Resources

Pinyin:

Instructions for installing Chinese input: a step by step guide

This website has a complete pinyin table with guided pronunciation. When you click on a pinyin, a popup window will show you its scripts of the four tones. Highlight any toned pinyin you will hear the pronunciation of it.

A complete table chart with sound activation. Games are well designed.

A comprehensive introduction to basic rules of Pinyin.

Listening comprehension:

The listening exercises devised by Hu Mingliang starts with tones of pinyin. It is highly recommended for our students.

The clips on this website provide both conversation and explanation. They are designed for travellers who do not speak Mandarin. The sound files can be downloaded, so maybe it is a good idea to burn the files onto a CD and listen to them while driving.

Video clips:

This website is provided by online Confucius Institute. It is suitable for our compelete beginners. Pinyin scripts and Chinese characters for the video clips will appear after clicking the text button below the clip.

ChinesePod offers lessons with loads of videos to watch and sound files to listen when you sign up as a member (free). In the meanwhile, exercises are provided with each lesson. Why not try it? Not all free things are less valuable than the priced ones. The website looks good. Thanks Lloyd for the information.

Reading:

Many short articles are designed for our beginner. However,  i recommend you to use it after term 1. Year 2 students please have a go. Note that the texts are in characters. I believe the sound files of the stories on the website do help us with learning.

Mandarin tools:

ZDT Chinese Learner (By Digitbit) The zdt (Zhongwen Development Tool) is an easy to use, open-source Mandarin Chinese flashcard application. Available for Windows, Linux and Mac platforms.