The Mandarin Chinese Sentence Building (MCSB) textbook enables learners to make rapid progress while using the language as a platform to gain cultural knowledge. Inspired by the famous Michel Thomas method, learners repeatedly use words and characters in meaningful sentences using guided translation with optimal repetition and logical sequencing. Each sentence only uses words or characters that students have previously learned and all the characters are commonly used (high-frequency). The Mandarin textbook also includes language that is especially useful for language learners and shares vital knowledge about the Chinese language and culture, etiquette, philosophies, history and traditions. The book is arranged into topics in a coherent logical format and is a complete resource for learners from beginner to intermediate levels aged 10 or over.
There is also a related workbook (in progress) and a reader story book (completed). The reader uses meaningful texts and stories to help reinforce the words and characters learned in the MCSB (Mandarin Chinese Sentence Building) textbook. The main MCSB textbook is designed to be printed out but the reader can be read on screen or on paper.
Quizlet is a digital flashcards app and website (quizlet.com). All of the words in the Mandarin textbook are online on Quizlet which allows learners to hear the words spoken aloud, practise using digital flashcards and also play games to reinforce their learning. Quizlet doesn’t include all the cultural knowledge and notes from the book but does include all of the words and most of the sentences. Quizlet is best used as a review tool to reinforce learning from the book, but if a learner does not yet have the book then Quizlet can also be used alone.
Alternatively on the Quizlet website enter ‘Mandarin Chinese Sentence Building’ in the search box, click ‘classes’, select the class and then click ‘request to join’. The Quizlet sets are numbered in the recommended order of learning – start from the first set at the bottom and work your way up. Some flashcard sets are to practice listening and speaking (step 1), and some are to practice character reading (step 2). More information about how to use the MCSB Quizlet resources is shown on the first pages of the book and on the Quizlet website in the ‘class information’ page.
The story behind the Mandarin textbook
Many years ago when I was teaching Mandarin in Birmingham’s prestigious Brasshouse Language Institute, my colleague Bernard Grosz handed me a Michel Thomas method language course CD and recommended having a listen. The Michel Thomas method is to introduce new words slowly one at a time, rather than in huge lists, and then use guided translation to allow learners to repeatedly make sentences combining the new word with previously acquired words. Only once the new word has been practised a number of times are any more words learned.
I often collect learners’ feedback using numerical ratings for various activities and resources we use in class and keep track of the average ratings. I began to use a version of the Michel Thomas technique and it rapidly became the most highly rated class activity. I then realised we could use the method with the most commonly used characters and words in beginners’ classes, so made the materials and experimented with alternative ways of applying the method to find the most effective one while refining the materials accordingly. Slowly but surely the MCSB textbook naturally took shape and eventually we began to use it as a resource in the Brasshouse lessons. The huge advantage of this textbook is that it was born out of learners’ actual preferences in real life language learning settings and has been tried, tested and refined over many years as it was used in classrooms. In later numerical ratings the MCSB book was rated by learners far more highly than any other book we used, including BBC’s Talk Chinese, Easy Peasy Chinese, New Practical Chinese Reader and even resources such as Rosetta Stone.
About myself (the Mandarin Textbook author)
A number of factors have put me in the lucky position of being able to create a logical, coherent Mandarin textbook enriched with various helpful advice and guidance for learners along the way. My own experience in learning Mandarin as a second language, experimentation and research into learning methods, over 20 years of teaching experience, and various related qualifications such as a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and a level 5 PCET teaching qualification have all helped hugely.
My experience of living in the Far East and learning about Eastern traditions has also enabled me to include a lot of helpful cultural knowledge thereby forming a complete resource that goes well beyond just the language. Through the book, students can learn about Chinese culture, philosophy and much more. I also have an art background so created the cover designs and almost all of the other artwork.
If you’d like to learn Mandarin with teacher Luc then you’ll get a free online PDF version of the whole Mandarin textbook & the reader story book. See Teacher adverts for more information.
For my résumé and other information get in touch. Thank you for reading and let me know if you have any questions or ideas.
Ethical and transparent use of AI: The English text (above) was written by the author and the Mandarin translations (below) were made with the help of ChatGPT and then amended.
繁體字中文版請點這裡 For Traditional Mandarin version click HERE
简体字中文版请点这里For Simplified Mandarin version click HERE
