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MELISSA SCONYERS: CHINESE FLASHCARDS DOT NET

Chinese Flashcards: All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards, Volume 1, by Melissa Sconyers and Meng Yang

CHINESE FLASHCARDS

ALL-PURPOSE
CHINESE
CHARACTER CARDS

VOLUME ONE

Published by Beijing Language and Culture University Press. Distributed in campus bookstores at Tsinghua University and other academic institutions all over the world. Swiss edition published by Chinabooks E. Wolf. German edition published by Aolifo. Internationally sold.

4 VOLUMES

800 CARDS

SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS ONLY
PINYIN + ENGLISH

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM

There are 800 characters, most commonly used in the Chinese language. Learning the 800 is thought to allow you to read >85% of all Chinese ever written.

All other flashcard systems start you at card one. And from card one, you turn it over to “learn the word”. You’re then introduced to 8-10 more examples of that word in new compound words, phrases, or sentences.

This works quite well other languages. However, in Chinese, it presents an unusual impasse: you can’t read any yet.

Sconyers invented a recursive learning system, taking the known 800 characters and mapping into an inverted pyramid of dependencies. On the back of each card, you will encounter things comprised only of characters you’ve already learned, whereby the result is a naturally occurring spaced repetition review. Knowledge accumulates n+1 unit character at a time.

This novel algorithm attracted the attention of her professor, Meng Yang, who formerly taught Chinese at Princeton in Beijing. Together, they produced the four volumes of flashcards, published by Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

Since release, the flashcards have been cited in academic papers and included in a number of pedagogical resources.

Sconyers went on to receive a bachelors in Chinese, with a minor in French. She applied for a Fulbright, to continue the research of Chinese language acquisition in Singapore, and was turned down. She got rich off startups instead.

THE FOUR VOLUMES

Chinese Flashcards: All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards, Volume 1, by Melissa Sconyers and Meng Yang
01
Chinese Flashcards: All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards, Volume 2, by Melissa Sconyers and Meng Yang
02
Chinese Flashcards: All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards, Volume 3, by Melissa Sconyers and Meng Yang
03
Chinese Flashcards: All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards, Volume 4, by Melissa Sconyers and Meng Yang
04

CITED IN HSK PICTOPHONETIC CHARACTER MNEMONIC PAPER, SICHUAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY (2025)

2025 HSK character-mnemonic paper, Sichuan Normal University (Melissa Sconyers citation, page 60) 2025 HSK character-mnemonic paper, Sichuan Normal University (Melissa Sconyers citation, page 61)

BEIJING LANGUAGE AND CULTURE UNIVERSITY PRESS CATALOG

All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards, by Melissa Sconyers and Meng Yang, Beijing Language and Culture University Press catalog (page 24)

Designed for beginning learners of Chinese. Selects 800 characters from the HSK level-A and level-B character lists. Each character is organized around commonly used words and practical example sentences, allowing learners to use characters to “speak.” The cards are printed on both sides, supplied with a metal ring, detachable and portable.

— BEIJING LANGUAGE AND CULTURE UNIVERSITY PRESS CATALOG (TRANSLATED FROM CHINESE)

GERMAN EDITION (ALLZWECK-LERNKARTEN: CHINESISCHE SCHRIFTZEICHEN FÜR ANFÄNGER)

Allzweck Lernkarten: Chinesische Schriftzeichen für Anfänger, German edition of All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards, by Meng Yang and Melissa Sconyers; translated by Oliver Evers, published by Aolifo

Each flashcard contains a Chinese character with the inscription Hanyu-Pinyin and the basic German translation as well as the line order. In some cases, one or more additional words are given, which are formed from the character (in characters, pinyin and German translation). An example sentence with Hanyu Pinyin and German translation explains the application.

The Chinese characters for beginners (part 1) can be used both to look up the various information such as correct spelling, pronunciation or application as well as as flashcards for practice and repetition. The whole series consists of a total of 800 of the most commonly used Chinese characters and largely coincides with the HSK vocabulary of levels 1-4. To repeat, hold the lower part of the flashcards and try to pronounce and translate the characters given in the upper part and the compositions correctly.

If you make a mistake, go back to a specified number of flashcards in order (the sequential number of the flashcards is indicated at the bottom right). But if you answered correctly, you can continue with the next flashcard. In this way, you repeat the substance very effectively.

— GOODREADS (TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN)

AS DESCRIBED ELSEWHERE

The features of this series: Altogether four boxes of cards with the characters increasing in difficult. Specially tailored to Chinese beginners. 800 commonly used characters of A and B levels in the outline of HSK Vocabulary. One sentence for each character; simple and practical. A metal ring enabling the convenient carry of any number of cards as one likes.

Meng Yang graduated from Chinese Language & Culture College of Beijing Normal University with a MA in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. She has taught Chinese classes for international students organized by the college, PIB (the “Princeton in Beijing” program) and IES program.

— PURPLE CULTURE

Immerse yourself in the world of Chinese characters with the pocket book “Chinese Handbooks: All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards - Volume 1” by Melissa Sconyers / Meng Yang, an indispensable learning tool for beginners and advanced students. Published by Chinabooks E. Wolf in 2007, this work offers a comprehensive collection of Chinese signs that effectively support language learning. With a precise focus on the field of “school and learning”, this book is a valuable tool for independent learning and as teaching material.

— AN EBAY SELLER (TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN)

Beginner and intermediate learners of Chinese will love these handy character cards in this four volume set. Starting from basic characters and building up to more difficult characters, each volume has 200 cards which teach the Chinese character on the front and how to use the character in a phrase and relative phrases on the back, with English translation. Each card is holepunched on the upper left and comes with a handy key ring for easy daily carrying. Also included with each set is a disk with each character spoken aloud. Price is for four boxes. 200 cards per box. Price is for each volume.

