Chinese for HSK 1 from Coursera

Nǐ hǎo! 你好！Welcome to Chinese for HSK Level 1 - a Chinese course for beginners. My name is YU Bin. I am very happy to meet you here!

HSK stands for Hànyǔ (Chinese) Shuǐpíng (level) Kǎoshì (test), which is the most important Chinese proficiency test in use today. It assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using Chinese in their daily, academic and professional lives.

Chinese for HSK Level 1 is the first part of the 6 levels and assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of Level 1 of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the A1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You will learn:

 30 video lectures with dialogue role plays by PKU students;

 More than 150 commonly used words;

 Around 50 key grammar points;

 New words and texts via audio;

 Quizzes for each lesson and HSK test papers;

 Videos for 70 basic Chinese characters (optional);

 Supplementary materials about China (optional).

In short, the course covers the four skills although only listening and reading are tested in HSK. At the end of the course, you will be able to understand and use simple Chinese phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further your Chinese language studies.

Have a fantastic journey of Chinese learning.

For more information about HSK please visit: http://english.hanban.org/node_7581.htm.

What's inside

Syllabus

Greetings and numbers

In this week, you will learn about name, nationality, age, phone number and other personal information as well as basic greetings. Together with these topics, you will also have opportunities to practise pinyin. If you have never learnt pinyin, you may need a bit more time on it; if you have already learnt it, you could skip the related contents.

Family and school/university

How do you introduce your family? Do you have any pets? If you are a student, would you like to tell us something about your school or university? At the end of this week, you will be able to answer the questions above in Chinese.

Time and weather

What time do you get up? When is your birthday? What is the weather like in different places in China? This week, you will learn how to ask and answer questions about the time and the weather.

Work and hobbies

What do you do? Where would you like to work? Do you like watching films? What is your favorite sport? You will be able to answer these questions in Chinese after this week!

Shopping and food

Whether you like it or hate it, shopping is very much a part of daily life. What do you usually buy? How to ask the price in Chinese? Do you like online shopping? These lessons may give you more confidence when going to a Chinese supermarket or restaurant!

Traffic and directions

How do you get to your school/university/office? Do you like walking? Where would you like to visit? Can you describe the location of the place? What time is your flight? At the end of this week, you will be able to talk about traffic and directions in Chinese!

FINAL TEST

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops oral fluency and comprehension, which are core communicational skills

Builds a strong foundation for learners who want to further their Chinese language studies

Introduces commonly used Chinese characters, expanding learners' vocabulary

Provides supplementary materials about China, offering cultural insights

Taught by YU Bin, an experienced instructor

Covers the four language skills, addressing listening, reading, speaking, and writing

Reviews summary

Intro to chinese language

According to students, this course is a helpful resource for practicing Chinese in an interesting way. The course will help you expand your vocabulary and pronunciation skills. However, learners say that experience with the language may help one succeed in this course.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Chinese for HSK 1 with these activities:

Read 'A History of Modern China' by Jonathan D. Spence

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Provides historical and cultural context for the topics covered in the course.

View The Search for Modern China on Amazon

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Purchase the book and allocate time for reading.
Read chapters in the book that are aligned with each topic in the course.
Take notes and summarize key points for future reference.

Complete the HSK Practice Test Exercises

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Reinforces understanding of grammar and vocabulary covered in the lessons.

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Access the HSK Practice Test exercises from the course materials.
Complete each exercise carefully and check your answers.
Review incorrect answers to identify areas for improvement.

Create a Chinese Vocabulary Flashcard Deck

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Enhances memorization and recall of new vocabulary introduced in the course.

Browse courses on Vocabulary

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Gather the vocabulary list from each lesson in the course.
Use a digital or physical flashcard system to create flashcards for each word.
Practice reviewing the flashcards regularly to improve retention.

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Develop a Chinese Language Learning Plan

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Establishes a structured approach to language learning and helps track progress.

Browse courses on Self-study

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Set learning goals and identify areas for improvement.
Allocate time for regular study sessions and stick to a schedule.
Incorporate diverse learning materials and activities, such as videos, audio, and writing exercises.
Track progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed.

Explore Chinese Grammar Websites and Resources

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Provides supplementary support and in-depth explanations of grammar concepts.

Browse courses on Chinese Grammar

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Identify reputable Chinese grammar websites and online resources.
Select specific topics or grammar points that require additional understanding.
Follow the tutorials, read explanations, and complete any interactive exercises.

Contribute to Open Chinese Language Learning Resources

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Provides an opportunity to apply knowledge and contribute to the Chinese language learning community.

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Identify open-source Chinese language learning platforms or projects.
Offer assistance with content development or translation.
Contribute to online discussion forums or communities to provide support to other learners.

Career center

Learners who complete Chinese for HSK 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mandarin Teacher

A Mandarin Teacher educates students on Mandarin Chinese. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Mandarin Teacher because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mandarin Teacher

Chinese Language Teacher

A Chinese Language Teacher teaches Chinese language and culture to non-native speakers. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Language Teacher because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chinese Language Teacher

Chinese Translator

A Chinese Translator translates written or spoken Chinese into another language, or vice versa. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Translator because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their translation skills.

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Chinese Interpreter

A Chinese Interpreter interprets spoken Chinese into another language, or vice versa. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Interpreter because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their interpretation skills.

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Chinese Linguist

A Chinese Linguist studies the Chinese language and its dialects. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Linguist because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their research skills.

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Chinese Language Arts Teacher

A Chinese Language Arts Teacher teaches Chinese language, literature, and culture to students in a school setting. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Language Arts Teacher because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

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Chinese Language Tutor

A Chinese Language Tutor provides one-on-one or small group instruction in the Chinese language. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Language Tutor because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

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Chinese Language Specialist

A Chinese Language Specialist has expertise in the Chinese language and culture. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Language Specialist because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their knowledge of Chinese culture.

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Chinese Language Consultant

A Chinese Language Consultant provides advice and guidance on Chinese language and culture to businesses and individuals. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Language Consultant because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their consulting skills.

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Mandarin Language Instructor

A Mandarin Language Instructor teaches Mandarin Chinese to non-native speakers. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Mandarin Language Instructor because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

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Chinese Businessperson

A Chinese Businessperson conducts business in China or with Chinese companies. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Businessperson because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their business skills.

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Chinese Professor

A Chinese Professor teaches Chinese language, literature, and culture at a college or university. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Professor because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

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Chinese Educator

A Chinese Educator teaches Chinese language, culture, and history to students of all ages. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese Educator because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

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Chinese School Teacher

A Chinese School Teacher teaches Chinese language, literature, and culture to students in a school setting. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Chinese School Teacher because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

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Confucius Institute Teacher

A Confucius Institute Teacher teaches Chinese language and culture to students in a Confucius Institute. The Chinese for HSK 1 course may be useful for a Confucius Institute Teacher because it provides a foundation in the Mandarin language and may help to improve their teaching skills.

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