Oh, China! Elementary Reader of Modern Chinese for Advanced Beginners

More about the book

Oh, China! is a textbook tailored for "advanced beginners" studying Mandarin Chinese—students who can speak and understand basic Mandarin but struggle with reading and writing at an intermediate level. Unlike typical first-year texts that focus on elementary vocabulary and conversation, this book emphasizes reading, writing, grammar, and achieving standard pronunciation. The lessons are designed to engage advanced beginners, covering themes relevant to young Chinese-Americans, the concept of "overseas Chinese" and their connections to China, and significant figures in modern Chinese history. Each lesson is presented in both traditional and simplified characters, and the first fifteen lessons also include hanyu pinyin. Accompanying materials feature vocabulary lists, grammar notes, usage exercises, and character stroke-order charts. The book opens with a comprehensive chapter on Mandarin pronunciation, complete with exercises, and concludes with a Chinese-to-English vocabulary index. Intended for one year of college-level study, it prepares students for third-year courses. This latest addition to Princeton University Press's series on Chinese language instruction addresses a critical need in Mandarin education. Audio and video resources are also available to enhance learning. For more information, contact the Chinese Linguistics Project at Princeton University.