From Simplified to Traditional Characters: Traditional
Chinese Character Courseware
（《從簡入繁》英文版）
(2008)
Preface
Chinese characters (Hanzi), are the characters used in the Chinese writing system and
are cherished as invaluable cultural heritage. With the help of Hanzi, our ancestors
were able to pass down their knowledge to us and we could continue this tradition
from generation to generation. There are two different writing systems of
characters: Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Some may find them
inconvenient but they will no longer be barriers if we learn them in an appropriate
way step by step. We can also admire the beauty of the structures of Chinese
characters.
The Chinese Language Education Section, Curriculum Development Institute,
Education Bureau tailor-made a multimedia computer assisted language learning
courseware – “From Simplified to Traditional Characters” (also referred as FSTTC) –
for students who are newcomers to Hong Kong. This courseware aids them to
achieve a better understanding of radicals, strokes, vocabulary derived from
characters, Cantonese pronunciation, etc. which are commonly used in Hong Kong.
This courseware allows students to read and learn Traditional Chinese Characters at
the same time in the multimedia learning environment. Not only the information
about Chinese characters is introduced vividly in text, Cantonese and Putonghua
pronunciation of characters and vocabulary can also be listened. To arouse
students’ interest, there are two interesting games in this courseware to let them learn
and play simultaneously. Besides, there are self-assessment exercises which would
consolidate the knowledge of Chinese characters that the students have learnt. We
wish our students can learn and master Traditional Chinese Characters with the help
of modern language technology and thus adapt to the life in Hong Kong smoothly
and swiftly.
Features of the courseware
The “From Simplified to Traditional Characters” courseware has the following
features:
 1,144 frequently used Simplified Chinese Characters together with their
traditional form and explanation
 Animated explanation on the methods of character creation
 Animated illustration on the stroke order of Chinese characters
 Cantonese and Putonghua audio playbacks of example words
 Cantonese and Putonghua pronunciation transcriptions
 “Read and Learn” – for students to learn Chinese characters by reading selected
passages
 Introduction of some commonly used dialectal terms in Hong Kong
 Edutainment games
 Self-assessment exercises
 Worksheet generator (for teachers’ use)