Art of Chinese Characters app review: learning how to write Chinese

Introduction

Learning how to write Chinese is arguably one of the toughest written languages to master. Before deciding you won't succeed, why not give this app a chance and learn in an engaging and interactive way.?The Art of Chinese Characters app can be used on your iPod touch, iPad and iPhone and teaches you the "right way" to learn how to write in Chinese characters. The app takes the approach that writing Chinese characters doesn't have to be a difficult undertaking; in fact, it can be rather simple and fluid when done the right way.

The best iPhone apps for learning Chinese

A Three Part Lesson

The way the app works is that it uses three different parts to its teachings. There is the "find" segment where you will need to find the connection part of the Chinese characters, the "learn" segment where you are learning the pronunciation, meaning, phrases, origin, and stroke order, and lastly is the "practice" part of the lesson where you will have a quick review and then you need to match the Chinese characters to their English meaning. Once you start to get the hang of the system you will soon be on your way to writing these beautiful characters all on your own.

Best iphone and ipad apps

This app is free to download but you can buy additional lessons that are available for $1.99 to $4.99. In its most recent update there was a minor bug fix offering a smoother performance. The app currently has 4.5 out of five stars from users.

 

A Closer Look

Taking a closer look at the learning experience here you are given 163 phrases, 89 Chinese characters, and 15 unique paintings of Chinese characters to study. Both Simplified and Traditional Chinese are supported. You can also view English and Pinyin translation of all the characters. While you practice writing the stroke order will walk you through the steps. There is animation of each of the Chinese character's origin, and when it comes to pronunciation there is voice narration for each of the phrases and characters. This is really meant to be a combined education tool where you learn how to write the characters as well as how they came about, all in a beautiful and engaging way.

The graphics, sound effects, background music, and the quality of the voice narration are all quite good. It feels like a full experience rather than just a school lesson that is dry and boring.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Teaches you about the origins of the different Chinese characters
• Learn about a variety of Chinese characters and phrases
• Professional voice narration to help you with pronunciation
• A beautiful and exotic feeling user interface
• A smooth learning experience that feels different from the typical offerings

Cons

• Not all content is offered in the free version

 

Final Words

The Art of Chinese Characters app can be used on your iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone to learn about the origins of Chinese characters as well as learn how to write them.