Publisher: Cheng & Tsui

Description:

This textbook set is used in a number of college and university Chinese language classes. The Introduction covers pronunciation and pinyin, using technical linguistic terms for each sound. The Introduction also contains an overview of Chinese characters, including origin, strokes and stroke orders, and radicals. Each lesson chapter contains vocabulary, two dialogues given in pinyin and characters on subsequent pages, supplemental vocabulary, grammar for the lesson, pattern drills, pronunciation, and English translation of the two dialogues. Simple black and white illustrations with quiz questions are scattered throughout the text. There are a few cultural notes in some lessons.

Level 1 materials are available in either Traditional or Simplified format, with both traditional and simplified characters appearing in the index. In the Simplified version, all dialogues are also included in Traditional characters at the end of the text. Level 2 combines both forms in one volume.

A multimedia CDROM is planned for release in Summer 2004, which will include practice games, flashcards, video clips, dictionary, etc.

Strengths:

The technical accuracy of the series is excellent. A student with a linguistic background should be able to get a lot from this text. Both pinyin and character versions of the exercises are presented. Topic coverage is good, mostly oriented toward student life, however. The balance of simplified and traditional characters is nice. Good index (though no English-ordered index). The workbook presents many practice exercises to be completed with the audio materials (sold separately).

Weaknesses:

The terms used to describe phonetic and grammatical concepts are very technical and academic. Although the authors meant to make this a "communication-based" text, there are no group communication activities other than rote drills. The pinyin, character, and English versions of the dialogues don't appear together, but are all on separate pages. Very little cultural content.

Recommendation:

This is a comprehensive, but unexciting textbook series intended for use in an academic environment. The instructor would need to work hard to liven up the materials for community school use. Students are likely to complain about the separation of characters and pinyin.

Details:

Book Name:    Integrated Chinese
Book Type:    Textbook
Age Range:    College/Adult
Number of Pages:    249
Number of Lessons:    11
Dialogues:    yes
Vocabulary:    yes
Grammar:    yes
pinyin, zhuyin, or both:    pinyin
Explanations in English:    yes
Character instruction (traditional or simplified):    either (both in index)
Illustrations (color, b&w, none):    b&w
Class/Group Activities (games, songs, etc.):    no
Glossary - pinyin, zhuyin, hanzi, English:    p, h, e
Index - pinyin, English, both:    pinyin
Textbook available:    yes
Workbook  available:    yes
Teacher's Book available:    yes
Practice Media Available (Tape, CD, CDROM):    cassette or cd
Cost    $25.95


Lessons:

Level 1 Part 1:
Introduction
1 - Greetings
2 - Family
3 - Dates and Time
4 - Hobbies
5 - Visiting Friends
6 - Making Appointments
7 - Studying Chinese
8 - School Life
9 - Shopping
10 - Talking about the Weather
11 - Transportation

Level 1 Part 2:
12 - Dining
13 - At the Library
14 - Asking Directions
15 - Birthday Party
16 - Seeing a Doctor
17 - Dating
18 - Renting an Apartment
19 - Post Office
20 - Sports
21 - Travel
22 - Hometown
23 - At the Airport