Author: Robin MacPherson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781987400601
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 150
Book Description
Learning a foreign language truly is a wonderful experience that opens up doors into new worlds and enriches our lives beyond measure. Unfortunately, many people all over the world come back to their foreign language to find the door locked, because we don't talk enough about how to actually maintain language skills once we've acquired them. The good news is that the process of properly maintaining a foreign language is just a beautiful as learning one. In fact, I would argue that it can be even more enjoyable. This book is not just for people who have already learned a foreign language to a high level. It is packed full of useful tips and advice, and properly understanding this process while you are learning will help you set yourself up for a successful and sustainable, multilingual lifestyle. This book also teaches how to maintain multiple foreign languages, for aspiring polyglots. It also comes with some free, downloadable resources and an accompanying YouTube series where Robin implements all of the advice from his book.(https://goo.gl/2CgJfW) Whatever your reasons are for maintaining your foreign language(s), and whatever challenges you are facing to that end, this book will teach you a variety of simple but effective techniques and strategies for achieving your goals.
The Way of the Linguist
Author: Steve Kaufmann
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1420873296
Category : Linguistics
Languages : en
Pages : 142
Book Description
The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey. It is now a cliché that the world is a smaller place. We think nothing of jumping on a plane to travel to another country or continent. The most exotic locations are now destinations for mass tourism. Small business people are dealing across frontiers and language barriers like never before. The Internet brings different languages and cultures to our finger-tips. English, the hybrid language of an island at the western extremity of Europe seems to have an unrivalled position as an international medium of communication. But historically periods of cultural and economic domination have never lasted forever. Do we not lose something by relying on the wide spread use of English rather than discovering other languages and cultures? As citizens of this shrunken world, would we not be better off if we were able to speak a few languages other than our own? The answer is obviously yes. Certainly Steve Kaufmann thinks so, and in his busy life as a diplomat and businessman he managed to learn to speak nine languages fluently and observe first hand some of the dominant cultures of Europe and Asia. Why do not more people do the same? In his book The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey, Steve offers some answers. Steve feels anyone can learn a language if they want to. He points out some of the obstacles that hold people back. Drawing on his adventures in Europe and Asia, as a student and businessman, he describes the rewards that come from knowing languages. He relates his evolution as a language learner, abroad and back in his native Canada and explains the kind of attitude that will enable others to achieve second language fluency. Many people have taken on the challenge of language learning but have been frustrated by their lack of success. This book offers detailed advice on the kind of study practices that will achieve language breakthroughs. Steve has developed a language learning system available online at: www.thelinguist.com.
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1420873296
Category : Linguistics
Languages : en
Pages : 142
Book Description
The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey. It is now a cliché that the world is a smaller place. We think nothing of jumping on a plane to travel to another country or continent. The most exotic locations are now destinations for mass tourism. Small business people are dealing across frontiers and language barriers like never before. The Internet brings different languages and cultures to our finger-tips. English, the hybrid language of an island at the western extremity of Europe seems to have an unrivalled position as an international medium of communication. But historically periods of cultural and economic domination have never lasted forever. Do we not lose something by relying on the wide spread use of English rather than discovering other languages and cultures? As citizens of this shrunken world, would we not be better off if we were able to speak a few languages other than our own? The answer is obviously yes. Certainly Steve Kaufmann thinks so, and in his busy life as a diplomat and businessman he managed to learn to speak nine languages fluently and observe first hand some of the dominant cultures of Europe and Asia. Why do not more people do the same? In his book The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey, Steve offers some answers. Steve feels anyone can learn a language if they want to. He points out some of the obstacles that hold people back. Drawing on his adventures in Europe and Asia, as a student and businessman, he describes the rewards that come from knowing languages. He relates his evolution as a language learner, abroad and back in his native Canada and explains the kind of attitude that will enable others to achieve second language fluency. Many people have taken on the challenge of language learning but have been frustrated by their lack of success. This book offers detailed advice on the kind of study practices that will achieve language breakthroughs. Steve has developed a language learning system available online at: www.thelinguist.com.
