Discussing Everything Chinese: A Comprehensive Textbook In Upper-Intermediate Chinese - A Review
Discussing Everything Chinese: A Comprehensive Textbook In Upper-Intermediate Chinese
If you are looking for a textbook that can help you improve your Chinese language skills and cultural knowledge at an upper-intermediate level, you might want to check out Discussing Everything Chinese. This book is designed for students who have completed at least two years of college-level Chinese or equivalent. It covers a variety of topics that are relevant to contemporary China and Chinese society, such as modern history, literature, pop culture, food, and music. In this article, we will give you an overview of the book and its contents, as well as some tips on how to use it effectively.
Discussing Everything Chinese: A Comprehensive Textbook In Upper-Intermediate Chinese download pdf
Introduction
What is the book about?
Discussing Everything Chinese is a comprehensive textbook that aims to develop your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Chinese at an upper-intermediate level. It consists of four chapters, each focusing on a different theme and containing various texts, dialogues, exercises, and activities. The book also provides free access to audio-visual materials online at www.MyChineseClass.com, where you can listen to native speakers' recordings, watch videos, and practice your pronunciation and comprehension. The book is suitable for both classroom instruction and self-study.
Who are the authors?
The book is written by three experienced Chinese teachers who have taught at Yale University and other prestigious institutions. They are Lili Teng Foti, Rongzhen Li, and Yu-lin Wang. They have also authored another textbook for advanced Chinese learners called Discussing Everything Chinese: A Comprehensive Textbook In Advanced Chinese. They have a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of Chinese learners at different levels and have created engaging and effective materials for them.
What are the features of the book?
The book has many features that make it a valuable resource for upper-intermediate Chinese learners. Some of them are:
It covers a wide range of topics that are interesting and relevant to modern China and Chinese culture.
It exposes you to authentic texts and dialogues that reflect real-life situations and language use.
It introduces you to new vocabulary and grammar points that are essential for expressing yourself clearly and accurately in Chinese.
It provides ample opportunities for you to practice your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through various exercises and activities.
It enhances your cultural awareness and understanding by providing background information, cultural notes, comparisons, and reflections.
It offers free access to online audio-visual materials that complement the book content and help you improve your pronunciation and comprehension.
Chapter 1: China in Modern Society
Overview of the chapter
The first chapter of the book focuses on the theme of China in modern society. It aims to help you learn about the major events and changes that have shaped China's history and development in the 20th and 21st centuries. It also explores some of the current issues and challenges that China faces in the global context.
Main topics covered
The chapter contains four texts and four dialogues that cover the following topics:
The founding of the People's Republic of China and its impact on Chinese people's lives.
The Cultural Revolution and its consequences for Chinese society and culture.
The reform and opening-up policy and its effects on China's economy and international relations.
The rise of China as a global power and its implications for the world order and peace.
Key vocabulary and grammar points
The chapter introduces you to some key vocabulary and grammar points that are related to the topics covered. Some of them are:
Vocabulary
Grammar
å»ŗå½ (jiĆ nguĆ³) - to found a country
ę (bĒ) - to dispose of something
é©å½ (gĆ©mƬng) - revolution
č¢« (bĆØi) - passive voice marker
ę¹é©å¼ę¾ (gĒigĆ© kÄifĆ ng) - reform and opening-up
č½ē¶...ä½ęÆ... (suÄ«rĆ”n...dĆ nshƬ...) - although...but...
å“čµ· (juĆ©qĒ) - to rise abruptly
äøä» ...čäø... (bĆ¹jĒn...Ć©rqiÄ...) - not only...but also...
Chapter 2: Short Stories (Romance and Family)
Overview of the chapter
The second chapter of the book focuses on the theme of short stories, especially those that deal with romance and family. It aims to help you appreciate some of the works of contemporary Chinese writers and their literary styles. It also explores some of the social and cultural issues that are reflected in their stories, such as gender roles, marriage, divorce, parenting, and generational gaps.
Main topics covered
The chapter contains four texts and four dialogues that cover the following topics:
A love story between a young couple who met online and decided to elope.
A family drama involving a divorced mother, her rebellious daughter, and her ex-husband's new wife.
A tragic tale of a married woman who had an affair with a younger man and ended up killing herself.
A humorous account of a middle-aged man who tried to find a suitable wife through matchmaking services.
Key vocabulary and grammar points
The chapter introduces you to some key vocabulary and grammar points that are related to the topics covered. Some of them are:
Vocabulary
Grammar
ē½ę (wĒngliĆ n) - online romance
äŗ (le) - aspect marker for completed action or change of state
ē¦»å© (lĆhÅ«n) - divorce
ē (zhe) - aspect marker for continuous action or state
åŗč½Ø (chÅ«guĒ) - to have an affair
čæ (guo) - aspect marker for past experience or action with no present relevance
ēøäŗ² (xiÄngqÄ«n) - blind date or matchmaking
č¦ęÆ...å°±... (yĆ oshi...jiĆ¹...) - if...then...
Chapter 3: Idioms, Pop Rhymes, and Comic Dialogues
Overview of the chapter
The third chapter of the book focuses on the theme of idioms, pop rhymes, and comic dialogues. It aims to help you learn some common and useful expressions that can enrich your Chinese communication skills. It also exposes you to some aspects of Chinese 71b2f0854b