Practical Chinese One Day at a Time · Basic Course · 1

Author: Kan Daocui, Zou Zhaohua, Tang Xiaodan, Chang Weiqun, Wu Yidong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-12-01
Features:
1. Design Concept
This textbook is a set of combined, progressive-level materials designed for short-term Chinese learners with study duration of no more than two months. Based on the needs of short-term Chinese learners and the characteristics of short-term teaching, the textbook is structured around communicative functions, with emphasis on listening and speaking training, rather than systematic grammar. In terms of vocabulary selection, it adheres to the Outline for Chinese Language Proficiency Vocabulary and Characters while also incorporating many newly emerging and colloquial words and phrases from real-life contexts. The textbook is divided into three levels, each with two sub-levels. Specifically:
(Beginner) Basic Level (1), Basic Level (2)
(Intermediate) Improvement Level (1), Improvement Level (2)
(Advanced) Expansion Level (1), Expansion Level (2)
2. Features of Textbook Design
1) Combination
This textbook adopts a combined format, divided into six volumes from beginner to advanced levels. Each volume is designed as a one-month cycle with one lesson per day, totaling 20 lessons per volume. The vocabulary in each volume ranges between 400–600 words. The six volumes can be used individually or combined. This approach meets the needs of learners at all levels while being easy for teachers to implement.
2) Progression
Since most short-term learners are visiting China for the first time, even those who have studied Chinese for a long time in their home countries may not be familiar with China’s context. Therefore, the selection of communicative functions in this textbook follows an alternating and progressive expansion method. That is, commonly used and essential communicative functions appear in each volume, but the content demonstrating these functions is gradually expanded and deepened across different levels. In the Expansion Levels, more socio-political and cultural elements are incorporated, extending communicative tasks into topic discussions to truly enrich the content. The textbook also gradually increases vocabulary complexity, with key words and sentence patterns recurring across volumes. This alternating and progressive approach differs from previous textbooks and offers strong relevance and practicality for short-term programs within two months.
3) Practicality
The textbook emphasizes practicality in vocabulary, sentence patterns, functions, and exercises. We believe that mastering vocabulary is crucial for Chinese learning, as vocabulary and communicative functions are inseparable.
4) Vividness
Due to the intensive and accelerated nature of short-term teaching, this textbook not only strives to be engaging and interesting in content but also incorporates a wealth of illustrations. Both the lessons and exercises are richly illustrated to enhance learning.