How to Maintain Languages
Author: Robin MacPherson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781987400601
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 150
Book Description
Learning a foreign language truly is a wonderful experience that opens up doors into new worlds and enriches our lives beyond measure. Unfortunately, many people all over the world come back to their foreign language to find the door locked, because we don't talk enough about how to actually maintain language skills once we've acquired them. The good news is that the process of properly maintaining a foreign language is just a beautiful as learning one. In fact, I would argue that it can be even more enjoyable. This book is not just for people who have already learned a foreign language to a high level. It is packed full of useful tips and advice, and properly understanding this process while you are learning will help you set yourself up for a successful and sustainable, multilingual lifestyle. This book also teaches how to maintain multiple foreign languages, for aspiring polyglots. It also comes with some free, downloadable resources and an accompanying YouTube series where Robin implements all of the advice from his book.(https://goo.gl/2CgJfW) Whatever your reasons are for maintaining your foreign language(s), and whatever challenges you are facing to that end, this book will teach you a variety of simple but effective techniques and strategies for achieving your goals.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781987400601
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 150
Book Description
Learning a foreign language truly is a wonderful experience that opens up doors into new worlds and enriches our lives beyond measure. Unfortunately, many people all over the world come back to their foreign language to find the door locked, because we don't talk enough about how to actually maintain language skills once we've acquired them. The good news is that the process of properly maintaining a foreign language is just a beautiful as learning one. In fact, I would argue that it can be even more enjoyable. This book is not just for people who have already learned a foreign language to a high level. It is packed full of useful tips and advice, and properly understanding this process while you are learning will help you set yourself up for a successful and sustainable, multilingual lifestyle. This book also teaches how to maintain multiple foreign languages, for aspiring polyglots. It also comes with some free, downloadable resources and an accompanying YouTube series where Robin implements all of the advice from his book.(https://goo.gl/2CgJfW) Whatever your reasons are for maintaining your foreign language(s), and whatever challenges you are facing to that end, this book will teach you a variety of simple but effective techniques and strategies for achieving your goals.
Conversational Chinese Dialogues
Author: Lingo Mastery
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781951949051
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 338
Book Description
Conversational Chinese Dialogues is packed with over 100 dialogues in Chinese with both pinyin and English translations which makes this an excellent immersion tool for Chinese (Mandarin) language learners.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781951949051
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 338
Book Description
Conversational Chinese Dialogues is packed with over 100 dialogues in Chinese with both pinyin and English translations which makes this an excellent immersion tool for Chinese (Mandarin) language learners.
Mandarin Chinese for Beginners
Author: Yi Ren
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462914764
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 203
Book Description
…well-written and helps you speak Chinese in no time. --FluentU.com
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462914764
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 203
Book Description
…well-written and helps you speak Chinese in no time. --FluentU.com
Remembering Simplified Hanzi 1
Author: James W. Heisig
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN: 0824875931
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
At long last the approach that has helped thousands of learners memorize Japanese kanji has been adapted to help students with Chinese characters. Book 1 of Remembering Simplified Hanzi covers the writing and meaning of the 1,000 most commonly used characters in the simplified Chinese writing system, plus another 500 that are best learned at an early stage. (Book 2 adds another 1,500 characters for a total of 3,000.) Of critical importance to the approach found in these pages is the systematic arranging of characters in an order best suited to memorization. In the Chinese writing system, strokes and simple components are nested within relatively simple characters, which can, in turn, serve as parts of more complicated characters and so on. Taking advantage of this allows a logical ordering, making it possible for students to approach most new characters with prior knowledge that can greatly facilitate the learning process. Guidance and detailed instructions are provided along the way. Students are taught to employ "imaginative memory" to associate each character’s component parts, or "primitive elements," with one another and with a key word that has been carefully selected to represent an important meaning of the character. This is accomplished through the creation of a "story" that engagingly ties the primitive elements and key word together. In this way, the collections of dots, strokes, and components that make up the characters are associated in memorable fashion, dramatically shortening the time required for learning and helping to prevent characters from slipping out of memory.
