Easy Steps to Chinese: is designed for non-Chinese background students at both primary and secondary levels. It includes 8 books and has three stages:

  • stage 1 – Books 1 and 2
  • stage 2 – Books 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Stage 3 – Books 7 and 8.

Book 1 starts with basic knowledge of Chinese. Students at primary 5 or 6, or Year 7 students at secondary level may start with Book 1.

The primary goal of this series 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 comprises 8 textbooks, 5 workbooks (starting from Book 6, the textbook and workbook are combined into one book). There is a section “How to use this book” at the beginning of each textbook containing suggestions for teachers, there is also a teacher’s book with a CD and unit tests for each book. Books 1 – 3 are also accompanied by picture flashcards, word cards and posters.

Easy Steps to Chinese

Easy Steps to Chinese 1 Textbook | Easy Steps to Chinese 1 Workbook

Easy Steps to Chinese 2 Textbook | Easy Steps to Chinese 2 Workbook

Easy Steps to Chinese 3 Textbook | Easy Steps to Chinese 3 Workbook

Easy Steps to Chinese 4 Textbook | Easy Steps to Chinese 4 Workbook

Easy Steps to Chinese 5 Textbook | Easy Steps to Chinese 5 Workbook

Easy Steps to Chinese 6 Textbook (with workbook combined)

Easy Steps to Chinese 7 Textbook (with workbook combined)

Easy Steps to Chinese 8 Textbook (with workbook combined)

Course design:

  • A balance between authentic and modified language

All the oral and written materials have been modified and carefully selected to suit the students’ level, so that a gradual development of the target language can be achieved

  • A balance of focus on language and culture

This series provides ample opportunities for the students to experience the language and its culture in order to develop intercultural awareness and enrich their personal experience.

  • A balance between language knowledge and communication skills

Explicit knowledge of the target language is necessary and important for the students to achieve accuracy, fluency and overall communication skills. This series is designed to ensure that knowledge-based language learning is placed within a communicative context, resulting in the improvement of both linguistic knowledge and performance.

  • A balance between a broad and controlled course

This series serves as a core while offering a broad range of vocabulary, topics and various text types to meet the different needs o the students.

  • A balance between the ‘oral speech’ and the written form’

This series aims to balance the importance of both oral and written communication skills. The development of writing skills is embedded in the course, while oral communication skills are being developed from the outset.

Coverage of this series:

  • Pinyin

Pinyin is introduced to the students from the very beginning. The pinyin above the Chinese characters is gradually removed to ensure a smooth transition.

  • Chinese characters

Chinese characters are taught according to the character formation system. once the students have a good grasp of radicals and simple characters, they will be able to analyze most of the compound characters they encounter, and to memorize new characters in a logical way.

  • Grammar and sentence structures

Grammar and sentence structure are explained in note form. The students are expected use correct grammar and compound sentence structures in bot oral and written forms to communicate when their overall level of Chinese has steadily improved over the years.

  • Dictionary

Dictionary skills are taught once they have learned radicals and simple characters. They students are encouraged to use dictionaries whenever appropriate in order to become independent learners.

  • Typing

Tying skills are taught when the students have learned some basic knowledge of Chinese.

  • Listening

Listening practice is designed to help the students develop their ability to infer meanings of unfamiliar words and content.

  • Speaking

Speaking practice involves students using Chinese to communicate their thoughts spontaneously in real-life situations with accuracy and fluency.

  • Reading

Reading skills are developed through regular reading of simple passages to suit the students’ level. Gradually, they will develop skills and confidence when reading articles in newspapers, magazines or on the internet in order to expand their vocabulary and knowledge of modern China, and to get in touch with the current issues emerging within China and around the world.

  • Writing

Writing skills are gradually developed through a process of guided writing on topics familiar to the students. Written tasks will become easier, as the students learn to organize their thoughts coherently and logically, and develop thee skills to select appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures and genres to construct an effective written piece with accuracy and fluency.

Focus of each stage:

  • stage 1: books 1 and 2

Pinyin, strokes and stroke order, the structures of Chinese characters, dictionary skills, typing skills, listening skills, speaking skills, reading skills, writing skills, guided writing assignments around 100 characters.

  • stage 2: books 3, 4, 5, 6

Radicals and simple characters, formation of phrases, expansion of vocabulary, simple grammar and sentence structures, dictionary skills, typing skills, classroom instruction in Chinese, listening skills, speaking skills, reading skills, writing skills, guided writing assignments between 100 – 300 characters, exposure to modern China and Chinese culture.

  • stage 3: books 7 and 8

classroom instruction in Chinese, expansion of vocabulary, grammar and sentence structures, dictionary skills, typing skills, listening and speaking skills through spontaneous interaction, reading practice on a daily basis writing skills, independent written assignments between 300 – 500 characters, exposure to modern China and its culture, contemporary topics: current issues around the world.