A fun easy way to learn something ne

I was really daunted by learning a new language. I found Paul nobbles approach by applying common words to every day life, really productive. . The sense of achievement as I flow through the books a second time is a confidence building buzz

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Just as good as Part 1

As with Part 1 of this series, this is absolutely fantastic. I used DuoLingo and Memrise for a few months and felt pretty discouraged, but Paul's teaching is perfectly paced, with just the right amount of repetition and explanation. If you have any desire to learn Mandarin, this is the way! Best used when driving or walking or otherwise in a place where you can speak nonsense to yourself without feeling too embarrassed. For best results (in my experience) listen about 30-45 minutes a day most days and really try to pay attention. I also recommend other methods of learning such as AI-based apps like DuoLingo, or random Youtube tutorials. The more ways you learn at once the more you'll be able to make useful connections.

I've now completed all three parts of the beginners' course and have just begun the Next Steps book and I cannot recommend these books enough. While I could sort of remember some things with DuoLingo, it always felt like it slipped away pretty quickly. With these books, however, everything just seems to stick. It's like magic! And there's nothing quite like struggling up a steep hill and desperately trying prepare enough breath to speak the answer as Paul says in your ear, "So, how would you say, 'Can I sell your computer?'" :D

Thank you so much Paul and Kai-Ti and that poor other guy whose name I never remember! (And, as an Australian, you have an additional thank you for calling Chinese cabbage "wombok" so I would know what you were talking about!)

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2 people found this helpful

part of the larger complete set

I downloaded this thinking it was part 2 after the first 'complete set' . perhaps it could have been clearer. Don't make the same mistake as me. The complete set covers all this and is fantastic. now I'm hungry to learn more. thanks Paul

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A good start but the PDF manual could be much bett

This is an excellent audio book for absolute beginners who have no idea of grammar. It starts with simple expressions, short sentences, longer sentences, and the first 2 of the 4 tones in Mandarin language. It's a progressive method that introduces you to the language's structure without needing to know grammar.

Sometimes it is difficult to emulate the pronunciation of some words because my hearing is not yet accustomed to some Mandarin sounds. I have to use a translating app to check on my pronunciation... sometimes with hilarious results!

**** Why only 3 stars? ****

Despite being an excellent beginners course, I give it 3 stars because the PDF manual could be much better. Rather than going alongside with the audio lessons, the manual (which is the same for parts 1, 2 and 3 except for the last 2 pages of each part) throws elements of the lessons in a different order, making it difficult to check the words in Pinyin. I'm still searching for the verb "to have" in the manual for part 2!

I also think the lessons should have more drills to allow the listener to repeat the words, sentences and questions a few times, and that the drills should be in the manual too.

Finally, the print is rather small and the characters are difficult to see without zooming the PDF, which is inconvenient.

I've bought the 3 parts and the intermediary complete course because I want to immerse myself into the basics of the language before starting a more wholistic Mandarin course (i.e. one that teaches listening, speaking, reading and writing Mandarin.

As I said, it is a good (excellent) start, but the manual needs to be redone.

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1 person found this helpful