Summary:
Learn another language the way you learnt your own
You learnt your own language naturally and enjoyably: now you can learn Mandarin Chinese in the same way.
You’ll stick with it because you’ll love it
· Use the unique method perfected over fifty years by the celebrated psychologist and linguist Michel Thomas.
· This method works with your brain, helping you to build up your Mandarin Chinese in manageable, enjoyable steps by thinking out the answers for yourself.
· You learn through listening and speaking – without the pressure of writing or memorising.
·
CONCENTRATES ON TEACHING VOCABULARY – plugs a perceived gap in the Foundation and Advanced titles SAME TRIED-AND-TESTED FORMAT – teacher instructing two genuine students in real time ACCOMPANYING BOOKLET – for those who want to see the written language (in pin-yin romanised form), consolidates learning and helps navigate the course DEMYSTIFIES THE LANGUAGE – Mandarin Chinese is no longer seen as a ‘difficult’, impenetrable language CONCENTRATES ON EVERYDAY WORDS AND PHRASES – teaches what you will need when you are in Mandarin Chinese-speaking countries HIGHLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR – Dr Harold Goodman ha
Table of Contents:
 Past - ‘have you ever’ pattern
‘Something different from, other than’ pattern
Only, about the same, the same as..., different then, next, last, few (various colloquial uses),
Verbs (give, show, may, do, strike, make a telephone call, sit, go towards, fly, drive, tell, inform someone, be late, early, arrive, go fast, should, sell, understand via hearing or seeing, pay, to be free, gratis, be rich, to like something, seek, look for, help someone, help out, to rest, wait, converse with someone, expressing definitely, to be expensive, walk, depart, etc.)
‘It's a pity’ (very commonly used in spoken Chinese - must know),
Money - types of currency, ways of referring to currency (China, Taiwan, UK, USA, etc.)
Asking how much: large and small quantities. Two patterns.
Counting. From one to a million. The use of wan = 10, 000. The critical words that you must never confuse to express the number two.
Dates: Names of days of week, months, year. How to use the word hao = number.
Time: How to express time. AM, PM. Differences from English. One half.
Children: various ways to refer to
Additional adjectives
How to address strangers
Eating: public, private venues, terms, verbs, nouns (wine, beer etc.), ordering, types of food / drink. Foreign, local.
Future. specific constructs.
Travelling terminology. Aeroplane, car, train, passport, ticket
General nouns (newspaper)
Pattern: From point x, by means of some conveyance, to destination.
Sentence -le pattern. Something changes. A unique Chinese way of expressing the past. Very common and essential to learn.
Pattern: verb de dong
Before, after. Unique Chinese uses.
‘Otherwise’ pattern.
Lodging vocabulary: room, bed, chair, floor, etc.
Outside / inside
Very best (superlative) pattern
Boss, person in charge.
Everything, nothing, every specific thing, so on, etc.
Two types of 'or'. Introducing huo zhe.
Mei ban fa = there's nothing to be done (ie. It's hopeless) Very common Chinese expression.
Ban fa = a method or process of doing something. Many uses.
Already.
Greeting a group vs. one or two people.
About the Author(s):
Dr Harold Goodman is a physician and surgeon, who had Michel Thomas as his teacher for nearly ten years. During this time Michel Thomas's goal was not to teach Dr Goodman a specific language (though he did instruct him in two of the languages he taught) but to train him to understand his method of teaching - which he then used to teach others, with great success. Dr Goodman teaches and practises in the United States.
Readership:
Self-access course for adult false beginners and improvers
Reviews:
"A genuine breakthrough in teaching Mandarin"
The Guardian
"A great way to learn; it's fast and it lasts".
The Daily Telegraph
"Five minutes into the first CD, you already feel like you're winning."
Time Out
"Michel Thomas is a precious find indeed."
The Guardian
"Thomas makes it simple"
Sunday Times
"Michel's methods will teach you effectively and easily"
Daily Star
"Hugely inspiring"
Red
"Ideal for any business traveller who needs to be able to get around confidently."
Sunday Business
Moving along at a relaxed, slow pace, punctuated by amusing anecdotes and jokes from the teacher, the new words, phrases and language rules are gently introduced and reinforced through subtle repetition without ever being tedious. In fact, despite a distinct emphasis on non-work, the course proves very effective and enjoyable, and its format is ideal for learning anywhere you like. So, if you only want to learn to speak the language, this course is highly recommended.
Top Real Travel Product, Real Travel
"Excellent for learning ... This entirely audio course is easy to use and quickly results in some useful ability in the new language. Great for the car."
Adventure Travel
"A genuine breakthrough in teaching Mandarin"
The Guardian
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