Shi Zi 1: Learn Chinese Characters (Simplified & Traditional Chinese) 识字基础（简繁体）

Most Chinese characters consist of components that represent physical things. This app uses animations to teach 88 Chinese characters that are components in many other Chinese characters. Mastering these characters will provide a good foundation for Chinese language learners. We developed 3 apps to teach a total of 264 characters. This is the first app.

SHI ZI FEATURES:

√ Animations help learners memorize the characters by making a connection between the shapes of physical objects and the characters that they represent.

√ Related characters are grouped into manageable sets of 6 to 11 characters. Each set takes a few minutes to learn. Frequent practice improves memorization.

√ For each set of characters, learners view a description of how a character represents a physical object and then are tested to assess their learning of the meaning and pronunciation of each character.

√ For each character, learners may record their own pronunciation and then compare it with the correct pronunciation.

√ Learners are awarded an image of a Chinese artifact or work of art after correctly completing the test for a set of characters. Awards are given to encourage the learner to revisit the set and retake the test several times in order to master the characters.

√ The learners choose a Peking Opera character to represent themselves.

√ Learners and parents may keep track of the number of times a test is taken for each set of characters.

√ Learners may choose either English or Chinese versions of the audio instructions so non-readers can use the app.

√ This app introduces learners to Chinese culture, arts and aesthetics. The background images, graphics used in animations, user icons, and rewards are all Chinese artworks.

√ Shi Zi supports multiple players.

√ Learners may choose simplified or traditional Chinese when the iPad language setting is set to English.


*** Important ***
iPod Touch owners without a built-in microphone: You will be unable to use the record feature unless your earphones have a microphone.

HOW TO USE SHI ZI

One the most challenging aspects of studying Chinese is to learn Chinese characters because they are not alphabetical and there are thousands to be memorized. The following are some tips for learning Chinese characters using this primer.

√ Chinese characters are not patternless scribbles. Understanding how Chinese characters evolved may make it easier to memorize the characters. For each character in the app, watch the animation and observe the similarities and differences between the shapes of physical objects and the characters that represent the objects to help remember the character.

√ Revisiting each set and retaking tests may help improve long-term memory. For each new set of characters, study the animations and take the test for the set. Keep taking the test until the learner reaches the perfect score for that set. Wait for a day or two to review and retake the test. Increasingly space out the study session for that set as the learner passes the test a few times.

此软件具有以下功能:

√ 动画帮助汉字学习者把汉字的字形和它所代表的事物联系起来，以促进记忆。

√ 该软件把需学的汉字分成11组。每组包括6-11个字义相关的汉字。十分钟时间便可以学习一组汉字。复习所需时间更短。

√ 学习每组汉字时，学习者可先观看动画，了解每个汉字的字形怎样描绘它所代表的事物。然后进行测试，看是否记住了每个字的音和义。

√ 学习每个汉字时，学习者可录下自己的发音，然后和标准发音比较。

√每通过一组汉字的测试，学习者就会得到一件中国工艺品图片作为奖励。

√ 学习者可选取京剧动画人物作为用户图标。

√ 学习者和家长可查看每组字的测试次数及正确次数。

√ 学习者可选用英文或中文的解释。

√ 此软件也帮助学习者了解中国文化艺术。

√ 此软件支持多用户使用。

√ 学习者可选用简体或繁体字体。只需在ipad的设置－通用－多语言环境下把iPad的语言设置改为繁体或简体。