Learn The Chinese Language the Easy Way

Rosetta Stone Chinese (Mandarin) Level 1

With over 3500 real-life images and phrases in 92 lessons, Chinese Level 1, Personal Edition provides up to 250 hours of mastery instruction in Listening Comprehension, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists and drills. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson with automated tutorials throughout the program. Level 1, Personal Edition provides instruction in such categories as People and Talking; Directions; Food, Eating and Drinking; Family Relationships; Telling Time; Numbers to One Hundred; Clothing and Dress; Vehicles, Furniture and Instruments; Shapes, Colors and Location; And Much More. Chinese Level 1, Personal Edition comes complete with an illustrated User's Guide and a Curriculum Text book.

Rather than a single language, Chinese can be considered a language family. About one-fifth of the world's population, or about 1.2 billion people, speak some form of Chinese as their native language. Mandatin Chinese alone has around 850 million native speakers, outnumbering any other languages in the world.

Spoken Chinese is distinguished by its high level of internal diversity, though all spoken varieties of Chinese are tonal and analytic. There are between six and twelve main regional groups of Chinese (depending on classification scheme), of which the most populous (by far) is Mandarin, followed by Wu (c. 90 million) and Cantonese (c. 80 million). Most of these groups are mutually unintelligible. Chinese is classified as a macrolanguage with 13 sub-languages, though the identification of the varieties of Chinese as multiple "languages" or as "dialects" of a single language is a contentious issue.
[source: Chinese Language at Wikipedia]

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Rosetta Stone Chinese (Mandarin) Level 2

Chinese Level 2, Personal Edition builds on the Level 1 material with up to 300 hours of accelerated study for intermediate learners. With over 4500 real-life images, QuickTime movies and phrases in 118 lessons, Level 2, Personal Edition provides mastery instruction in all key language skills, leading to advanced proficiency. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson with automated tutorials throughout the program. Chinese Level 2, Personal Edition provides more advanced instruction in such categories as Greetings and Conversation; Travel, Transportation and Transactions; Shopping and Dining Out; Asking Questions; Forms of Address; The Weather and Clothing; Office Activities and Terminology; Common Social Conventions; Calendar Conventions; The Five Senses; Sickness and Health; A complete reference section of commonly used terms. Chinese Level 2, Personal Edition comes complete with an illustrated User's Guide and a Curriculum Text book.

The standardized form of spoken Chinese is Standard Mandarin, based on the Beijing dialect. Standard Mandarin is the official language of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan), as well as one of four official languages of Singapore. Chinese-de facto, Standard Mandarin-is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Of the other varieties, Standard Cantonese is common and influential in Cantonese speaking overseas communities, and remains one of the official languages of Hong Kong (together with English) and of Macau (together with Portuguese).
[source: Chinese Language at Wikipedia]

Rosetta Stone Chinese (Mandarin) Level 1 & 2 Set

Our complete set offers Beginner through Advanced instruction with over 8000 real-life images and phrases in 210 lessons. Chinese Levels 1 & 2 provide up to 550 hours of mastery instruction in Listening Comprehension, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists and drills. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson with automated tutorials throughout the program. Some of the covered topics include Greetings and Conversation; People and Talking; Travel, Transportation and Transactions; Directions; Food, Eating and Drinking; Family Relationships; Telling Time; Numbers to One Hundred; Clothing and Dress; Vehicles, Furniture and Instruments; Shopping and Dining Out; Common Social Conventions; Calendar Conventions; A Complete Reference Section of Commonly Used Terms; Chinese Level 1 & 2, Personal Edition set comes complete with illustrated User's Guides and Curriculum Text books.

Since China's economic and political rise in recent years, standard Chinese has become an increasingly popular subject of study amongst the young in the Western world.

In 1991 there were 2,000 foreign learners taking China's official Chinese Proficiency Test, while in 2005, the number of candidates had risen sharply to 117,660. China's Ministry of Education estimates the worldwide learners presently to be 30 million people, counting those undertaking studies in universities, community colleges, training courses and private tuitions.

