Archive for June 2021

HSK1 + Reading & Listening: Chinese Graded Reader

“HSK1+ Reading & Listening” by Yun Xian

In 2020 a series of Chinese graded readers was published by Yun Xian.  Yun Xian is a professional Chinese language teacher with over 18 years of teaching experience teaching Mandarin worldwide.   Her students requested supplemental learning materials in addition to the Standard Course HSK.  Not satisfied with what was available, she developed her own graded readers ranging from HSK 1 to HSK 6.  These books are available in both Kindle and paperback format.

At this time, I am studying HSK 4 materials with a teacher I found on italki.  Just as Yun Xian’s students like supplemental materials, I too see the benefit, especially from Chinese graded readers.   My goal is to read the entire range of the Chinese Graded Readers series.   I have a few comments about the first book, “HSK1 + Reading & Listening”.

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italki: the most EFFICIENT way to reach language fluency!

italki the most efficient way to reach language fluency

Click on any italki link to earn $10 italki credits after your first purchase

Before telling you about italki, which offers convenient, affordable, and personal language lessons, I would like to tell you about my on-campus learning experience.

Several years ago, I attended a Chinese class at a local community college.  It was a good experience, but it was at night, far from my house, and I didn’t get the attention I wanted for speaking and listening.

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Things I look for in a Chinese graded reader

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, but I think it is time to start posting once more about my adventure in learning Chinese.   In late 2019 I was planning on spending a month in the summer of 2020 in Guilin, China, in an immersion program.  Then COVID-19 had the entire planet in its clutches, and even now, in 2021, that plan is on hold.  Next year perhaps.

Cambridge’s Christine Nuttal said, “The best way to improve your knowledge of a foreign language is to go and live among its speakers.  The next best way is to read extensively in it.”   I couldn’t agree more!  So I wanted to share some thoughts about graded readers that I’ve learned over the past several years. Read More…