{"id":1866,"date":"2014-04-10T07:53:05","date_gmt":"2014-04-10T07:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.digmandarin.com\/?p=1866"},"modified":"2015-02-18T14:59:15","modified_gmt":"2015-02-18T14:59:15","slug":"barrons-ap-chinese-language-and-culture-study-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digmandarin.com\/barrons-ap-chinese-language-and-culture-study-guide.html","title":{"rendered":"DigMandarin\u2019s Book Of the Month: Barron\u2019s AP Chinese Language and Culture Study Guide\u201d- April 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello, Mandarin learners! Today, we are launching DigMandarin\u00b4s new monthly periodical series: \u201cDigMandarin\u00b4s Book Of The Month\u201d. For the following months, DigMandarin will review new and engaging books. These books will not only be about learning Mandarin, but also about the history and culture of China. For the debut of this new series, we reviewed a book covering both areas: Barron\u2019s AP Chinese Language and Culture<\/a> Study Guide.<\/p>\n

Review:<\/h2>\n

\"apThis AP Chinese book is divided into the 4 areas of Language learning: Listening, Speaking, Writing, Reading, with a chapter dedicated to each one of these areas. As a bonus, it also has two chapters with Cultural Notes about China, completely written in Traditional and Simplified characters (motivating you to learn to use a Chinese-English Dictionary, as well as to get accustomed to reading in characters). In any chapter, the standard format will be divided into: General Information, Learning Strategies and Techniques, Example Questions and Explanation.<\/p>\n

The book is structurally divided into:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Introduction, explaining what the format is and what will be covered on the AP Chinese exam, as well as the three modes of Chinese required: Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational.<\/li>\n
  2. Listening Comprehension, teaching techniques in order to better understand conversations.<\/li>\n
  3. Reading Comprehension, training for acceleration the reading speed and better comprehension of texts.<\/li>\n
  4. Writing Skills , advising and instructing on the different formats and techniques for different types of texts.<\/li>\n
  5. Speaking Skills, aiding with pronunciation and confidence in order to practice your fluency without fearing error.<\/li>\n
  6. Grammar Review, reviewing grammar and spoken language concepts in order to solidify a foundation of knowledge over the other areas.<\/li>\n
  7. Cultural Notes, providing cultural knowledge about China such as Geography, History, Politics, Economics, Art and Population.<\/li>\n
  8. Model Exam 1<\/li>\n
  9. Model Exam 2<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Here is a picture showing some of the techniques and lessons taught by the book:
    \n\"ap<\/p>\n

    Although this book is focused on preparing AP Chinese Language and Culture students for tests, it is a very useful tool for intermediate and advanced learners.<\/p>\n

    Its comprehensive grammar guide chapter is easy to understand and excellent for reviewing concepts of syntax. It is divided into the topics of :<\/p>\n