Despite Chinese's reputation as a difficult non-native language, the development of Hanyu Pinyin and simplified Chinese characters has made it vastly easier for non-Chinese to begin to learn the language.

• The first step in many Chinese classes is to teach students how to use pinyin (how to read and pronounce it).


• Listening to a native speaker pronouncing Chinese will help. It will not take too much effort, since pronunciation is always regular.


• Characters are generally the most difficult aspect facing new learners, taking most of their time


• In compensation, Chinese grammar is considerably easier than that of many other languages.

[source: Chinese Language at Wikipedia]

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• Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software is proven and is used by the U.S. Army, Fortune 500 companies, NASA, and over 10,000 schools wworldwide!


• Learn all 4 language skills fast with no tedious translation or memorization. Our balanced curriculum includes listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.


• Learn the Chinese language through fully interactive step-by-step lessons.


• Rosetta Stone gives you the freedom to acquire the Chinese language at your own pace. You learn comfortably without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.


• Equally important, Rosetta Stone provides the guidance you need to learn Chinese well. You can test yourself at the end of each lesson, enabling you to focus on areas for additional reinforcement. And since Rosetta Stone automatically records your progress, you can easily pick up where you left off.


• Native Speakers & Speech Recognition: Improve your speech by imitating a native Chinese speaker.


• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: All CD-ROM products are backed by our unconditional 6 Month Money-Back Guarantee - There's no risk!


• Available On CD or Online Language Learning Software

Rosetta Stone's Dynamic Immersion method reconnects people to the language skills they used successfully to master their first language. With Rosetta Stone, you start from a position of strength-your own strength.

Learn a Foreign Language through Context
Rosetta Stone presents a carefully chosen selection of four images and asks you to select the image that matches the written text and the voices of native speakers. Building on the knowledge you've already gained and your intuitive grasp of the meaning of each picture, you make a choice. There's absolutely no translation or memorization to hold you back, so you start making progress immediately.

Immediate Reinforcement
The very second you complete a task, Rosetta Stone provides feedback. Speak a word and our unique voiceprint technology automatically rates your pronunciation. Connect an image with a phrase and you'll immediately learn if your choice was correct. Complete a set of exercises and you'll instantly know how well you did. With Rosetta Stone, you always know where you stand.

Systematic Sequence
Dynamic Immersion& is a continuous process. The Rosetta Stone curriculum is carefully sequenced, gradually incorporating new words, phrases, and more complex grammar as it reinforces existing learning. Your understanding of your new language grows naturally.

Rosetta Stone products come in three versions, the Personal Edition, the Classroom Edition, and the Homeschool Edition.

• The Personal Edition is licensed for individual use. It includes the product application CD, language CD, a comprehensive user guide, and curriculum text.


• The Classroom Edition is designed for institutional users including schools, government agencies, corporations, non-profits, and libraries with multiple users or a need to install Rosetta Stone on a shared network.


• The Homeschool Edition is designed for use in a homeschool curriculum. It includes all materials from the Personal Edition plus a teacher's handbook, the Student Management System, and any available ancillary materials (currently only available for English, Spanish, French and German) for that language. This edition allows homeschoolers to have the accountability that most school districts require.

If you are up on the world economy, then you will know that China is the fastest growing economy in the world. In fact, the Chinese language is becoming so commonly used in business, the demand for resources teaching the Chinese language has more than tripled in the last half decade. Furthermore, if you check out the curriculum being offered in primary and secondary schools, you will see the Chinese language offered as a course. Looking up ahead in to the future, it is estimated that a command of the Chinese language will be ahead of the demand for Spanish. Half of Asia already speaks some form of Chinese, or incorporates styles of Chinese into their native language.

