Adapted on the basis of the first and second editions of Chinese Paradise, this is a series of international Chinese teaching materials specially designed for non-Chinese primary school students.

The new edition has 6 levels in total, covering Chinese language teaching in primary schools overseas from grade 1 to grade 6. The content and form of this set are in line with children’s cognitive level, and the themes are close to life. Through entertaining stories, games and children’s songs, this book is able to stimulate learning interest, allowing students to learn Chinese language and culture in a natural and relaxing environment.

This is Textbook 1. It is suitable for overseas Grade 1 primary students who are beginners to learn Chinese. It is designed with themes such as greetings, numbers, school, body, family and food, and is equipped with digital resources such as the workbook, scenario animations, live videos, audios, teaching courseware, and teaching aids. After learning this book, it is expected that about 100 Chinese words can be mastered.

Cui Yonghua, a professor at BLCU, has been devoted to Chinese language teaching and research in BLCU since 1981 when he graduated from the Chinese Department of Peking University with a Master’s degree in literature. Mr. Cui used to teach in Oberlin College (the US), the Summer Chinese Program of Middlebury Institute (the US), University of G?ttingen (Germany), and The University of Sheffield (the UK). Cui’s research mainly focuses on Chinese language teaching, Chinese grammar, Chinese information processing. Cui’s previous works include: Classroom Techniques for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (ed.), Studies on Teaching Chinese Characters and Words to Foreigners (ed.), Teaching and Research of Chinese as a Foreign Language (collection of essays), An Introduction to Design of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (solo authorship), Selected Works of CLT Experts—Works of Cui Yonghua (collection of essays), Chinese Now! (ed.), New Concept Chinese (ed.), and Chinese Reading for Practical Purposes: Step by Step series (general ed.), and so on.

Zhang Jian is a PhD in Literature from Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), an editorial reviewer, a part-time researcher of the Research Institute of International Chinese Language Education of BLCU, and was formerly the chairman and chief editor of Beijing Language and Culture University Press. Having been engaged in the development and research of teaching resources for international Chinese language education for more than 20 years, Zhang has presided over one project of the Ministry of Education, two university-level projects, and five provincial and ministerial projects of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Press and Publication Administration, etc., and has founded the academic journal Journal of International Chinese Teaching. She has published more than 20 papers in China Publishing Journal, Science-Technology & Publication and other journals. She has developed more than 20 sets of Chinese language teaching materials for overseas Chinese education system, including Everyday Chinese: Chinese Course Book for Middle Schools in Thailand (chosen by more than 100 middle schools in Thailand), Chinese Paradise (translated into 47 languages),  Easy Steps to Chinese (incorporated into the teaching materials systems of 5 states of U.S.A.), and New Practical Chinese Reader (chosen by more than 200 universities around the world). Zhang has been honored as one of the national “Cultural Masters and Four Batches of Talents”, the national leading talent in press and publication and the national internet innovator in press and publication in 2015 and 2017. Meanwhile, the Chinese Paradise with multimedia CD-ROM she presided over has won the second China Publishing Government Award.

· Upholding the fundamental principles and making breakthroughs. It keeps its original characteristics and takes in new ideas, methods and teachers’ hands-on experience.

· Setting up more levels. It has six levels covering Chinese language teaching in Grades 1-6 of overseas primary schools.

· Revising the units and clarifying the learning objectives. It provides convenience for teaching.

· Improving the methods and learning through interaction. It teaches pronunciation in context, and teaches Chinese characters through exploration.

· Attaching importance to evaluation. The self-assessment section enhances the learning effect.

· Improving the supporting materials and providing digital resources. It is easy to use and reduces the burden on teachers.

This book is suitable for Chinese learning beginners who are native English speakers in the first grade of primary schools overseas. It is recommended to finish one level’s learning in one academic year (3 class hours for 1 lesson), and learn with the accompanying digital resources and workbook.