Better Chinese

We just discovered a new Chinese Language program from Better Chinese.   My First Chinese Words is a series of 36 small booklets plus an audio CD.  We have the simplified Chinese version at home.  This program is designed for kindergarteners and early grade schoolers who are just beginning to learn Mandarin Chinese.  It focuses on teaching children to speak Chinese in complete sentences. 

Each small booklet contains 8 pages of simplified Chinese in very simple sentences.  Pinyin is provided only for each new word.  The sentences are repetitive, so that after the first page, Pinyin is provided for only a couple of words per page.  The rest of the words are only in simplified Chinese, so you have to figure out how to read them.  The English subtitles for the whole book are on the inside front cover.  I think this is a great concept. 

The books cover practical topics, such as family members, animals, your age, colors, school supplies, nationalities, foods, activities, clothing, vehicles, parts of the body, telling time, days of the week, months of the year, weather, rooms of the house, and more.  You can see a preview of one of their books on the Better Chinese website.

The simple stories, large text, and cute illustrations in the little books make this program a fun way for young children to learn Chinese.  My kids were excited to read their first book to me.