarin books, audio CDs and CD-ROM courses

Learn Chinese - Fast and Fun Way

A language guide offering a selection of phrases and vocabulary related to everyday situations. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005) MindZeit Note: on the front cover is found the following description, `The activity kit that makes learning a language quick and easy! Complete with: Fun Puzzles * Helpful Vocabulary Cards * Quick Quizzes * Funny, Full-Color Illustrations * Marvelous Maps´

Talk Mandarin Today

Talk Mandarin Today is a practical guide for beginners learning Mandarin Chinese as a second language. With the busy reader in mind, each lesson aims to bring fast acquaintance to certain basic of the language to the readers and help them acquire ability in speaking the language. By providing simple sentence structures and concise grammar notes, the book helps readers to learn Mandarin Chinese in an intuitive way. Learners will gain confidence quickly in speaking the language and to put what they have learned into practice. The book has thirty lessons, each containing dialogues which are real world daily scenarios of people travelling or working in China. New terms and words that are now common in the language are also included in this book. Readers will find learning Mandarin Chinese with this book an enjoyable and successful experience. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Beginner's Chinese (Mandarin)

Designed to meet the bilingual needs of the traveling businessperson, tourist, and student. The language lessons cover many common situations. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005) MindZeit Note : there is an accompanying audio cassette, but it's on Amazons 'Hard to find' list, so has an extra handling charge.

Chinese-English Dictionary of the 500 Most Frequently Used Words: A Study Guide to Mandarin Chinese

A dictionary of the 500 most frequently used words in the Chinese language, this instructive reference provides meaning and grammatical explanations for the use of each word. Based on a scientific study that concludes that learning a language can be achieved by mastering its most used words, the text acts as both a traditional dictionary and a teaching guide to the world's most widely-spoken language. Each entry is presented in both Chinese characters and roman letters, with pinyin transcription. This book also includes an introduction to the Chinese language and a pronunciation guide. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Linguaphone In Action Chinese 2.0

...Although the CD-ROM is packed with enhanced video content, the first port of call for most students will probably be the basics of the language that are imparted through the grammar guides and example dialogues. This is not a package for advanced students--the vocabulary of 5000 words, while enough for most purposes, is not tailored to unusual situations and the best place to begin is with the basic phrases in Chinese which show the contexts of various words and parts of speech through sentence examples and then role-plays. The phrases are emphasised with colour-highlighting of key parts and boxes below explaining their meanings in English and to which part of grammar they belong. There is also a separate grammar section in the package which will break down the points arising from these set-piece dialogues... (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Pocket Oxford Chinese Dictionary

An essential reference both for English-speakers learning Chinese and Chinese-speakers learning English, this brand new edition of the Pocket Chinese Dictionary offers authoritative, up-to-the-minute coverage, with over 88,000 words and phrases, and 130,000 translations, in a compact and practical format. This brand new edition has been updated to include the very latest vocabulary, including bioterrorism, e-shopping, WAP phone, domain name, and SARS. The dictionary's clear layout makes it accessible and straightforward to use, and a detailed index system of radicals helps you find the entry you need quickly and easily. Chinese simplified characters, orthodox characters, and pinyin forms are given for each entry. Entries are ordered alphabetically according to their pinyin romanization, and coverage of Mandarin tones is included. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

The Starter Oxford Chinese Dictionary

This dictionary is designed to give users a comprehensive introduction to Chinese in a completely new way. It covers all the vocabulary learners will need in their first years of study and gives guidance to the grammar and usage of the language. It was created specifically for beginners, with features including colour headwords and translations; no confusing abbreviations; and warning symbols showing potential problem areas. There are thousands of example phrases drawn from real-life situations and there is full romanization of the Chinese text with Chinese script following in simplified characters. The book includes a guide to how to write Chinese characters and provides full guidance on the pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese. Word patterns and constructions from language areas such as dates, and telling time are grouped together to show similarities and differences. (Source – Amazon UK – 8 Feb 2005)

Breakthrough Mandarin Chinese: Book with Cassettes

A new approach to the teaching of Mandarin Chinese, this course concentrates on the essentials needed for everyday situations while travelling in China, and provides a basis for further study. Based on authentic recordings made on location in Beijing, it exposes the learner to the genuine sound of the language, supported by carefully explained notes and scripted studio recordings with many practice activities. Unlike other Mandarin Chinese courses it focuses heavily on listening and speaking skills, backed up by simple, clear but short grammar explanations and exercises. One page in each of the 15 units is devoted to providing background detail about China and the Chinese. Pinyin is used throughout rather than the Chinese characters. This course is intended for individuals for self-study, and as a Further Education, Adult Education and Higher education adoptable text. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Traveltalk Chinese (Mandarin) [AUDIOBOOK]

Includes a 60-minute audio CD providing key words and phrases, an audio reference guide, and a 'Lonely Planet' Phrasebook featuring: grammar, a 2-way dictionary, information on local culture, and travel tips. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Pimsleur - Chinese (Mandarin) Level I

