Mandarin is a tonal language. A change in tone changes the entire meaning of a word. Dedicate your first two weeks entirely to mastering the four tones using the audio CDs or digital files that accompany the textbook. Dictate your own voice and compare it directly to the native audio tracks. Do Not Skip the Workbook

Contains dialogues, vocabulary lists, and grammar notes. Workbook: Essential for practicing listening and reading.

At the HSK 1 level, learners focus on the following key areas: Vocabulary : Mastering a fixed list of 150 commonly used words : Understanding approximately 45–48 essential language points