Chinese Textbooks for Learning Mandarin

★ Separate Spoken and Written Chinese Tracks. This is the book series used by MIT in it Chinese I and II courses. Basic Spoken Chinese and Basic Written Chinese by Cornelius C. Kubler form a coordinated beginner course that lets learners study conversational Mandarin and written Chinese at different speeds. Basic Spoken Chinese focuses on pinyin-based listening, speaking, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and practical dialogues, while Basic Written Chinese teaches simplified and traditional characters, reading and writing. The companion audio and other learning materials are available for download free on the publisher's website; optional practice books are sold separately. Newer editions may appear under the titles Basic Mandarin Chinese: Speaking & Listening and Basic Chinese: Reading & Writing. Available from Tuttle Publishing: Speaking & Listening and Reading & Writing and other retailers.

★ Structured Chinese Textbook Series from Beginner to Advanced. Boya Chinese (博雅汉语) is a comprehensive textbook series published by Peking University Press, with levels progressing from elementary through advanced Chinese. Learners can expect reading passages and dialogues, vocabulary, grammar and language points, and extensive exercises designed to build skills systematically. The workbooks or audio materials may be included or sold separately depending on the edition and seller. Available online from Purple Culture and other retailers.

★ Comprehensive Taiwanese Mandarin Textbook Series.
A Course in Contemporary Chinese (當代中文課程), developed by National Taiwan Normal University’s Mandarin Training Center, is a six-level series covering approximately CEFR A1–C1. Earlier volumes emphasize practical conversation and everyday situations, while later levels introduce more reading, written Chinese and complex topics. Lessons include vocabulary, grammar explanations, drills, cultural content and communicative activities, with textbooks and workbooks available for each level. NTNU offers free audio, vocabulary, grammar resources and quizzes on their website; however, the resource page is in Chinese and may be difficult for beginners to navigate. Selected ebooks are available through Google Play Books on Android and iOS, and from other retailers.

★ Comprehensive Chinese Textbook Series from Beginner to Advanced. Developing Chinese (发展汉语) is a structured textbook series from Beijing Language and Culture University Press for learners who want systematic, classroom-style Mandarin study. The series covers beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, with comprehensive courses supported by separate listening, speaking, reading and writing books. Expect lessons focused on vocabulary, grammar, communication skills and practical language use, with progressively more challenging material as you advance. Official series information is available on the BLCUP website and the books are available at various retailers.

★ Official HSK-Aligned Textbook Series. Authorized by Hanban and developed by Beijing Language and Culture University Press with Chinese Testing International, the HSK Standard Course is a structured textbook series designed around the traditional six-level HSK system. Learners can expect level-by-level vocabulary, grammar, dialogues, reading and listening practice, with separate workbooks and teacher’s books available. It is especially useful for learners preparing for the HSK or those who prefer a systematic curriculum, though some independent learners may want additional grammar explanations or supplementary practice. The books can be purchased individually by level. Available on its website and other retailers.

★ Trusted Mandarin Textbook Series. Integrated Chinese is a four-volume course that builds speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through dialogues, vocabulary, grammar explanations, cultural notes and practice activities. Designed primarily for college-level instruction but also usable for self-study, the series progresses from novice to intermediate Chinese and is available in print and digital formats. The textbooks, workbooks and digital course materials are paid, while accompanying textbook and workbook audio can be downloaded for free. Available on the Amazon and other retailers.

★ Built specifically around the current HSK 3.0 syllabus from beginner through advanced levels. Mastering Chinese: A Comprehensive Course (贯通中文 综合教程) is a textbook series from Beijing Language and Culture University Press designed to cover HSK 3.0 vocabulary, grammar, characters, topics, and tasks while developing practical Chinese skills. The series is edited by Jiang Liping, chief editor of the earlier HSK Standard Course series, and is intended to progress through HSK Levels 1–9. The series is new, with the Level 1 textbook and workbook currently available as of September 2026. View the series on their website. US buyers can purchase the Level 1 textbook from Purple Culture.

★ Official HSK 3.0 Textbook Series. New HSK Course, edited by Guo Fenglan, is a textbook series designed specifically around the new HSK 3.0 syllabus. Published by Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) and authorized by CLEC and Chinese Testing International, the series progresses from beginner through advanced levels and integrates vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing with HSK preparation. Textbooks and workbooks are available for Levels 1–6, with skill-focused books for Levels 7–9. Books also include access to supporting digital materials such as audio, pronunciation videos, character-writing animations and other learning resources. Available through FLTRP and other retailers.

★ Comprehensive Mandarin Textbook Series. New Practical Chinese Reader (新实用汉语课本) is a structured Chinese course for adult learners, with lessons built around dialogues and stories that introduce vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, Chinese characters and cultural information in context. The series is designed to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, with workbooks, companion readers and other supplementary materials available for some volumes. The books can be purchased individually by level. Available from China Books, Phoenix Tree and other retailers.