Why learn Chinese? Because today's world almost insists on it. With our increasing love for the Chinese culture, like the martial arts, or media (Who can forget Jacki Chan), or even Chinese food%u2026we are quickly merging cultures together today then we ever did in past. Great inspirations have come out of the eastern ways of life, and in a hungry way to consume them, and learn all about them, the need to learn Chinese has surfaced. The Chinese culture itself, represents a solidarity in balance, peacefulness, and serenity. In the western world, the fast paced, time pressed crunches have taken their toll, and now we actively seek solace from other cultures, who we think, hold the key. It is through understanding, learning and appreciation of other cultures in which we often find what we seek. To learn Chinese%u2026whether it be the arts, the words, the ways, is often found tools to enrich our own daily lives and restore balance. Once again, by doing so, we are merging another culture's layers and sewn them in as our own. The influence of the Chinese culture is undeniable.

Why learn Chinese? Because you truly want to. You have the focus and goal to integrate the cultural know how for goals of your own. Perhaps for an upcoming trip to China, or a hobby, or maybe just for simple understanding of a new friend, whatever the reason behind the spark, know it will be more than beneficial for you to acquire this knowledge and skill. And exhilarating to learn. There is a sense of accomplishment behind learning Chinese, even if it's not for a job in china, or you cannot take a vacation there%u2026having the richness of absorbing another's culture into your world view is a step to a better and higher understanding of life itself.

Learn Chinese to have an experience culturally. Learn Chinese for application in your job. Learn Chinese for knowledge, for wisdom and balance in your life. Learn Chinese to be ahead of everyone else in business and careers. Learn Chinese to step into the future now. Learn Chinese for your upcoming vacation to china. But mostly, learn Chinese for yourself. Because it is something you always wanted to do. The impact of eastern culture is growing everyday, and will continue as our ways and cultures merge.

Help your children learn a second language and you've given them a gift that will last a lifetime. That's the advantage of choosing Rosetta Stone, the foreign language curriculum rated #1 by homeschooling parents.

Rosetta Stone is the ideal choice for homeschool parents who wish to...

• Prepare their children to communicate in foreign countries, enabling them to work or study abroad



• Help their children prepare for college admission



• Give their children an awareness of foreign cultures and better equip them for careers in a global economy

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The Rosetta Stone Chinese Language Learning CD-ROM is backed by an unconditional six-month guarantee. If you're not satisfied with the progress you're making, they'll return your money, no questions asked.

So, you want to learn to speak Chinese? And it's no wonder why with today's world aggressively tapping into each other, we are culturally merging rapidly. The Chinese language has become increasingly popular, almost tripling the demand to learn the Chinese language in the past decade. High thanks to modern technology such as computers, cell phones, even MP3 players, language accommodation in these instruments is becoming the norm. Gone are the days of primary English communications on these devices, now you can speak and write the Chinese characters, as well as many other languages. In order to keep up with the technology advances, it is become crucial to pick up a second language in business as well. If you learn to speak Chinese, and you can demonstrate ability for the language, you are more than one step above others in career paths such a business, marketing, engineering and technology.

Our world is hungry for multi diverse individuals who can communicate effectively with other cultures. And why wouldn't you want to learn to speak Chinese? It's eloquent nature lends to the desire of understanding. The characters have become an art form themselves, basked across walls declaring deep meaning. It would be nice to be able to know what these refined instruments of communication were inspiring us to. There is a peace and balance somewhere within the Chinese culture and in their language. From their ways of life to ours is a bridge and by learning to speak Chinese we have began to cross it. With the call to learn to speak Chinese, countless sources have emerged for doing just that. Traditional methods of learning include classes, and private instructors. But today, it is easy to study the Chinese language online. Available resources include everything from history of the language to audio lessons.

It is beneficial to parallel your lessons with some form of audio for correct phonetic, tone, and enunciation properties of the Chinese language. The Chinese characters will be the hardest to master, but more than likely, fun to become skilled at. Learning to speak Chinese will also be entertaining as you familiarize your tongue with all the different tones of usage involved. Once the pronunciation is accomplished, you will be well on your way into commanding a second language. Being bilingual in today's world is fast becoming a constant as we live in chorus with each other. Schools are reinforcing their teaching platforms of foreign languages more than ever, they see the future up ahead for these children. In their adult world, and in generations to follow, being bilingual may become mandatory, as well as multi lingual.

