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Hong Zeng

Learning humorous stories is an excellent way of learning daily language: the vocabularies in humorous story are among the most frequently used, colloquial words that appear at highest frequency in daily communication. The syntax in humorous stories utilizes the most commonly used grammar in Chinese language. Despite its accessibility and commonality, the entertaining, hilarious nature of humorous language makes the language impressive, skillful, (even comically artistic) and highly memorable, thus makes language learning process entertaining, easy and fast. This course chooses 20 hilarious humorous stories that covers a diverse realm of topics, daily situations, and therefore vocabulary range: family, love, marriage, school, law, army, sports, health and medicine, profession, archeology, travel, competition and contest, etc. You will find your daily spoken and written language progresses speedily after learning the course, soon being able to use the most common words and syntax to communicate in Chinese about comprehensive realms of daily life.

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Learning humorous stories is an excellent way of learning daily language: the vocabularies in humorous story are among the most frequently used, colloquial words that appear at highest frequency in daily communication. The syntax in humorous stories utilizes the most commonly used grammar in Chinese language. Despite its accessibility and commonality, the entertaining, hilarious nature of humorous language makes the language impressive, skillful, (even comically artistic) and highly memorable, thus makes language learning process entertaining, easy and fast. This course chooses 20 hilarious humorous stories that covers a diverse realm of topics, daily situations, and therefore vocabulary range: family, love, marriage, school, law, army, sports, health and medicine, profession, archeology, travel, competition and contest, etc. You will find your daily spoken and written language progresses speedily after learning the course, soon being able to use the most common words and syntax to communicate in Chinese about comprehensive realms of daily life.

Each story is taught in two lectures: the first lecture is the text practice of the story. You will learn the vocabularies ranging from the elementary to the advanced intermediate level on the vocabulary list, learn the most commonly used grammar and Chinese syntax, listen to my explanation in English of the paragraph of the story phrase by phrase, sentence by sentence, so you thoroughly understand it. You will read after me the text twice sentence by sentence to ensure the accuracy of your pronunciation, and listen to my reading, and answer questions about the text orally before I provide each correct answer. The second lecture is an acting video of the humorous story, you will listen to my vivid story telling, my emphatic tone and performance will make you memorize the language more and help you to review the story, and you will tell the story yourself after you are sufficiently familiar with the language.

Now choose this course and see your daily Chinese language soar with your acquisition of the most commonly used Chinese vocabularies and grammaramid bursting laughter and in a refreshed, happy mood.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Acquire a wide range of most commonly used vocabulary and expression in all realms of daily life, understand and tell humorous stories in chinese
  • Understand chinese culture
  • Understand chinese humor
  • Understand different realms of vocabularies

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction of the course
Part 1: 5 stories
1: 不得了了text practice
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses humorous stories to teach vocabulary and grammar, which can make language learning more engaging and memorable for students of all levels
Covers a diverse range of topics like family, love, school, and health, which helps learners acquire vocabulary relevant to daily life and various situations
Includes both text practice and acting videos for each story, which provides a multi-modal approach to learning that caters to different learning styles
Focuses on commonly used vocabulary and grammar, which is helpful for learners aiming to improve their daily spoken and written Chinese communication skills
Teaches vocabulary ranging from elementary to advanced intermediate levels, which may be challenging for absolute beginners without any prior exposure to Chinese
Includes a bonus lecture directing learners to a website of Chinese language and culture, which may contain external content that is not part of the course

