suMMit Posted August 13, 2019 at 02:53 AM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 02:53 AM If FSI is so good, why doesnt somebody launch an updated, similar system, with updated vocab etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyJonesLocker Posted August 13, 2019 at 04:23 AM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 04:23 AM I'd imagine its because there has been a wealth of chinese learning matrerials developed since FSI, taking advantages of APPS, modern teaching, popularity of the language etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted August 13, 2019 at 08:36 AM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 08:36 AM The FSI/DeFrancis/Jorden approach is based on intensive drills and repetition, a teaching approach which is no longer fashionable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted August 13, 2019 at 08:37 AM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 08:37 AM You mean... a textbook? I'm not sure there's anything particularly unique about FSI, it's just a solid but dated textbook+audio combo, which happens to be available for free. There are plenty of newer textbook+audio options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted August 13, 2019 at 09:20 AM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 09:20 AM Actually, the FSI/DeFrancis/Jorden approach IS unique when compared with modern texts. New stuff seems thin and lazy, frankly, compared with the rigour of the old books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted August 13, 2019 at 09:55 AM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 09:55 AM Also the DeFrancis series is Traditional characters so is not popular with students of Mainland China learning simplified. I have just flipped through a PDF of FSI and it doesn't use characters at all. I have to say a solid modern textbook along these same lines is New Practical Chinese Reader or Integrated Chinese. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edelweis Posted August 13, 2019 at 02:11 PM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 02:11 PM FSI has 309 "tapes" of about 20 minutes each. Which newer textbook has 100+ hours of audio drills ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted August 13, 2019 at 02:47 PM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 02:47 PM New Practical Chinese Reader has about 15- 20 minutes of audio and the about 15 minutes of video for each lesson. I can't work how many hours that is. FSI is good for just learning to speak in intensive classroom situation from what I understand. IIRC it is the method used for people going overseas for any number of reasons and need to be able communicate from the start, used by the army and diplomats etc. NPCR works very well for the student who wants to self study and learn to read and write characters as well as speak, listen and understand. Its all about what suits the individual student. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted August 13, 2019 at 03:00 PM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 03:00 PM Yes, and the OP here was looking for tbe intense approach. The old books could be updated with modern characters and up-to-date dialogs, like riding the Metro instead of a streetcar. But I don't think the market is there to support it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted August 13, 2019 at 04:19 PM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 04:19 PM i didn't think that was what was meant by the OP's question. Just that if FSI was/is so good why has no one updated/modernised it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted August 13, 2019 at 04:32 PM Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 at 04:32 PM To repeat, appropriately here: fashions come and go in education and the drill-drill-drill repeat-repeat-repeat rote style of those books is passé. Maybe it'll return some day. Who knows. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suMMit Posted August 14, 2019 at 02:43 AM Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 at 02:43 AM I guess i meant is FSI that good? and if it is solid and effective, it seems surprising that nobody has published something similar but updated. yes with tons of audio and drill drill drill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edelweis Posted August 14, 2019 at 05:49 AM Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 at 05:49 AM Well, probably the FSI language program is still running, so they must have updated material that isn't released into the public domain yet. It might be possible to get second hand stuff if you have the right contacts. Unfortunately I don't know any American diplomat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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