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN: 0824875931
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
At long last the approach that has helped thousands of learners memorize Japanese kanji has been adapted to help students with Chinese characters. Book 1 of Remembering Simplified Hanzi covers the writing and meaning of the 1,000 most commonly used characters in the simplified Chinese writing system, plus another 500 that are best learned at an early stage. (Book 2 adds another 1,500 characters for a total of 3,000.) Of critical importance to the approach found in these pages is the systematic arranging of characters in an order best suited to memorization. In the Chinese writing system, strokes and simple components are nested within relatively simple characters, which can, in turn, serve as parts of more complicated characters and so on. Taking advantage of this allows a logical ordering, making it possible for students to approach most new characters with prior knowledge that can greatly facilitate the learning process. Guidance and detailed instructions are provided along the way. Students are taught to employ "imaginative memory" to associate each character’s component parts, or "primitive elements," with one another and with a key word that has been carefully selected to represent an important meaning of the character. This is accomplished through the creation of a "story" that engagingly ties the primitive elements and key word together. In this way, the collections of dots, strokes, and components that make up the characters are associated in memorable fashion, dramatically shortening the time required for learning and helping to prevent characters from slipping out of memory.
Colloquial Chinese
Author: Qian Kan
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317305493
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
Colloquial Chinese: The Complete Course for Beginners has been carefully developed by an experienced teacher to provide a step-by-step course to Chinese as it is written and spoken today. Combining a clear, practical and accessible style with a methodical and thorough treatment of the language, it equips learners with the essential skills needed to communicate confidently and effectively in Chinese in a broad range of situations. No prior knowledge of the language is required. Colloquial Chinese is exceptional; each unit presents a wealth of grammatical points that are reinforced with a wide range of exercises for regular practice. A full answer key, a grammar summary, bilingual glossaries and English translations of dialogues can be found at the back as well as useful vocabulary lists throughout. Key features include: A clear, user-friendly format designed to help learners progressively build up their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills Jargon-free, succinct and clearly structured explanations of grammar An extensive range of focused and dynamic supportive exercises Realistic and entertaining dialogues covering a broad variety of narrative situations Helpful cultural points explaining the customs and features of life in China An overview of the sounds of Chinese Balanced, comprehensive and rewarding, Colloquial Chinese is an indispensable resource both for independent learners and students taking courses in Chinese. Audio material to accompany the course is available to download free in MP3 format from www.routledge.com/cw/colloquials. Recorded by native speakers, the audio material features the dialogues and texts from the book and will help develop your listening and pronunciation skills.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317305493
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
Colloquial Chinese: The Complete Course for Beginners has been carefully developed by an experienced teacher to provide a step-by-step course to Chinese as it is written and spoken today. Combining a clear, practical and accessible style with a methodical and thorough treatment of the language, it equips learners with the essential skills needed to communicate confidently and effectively in Chinese in a broad range of situations. No prior knowledge of the language is required. Colloquial Chinese is exceptional; each unit presents a wealth of grammatical points that are reinforced with a wide range of exercises for regular practice. A full answer key, a grammar summary, bilingual glossaries and English translations of dialogues can be found at the back as well as useful vocabulary lists throughout. Key features include: A clear, user-friendly format designed to help learners progressively build up their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills Jargon-free, succinct and clearly structured explanations of grammar An extensive range of focused and dynamic supportive exercises Realistic and entertaining dialogues covering a broad variety of narrative situations Helpful cultural points explaining the customs and features of life in China An overview of the sounds of Chinese Balanced, comprehensive and rewarding, Colloquial Chinese is an indispensable resource both for independent learners and students taking courses in Chinese. Audio material to accompany the course is available to download free in MP3 format from www.routledge.com/cw/colloquials. Recorded by native speakers, the audio material features the dialogues and texts from the book and will help develop your listening and pronunciation skills.