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Reviews summary

Learning daily chinese through humor

According to learners, this course offers a highly engaging and effective approach to learning practical daily Chinese by focusing on humorous stories. Students frequently praise the instructor's clear explanations and lively, enthusiastic delivery, finding her performance in the acting videos particularly helpful for comprehension and pronunciation. The course successfully teaches useful colloquial vocabulary and grammar that can be immediately applied in real-life conversations. The unique structure, combining text practice with acting videos, is widely appreciated for aiding memorization and fluency. While largely positive, some absolute beginners noted the pace might be challenging without some prior foundation. Overall, it is considered a fun, memorable, and valuable supplement for improving conversational Chinese skills.
Videos aid review and pronunciation practice.
"The second video for each story, the 'acting' part, is genius! It really helps reinforce what you learn."
"Watching and listening to the instructor's performance helps immensely with pronunciation and fluency."
"I use the acting videos to practice retelling the stories myself, which is great speaking practice."
Teaches useful daily vocabulary and grammar.
"The vocabulary and sentence patterns taught are extremely practical for daily conversations."
"I learned so many colloquial expressions that I hear native speakers use regularly."
"This course focuses on language that is truly useful for communicating in everyday situations."
Stories make learning fun and memorable.
"I absolutely loved the stories! They were genuinely funny and made learning so enjoyable."
"Learning through these humorous narratives helped the vocabulary and grammar stick much better than traditional methods."
"The selection of stories covers diverse topics and keeps you entertained while learning practical language."
Instructor is praised for clarity and enthusiasm.
"The instructor is fantastic – so clear, energetic, and passionate about teaching."
"Her explanations in English are very easy to follow, making complex points accessible."
"I really appreciate her lively performance; it brings the stories to life and makes the lesson more memorable."
Pace may be challenging for absolute beginners.
"As someone with zero prior Chinese knowledge, I found the pace quite fast at times."
"I think this course is best suited for high-beginners or intermediate learners who have a basic grasp of fundamentals."
"It's manageable if you're willing to pause and review frequently, but it's not a 'start from scratch' 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 Humorous Stories Season 1 with these activities:
Review Basic Chinese Grammar
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental Chinese grammar concepts to better grasp the sentence structures and nuances within the humorous stories.
Show steps
  • Review grammar rules related to sentence structure.
  • Practice constructing simple sentences.
  • Identify grammatical elements in example sentences.
Read 'Chinese Folktales for Beginners'
Enhance your reading comprehension and cultural understanding by exploring simplified Chinese folktales, which will enrich your appreciation of the humorous stories in the course.
Show steps
  • Read one story per week.
  • Look up unfamiliar words and phrases.
  • Summarize the main points of each story.
Translate a Short Joke
Solidify your understanding of Chinese humor and language by translating a short joke from English to Chinese, focusing on maintaining the comedic effect.
Show steps
  • Find a short, simple joke in English.
  • Translate the joke into Chinese, paying attention to cultural nuances.
  • Share your translated joke with a native speaker for feedback.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Storytelling with a Language Partner
Improve your fluency and storytelling skills by practicing retelling the humorous stories from the course with a language partner.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner who is also learning Chinese.
  • Take turns retelling the stories from the course.
  • Provide each other with feedback on pronunciation and grammar.
Explore 'A Dictionary of Chinese Idioms'
Deepen your understanding of Chinese idioms and expressions to better appreciate the nuances and humor within the stories.
Show steps
  • Browse the dictionary for common idioms.
  • Learn the meaning and origin of each idiom.
  • Try to use the idioms in your own sentences.
Write Your Own Humorous Story
Test your understanding of Chinese humor and language by writing your own short humorous story in Chinese, incorporating vocabulary and grammar learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas for a humorous story.
  • Write a draft of your story in Chinese.
  • Revise and edit your story for grammar and clarity.
  • Share your story with others and get feedback.
Help Beginners with Pronunciation
Reinforce your own understanding of Chinese pronunciation by helping beginners with their pronunciation, focusing on tones and common mistakes.
Show steps
  • Find a beginner who needs help with pronunciation.
  • Listen to them pronounce words and sentences.
  • Provide feedback and corrections.