Learn to speak Chinese as an advantage to a career is optimal, or if traveling abroad, it will be useful. Consider all the uses of speaking Chinese, and know, that modern technology has already planned for this. Next time you pick up your cell phone, out of sheer curiosity, check your phone's capabilities%u2026odds are it has the ability to operate in another language, perhaps Chinese?

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After the Ch'ing dynasty fell in the early 17th century, it was necessary to come to agreement of a national language for China for proper dialects and pronunciations. It was until around 1913 however, until the Ministry of Education actually established the national language. The requirements were for the language to go beyond local dialects and include prominent properties used universally in the Asian world. Mandarin Chinese dominated and successfully became the superior and dominant Chinese usage. Starting in 1956, it is now the mandated language taught in Asia countries. Throughout the country it is still referred to as "guanya" or "national speech", but in the west we call it Mandarin.

What makes mandarin Chinese different to learn than English, is it's tones assigned to words which vary in high to low levels, and pitches. It is also a monosyllabic language with little or no modulation. Unlike the English alphabet, The Chinese language contains over 3000 frequently used characters and over 6500 listed in the Chinese dictionary. The characters denote deep meaning then just surface print. An addition or subtraction of a brushstroke changes the meaning of the character. As do tones used in pronunciation of Chinese words.

The writing of the Chinese language is done vertically and is read the same way. There is controversy over the traditional way of writing Chinese, as opposed to newer forms which make words hard to recognize. The generalized new way of writing Chinese also gives different meanings to words. As time progresses, you will see more of the traditional script being used and taught. Written Chinese is in Mandarin is also known as Hanyu.

Methods of learning mandarin Chinese would incorporate using what is referred to as Hanyu Pinyin, a Romanization system used for teaching Chinese. Pinyin means "phonetic notation" and uses roman numbers to correspond to sounds in mandarin Chinese.

When you want to begin the study of the Chinese language, decide what method of learning this complex language will suit your needs best. There are quick learn programs available, as well as free lessons online. You can study within the walls of a traditional classroom, or sign up for a class online. If you wish to study the Chinese language independently, consider using a download onto your mp3 player for enhanced learning and practice. To make practice entertaining, learn the mandarin form of Chinese thru interactive animations and games.

Flash cards are a great method of memorization, especially for commonly used phrases and characters. If you run across difficulties, consider a tutor either personally or connect with one online to prevent any frustration or to keep from giving up entirely. The point is to keep trying. Keep looking for unique ways to incorporate the language into your daily activities. Possibilities exist even in the smallest of means, for example stickers with words or phrases on it in the Chinese language placed around your house. Be creative.

Learning about the culture and the Chinese language offers a whole new way of looking at life and with enough effort and practice, this complex language can be mastered.

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You have seen it everywhere. The beautiful strokes in black brushed on a canvas. Meaning something, but were not sure what. You see it in tattoo's left on the skin to declare deep significance to the wearer, and often out of curiosity we ask what it means. It is a peaceful mystery, we are drawn to it naturally. The infamy of Chinese calligraphy has become an art to be understood and learned. Not only do we want it on our walls and skin, we want to become even more personal with it. You can learn Chinese calligraphy, and create the same beautiful words as do the masters.

Chinese calligraphy began in 213 B.C. by Prime Minister Li Szu who created over 3000 characters to be used by the Chinese scholars. The five different styles, zhuan-shu, li-shu, kai-shu,xing-shu, and cao-shu, are all forms used in Chinese calligraphy. One word can be written in different ways depending on the style and the execution of that style. The word can be fluid, formal, exact, whimsical%u2026it all is in the hand of the application and unique individual deliverance of the strokes. Many masters from the beginning of origin to now have left their work for us to enjoy as art today. When you begin to study calligraphy, you will adopt a style which is distinctive to you and perfect the strokes as your own form of self expression. The artistic value of Chinese calligraphy is in the skill and method is exclusive to the particular creative ability delivering it. When well done, the words interpretations are more leaning to abstract art, then anything else.

