Part I: Introduction / Units 1-4 / Character Lessons 1-3

Each section and recording in Part I is available as an individual file, as well as a single download. Links to audio and exercises from the Yale edition companion site are also included where they are available.

Complete Part I text and audio (ZIP)

CONTENTS FILES LINKS

Background

1. China
2. Chinese speech
3. Chinese writing
4. Key terms
5. Further readings and references

 Chapter (PDF)  

Sounds and symbols: An overview of pinyin

1. The syllable
2. Tones
3. Initial consonants
4. Rhymes
5. Miscellany
6. Writing connected text in pinyin
7. Recapitulation

Chapter (PDF)

0.2.3 The low-tone (MP3)

0.3.1 The consonant chart (MP3)

Audio (HTML)

Worksheets (PDF)

Exercise Key (PDF)

Unit 1

1.1 Conventions
1.2 Pronunciation
1.3 Numbering and ordering
1.4 Stative verbs
1.5 Time and tense
1.6 Pronouns
1.7 Action verbs
1.8 Conventional greetings
1.9 Greeting and taking leave
1.10 Tones
1.11 Summary
1.12 Rhymes and rhythms

Chapter (PDF)

1.10.1 Tone combos (the first 6) (MP3)

Exercise 3c (MP3)

Exercise 3d,e (MP3)

Audio (HTML)

Worksheets (PDF)

Exercise Key (PDF)

Vocabulary (alphabetical) (PDF)

Vocabulary (book order) (PDF)

Characters 1

1.1 General features of Chinese texts
1.2 The form of characters
1.3 Function
1.4 Writing
1.5 Presentation of characters
1.6 Numbers
1.7 Dates
1.8 Days
1.9 Surnames and pronouns
1.10 More pronouns and function words
1.11 Stative verbs and associated function words
1.12 Action verbs and associated function words
1.13 On the streets

Lesson (PDF)

Stroke Order (PDF)

  

Unit 2

2.1 Pronunciation
2.2 Adverbs
2.3 More stative verbs
2.4 Nouns and modification
2.5 Identity
2.6 Names and titles
2.7 Location and existence
2.8 Miscellany
2.9 Dialogue: At the airport
2.10 Reflections: What have you learned?
2.11 Pinyin notes and practice
2.12 Summary
2.13 Rhymes and Rhythms

Chapter (PDF)

2.4 Nouns and modification (MP3)

2.7.1 Some Chinese place names (MP3)

2.9 At the airport (MP3)

2.11.3 Tone combos (the next 6) (MP3)

Audio (HTML)

Worksheets (PDF)

Exercise Key (PDF)

Vocabulary (alphabetical) (PDF)

Vocabulary (book order) (PDF)

Characters 2

2.0 Review
2.1 Set 1, with notes
2.2 Set 2, with notes
2.3 Set 3, with notes
2.4 Set 4, with notes
2.5 Form of characters
2.6 Miscellany
2.7 On the street #2

Lesson (PDF)

Stroke Order (PDF)

  

Unit 3

3.1 Pronunciation: Initials of rows 3 and 4
3.2 Amount
3.3 Nationality
3.4 The cardinal directions: NSEW
3.5 Yes and no
3.6 Thanks and sorry
3.7 Things to drink
3.8 Why, because, so
3.9 Money
3.10 Other numbered sets
3.11 Courses and classes
3.12 Dialogue: Courses and classes
3.13 Sounds and pinyin
3.14 Summary
3.15 Rhymes and rhythms
Appendix: Countries and nationalities

Chapter (PDF)

3.4.1 Dialogues (MP3)

3.7.1 Dialogue (MP3)

3.12 Courses and classes (MP3)

3.13.1 Tone combos (the last 3) (MP3)

Audio (HTML)

Worksheets (PDF)

Vocabulary (alphabetical) (PDF)

Vocabulary (book order) (PDF)

Characters 3

3.0 Review
3.1 Set 1, with notes
3.2 Set 2, with notes
3.3 Set 3, with notes
3.4 Set 4, with notes
3.5 Creating new characters
3.6 Miscellany
3.7 On the street #3

Lesson (PDF)

Stroke Order (PDF)

  

Unit 4

4.1 Tone contrasts
4.2 Existence and location
4.3 Time phrases
4.4 de revisited
4.5 Names in detail
4.6 Years
4.7 Studying and working
4.8 Forms of address
4.9 Introductions
4.10 Dialogue: On the bus to Miányáng
4.11 Food (1)
4.12 Pinyin: Initial w and y
4.13 Summary
4.14 Rhymes and rhythms
Appendix 1: Courses of study and university names
Appendix 2: The 45 most common surnames

Chapter (PDF)

4.2.1 Places (MP3)

4.10 On the bus to Miányáng (MP3)

4.11.1 Two short narratives (MP3)

 

Audio (HTML)

Worksheets (PDF)