New Practical Chinese Reader (English Edition) is a series of textbooks designed for native English speakers who are starting to learn Chinese. It can be used by self-learners and can also be taught in the classroom. The purpose of this book is to develop the learner’s communicative ability in Chinese by learning language structures, functions and related cultural knowledge as well as by training their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

There are 14 lessons altogether in the textbook. Using descriptions on several foreigners’ lives and their friendships with Chinese friends and teachers, this book introduces Chinese customs and cultures through several funny stories.