As you learn Chinese calligraphy, you will notice that traditionally certain materials are used in a particular way to produce the eloquent results. The Chinese use special brushes made of rabbit hair or sheep. One brush is for sharpness in line drawing, and the other for rhythm and depth all equaling to the subject's inner self. Also used in Chinese calligraphy, is a thick ground ink combined with water and applied to Chinese paper (also called rice paper) or silk. This form shows depth, contrast, density and texture and creates a rhythmic balance. When the Chinese apply color to this art form, it is to show the subject's characteristics or moods. Another unique quality to Chinese calligraphy is the poetry inscribed within it. It becomes the artist's signature or inscription exclusive to them. Chinese Calligraphy minimizes the use of space, sometimes leaving a canvas almost blank, with just a few brushstrokes leaving a wor

High schools consider Chinese language classes
Post-Bulletin, MN - November 18, 2007

Byron Public Schools used to offer Spanish and German language classes. Two years ago, the district discontinued German because of declining interest among ...

The Chinese language for business: It's time has arrived
BloggingStocks - November 18, 2007

When pursuing higher education, do give special consideration to foreign languages. You can never go wrong by increasing your ability to communicate. ...

As China booms, so does Mandarin in US schools
USA Today - November 19, 2007

... be as much as 10 times higher than it was seven years ago, says Marty Abbott, spokeswoman for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. ...

Demand for Chinese language classes growing
Iowa City Press Citizen, IA - November 26, 2007

For a variety of reasons, from business to leisure travel to a simple desire to learn, the demand to understand the Chinese language and culture is ...

Success By 6: Glendale Schools Initiate Progressive Foreign ...
WJACtv.com, PA - November 27, 2007

The idea to offer authentic studies in Chinese language and culture to Glendale students came about in large part because of China's growing prominence in ...

Chinese Language Gaining Popularity in NYC
The Epoch Times Ireland, Ireland - November 29, 2007

(Xioger Sandoval) NEW YORK-Commanding the most speakers and the oldest contemporary culture on earth, the Chinese language now seems to be growing in ...

A good reason to learn Chinese
Scripps News, DC - January 20, 2008

There are many reasons to learn Chinese. Some programs emphasize that learning Chinese and other foreign languages helps a child's brain develop -- especially at an early age. Some career counselors and professors argue that you can earn a lot of money by associating yourself with the economic juggernaut known as China.. ... To be friends with this emerging superpower, we need to build relationships based on trust, cooperation and respect. The key to developing trust and building bridges is through communication, and the key to communicating effectively is to understand each other's languages. ... Read the full article,  A good reason to learn Chinese

Learning while in motion
Boston Globe, United States - January 20, 2008

40 years ago, Dr. James J. Asher was already carrying out research showing that students of Chinese could learn the language faster and retain it longer when they actively responded to commands, such as "put the blue pencil on the red book." He subsequently developed an instructional method, known as TPR, or total physical response, which has been used to teach foreign languages in this country and abroad. ...

Read more Learning while in motion

You will frequently see Google ads on this site that say you can get a copy of the Rosetta Stone Chinese (Mandarin) software for free. As we all know, there is no such thing as a free lunch! Read the fine print and you will find that in order to get your copy you must exactly perform a set of responses to a series of advertising offers, which includes the requirement to purchase other products and or subscribe to paid services. Only after the advertisers have notified the company that you have satisfied all the requirements of their offers, will the software be sent to you. In effect you end up having to pay for it indirectly and get a lot of other junk in the process. In addition you provide your name and mailing address which will be made available to a number of mailing lists from which you will receive tons of junk mail. Click the link "Program Requirements" at the bottom of their page for the fine print details. My recommendation is don't fall for it!

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