Reading plays a pivotal role in learning a language. It is also the most accessible way to learn proper vocabulary and grammar. Whether you search online sources like news articles, social forums, apps, or browsing your local bookstores or libraries, there's a plethora of material to explore. However, the problem as a newbie is the lack of vocabulary to understand native material, or children's books not aligned with our stage of life. Constantly pausing to look up unfamiliar words can disrupt the flow and enjoyment of reading, posing a frustrating hurdle for learners.
Fortunately, graded readers tackle this exact problem. Graded readers are books specifically written for foreign language students. The content is presented using a limited amount of words or by HSK level, e.g. 150/300/500 words or HSK 1/2/3, and so forth. The stories you read about are challenging enough to keep you engaged but not overly frustrating, allowing for a smooth reading experience. Below is a list of graded readers worth checking out:
Sinolingua Rainbow Bridge: Ranging from 150 to 2500 words, these books are designed to provide progression for reading in Chinese. These are also the books I personally use.
Mandarin Companion: This series is popular among Mandarin learning circles and uses a limited vocabulary to retell popular stories or characters such as Sherlock Holmes or Great Expectations in a Chinese setting.
Chinese Breeze: Aimed at beginners to intermediate learners, this series offers a variety of genres, from modern mystery to folklore.
If you need another reason to know why Pleco is so highly praised: you can buy Sinolingua and Mandarin Companion's books and read them directly within Pleco's interface. This unique feature allows you to simply tap on an unfamiliar word and instantly create a flashcard for it. (However, it's worth noting that these books remain confined within the Pleco app and cannot be exported or shared.)
A downside for graded readers is that the simplification of the language potentially warps Mandarin in a way that does not represent the real-world, especially for idiomatic expressions like 成语. Additionally, it can also be expensive if you want to read a wide variety of topics. However from my perspective, the books on Chinese folklore or legends are valuable since it is fun to learn about them without the complicated classical Chinese vocabulary. I am personally looking forward to reading Sinolingua's abridged versions of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Journey to the West".
Graded readers are a great resource to level up your reading skills. They are a refreshing break from the educational format of textbooks and present stories to help flex our critical thinking muscles. By immersing yourself in reading, you can improve your grammar and vocabulary skills quickly, so read extensively!
Looking Ahead
1. mylingua - a graded resource to read native news articles
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Best,
Eric