Description Easy Steps to Chinese adopts a new approach to teaching Chinese as a foreign language. It is designed for both primary and secondary school students who are taking Chinese exams, such as GCSE/IGCSE/AS (U.K.), SAT II/AP (U.S.A.), IB Chinese Language B Standard Level, or for those students who are starting to learn Chinese on their own. The Easy Steps to Chinese series is especially developed for teenage learners in western countries or those in international schools in China. It follows strictly the AP and IB Chinese tests guidelines. The unique feature of this series lies in its "communicative" approach and the attention paid to the difference between the Chinese and Indo-European languages.The primary goal of this series Easy Steps to Chinese is to help the students establish a solid foundation of vocabulary, knowledge of Chinese and communication skills through the natural and gradual integration of language, content and cultural elements. This series adopts a holistic approach, and is designed to emphasize the development of communication skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Easy Steps to Chinese has three stages: Stage 1 - Books 1 and 2; Stage 2 - Books 3, 4, 5 and 6; and Stage 3 - Books 7 and 8. After completing this series, the students will acquire a vocabulary of approximately 1,600 Chinese characters, and develop confidence in using Chinese to communicate either orally or in written forms. The series includes: ·Textbook with a CD ·Workbook ·Teacher's Book with a CD ·Picture flashcards ·Word cards The topics for each stage are: Stage 1: Books 1-2· - Numbers· - Personal identification· - Parts of the body· - Colours and clothing· - Food and drinks· - Daily routines· - Schooling· - Hobbies· - Life at home· - Means of transport· - Daily articles· - Weather Stage 2: Books 3-6· - Appearance· - People and occupations· - School facilities· - Weather and holidays· - Pets· - Personality· - School events· - Food and sickness· - Accidents· - Shopping and travelling· - Neighbourhood·Festivals and celebrations Stage 3: Books 7-8· - Community· - Work experience· - Environment· - Customs and traditions· - Technology and communication· - Diet and healthy life-style· - Special occasions· - Leisure and travelling· - Education and employment· - Law and order· - Current issues· - World issues The features of this series: żtask-based learning ża wide variety of texts żpractical tasks and activities żup-to-date topics relevant to young people żcarefully pacing for gradual progress żclearly focused aims żregular consolidation żboth simplified and traditional script in the vocabulary list ża fun and effective approach żattractive page designs About the Author(s) Yamin Ma, B.A. in English Language and Literature, and M.A. in Education, is currently a Chinese teacher in Island School, Hong Kong. Ma has gained years of experience in teaching Chinese as a foreign language and she actively keeps up with the trends of AP Chinese Test in U.S. and the IB Chinese Test in Europe. Her research covers English language teaching, Chinese language teaching and educational psychology. She has read and published a number of papers in international conferences.
