Course Level 1: Beginner

Estimated Study Time: 10-15 hours

Offered by: Alison

In this course you will learn the basics of written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. Modern China is playing an increasingly influential role in the world’s political, financial and economic spheres, and with Mandarin Chinese being spoken by over one billion people within China and the Chinese diaspora it makes learning Chinese, even the basics, increasingly important. 

The course starts with a brief overview of the language, its dialects and a brief look at pronunciation through the use of Pinyin. You will also learn about the formation of the written Chinese characters and the formation of words.

For learners whose native languages use the Roman or Latin alphabets it is critical that you become familiar with Pinyin which is used to transcribe Chinese sounds into the Roman or Latin alphabets you are accustomed to. You will learn how to greet people and introduce yourself, say what you do and where you are from.

In this course you will also learn how to talk about your family and friends as well as your hobbies and interests. Practicalities such as using public transport and asking directions are covered along with ordering food in a café or restaurant, asking for information when shopping and checking into and out of a hotel.

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