Direct from the University of Oxford
For years, I’ve been waiting for an excuse to use this phrase on the Web—though I should first apologize to my mother, my first-grade teacher Miss Fisher, Father Flanigan, and the FCC for doing so:
Holy frickin’ cow!
This I mean in response to the “Chinese Multimedia: Supplementary Chinese Course” offered online by the Centre for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language at the University of Oxford.
The Centre describes their offering this way:
This supplementary Chinese course of 22 lessons in simplified characters at elementary-intermediate level is suitable for students who have already learned Chinese for at least 3 months. The course has been designed to supplement classroom teaching of Chinese, but can stand alone for use by students studying independently. It breaks new ground with its comprehensive use of multimedia materials, including video and audio files, interactive character writing exercises, interactive grammar drills, multiple choice vocabulary tests, and indexes for grammar and vocabulary. A standard multimedia plug-in is required to allow you to make full use of the multimedia elements.
But of course you already know that I describe it this way:
Holy frickin’ cow!
Over the years I’ve checked out quite a few online multimedia learning Chinese offerings, including a number that ask you to pay for the service, and I would have to say that this one (free, mind you) is easily among the best.
Each of the 22 lessons comes with these elements:
In addition to the lessons, you’ll find comprehensive lists of grammar points, vocabulary (including pronunciation audio samples), and characters (including stroke order writing practice drills).
I do think this offering rivals some of the interactive CD courses I’ve seen as well, come to think of it. In other words, Holy frickin’ cow!
You can access this resource online at this address:
