500 Easy Chinese Characters

500 Easy Chinese Characters is a book that promotes basic literacy in the Chinese language through learning how to read and write characters, along with the culture of Chinese characters, so as to allow second language learners in middle schools, high schools or universities to gain a deeper overall understanding of the characters and help put their learning into practice. It also embodies the comprehensive principle of teaching Chinese characters in association with the character writing, practical application, Chinese language and Chinese culture.

It focuses on 500 basic characters. The content and level of the text is designed in conformity with Level A1 and A2 of the Common European framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment.

Each lesson is composed of three sections: Learn to read characters, Learn to write characters and Culture of Chinese characters. The first section includes pronunciation, ancient forms and meaning, and text; the seond section includes knowledge of writing Chinese characters; the third section introduces the origins of characters, and ancient or modern stories of the characters through which learners can gain a better understanding of the charm and appeal of Chinese characters.

Paperback, 312 pages.