This revised and updated edition of the "Chinese Primer" - an introductory textbook in wide use for more than a decade - uses proven techniques to put beginning learners of Mandarin Chinese on the path toward true mastery. The goal of the book is internalization - to lead students to adopt Chinese as one of their own languages and not to regard it merely as an object of study and translation.Features include: use of hanyu pinyin romanization; rigorous foundation work in pronunciation, including tones and the other special phonemes that are crucial to mastery; lesson texts that combine authentic, natural Chinese expression with lively everyday topics that allow students to immediately begin using Chinese themselves; carefully designed incremental introduction of grammar, accompanied by thorough and precise notes; completely revised notes that link Chinese language to Chinese culture - such as names, modes of address, and conventions of politeness; additional lessons for self-study during the summer following a first-year course; and, a completely revised character workbook that introduces both traditional and simplified characters and that simulates the way native speakers learn characters as children: in small doses that eventually 'catch up' with speaking ability. Like its earlier edition, "The Chinese Primer: Revised Edition" is composed of three integrated volumes: the Blue Book (lessons) - introduction, foundation work on pronunciation, lesson dialogues in romanized Chinese and English, appendices, and, glossary-index; the Red Book (notes and exercises) - vocabularies, grammar notes and culture notes keyed to the lessons, and, exercises; and, the Yellow Book (character workbook). There is also a fourth volume, the Green Book (pinyin character text), which is sold separately. Texts of the lessons are in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and there is a Chinese introduction for teachers.