The Comprehensive Program is the ultimate in spoken language learning. For those who want to become proficient in the language of their choice, the Comprehensive programs go beyond the Basic Programs to offer spoken-language fluency. Using the same simple method of interactive self-practice with native speakers, these comprehensive programs provide a complete language learning course. The Comprehensive Program is available in a wide variety of languages and runs through three levels (thirty lessons each)... (Source – Amazon US – 7 Feb 2005)

Pimsleur - Instant Conversational Language (Mandarin Chinese) [UNABRIDGED]

The Pimsleur® Method provides the most effective language -- learning program ever developed. More than one million people every year use it to gain real conversational skills in new languages quickly and easily -- without books, written exercises, or drills. This package contains sixteen lessons that will get you started speaking today! Simply listen, follow the instructions, and then respond out loud, just as you would in an actual conversation. Complete one lesson each day, in consecutive order. When you've finished this program, you'll be thrilled to realize you can hold a real conversation in Chinese Mandarin! (Source – Amazon US – 8 Feb 2005)

Ultimate Chinese (Mandarin) Basic (With 8 CDs)

Synopsis not available. Visit Amazon to view larger image, which gives some details about the package. (Note: At Amazon US you click the picture to get the larger picture).

Rosetta Stone Level 1&2 Pack Chinese (Mandarin)

Up to 550 hours of instruction, over 8000 real-life images and phrases, illustrated user's guides, curriculum text books, no translation, no memorization, no drills (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

The Rough Guide to Mandarin Chinese (A Dictionary Phrasebook)

A Mandarin phrasebook designed for the traveller. It provides guidance on Mandarin pronunciation and tones, dos and don'ts, cultural know-how and other matters where language is important like making a phone call. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook (Routledge Grammars)

An introduction to the essentials of Chinese syntax. Each of the 25 units deals with a particular grammatical point and provides associated exercises. Features include: a clear, accessible format; many useful language examples; jargon-free explanations of grammar; drills and exercises; and a key to exercises. All Chinese entries are presented in both "pinyin" romanisation and Chinese characters, and are accompanied, in most cases, by English translations to facilitate self-tuition in both spoken and written Chinese. "Basic Chinese" is designed for complete beginners. Together with its sister volume, "Intermediate Chinese", it seeks to form a compendium of the essentials of Chinese syntax. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Chinese Comprehensive Grammar (Comprehensive Grammars Series)

This complete reference guide to Chinese grammar presents a fresh and accessible description of the language, concentrating on the real patterns of use in modern Chinese. It is ideal for use in schools, colleges, universities and an essential reference source for the learner and user of Chinese, irrespective of level. It is ideal for use in schools, colleges, universities and adult classes of all types and will remain the standard reference work for years to come. The volume is organized to promote a thorough understanding of Chinese grammar. It offers a stimulating analysis of the complexities of the language, and provides full and clear explanations. Throughout, the emphasis is on Chinese as used by present-day native speakers. An extensive index and numbered paragraphs provide readers with easy access to the information they require. Features include: thorough and comprehensive coverage of the modern language, use of script and romanisation throughout, detailed treatment of common grammatical structures and parts of speech, extensive and wide-ranging use of examples, particular attention to areas of confusion and difficulty. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Colloquial Chinese: A Complete Language Course (Colloquial Series)

...course concentrates on the Mandarin Chinese currently used by educated native speakers throughout China and Taiwan. The course teaches both the Romanized system and basic character use. Characters are broken down into their smallest parts in order to show their use in a systematic and graded manner. This pack comprises the main text and accompanying cassettes. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005) MindZeit Note: Amazon UK has this as cassettes, but it may be CDs, as it is in the US!

Intermediate Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook (Routledge Grammars)

Intended for students who have some knowledge of the language, this text deals with grammar points and provides associated exercises. Features include: a clear, accessible format; many language examples; grammar explanations; drills and exercises; and a full key to exercises. All Chinese entries are presented in both "pinyin" romanization and Chinese characters, and are accompanied, in most cases, by English translations to facilitate self-tuition in both written and spoken Chinese. The text reviews the principal elements introduced in "Basic Chinese" and introduces more complicated structures. The two books seek to form a compendium of all the main features of Chinese syntax. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Reading and Writing Chinese: Guide to the Chinese Writing System

Aimed at both the beginner and advanced students, and base on ProfessorMcNaughton's experience as a teacher of Chinese at Oberlin College, this book introduces and defines more than 2000 Chinese characters. The book has been designed to bring the beginning student as rapidly as possible to a level of written competence that will provide a solid foundation for advanced study in Chinese. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Learn to Write Chinese Characters (Yale Language Series)

An introductory manual for writing Chinese characters specifically designed for English-speaking readers. The author guides the reader through the fundamentals of writing, introduces the various scripts used in China and demonstrates how to write with a fountain pen rather than a brush. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005)

Chinese in 10 Minutes a Day

The book walks you through your language in 23 easy steps. Almost automatically you will acquire a large working vocabulary that will suit your needs. As you work through the steps, use the sticky labels (included). At the back of the book, you will also find cut-out flash cards to make learning fun. When you have completed the book, cut out the menu at the back and take it along on your trip. Available in 11 languages. (Source – Amazon UK – 7 Feb 2005) MindZeit Note: This book seems to have a different (nicer!) cover at Amazon US!