Book
Colloquial Vietnamese
Editors' Choice Course
A step-by-step self-study course with practical dialogues, regional pronunciation notes, exercises, answer keys, and free native-speaker audio.
Basic Vietnamese
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Description
Basic Vietnamese is a free online textbook by Tung Hoang for true beginners and low-novice learners. It works as a self-study course or classroom companion, starting with sounds before moving into everyday language.
You get nine pronunciation sections on the alphabet, tones, vowels, and consonants, followed by 15 themed chapters. Topics include greetings, family, housing, weather, school, food, shopping, transport, and media. Most chapters combine conversations, vocabulary, grammar, culture notes, learning goals, and practice. The online edition includes audio and interactive activities developed with input from native Vietnamese speakers.
The consistent format makes the course easy to follow. Northern pronunciation is the main reference, with some Southern comparisons. It builds a broad beginner foundation, but there is no live conversation or personal correction, and the material stops around Novice High to Intermediate Low ACTFL goals.
Content
- Type: Course
- Skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Pronunciation
- Size: 15 chapters and 9 pronunciation sections
- Native audio: Yes
- Exercises: Yes
Price
- Cost: Free
Details
- Format: Book
- Dialect: Northern
- Publisher: Michigan State University Libraries
- Published: 2023
- ISBN-13: 9781626101241
Pros
- 15 themed chapters plus nine pronunciation sections
- 173 interactive practice activities
- Native-speaker-supported audio and dialogues
- Free, openly licensed PDF and EPUB downloads
Cons
- No personal feedback on speaking or pronunciation
- Limited material beyond early intermediate study
- Southern Vietnamese is covered mainly through pronunciation comparisons
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