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cover all the basics
go at a steady pace
build your confidence to speak

Teach Yourself Beginner’s Chinese is the right course for you if you really want to learn Chinese but are daunted by the prospect of complicated grammar, classes and coursebooks. This book starts right from the beginning and explains everything in simple English. There are hints throughout to make learning easy and you can learn at your own pace with plenty of practice of each new point. It is a friendly introduction to the language which will help you to understand and speak Chinese sufficiently well to function effectively in basic everyday situations, both business and social. The spoken language taught in this course is Mandarin.

The course will also offer you an insight into Chinese culture and there is even an opportunity for you to find out something about the Chinese writing system if you want to. By the end of the course you’ll be able to communicate in a wide range of real-life situations and have all the practical information you need to enjoy your next trip to China.

Two accompanying cassettes or CDs are available separately or in a pack with the book.

Elizabeth Scurfield, co-author, graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Chinese from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. She has nearly 30 years' experience of teaching Chinese to beginners. She is currently Chair of the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Westminster in London.

Song Lianyi, co-author, grew up and was educated in Beijing. He has taught Chinese as a foreign language for more than 13 years. He is at present Lecturer in Chinese at SOAS. He completed his PhD in language teaching techniques at the Institute of Education, University of London.