Self-learning Materials

Self-Directed Learning (Rosetta Stone like Programs)

  1. Mango Languages http://mangolanguages.com/libraries/find-mango/
    • Mango Languages can be accessed for free through most libraries.
  • Living Languages-Chinese http://www.livinglanguage.com/products/chinese/
    • Living Languages can usually be found at local libraries for free, as well as used bookstores for a much cheaper cost than online or in store. It also includes a book students can use to follow along with the lessons.

Smart Phone Apps

  1. Chinese Writer (Through Train Chinese)
    • This app will show students how to write Chinese characters, with the correct stroke order, as well as test them through a mini game. Students can progress through the mini game by starting with tracing the characters to writing them through memory. It is recommended that you use the HSK 1 pack. These are the characters students learn during their first couple years of Chinese.
  2. Chinese Skill
    • Teaches basic vocabulary, character writing, pinyin, etc. in a variety of topics that we are also learning in class (greetings, color, age, name, nouns). If you are familiar with Duo Lingo, it is the Chinese version of this.
  3. Pieco
    • Pieco is a dictionary app. In addition to helping students figure out what a word is in Chinese, it will also provide example sentences so students can see the context in which the word is used. This is my personal favorite dictionary app.
  4. Tiny Cards
    • Tiny Cards is a flashcard app that allows students to review vocabulary words. They can sign up for free as a student and follow any flash card decks I post. Since I have yet to figure out exactly how this app works, students can access the Chineasy flashcards to learn some basic Chinese vocab and phrases.
  5. Duo Lingo
    • Duo Lingo is a language learning app and an online program that teaches students Chinese through listening, character recognition and translation. Each topic typically has 2-5 lessons, and the topics are very similar to ones students are learning in class. For many students, just spending 10-15 minutes a day can help improve their Chinese. In addition, Duo Lingo is a great tool for reviewing topics.

Books

  1. Chineasy by ShaoLan Hsueh
    • Chineasy is a book created to help students learning Chinese remember characters by making them into easy to remember pictures. For example, the character person is drawn to look like a person walking. This program can also be found in flash cards and through the Tiny Cards app.


  1. Story Books in Chinese
    • As a result of the growing desire to learn Chinese, many libraries have started carrying books for kids and adults written in Chinese. Many of them are Chinese versions of books students may already know in English. Currently, I have only found them through the Columbus Metropolitan Library, which can send books you request to your nearest branch library (such as Gahanna).


  1. New Penguin Parallel Text: Short Stories in Chinese Edited by John Balcom
    • This book is much more advanced and would best be suited for students who continue Chinese into Middle School and High School. The book is presented in a format where the left page is the story in Chinese, while the right page is the English translation. This is good for those who want to learn how to read Chinese and save time translating every word.
  2. Bilingual Visual Dictionary
    • There are many different visual dictionaries out there, but these can be very useful in learning a language. Usually they are divided into topics (weather, animals, professions, family, etc.) with bright, colorful pictures for each word. I recommend you get a kids version because many of the ones meant for language learners in general can contain more mature vocabulary topics.
  3. Quick Study Chinese Vocab/Quick Study Chinese Grammar
    • This is a one to two page resource guide that can be put inside a binder. It is divided into numerous topics and is a quick go-to-guide that can be used during class. They sell one for both vocabulary and grammar.

Websites/ YouTube Channels

  1. China Sprout http://www.chinasprout.com/
    • If you are unable to find books in Chinese through the library, China Sprout is an excellent resource for children’s books in Chinese. Many of the books sold are Chinese versions of English books. They also have books in Chinese about different topics like science, history and math.
  2. Miss Panda’s Reading Playground https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRVqX3p7QRPHGHPBYkrte3w

http://www.misspandachinese.com/category/miss-pandas-reading-playground/

    • This is a YouTube site of a lady who reads popular children’s books in Chinese, such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? In addition, her website has articles about language learning and information about books in Chinese or books in English about Chinese culture.
  • Sesame Street “Fun Fun Elmo," A Mandarin Language Learning Program https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QerlKVfczG4&index=14&list=PL8TioFHubWFvJ3ijWovmCYes-jKfgPqnn
    • "Fun Fun Elmo" introduces viewers to the Mandarin language through animation and live action films. Each episode introduces a Chinese tone, word, and stroke order for writing characters. Unfortunately, there is no English subtitles for the episodes, but it should at least help students become even more familiar with how Chinese sounds.
  • Little Fox http://chinese.littlefox.com/en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCipQJmg3yqouy6MRtPv_0Bg?disable_polymer=true

    • Little Fox is a website and YouTube series that teaches children about Chinese language and culture. There are stories and songs that are very short and easy for children to learn and translate. The stories and songs are available in different levels to help children as they advance in their Chinese language learning.
  • Chinese Buddy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJdwm0ut_GzVT5VzzylqDQA?disable_polymer=true
    • Chinese Buddy is a YouTube channel that uses songs with catchy tunes and entertaining animations to teach students basic topics in Chinese, as well as some cultural information. Please note that many of the songs are repetitive in their lyrics, as this is meant to help students remember a certain phrase the song is trying to teach.

Video Games

  1. My Chinese Coach-Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS
    • For those students who enjoy video games. Students can learn to pronounce words by comparing their voice to a native speaker through voice recording features of the Nintendo DS. In addition, students will learn how to write characters through the DS stylus and touch screen. The mini-games test what students have learned in both writing and speaking.


Chinese songs

https://ling-lingchinese.com/2015/02/15/a-chinese-poem-by-chance-%E5%81%B6%E7%84%B6/

http://singchinesesongs.com/


Pinyin Introduction

Pinyin Initials

Pinyin Finals

Pinyin Practice


Greetings


Family


Dates and Time


Hobbies