You and Me is a new-type Chinese crash course book targeted at Confucius Institutes in Europe and the US, catering to the need of international Chinese education. It is suitable for adults with no experience of learning Chinese. It is the result of one of the major projects of BLCU’s Research Center for Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages.
The book is divided into two volumes, respectively corresponding to Levels 1-2 in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages issued by Hanban. Set in a Confucius Institute overseas, Volume 1 “Learning Chinese Overseas” passes on and shows to students such themes and contents as everyday Chinese conversation, personal information, daily life, work, study, and career planning. In Volume 2 “Learning Chinese in China”, the main characters are taking short-term courses in the College of Chinese Studies in a Chinese university, and the themes and contents, including life services, human and environment, feelings and plans, etc., are displayed through what they see, hear and feel in China. With 8 units in each volume and 2 lessons in each unit, the two volumes have 32 lessons in total. Each volume of textbook is supported by a workbook and a teacher’s book.
All the directions and explanations in the textbook are written in English, illustrated by plenty of full-color drawings and images. An MP3 CD comes with the textbook.
Han Yuguo, PhD in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, is an associate professor in the College of Intensive Chinese Training of BLCU, and a researcher in BLCU’s Research Center for Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages. Mr. Han’s research focuses on the interface between syntax and semantics in modern Chinese, and the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language.