In class, I'm using Level 1, Part 1 of Integrated Chinese. Originally, I thought we would be using Part 2 and that's why I took the class, but actually we did a quick review of the first seven chapters of part one and studied the last three chapters a bit more thoroughly. We'll be moving into Part 2 during Winter quarter and I hope to go a bit faster than the class if I can.
Though I did NOT like the price of this series of books (很贵!), I do like working with it. The workbook gives me lots of practice writing and reading the characters (which I need), the textbook explains things quite well, and the vocabulary seems well chosen.
If anyone's interested, I'm starting to put up vocabulary lists from the whole book on Wordik.com. Feel free to add comments to words (about meaning, character components, etc). I haven't been able to do it yet, but here's the link to the lists.
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I'm using some of Tuttle's pneumonics because I find other people on Skritter using them so it's easier to just use theirs.
http://www.amazon.com/Tuttle-Learning-Chinese-Characters-Vol/dp/080483816X |
For example:
Use the Giant and the color RED to signify 1st tone.
Use the Fairy and the color GOLD to signify 2nd tone.
Use the Teddy bear and the color GREEN to signify 3rd tone.
Use the Dwarf and the color BLUE to signify 4th tone.
For the radical 人 Tuttle suggests giving it a person's name such as Harry Potter.
For the radical 口 Tuttle suggests locating your story near the MOUTH of a cave.
http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/26430-how-do-i-memorise-chinese-characters/