Language and Gesture in Chinese Conversation
Author: Kawai Chui
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429770626
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 142
Book Description
Language and Gesture in Chinese Conversation is a study of the semantic and temporal relationships between the speech and the gesture in the context of discourse interaction in Mandarin Chinese spoken in Taiwan. The cross-modal representation of ideas in natural discourse reveals the nature of BĬSHŎU-SHUŌHUÀ in the communication of meaning. The study addresses two central issues: • How do language and gesture represent the semantic information of various types of ideas? • How do the linguistic representation and gestural depiction pattern temporally in the communication of cross-modal information? The intended audience of this book are scholars in many academic fields, including linguistics, language and gesture, human communication, cognition, cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, sociology, linguistic anthropology, speech pathology, and speech therapy.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429770626
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 142
Book Description
Language and Gesture in Chinese Conversation is a study of the semantic and temporal relationships between the speech and the gesture in the context of discourse interaction in Mandarin Chinese spoken in Taiwan. The cross-modal representation of ideas in natural discourse reveals the nature of BĬSHŎU-SHUŌHUÀ in the communication of meaning. The study addresses two central issues: • How do language and gesture represent the semantic information of various types of ideas? • How do the linguistic representation and gestural depiction pattern temporally in the communication of cross-modal information? The intended audience of this book are scholars in many academic fields, including linguistics, language and gesture, human communication, cognition, cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, sociology, linguistic anthropology, speech pathology, and speech therapy.
Chinese-Speaking Learners of English
Author: Ryan Damerow
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000769194
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 162
Book Description
A compendium of the latest developments in research regarding English language education for Chinese-speaking learners, this volume combines cutting-edge research from multiple internationally-known scholars. The chapters offer unique insights into some of the most salient issues related to this broad topic. The seventh volume in the Global Research on Teaching and Learning English series, co-published with The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF), this book features chapters with original research written by TIRF Doctoral Dissertation Grant awardees. The volume addresses the crucial and growing need for research-based conversations on the contexts, environments, goals, and measures of success for Chinese-speaking learners of English. It includes sections on language assessment, perceptions in university contexts, and technology, especially in relation to young learners, in order to promote in-depth discussion of the teaching and learning of English for native speakers of Chinese. The volume’s 13 research-based chapters discuss topics such as the impact and implications of using emerging assessment tools; the increase in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses; academic speaking and writing; and teaching in an online or hybrid environment. Throughout the book the authors draw on their knowledge of their multiple contexts, as well as their learners’ needs and goals. This volume brings together innovative research for TESOL and TEFL students, language teacher educators, language policy specialists, language assessment scholars, and language teachers. Readers will become familiar with how these issues related to Chinese-speaking learners of English are being addressed in academic circles around the world.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000769194
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 162
Book Description
A compendium of the latest developments in research regarding English language education for Chinese-speaking learners, this volume combines cutting-edge research from multiple internationally-known scholars. The chapters offer unique insights into some of the most salient issues related to this broad topic. The seventh volume in the Global Research on Teaching and Learning English series, co-published with The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF), this book features chapters with original research written by TIRF Doctoral Dissertation Grant awardees. The volume addresses the crucial and growing need for research-based conversations on the contexts, environments, goals, and measures of success for Chinese-speaking learners of English. It includes sections on language assessment, perceptions in university contexts, and technology, especially in relation to young learners, in order to promote in-depth discussion of the teaching and learning of English for native speakers of Chinese. The volume’s 13 research-based chapters discuss topics such as the impact and implications of using emerging assessment tools; the increase in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses; academic speaking and writing; and teaching in an online or hybrid environment. Throughout the book the authors draw on their knowledge of their multiple contexts, as well as their learners’ needs and goals. This volume brings together innovative research for TESOL and TEFL students, language teacher educators, language policy specialists, language assessment scholars, and language teachers. Readers will become familiar with how these issues related to Chinese-speaking learners of English are being addressed in academic circles around the world.
