Learning Through Listening: An Introduction to Chinese Proverbs and Their Origins (English and Chinese Edition)

This book is integrated material for intermediate and advanced students of Chinese. It is designed to improve students' listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. It also broadens their cultural understanding. The material for this project is derived from idiomatic expressions used in modern spoken Chinese called ChengYu or YuYan. Each ChengYu alludes to a particular source narrative preserved and savored by the Chinese as an encapsulation of unique and significant comment upon life and society. Fifteen source narratives have been selected and rewritten for presentation. The selection emphasizes fundamental cultural values of traditional Chinese society. The materials reflect the insights of China's best scholars and writers over the centuries. The text appears in traditional and simplified Chinese, and pinyin transcription as well.

A CD presenting spoken text, appropriate graphics and brief tests is enclosed to enhance the effectiveness of learning.