— CHINA SPROUT

This series of flashcards, consisting of Chinese characters of gradually increasing difficulty, is aimed at Chinese learners with little or no previous knowledge. In total (all four boxes together) 800 frequently used characters of levels A and B of the official HSK vocabulary list were selected.

On the front of the card there is one character and below it several words or longer expressions (characters) that are formed with this character. On the back are the translation of the character with pinyin and illustration of the writing order, the translation including pinyin of the words and expressions on the front as well as an additional example sentence with pinyin and English translation.

A metal ring is included, to which any number of cards can be attached, allows you to easily take any number of cards on the go.

— AN EBAY SELLER (TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN)

This is the Chinese Handbooks 1: All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards consisting of 200 commonly used Chinese characters of A and B levels in the outline of HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) vocabulary.

— YAOYAO LANGUAGE BRIDGE

It chooses 800 commonly used characters of A and B levels in the outline of HSK Vocabulary, and provides common words and practical sentences centering on these characters, helping the learners to speak Chinese using a simple and practical method. The cards are of loose-leaf format, with a metal ring that enables the convenient carrying of any number of cards as one likes.

— WINCLC: A WINDOW TO CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

It is an unopened product of the 4th volume of the Chinese learning flash card. It comes with 200 kanji cards, MP3 CDs, and rings, allowing you to learn vocabulary efficiently. Product Name: Kanji Ichikanto 4 (All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards). Publisher: Beijing Language and Culture University Press. Contents: 200 kanji cards, MP3 CD, metal ring. Condition: New and unopened. Thank you for watching. Immediate purchase OK, no comment OK.

— A MERCARI SELLER (TRANSLATED FROM JAPANESE)

Unopened New This is a flash card set for learning Chinese characters. Each card contains kanji, pinyin, example sentences, and English translations, and can be carried together with the attached ring. Title: Kanji Ichikan (All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards). Publisher: Beijing Language and Culture University Press. Accessories: Learning CD, card ring. Learning content: Kanji, Pinyin, example sentences, English translation. Thank you for watching.

— A MERCARI SELLER (TRANSLATED FROM JAPANESE)

The second volume of the flashcard for learning Chinese has been opened. It comes with 200 kanji cards, MP3 CDs, and rings, allowing you to learn vocabulary efficiently. Product Name: Kanji Ichikanto 4 (All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards). Publisher: Beijing Language and Culture University Press. Contents: 200 kanji cards, MP3 CD, metal ring. Condition: New and unopened. Thank you for watching. Immediate purchase OK, no comment OK.

— A MERCARI SELLER (TRANSLATED FROM JAPANESE)

This is a kanji card for studying Chinese. It contains kanji from beginner to intermediate. It also comes with a CD, so you can study while listening.

— A MERCARI SELLER (TRANSLATED FROM JAPANESE)

Boxed set of 200 Chinese character cards with mp3 CD. Cards are specially tailored to Chinese beginners; each has one sentence for each character, a metal ring allows a person to carry as many cards as is convenient. Keywords: Chinese, Language Instruction, Cards Flash, Education, Learning, Vocabulary.

— ABEBOOKS

For children. For middle school. With relative phrases. Side 1: Chinese character + pinyin + English. Side 2: prompt words/phrases + important sentence patterns. 200 cards per box. Graded.

— CHINA BOOKS AUSTRALIA (TRANSLATED FROM CHINESE)

The set of cards can be incorporated for middle and high school students. Each card has a hieroglyph and words with it in the composition on one side, on the other - the order of its spelling, transcription of pronunciation, an example of a sentence with it and translation of sentences and words into English. By combining cards, you can make words, memorize them, remember the type and order of the hieroglyph, its reading, constantly check yourself - do everything that ensures the memorization of words and the hieroglyph when studying. With the help of the audio disc in the kit, it is also possible to train the perception of the sound of hieroglyphs, words and card sentences by ear.

— СУНДУК КИТАИСТА (TRANSLATED FROM RUSSIAN)

Features of “Chinese Character One Card 1”: a full set of four boxes, from easy to difficult. Tailor-made for Chinese learners with zero starting point. Selected HSK Chinese character outline 800 commonly used characters of Grade A and Grade B. Speak with “words”, which is simple and practical. Equipped with a money ring, it is easy to disassemble and install and easy to carry.

— AMAZON (TRANSLATED FROM CHINESE)

FEATURED IN DEVELOPING CHINESE INTERMEDIATE READING COURSE BY DAO HUYNH, UCLA (2023)

Chinese Flashcards: All-Purpose Chinese Character Cards, by Melissa Sconyers and Meng Yang, listed in Developing Chinese Intermediate Reading Course by Dao Huynh, UCLA (2023)

FEATURED IN CHINESISCHUNTERRICHT'S ANNUAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CHINESE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE PEDAGOGY (2015)

Title page of Chinesischunterricht's annual bibliography of Chinese as a foreign language pedagogy (2015) Melissa Sconyers citation for Allzweck-Lernkarten: Chinesische Schriftzeichen für Anfänger in Chinesischunterricht's annual bibliography of Chinese as a foreign language pedagogy (2015)

FEATURED IN CURRICULUM AT FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN (2017)

Melissa Sconyers citation for Allzweck-Lernkarten: Chinesische Schriftzeichen für Anfänger in Freie Universität Berlin’s Chinese self-study curriculum bibliography (2017)