7 Weeks to a Better American Accent for Native Mandarin Speakers-
Author: Tracey Ingram
Publisher: NativeChinese speak English
ISBN: 9780615406862
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 76
Book Description
Discover Insider Secrets and specialized strategies to succeed in speaking conversational American English with ease!! Are you a Native Chinese student or professional struggling with trying to achieve the American Accent? Has it been difficult as an English language learner how to correct your pronunciation? 7 weeks to a Better American accent for the Native Mandarin Speaker- vol. 1, is the first series specifically designed for the native Chinese speaker to overcome common language challenges with intonation and American English pronunciation. It is a challenge going from Chinese to English. Speaking English will be easier as you continue to learn English and how to speak English. The Mp3 Audio files are critical for you to get comfortable in how to learn English conversation and pronunciation. This is available at CDbaby (dot) com under the same name as this course. Remember be patient with yourself and know that this is a process that requires patience. It takes persistence to learn English pronunciation and the American Accent. It is possible for Chinese students to learn to speak English. Many native Chinese speakers have difficulty with the mastery of the English language, and want to speak English better for career advancement. This series give Native Chinese speakers specialized strategies to master conversational American English with greater fluency. This fun and exciting new series, is intended primarily for individuals who have basic to intermediate skills regarding English grammar and vocabulary. The program can be useful for Chinese to English translations, Native Chinese professionals who are looking to polish their business English skills, Chinese students who are attending colleges and universities, and English as a second language professionals. This American accent program is self paced, however is designed to be completed in 7 weeks. This initial series (volume 1), consists of a 70 page workbook complete with bonus materials and 16 MP3 Audio files. The MP3 Audio files are a vital component of this program and should not be missed. This workbook does not contain the Audio files (per Amazon rules) and the user must purchase these Audio files separately. The MP3 Audio Files will enable the reader to hear the American accent coach pronunciation using the standard Midwestern American accent. The combination of hearing the speech samples and following the workbook will enable the reader to make rapid progress as they continue the series. Don't forget to pick up the Audio files at CD baby dot com and set at least 30 minutes daily to practice and learn English conversation.
Publisher: NativeChinese speak English
ISBN: 9780615406862
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 76
Book Description
Discover Insider Secrets and specialized strategies to succeed in speaking conversational American English with ease!! Are you a Native Chinese student or professional struggling with trying to achieve the American Accent? Has it been difficult as an English language learner how to correct your pronunciation? 7 weeks to a Better American accent for the Native Mandarin Speaker- vol. 1, is the first series specifically designed for the native Chinese speaker to overcome common language challenges with intonation and American English pronunciation. It is a challenge going from Chinese to English. Speaking English will be easier as you continue to learn English and how to speak English. The Mp3 Audio files are critical for you to get comfortable in how to learn English conversation and pronunciation. This is available at CDbaby (dot) com under the same name as this course. Remember be patient with yourself and know that this is a process that requires patience. It takes persistence to learn English pronunciation and the American Accent. It is possible for Chinese students to learn to speak English. Many native Chinese speakers have difficulty with the mastery of the English language, and want to speak English better for career advancement. This series give Native Chinese speakers specialized strategies to master conversational American English with greater fluency. This fun and exciting new series, is intended primarily for individuals who have basic to intermediate skills regarding English grammar and vocabulary. The program can be useful for Chinese to English translations, Native Chinese professionals who are looking to polish their business English skills, Chinese students who are attending colleges and universities, and English as a second language professionals. This American accent program is self paced, however is designed to be completed in 7 weeks. This initial series (volume 1), consists of a 70 page workbook complete with bonus materials and 16 MP3 Audio files. The MP3 Audio files are a vital component of this program and should not be missed. This workbook does not contain the Audio files (per Amazon rules) and the user must purchase these Audio files separately. The MP3 Audio Files will enable the reader to hear the American accent coach pronunciation using the standard Midwestern American accent. The combination of hearing the speech samples and following the workbook will enable the reader to make rapid progress as they continue the series. Don't forget to pick up the Audio files at CD baby dot com and set at least 30 minutes daily to practice and learn English conversation.
