HSK HeChinese Book 1 7.03

HSK HeChinese Book 1 is an educational resource designed to facilitate direct learning of Chinese speaking and reading skills.

The HeChinese Series includes the following applications:

• HeCharacter (Available on App Store)
• HeInput (Available on App Store)
• HSK HeChinese Book 1 (This Application)
• HSK HeChinese Book 2 (Available on App Store)

This series represents an approach to mastering Chinese characters and vocabulary effectively.

Prerequisites:

HeBook 1 is the third application in the HeChinese series, requiring initial study with HeInput, the dedicated typing method. The application employs HeChinese's theoretical framework and practical techniques to support learning and practice.

Introduction:

The method of learning Chinese significantly influences the difficulty, effectiveness, and success of the study. Traditional reliance on PinYin as a starting point is often ineffective.

• PinYin shares alphabetic similarities with English, leading learners to pronounce Chinese words with English sounds and tones, which can hinder proper pronunciation development.
• Dependence on PinYin can discourage engagement with Chinese characters, resulting in persistent difficulties reading Chinese despite extensive study.
• Inputting Chinese via PinYin does not reinforce character recognition or writing, instead gradually eroding visual memory of character shapes.

These factors highlight why the PinYin-based approach is suboptimal; it arguably complicates the process of learning Chinese rather than simplifying it. Introduced in 1958, PinYin was not part of traditional Chinese language acquisition; in fact, before widespread adoption, children learned to speak Chinese naturally without PinYin support. Furthermore, PinYin has no direct connection with written Chinese characters, rendering it unsuitable for developing reading and writing skills.

The HeChinese Study Method begins with 25 fundamental characters and encompasses a systematic theory and practical techniques for Chinese writing, typing, pronunciation, memorization of sounds, and understanding meanings. This approach has evolved into a comprehensive series of books, multi-platform applications, and accelerated courses.

The Quick HeChinese Course incorporates textbooks and applications with supplementary guidance from an instructor when needed. Each textbook corresponds to specific applications accessible via mobile devices and web platforms. The course offers an efficient and effective method for beginners through three steps:

1. Step 1: Achieve complete knowledge and proficiency in Chinese writing and typing within 4-6 hours using the HeInput coding system.

   Online web application: http://www.hezi.net/HeChinese/HeTraining.htm

2. Step 2: Develop native pronunciation by learning approximately 60 words over 10 hours without relying on PinYin or tones.

   Online web application: http://www.hezi.net/HeBook1/

3. Step 3: Reinforce sound and meaning retention by reciting short sentences derived from learned words.

HSK HeBook 1 (HeChinese Book 1) serves as the second textbook in the series for steps 2 and 3. It comprises 25 lessons, introducing the first 300 most frequently used words, along with 450 phrases and 300 sentences. Each lesson features twelve new vocabulary items, eighteen phrases, and twelve sentences—designed to form short, meaningful recitations for ease of memorization.

The phrases and sentences are built combinatorially from current and previous lessons’ vocabulary, facilitating continuous progression in learning.

This textbook aligns with the core requirements of HSK levels 1 and 2, supporting learners to progress from foundational skills to intermediate proficiency. Combining this book with its online web applications can significantly enhance learning outcomes.