The Selected Readings of Classical Chinese in the series Jump High—A Systematic Chinese Course (II) includes 15 lessons, with a total of 17 texts, which are mainly fables taken from various classics from the Pre-Qin period in the Chinese history. The texts are of moderate difficulty and cover various subjects, such as military affairs, politics, debate and education in ancient times, which make the book both informative and interesting.
The book is well structured, with each lesson divided into five parts, namely "text", "title interpretation", "word notes", "grammar explanations" and "exercises", through which the words, expressions, grammar points and cultural backgrounds relevant to the text are comprehensively introduced and reinforced.
At the end of the book, there is a final test and its reference answers, the modern Chinese version of all the texts and an index to functional words provided to assist with classroom teaching and after-class study.
It is suggested that four class hours be devoted to the book each week so that it can be finished within one academic semester.
Wang Jianxi is a teacher in the College of Chinese Language & Culture, Beijing Normal University, who has rich experience in teaching foreign students classical Chinese and other relevant courses.