Hacking Chinese
Author: Olle Linge
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781530334889
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 246
Book Description
Learning Chinese can be frustrating and difficult, partly because it's very different from European languages. Following a teacher, textbook or language course is not enough. They show you the characters, words and grammar you need to become proficient in Chinese, but they don't teach you how to learn them! Regardless of what program you're in (if any), you need to take responsibility for your own learning. If you don't, you will miss many important things that aren't included in the course you're taking. If you study on your own, you need to be even more aware of what you need to do, what you're doing at the moment and the difference between them. Here are some of the questions I have asked and have since been asked many times by students: How do I learn characters efficiently? How do I get the most out of my course or teacher? Which are the best learning tools and resources? How can I become fluent in Mandarin? How can I improve my pronunciation? How do I learn successfully on my own? How can I motivate myself to study more? How can I fit learning Chinese into a busy schedule? The answers I've found to these questions and many others form the core of this book. It took eight years of learning, researching, teaching and writing to figure these things out. Not everybody has the time to do that! I can't go back in time and help myself learn in a better way, but I can help you! This book is meant for normal students and independent language learners alike. While it covers all major areas of learning, you won't learn Chinese just by reading this book. It's like when someone on TV teaches you how to cook: you won't get to eat the delicious dish just by watching the program; you have to do the cooking yourself. That's true for this book as well. When you apply what you learn, it will boost your learning, making every hour you spend count for more, but you still have to do the learning yourself. This is what a few readers have said about the book: "The book had me nodding at a heap of things I'd learnt the hard way, wishing I knew them when I started, as well as highlighting areas that I'm currently missing in my study." - Geoff van der Meer, VP engineering "This publication is like a bible for anyone serious about Chinese proficiency. It's easy for anyone to read and written with scientific precision." - Zachary Danz, foreign teacher, children's theatre artist About me I started learning Chinese when I was 23 (that's more than eight years ago now) and have since studied in many different situations, including serious immersion programs abroad, high-intensity programs in Sweden, online courses, as well as on the side while working or studying other things. I have also successfully used my Chinese in a graduate program for teaching Chinese as a second language, taught entirely in Chinese mostly for native speakers (the Graduate Institute for Teaching Chinese as a Second Language at National Taiwan Normal University). All these parts have contributed to my website, Hacking Chinese, where I write regularly about how to learn Mandarin.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781530334889
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 246
Book Description
Learning Chinese can be frustrating and difficult, partly because it's very different from European languages. Following a teacher, textbook or language course is not enough. They show you the characters, words and grammar you need to become proficient in Chinese, but they don't teach you how to learn them! Regardless of what program you're in (if any), you need to take responsibility for your own learning. If you don't, you will miss many important things that aren't included in the course you're taking. If you study on your own, you need to be even more aware of what you need to do, what you're doing at the moment and the difference between them. Here are some of the questions I have asked and have since been asked many times by students: How do I learn characters efficiently? How do I get the most out of my course or teacher? Which are the best learning tools and resources? How can I become fluent in Mandarin? How can I improve my pronunciation? How do I learn successfully on my own? How can I motivate myself to study more? How can I fit learning Chinese into a busy schedule? The answers I've found to these questions and many others form the core of this book. It took eight years of learning, researching, teaching and writing to figure these things out. Not everybody has the time to do that! I can't go back in time and help myself learn in a better way, but I can help you! This book is meant for normal students and independent language learners alike. While it covers all major areas of learning, you won't learn Chinese just by reading this book. It's like when someone on TV teaches you how to cook: you won't get to eat the delicious dish just by watching the program; you have to do the cooking yourself. That's true for this book as well. When you apply what you learn, it will boost your learning, making every hour you spend count for more, but you still have to do the learning yourself. This is what a few readers have said about the book: "The book had me nodding at a heap of things I'd learnt the hard way, wishing I knew them when I started, as well as highlighting areas that I'm currently missing in my study." - Geoff van der Meer, VP engineering "This publication is like a bible for anyone serious about Chinese proficiency. It's easy for anyone to read and written with scientific precision." - Zachary Danz, foreign teacher, children's theatre artist About me I started learning Chinese when I was 23 (that's more than eight years ago now) and have since studied in many different situations, including serious immersion programs abroad, high-intensity programs in Sweden, online courses, as well as on the side while working or studying other things. I have also successfully used my Chinese in a graduate program for teaching Chinese as a second language, taught entirely in Chinese mostly for native speakers (the Graduate Institute for Teaching Chinese as a Second Language at National Taiwan Normal University). All these parts have contributed to my website, Hacking Chinese, where I write regularly about how to learn Mandarin.