"Big thanks for the software! I just started learning Chinese here at the UN, and your program is just what I need. It lets me follow up what I learn in the classroom and then explore further."
—Nikolai Galkin, United Nations

Stepping Stones Lesson Seven

1. Audio Immersion

Listen to the audio recording of the story at least three times, just to familiarize yourself with its sounds. Each character represents one syllable, so you can try following along as you listen. Don't worry for now about the meanings of the characters or of the story as a whole.

盲人摸象

             古时候，
             有一个国王让人拉来一头大象，
             让六个盲人用手去摸，
             然后再说出大象是什么样子。

             由于六个人所站的位置不同，
             所以感觉不同，
             说出的象的形状也不一样。

             他们各说各的，
             都认为自己说得对，
             并争论起来，
             谁也说服不了谁。

Once you've got a good feel for the sounds in this story and can follow along as you listen, you are ready to go on to the next step.