Career center

Learners who complete Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Foreign Language Teacher
A foreign language teacher instructs students in the language, culture, and customs of another country. This course, *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1*, introduces students to Chinese culture and humor through engaging stories. The course's emphasis on daily vocabulary and grammar provides a solid foundation for teaching practical communication skills. The acting videos can serve as examples of how to present language in an engaging and memorable way for your students. By telling the stories yourself, you will be able to better gauge and respond to the needs of your students.
Interpreter
An interpreter converts spoken language from one language into another. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* helps students acquire a wide range of vocabulary and expressions in daily life, which would allow the interpreter to respond accurately and appropriately in a variety of settings. The course's focus on understanding Chinese culture and humor would be especially useful for an interpreter who works in situations where cultural awareness is key to effective communication. The acting videos included in the course may help an interpreter internalize the nuances of spoken Chinese, leading to more natural and fluent interpretations.
Cultural Attaché
A cultural attaché is a diplomat who promotes cultural exchange and understanding between countries. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* helps students gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and humor, making it useful for those seeking to promote cultural exchange. The course's emphasis on daily vocabulary and grammar provides a practical foundation for communicating with people from all walks of life. The acting videos can provide insights into effective communication techniques. Cultural attachés help to bridge gaps between countries.
Travel Guide
A travel guide leads tours and provides information about destinations to travelers. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* helps students acquire a wide range of vocabulary and expressions in daily life, which would allow the travel guide to communicate effectively with locals and provide a more immersive experience for tourists. The course's focus on understanding Chinese culture and humor would be especially useful for a travel guide leading tours in China. The acting videos included in the course may help the travel guide learn how to engage and entertain their tour groups with stories and anecdotes.
Cross-Cultural Consultant
A cross cultural consultant advises individuals and organizations on how to navigate cultural differences in order to foster better communication and understanding. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* may enrich a cross cultural consultant's understanding of Chinese culture as embodied in Chinese humor. The course emphasizes learning vocabulary and expressions in daily life, which may be useful on a practical level for working with clients. The acting videos may further enhance the consultant’s ability to communicate cultural nuances in an engaging and effective manner.
Translator
A translator converts written material from one language into another. With its focus on understanding Chinese culture and humor, *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* may be useful for those seeking to develop the nuanced cultural understanding needed to accurately translate humor and colloquial expressions. The course emphasizes commonly used vocabulary and grammar in daily life, which helps build a foundation for translating a wide range of texts encountered as a translator. The course's acting videos may further enhance the translator's ability to convey tone and emotion in their translations.
International Business Consultant
An international business consultant advises companies on how to expand their operations into foreign markets. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* may benefit an international business consultant by increasing their cultural awareness, especially regarding Chinese culture. Understanding Chinese humor may lead to a deeper understanding of Chinese attitudes and values. The course introduces a wide range of vocabularies which may be useful in professional settings. The acting videos included in the course could help refine one's communication skills with clients.
Foreign Correspondent
A foreign correspondent reports on news and events from a foreign country. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* may be helpful to foreign correspondents. The course introduces a wide range of vocabularies used in daily life, and the course may enhance the correspondent's understanding of Chinese culture. Understanding Chinese humor may lead to greater insights into Chinese attitudes and values. In the course, you will also internalize practical communication skills which are vital to excelling as a foreign correspondent.
Content Creator
A content creator develops engaging and informative content for various platforms, such as websites, blogs, and social media. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* introduces students to Chinese culture and humor through a series of engaging stories which may be useful in creating content that resonates with a global audience. The course could help a content creator develop a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and humor, allowing them to create more authentic and engaging content. The acting videos in the course offers examples of how to create engaging and memorable content.
International Aid Worker
An international aid worker provides assistance to people in need in foreign countries. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* introduces students to Chinese culture and humor through stories. The course may increase sensitivity and awareness, which are important traits for those seeking to work in foreign countries. The acting videos may further enhance the worker’s ability to communicate effectively in diverse settings. The course's acting videos may help the aid worker connect with the communities they serve.
Linguist
A linguist studies the structure, history, and development of languages. Knowing a wide range of Chinese vocabulary and grammar, as studied in *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1*, allows a linguist to analyze language patterns of Chinese. The course may improve a linguist's familiarity and insight into Chinese culture, which is invaluable in understanding the subtleties of language. Typically this role requires a master's degree or a PhD.
Public Relations Specialist
A public relations specialist manages a company's or organization's public image. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* may increase a public relations specialist's cultural sensitivity and awareness. Understanding Chinese humor could lead to more persuasive and effective communication with Chinese audiences. Public relation specialists also need to be prepared to work with a variety of people and personalities; this course helps one find an appreciation for a culture's attitudes and values.
Market Research Analyst
A market research analyst studies consumer behavior and market trends to advise companies on their marketing strategies. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* may develop a market research analyst's understanding of Chinese attitudes and values in order to better advise businesses. Understanding Chinese humor could lead to more effective marketing campaigns. The course introduces a wide range of vocabularies which may potentially be useful in professional settings.
Immigration Officer
An immigration officer reviews visa applications and interviews individuals seeking to enter or remain in a country. *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* may assist immigration officers by providing insights into cultural nuances and communication styles. The course's emphasis on daily vocabulary and grammar could help immigration officers to better understand the background and intent of those they interview. Ultimately, immigration officers need to make fair and informed decisions.
Historian
A historian researches, analyzes, and interprets the past. While primarily focused on modern communication, the insights into cultural values provided by *Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1* may offer a nuanced understanding of how humor reflects societal norms and evolves over time, enriching a historian's perspective. The course's emphasis on daily vocabulary and grammar can also aid in interpreting historical texts and understanding the context in which they were written. Typically this role requires a master's degree or a PhD.

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Chinese Humorous Stories Season 1.
Provides simplified Chinese folktales, which can help learners become more familiar with Chinese sentence structure and common vocabulary. The stories are engaging and easy to understand, making it a great resource for building a foundation in Chinese reading comprehension. It serves as excellent supplementary reading material, reinforcing vocabulary and grammar learned in the course. Reading these folktales will also provide cultural context, enhancing the understanding of humor in the course materials.

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