Watching the Clouds Go By And Other Essays (Readings in Chinese Culture Vol. 5)

READINGS IN CHINESE CULTURE SERIES, VOLUME 5

Watching the Clouds Go By invites students to investigate the rich textures of traditional and contemporary Chinese culture while sharpening their reading skills. The fifth in the five-volume Readings in Chinese Culture series, this collection of ten original essays is ideal for advanced students in their second semester of third-year Chinese, or at the “Advanced Mid” level, as designated by ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

A suitable supplement for any advanced Mandarin Chinese textbook, or as reading material for independent learners, Watching the Clouds Go By reinforces students’ grasp of Chinese vocabulary and grammar while also strengthening their understanding of Chinese culture. This cultural focus makes the Readings in Chinese Culture series an ideal tool in preparing for the AP* and other standardized exams. Each 500-700 character essay is printed in simplified and traditional characters on facing pages. A vocabulary list, related words and expressions, and an optional exercise section accompany each lesson. Pinyin versions of each essay can be found in the appendix.

For students who prefer to read pinyin along with Chinese characters, an appendix including each essay with pinyin is included.

*AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

About the Series
CHINESE READING COMPREHESION ESSAYS FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING AND CULTURAL COMPARISON

The Readings in Chinese Culture Series reinforces students' grasp of Chinese vocabulary and grammar and strengthens their understanding of Chinese culture through a graded series of classical and contemporary essays. The combination of language learning and cultural emphasis found in these texts makes them ideal tools to prepare for the AP* and other standardized tests. The Readings in Chinese Culture Series can supplement any Mandarin Chinese textbook or be used by independent learners. Each text contains ten 500-700 character essays, printed in simplified and traditional characters on facing pages, as well as vocabulary lists, related words related words and expressions, and exercises specific to each lesson.

About the Author(s)
Weijia Huang is a Lecturer of Chinese language at Boston University with a BA in Chinese Language and Literature and MA in History of Chinese Language with a research field in Chinese Paleography. He is also a columnist for the magazine of The World of Chinese.

Qun Ao is an Associate Professor of Chinese language at the United States Military Academy, West Point. She received Ph.D. in Foreign Language Education with a Major in Second Language Acquisition and Linguistics. She is certified a Tester and Trainer by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages for assessing students in Oral Proficiency Interview for US Academia and Government sectors.

Both have co-published extensively in the field of Chinese language and culture, Chinese paleography, pedagogy of Chinese characters, and teachers’ training. Sample titles include The Sky is Bright with Stars (2012), The Moon is Always Beautiful (2008), How Far Away is the Sun (2007), Chinese Language and Culture (2002), Chinese Philology: Knowledge and Issues (2009), and Illustration of the Radicals of Chinese Characters (2008).