Best Workbooks for Chinese (2026): 5 Picks Compared by Level

A beginner who has just started Mandarin and a learner partway through a course need different books, so the best workbooks for Chinese depend on where the reader starts. We compared what each listing publishes about edition, pages, audio, characters and reading level, so you can match one book to one learner.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Learning Mandarin Characters by Yi Ren	9.7/10	Buy
2	Integrated Chinese 2 Workbook by Liu	9.5/10	Buy
3	Reading & Writing Chinese by McNaughton	9.5/10	Buy
4	HSK Standard Course 1 by Jiang Liping	9.5/10	Buy
5	Integrated Chinese Characters by Liu	9.5/10	Buy

1

Learning Mandarin Characters by Yi Ren

Yi Ren·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A character workbook for HSK Level 1 learners, with writing diagrams and practice boxes.

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Pros

• Covers 178 characters and over 534 words
• Step-by-step writing diagrams and practice boxes
• Index by English meaning or Pinyin

Cons

• Book 1 of 2, so a second volume follows
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Focuses on characters, with no listening practice described

2

Integrated Chinese 2 Workbook by Liu

Yuehua Liu·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The workbook for level 2 of the Integrated Chinese course, with listening and review units.

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Pros

• 4th edition, 226 pages, published July 31, 2017
• Streaming audio for the listening exercises
• Cumulative review units after every five lessons

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Only the workbook is described, so check the matching textbook
• Title marks level 2, so a true beginner should start earlier

3

Reading & Writing Chinese by McNaughton

William McNaughton·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A complete guide to 1,725 characters, with grids, Pinyin and examples of correct usage.

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Pros

• Covers 1,725 characters in simplified and traditional forms
• Lists 2,633 characters and 5,000+ compounds for the HSK
• Third edition, 336 pages, published July 23, 2013

Cons

• Reads as a reference, with no practice exercises described
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• 336 pages is a lot to work through for a casual learner

4

HSK Standard Course 1 by Jiang Liping

Jiang Liping·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A two-book set, textbook and workbook, for HSK Standard Course 1 learners.

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Pros

• Textbook and workbook come together as one set
• Audio linked by QR code on the back of the books
• Published December 12, 2018 by Beijing Language & Culture University Press

Cons

• Page count, reading age and grade level are not stated
• The listing does not state whether an answer key is included
• The description says little about lesson content

5

Integrated Chinese Characters by Liu

Yuehua Liu·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A character workbook for Volume 1 of Integrated Chinese, with stroke order and grid squares.

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Pros

• Traditional and simplified characters on the same page
• Stroke order and grid squares for practice
• Also offered through the ChengTsui Web App

Cons

• The description covers characters only
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Auto-grading is stated for the Workbook exercises, not characters

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More picks to compare

• Integrated Chinese 1 Workbook by LiuFor learners wanting the Volume 1 workbook of the same course.Check on Amazon
• HSK 1 Characters Workbook by Shu PingFor beginners who want stroke order and HSK 1 vocabulary.Check on Amazon
• Easy Peasy Chinese by GreenwoodFor ages 7 and up, and adults learning Chinese for travel.Check on Amazon
• Learn Chinese for Busy Adults by ZhouFor adult beginners who want short lessons they can fit into a busy day.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Only one of the five picks lists a level, HSK Level 1, and the other four state none. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best workbooks for chinese

Start with the level the learner has reached

A learner starting from zero should begin with the workbook tied to HSK Level 1. A student already partway through a course needs the matching volume, and our Korean workbooks for beginners list shows the same choice in another language.

Check the edition and the audio

Course workbooks change between editions, so check the year on the listing: the Integrated Chinese 2 workbook is the 4th edition, published July 31, 2017. Look for audio the listing states, such as streaming audio or QR codes, and see our French workbooks for beginners list for a different language.

Before you buy

• Check the edition year or ISBN on the listing, such as 978-1622911431 for the Integrated Chinese 2 workbook.
• For a series, confirm the volume order: the Learning Mandarin Chinese Characters volume is Book 1 of 2.
• Look for whether an answer key is included or sold separately; none of the five listings states one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which workbook should a beginner start with?

Learning Mandarin Chinese Characters Volume 1 lists 178 characters and over 534 words, and its listing says it is designed for HSK Level 1.

Does any of these workbooks include an answer key?

None of the five listings states an answer key, so check the listing for whether one is included or sold separately.

Which edition should I buy for a course workbook?

The Integrated Chinese 2 workbook is the 4th edition, published July 31, 2017, with 226 pages. Match it to the textbook your reader uses.

Still deciding? Our top pickLearning Mandarin Characters by Yi Ren

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Related lists

See every Homeschool Curriculum list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

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