Welcome to Encounters, a groundbreaking Chinese language program that features a dramatic series filmed entirely in China. The program's highly communicative approach immerses learners in the Chinese language and culture through video episodes that directly correspond to units in the combination textbook-workbook. By combining a compelling story line with a wealth of educational materials, Encounters weaves a tapestry of Chinese language and culture rich in teaching and learning opportunities.

Encounters follows a carefully structured and cumulative approach. Students progress from listening and speaking to the more difficult skills of reading and writing Chinese characters, building grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation skills along the way.

The Encounters program includes:

* Two Full-color Student Books for introductory Chinese study
* Annotated Instructor's Editions with answer keys and suggested class activities
* Two Character Writing Workbooks linked directly to the Student Book
* Ten hours of video materials, comprising dramatic episodes, cultural segments, and animations, all integrated with the Student Books
* A total of 200 minutes of audio material, linked to the Student Books, for listening and speaking practice
* A website, www.encounterschinese.com, providing access to all audiovisual material of the program upon adoption

Each new, print copy of a Student Book comes with a 10-digit access code which provides one year of complimentary access to the website and its media. Students who purchase an eBook, or who are looking to extend their access to the website material, must buy a new access code. These codes are available at http://yalebooks.com/yupbooks/encounters.asp.

About the Author
Cynthia Y. Ning is associate director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where she has taught courses in Chinese language and film for more than 25 years. She is the former president and executive director of the Chinese Language Teachers Association. John S. Montanaro recently retired as Senior Lecturer in Chinese at Yale University, where he taught for more than 30 years.

Reviews
"Encounters provides a well-rounded introduction to the language. . . . [It is] well organised and comprehensive."-Francesca Sablan, second-year Chinese studies student, University of Manchester, Times Higher Education

"Encounters excel[s] as a communicative methodology [for] this drastically changing global age. . . . A multifaceted interface for learners to explore real-life language use in rich contexts."-Chen-Hui Tsai, China Review International

"This is a unique effort. The key here is the focus on the essentials of communication. The Web component is great, and I love the video - as a nonnative speaker, I especially want the kids to hear someone who is not me!"-Erica Dieselman, Hingham High School

"A powerful and innovative textbook series for students of Chinese."-Christopher Lupke, Washington State University

"I like the natural context and the different types of exercises in the Encounters textbook. Further, the video is nothing short of great."-Hanna Lin, West Virginia University

"I love the multimedia approach of Encounters!"-LanHui Zhang Ryder, Northern Illinois University

"I like all the integrated multimedia tools. Outstanding."-Bernard Geoxavier, Belmont Hill School

Book Information
ISBN 9780300161625
Author Cynthia Y. Ning
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
Weight(grams) 953g
Dimensions(mm) 276mm * 216mm * 17mm