When listing the most widely used languages in the world, one might mention English, but it can be said that the most commonly used language is Chinese, as the Chinese, based on their enormous population, roam all over the world.
In particular, when visiting Asian countries, it’s not uncommon to encounter Chinese people, and when visiting famous tourist destinations, it’s a reality to hear “Chinese” frequently.
“Learning Chinese Started from Simple Frustration and Curiosity”
I didn’t have any plans to seriously study Chinese, but there was a time when I started learning Chinese lightly out of curiosity about the inconvenience caused by not knowing Chinese while traveling.
I was able to start learning Chinese lightly using an application called Duolingo. Through the Duolingo app, I could indirectly learn grammar, but after studying grammar through a book that organizes basic Chinese grammar, I thought it would be more effective to study through the Duolingo app.
“A Book Covering Basic Chinese Grammar, ‘Crash Course in Basic Chinese'”
When visiting a bookstore to find a book suitable for my purpose, I thought that the book “Crash Course in Basic Chinese” written by author Park Sang-yong was the most suitable book for my level.
Since it explains “basic grammar” using vocabulary equivalent to HSK Level 1, it is a good book for people who are learning Chinese for the first time to use to learn basic grammar.
Personally, I didn’t have any serious intentions to learn Chinese, and I wasn’t planning to take the HSK exam, so I thought it was the optimal textbook for studying Chinese lightly and casually.
“A Good Book for Learning Chinese Alone”
The book is aimed at beginners and is written in conversational style, making it very suitable for beginners to learn. One of its strengths is that it explains basic vocabulary and grammar in an easy-to-understand manner.
Since the book is written in an easy-to-understand manner, there is no problem studying it alone. However, since pronunciation is important in Chinese learning due to “tones,” it’s regrettable that the book cannot address this aspect for those who want to study Chinese in earnest.
However, nowadays, AI can be used for learning, and foreign language learning applications such as Duolingo can be used on smartphones. Therefore, with the help of applications, the weaknesses of the book can be somewhat compensated for.
While it may be somewhat disappointing for those who are thinking of seriously studying Chinese, it can be recommended for beginners who want to learn basic Chinese or for those who have no knowledge of Chinese at all and aim to learn “basic Chinese.”
“Crash Course in Basic Chinese”
- Author: Park Sang-yong
- Publication Date: July 14, 2017
- ISBN: 9791186339299
- Kyobo Bookstore: Link