Since its original release in 2009, Easy Steps to Chinese (ESTC) has established itself as a primary resource for secondary school beginners. The arrival of the second edition (c. 2020–2022) represents a significant pedagogical update, evolving the series to meet the demands of modern international curricula like IB, AP, and GCSE.
Streamlined Structural Framework and Modernization
One of the most notable changes in the second edition is its consolidation from the original eight levels to seven books, organized into three distinct stages. Stage 1 (Books 1-3) focuses on establishing a foundation in pinyin, characters, and basic communication. Stage 2 (Books 4-5) shifts toward functional language use in real-life situations, while Stage 3 (Books 6-7) introduces authentic materials to help students express complex viewpoints. Notably, from Book 5 onwards, the Textbook and Workbook are combined, reflecting a transition toward more integrated reading and writing tasks at higher levels.
The most striking improvement is the modernization of language. The first edition featured dated references, such as landline phones. The second edition addresses this by integrating vocabulary related to modern technology, social media, and contemporary youth culture. Furthermore, it moves away from “textbook-like” dialogues toward authentic genres, including emails, blogs, and online chats, exposing students to natural interaction styles.
Critical Trade-offs in Instruction
However, this evolution comes with notable trade-offs. While the second edition places a stronger emphasis on communication, teachers may find the first edition’s lessons “tighter” and more focused. In the original version, grammar explanations are explicit and concentrated, making them straightforward to teach. In contrast, the second edition disperses grammar practice across communicative tasks, which can make it feel less concentrated and require significantly more teacher preparation.
This shift in difficulty is reflected in how tutors utilize the books. Some IB tutors specifically use the first edition for students who need to “rebuild basics,” while reserving the second edition for “confident students“ because it is perceived as harder and more challenging. Teachers may also find they need to spend more time scaffolding reading activities due to the less predictable sentence structures in the new authentic texts.
Design and Practical Limitations
Visually, the second edition is a vast upgrade, featuring larger photographs and more vibrant colours. Yet, this “busier” layout is a double-edged sword; some teachers report that the visual complexity can be distracting, making it harder for students to locate main teaching points compared to the cleaner first edition.
A broader critique of both editions is their limited cultural scope. The series focuses almost exclusively on Mainland China, offering little coverage of Taiwan, Hong Kong, or the global Chinese diaspora. Additionally, by teaching only Formal Standard Mandarin, the series ignores regional variations and informal slang that students will inevitably encounter in real-world conversations.
Conclusion
The second edition of Easy Steps to Chinese is a successful, if demanding, evolution. It is undoubtedly the superior choice for teachers seeking contemporary relevance and a digital ecosystem that supports blended learning. However, schools that prioritize simple, prescriptive pacing and heavy grammar drills may find the first edition’s more rigid focus still serves their needs better.