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Is The Integrated Chinese Workbook Worth It?

April 18, 2018 By Kwadwo

Pros: Each section has dedicated audio to brush up on your tones and listening capabilities. The book puts special emphasis on developing tones from single words to phrases in order to progress your pronunciation.

Cons: The workbook repeats the same topics as the textbook so you’re revising content you’ve probably touched upon before. The workbook doesn’t have an answer key.

Bottom line: Not for beginners, this workbook jumps straight into the juicy stuff and gives you all that extra practice outside of class.

Check out reviews on Amazon from other students like you.

Best Books to learn Chinese, Chinese Characters, Chinese books for Beginners

What are the best books to learn Chinese?

I’ve curated a list of the best books to learn Chinese for beginners, those who want to self-study, the all-time best textbooks and books to help you pass the HSK exams. Head over to the blog to check out the list!

Affiliate link disclaimer: If you purchase any of these books through the links found on this page a teeny bit of the cost helps me pay my bills and continue to provide you with valuable content. Hope that’s cool.

The Great Firewall of China

Want to use the VPN I use for a stable connection in China? I use Astrill VPN when I live stream on Instagram. Their customer service, speed, and connectivity is top notch. Plus, when you download here they share some of the cost with me, so I can keep creating the videos you love.

Take a peek: Integrated Chinese LEVEL 2!

April 15, 2018 By Kwadwo

There’s a good reason this is still my favorite series of Chinese textbooks!

Pros: Pretty pictures, magazine-style pages, captivating content and tip-top grammar explanations. This book has you covered when it comes to learning everyday useful language.

Cons: This textbook might be slightly overwhelming to begin with as it’s deep! Each section has tons of content – it’ll take you a while to work through this whole book.

Bottom line: Relevant content that will help you communicate in everyday life. A must-buy for learning adaptable Chinese.

Does Amazon have it in stock?

What are the best books to learn Chinese?

The Great Firewall of China

The Best Ways To Study Chinese Characters!

April 11, 2018 By Kwadwo

Erin and I have a combined thirteen years of living in China. Below we share seven tips to figure out Chinese characters!

Seven ways to learn Chinese Characters

Memrise! Find the easiest online course and start there. Memrise also has an app now, for learning on the go.
Connect characters to visual meaning to memorize faster.
Write, write and write more. Start to cover the characters and try to write them from memory.
Buy magic Chinese writing paper which allows you to draw characters using water. Once the character fades away you can re-write in the same location.
Download Anki App. Learning through flashcards.
Elementary Chinese Scavenger Hunt. Weekly challenges to find characters in your everyday life and learning their meaning.
Reading books that teach Chinese characters. Check out my list of the best Chinese books.

Is learning Chinese hard?

I get a ton of emails asking me ‘how hard is it to learn Mandarin Chinese?’. The honest answer is, learning Mandarin Chinese is hard. But, if you’re learning Chinese in China you have an added advantage because I can provide you with the tools you need to communicate effectively in Mandarin Chinese.

Top three ways to learn Chinese

1. FREE guide to learning Chinese!

The first thing you should check out is my eight effective ways to learn Chinese free guide. It breaks down the top ways to learn Chinese fast!

2. The best books to learn Mandarin Chinese

There are so many books which claim to help you master the Chinese language. And, most of them are a waste of money. I’ve used my 10 years experience of living in China and learning Chinese to compile a comprehensive guide of the best books to learn Chinese.

3. Weekly live streams

The most effective way to learn Chinese in China is to experience the language for yourself. I guide you through everyday situations in my live Youtube videos, helping you learn Mandarin Chinese quickly and effectively. What aspects of learning Chinese are you struggling with?