This foundation course, on CD ROM, uses new techniques
in a natural, holistic way to teach the "survival" phrases needed by travellers
in China and to lay a foundation for further study by serious students. The course
typically requires a mere 25 hours to learn to speak and understand over 300 Chinese words
and phrases, to recognize about 300 characters, to learn both formal and informal number
systems (e.g. how to say "a buck" as well as "one dollar") and the 37
most frequently used "radicals"( the components of characters) as well as to
understand some of the geography and history of this vast country.
With Mandarin, the official language of the world's most populous nation, the use of new techniques and technology is particularly important. "Modern Standard Chinese", to use the official title, is the most difficult language for a Westerner to learn. But these new approaches so empower the student that the language is now within reach of everyone.
Happy Mandarin can be used in a classroom by an experienced teacher or facilitator with no prior knowledge of the language. Or students can proceed individually at their own pace. The course is also generalised for use by travellers and for those who wish to familiarise themselves with the language before starting on the more classical methods of learning.
Navigation paths are provided so that the material can be accessed in a variety of ways to suit the student or teacher. This provides a varied and interesting way of achieving the level of repetition that is often needed to fix words in the memory. Also students can choose what they wish to learn and the order in which they wish to learn it.
By its modular structure and advanced technology this course brings a new ease and enjoyment to the learning of Mandarin.
Students can choose the topics of most interest to them - basic vocabulary for business, for travel for shopping etc. in any order.
Students can proceed at their own pace. Learning becomes rewarding, enjoyable and effective.
We have developed techniques which convert any appropriately configured computer into a superior form of "language laboratory". We have avoided using Multimedia because "it is there" or in any "gimmicky" fashion but have used its power to the full where this is of assistance in learning.
The student can:
"point and click" on a phrase and it will be spoken to them.
repeat the phrase into the microphone and it will be played back together with the model speech in a male or female voice.
quickly acquire correct pronunciation.
Digital video is used so that the student can:
see on the computer screen how the lips are formed for particular words.
gain practice in listening skills.
Drag and drop techniques are used to teach Chinese characters and their parts so that the student can learn to recognize and use Chinese characters without the complication of having to learn to write or type them.
Hypertext ( meaning that you click on a word to find out about it) is used so that the student can immediately:
access pronunciation.
access further information about grammar and usage etc.
access geographical and historical information.
The following is a minimum configuration for satisfactory response speeds. Less powerful machines can be used but may cause timing delays in loading some parts of the course:
486 IBM compatible PC 33 Mhz, 8MB memory with Windows 3.11 or a machine able to run Windows 95 or Windows 98 competently.
10 MB Hard Disc space (11 if you don't have Video for Windows already) - Also require 5MB of disc space temporarily when loading,
Double speed CD ROM drive, 16 bit Soundblaster or compatible sound card, microphone, speakers,
640 X 480, 256 colour graphics card and monitor. ( Note that this is the only graphics mode used).
Due to exchange variations and other factors prices differ in different countries. The single unit prices for Happy Mandarin, including postage are as follows:
Australia A$35.00
International US$25.00
New Zealand (Including GST) NZ$40
We are happy to accept British, US, Australian or New Zealand Cheques, Bank cheques and, in New Zealand only, formal orders from publicly listed companies or government bodies.
When ordering please give your full name and address, email address and phone number.
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