KUANTAN: Want to learn Mandarin but not sure how and where to begin?
How about grabbing a copy of "Mandarin For All" book and learn the language at your own pace.
The book, according to the writer, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) lecturer Yong Ying Mei, will help readers prepare for the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) certification, a globally recognised Chinese language proficiency test that measures the ability of non-native speakers.
She said she decided to write the book to help non-Chinese students in the campus to master the language - reading and writing - without spending long hours in the classroom or memorising certain words.
The 33-year-old Mandarin language lecturer said she took about three years to complete the book which has been extensively utilised by Malay, Indian and Orang Asli students in the campus.
"My aim is to help non-Chinese speakers to learn the language through a simple and effective method.
To ensure the pronunciation of each word is correct, the book comes with a system which allows the reader to access it through their smartphone and it allows students to study while they are on the go.
"The book allows students to learn the words, understand its meaning, memorise and go on to speak fluently.
"Besides UMP students, the book has received strong support from government and private college students as it prepares them to sit for the HSK test," she said, adding some 600 copies have been sold since the book was published early this year.
Yong, who has been teaching in UMP for nine years, said UMP students with outstanding result in the HSK examination will be eligible for scholarship offered by the Chinese government.
"Currently, six students have been picked for the scholarship and if they continue to do well in the examinations, then the individual will not only be able to learn and communicate a new language but also have the opportunity to secure the scholarships.
"'Mandarin For All' is my sixth book and it has won me several accolades at national and international level this year including special award and gold medal in the British Invention Show (BIS) 2017 which was held in London last month.
"At national level, I also received the National Book Award." she said.
Yong said the ability to communicate in Mandarin will pave the way for graduates from UMP to secure jobs with companies from China which have been extensively investing in the country.
The book, distributed by UMP Press, is sold at RM45 each.