Mandarin Chinese Sentence Building Textbook
The Mandarin Chinese Sentence Building textbook enables rapid progress in listening, speaking and reading. It is based on some of the same principles as the famous Michel Thomas method in that new words and characters are learned one-by-one and are incorporated into meaningful sentences with optimal repetition for memory. In addition, we keep our focus on phrases, words and characters which are the most commonly used (high frequency) or most useful for language learners. The language items and sentences have been arranged into topics and systematically laid out based on frequency, usefulness and interest, enabling rapid yet sure progress early on while covering the most meaningful language. Along the way, you’ll also pick up vital knowledge about Chinese culture, etiquette, philosophies, history, traditions and the language as well as how to learn it. This is a complete resource for learners from beginner to intermediate levels aged 10 or over. The sentences incorporate previously learned words only so it’s essential that you do not skip any sections.
The textbook is designed to be printed out. Order a high-quality printed paper copy by clicking the link below:
MCSB Textbook: https://mixam.co.uk/print-on-demand/676df6ea8d2d2b026055f421
Reader & workbook
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 textbook. The reader can be read on screen or on paper.
Download the reader book (simplified & traditional characters) for just £10: https://waylink.co.uk/downloads/mandarin-chinese-sentence-building-reader-book-simplified-and-traditional-combined/.
Order a printed paper copy of the reader book (simplified characters) for £27: https://mixam.co.uk/print-on-demand/67708f7a8d2d2b0260560e57
Mandarin Building flashcards on Quizlet
Quizlet is a digital flashcards app and website (quizlet.com). Quizlet doesn’t include all the cultural knowledge and notes from the book but all of the words and most of the sentences in the textbook are online on the Quizlet website and app as flashcards. Quizlet gives learners the chance to play games and reinforce their learning from the book or if you don’t yet have the paper book then for now you can just use Quizlet alone.
Use this join link: https://quizlet.com/join/8E4qsKPDu 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).
Step 1: Listening & speaking
Sets are named: Mandarin Building, section number & letter, En – (pr)ch
Side 1 English
Side 2 (pronunciation) characters
Suggested use
Flashcards mode: with audio on and shuffle off, show English first, recall the Mandarin pronunciations, then flip card to see and listen (perhaps repeat out loud). Link English meanings to Mandarin pronunciation sounds. Star any cards you wish to review later or swipe left (not recalled) to make it
reappear later on. Swipe right (recalled) to make it disappear.
Follow with passive learning: in flashcards mode in the app play the whole set in the background while you do other things, listen again and again to absorb the sounds.
Step 2: Reading characters
Sets are named: Mandarin Building, section number & letter, characters
Side 1 characters
Side 2 (pronunciations) English
Suggested use
Flashcards mode: with both audio and shuffle turned off show the characters, recall the pronunciations, click audio symbol to listen & repeat out loud. Flip card to see the phonetics (pinyin). Star or swipe left any cards for later review.
WORDS ONLY SETS
Any sets with (WORDS ONLY) in the title do not include sentences. Use these in the same way as full sentence sets. The match game is particularly fun and effective!
The story behind the book
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 or one at a time, rather than in huge lists, and to allow learners to repeatedly make sentences combining the new word with previously acquired words before learning any more. At that time I was very interested in collecting learners’ feedback and collected hundreds of numerical ratings for various activities and resources we used in class. I began to use a version of the Michel Thomas technique and it rapidly became the most highly rated activity of all. Therefore I used the method more, refined it, combined it with the most commonly used characters and words, added more materials and visuals and slowly but surely the Mandarin Chinese Sentence Building textbook naturally took shape and eventually we began to use it as a main resource in Brasshouse.
The huge advantage of this textbook is that it was born out of learner’s actual preferences in real life language learning settings and has been tried, tested and refined over many years as it was used in classrooms. Further numerical ratings objectively testify to its popularity among learners and overall Mandarin Chinese Sentence Building 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 author)
A number of factors have put me in the lucky position of being able to create a logical, coherent 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 Masters degree in Applied Linguistics and a level 5 PCET teaching qualification have all helped hugely. Also my knowledge and respect with regards to Eastern traditions has enabled me to put into the book those things which I feel are especially helpful for learners thereby forming a complete resource that goes well beyond just the language. Through the book students can learn key rules of etiquette, gain knowledge of aspects of Chinese philosophy and much more. I also have an art background which enabled me to do almost all of the artwork including the covers.
More information
For a teacher’s guide to using the books in class please see HERE
07779130966 (UK mobile and whatsapp number)
If you’d like to learn Mandarin with teacher Luc then you’ll get a free online PDF version of the whole book. See Teacher adverts for information!
Thank you for reading and please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or ideas!
Random pages from the book shown below and in other posts in the Mandarin section:
