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Business Chinese

4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 226 ratings
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Hong Zeng

This is the first and only course on Udemy teaching business Chinese language. Since China has risen to be the biggest economic body in the world, learning business Chinese will greatly boost your business with China, the biggest supplier in the world market.Through this course, you can learn the fundamental aspects and essential usage of Mandarin Chinese used in conducting business. It has five sections and around 40 lectures, altogether 8 hours. The sections are as following: 1)introduction; 2) business reception, including welcoming your business guests, arranging business meal, taking taxi, registering for the hotel and changing foreign currency; 3) business negotiation, including negotiation of price, packaging, shipping, minimum order and signing the contract; 4) find business partners, including lectures on looking for supplier, joint business partner, sales agent,etc; 5) Amazon FBA business, including participating in Hong Kong trade exhibition, and contacting Chinese suppliers listed on Alibaba. For each topic on one specific business occasion, there are three lectures: the first lecture teaches the vocabulary and grammar used on that business occasion, and provides sentence by sentence explanation for the business dialogue text. The second lecture is your text practice of business dialogue under my drilling (you read after me sentence by sentence and answer questions about the dialogue text), the third lecture is an acting/performing video of that dialogue to reinforce your learned and practiced business language. It takes you about one month to finish the whole course that would be extremely useful and comprehensive for teaching you the language to conduct business with China. The instructor is Professor Hong Zeng, an award-winning professor of Chinese for 16 years at prestigious American universities, such as UNC, Chapel Hill, College of William and Mary, Swarthmore and Carleton College, Hamline University. She has taught Chinese language at all levels, including courses in business Chinese. Numerous American students taught by her have found jobs in prestigious business companies using their learned Chinese skill. Through this course, you would be very confident to conduct business with China in authentic, elegant business Chinese. Any students interested in learning Business Chinese can take this course, because its detailed explanation on vocabulary, grammar and text facilitates learning from the scratch. However, since business Chinese is understandably more formal and sophisticated in vocabulary than daily Chinese, it is strongly advised that students would take my other two courses, "College Mandarin Chinese on Your Own" beginning and intermediate level to learn the basic Chinese sound, writing and grammar system as necessary preparation for this course.

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What's inside

Learning objective

learn the most fundamental aspects and essential usage of business chinese: business reception, including welcoming guest, taking taxi, registering for the hotel and changing foreign currency at the bank, arranging business meal; learn business negotiation and signing a contract, including negotiating price, minimum order, packaging and shipping; seek business partners, including forming joint business, seeking suppliers and sales agent; learn amazon fba business chinese in participating in hong kong trade exhibition, and contacting chinese supplier listed on alibaba.

Syllabus

Learn the content, schedule and studying methods of this course

Introduce the content, methods of this course as the first and only course teaching business Chinese language.

Read more

Must-read study guide defining the content of this course, and studying methods and schedule for this course.

Teach and practice the vocabulary and grammar of lesson 1: welcome the business guests, and provide sentence-by-sentence explanation on the business dialogue text. When I am teaching the vocabularies, read after me and imitate as closely as possible my pronunciation and tones. After I teach each slide, I will give you two minutes to flash memorize the sound, meaning and usage of these vocabularies in the context, (you need to pause the slide to memorize it), then in the very next slide, you need to review and practice these vocabularies by orally translating key phrases for such business occasion from English to Chinese--out of your memory of the language information learned from the previous slide. Make sure to do the translation orally on your own BEFORE I provide the correct answer to maximize learning effect. In the resource section I provide a PDF version of this lecture for you to review the vocabulary and grammar conveniently.

You will learn the grammar of this lesson. After you learned the concept of each grammatical item through explanation and examples, you will be required to orally translate sentences using that grammar. Make sure to translate it BEFORE I speak out the correct answer to maximize learning effect.

This is the text practice of lesson 1. Before opening the video, please go to the resource part in this video to read the three versions of the text in pinyin, Chinese character, and English version to make sure you understand the text thoroughly before you practice. Then open the video: for the first two times you will read after me sentence by sentence the text to ensure the accuracy of your pronunciation: after each sentence, I will give you a temporal space to repeat after me. Try to imitate the pronunciation as closely as possible. For the third time you will listen to my reading, trying to comprehend the text I read without looking at it and after listening, answer questions about the text orally BEFORE I provide the correct answer.

This is the acting video of lesson 1: welcome the business guests. Review the business dialogue with it and practice listening comprehension with it, and observe my mouth shape to see how I pronounce the sounds, to ensure the accuracy of your own pronunciation.

The guide for the practicing methods of this lesson and the following lessons please refer to the descriptions of corresponding lectures in lesson 1, as they are the same.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on practical business scenarios like welcoming guests, negotiating contracts, and finding suppliers, which are essential for international business
Includes acting/performing videos to reinforce learned language, which can help learners improve their pronunciation and comprehension skills
Taught by Professor Zeng, an award-winning professor with 16 years of experience teaching Chinese at prestigious American universities
Covers Amazon FBA business in China, including participating in trade exhibitions and contacting suppliers on Alibaba, which is relevant for e-commerce businesses
Recommends taking introductory Mandarin courses first, which may be necessary for learners without prior Chinese language experience
Provides sentence-by-sentence explanations of business dialogues, which can help learners understand the nuances of business Chinese

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Reviews summary

Practical business chinese communication

According to students, this course is a practical and useful guide for learning Chinese relevant to business situations. Many found the structured approach, combining vocabulary and grammar lessons with text practice and acting videos, highly effective for improving their listening and speaking skills. Learners appreciated the focus on authentic business dialogues covering scenarios like negotiation, reception, and seeking suppliers. While the course is described as suitable for beginners, a significant number of reviewers emphasized that having a basic foundation in Chinese before starting is highly recommended to keep up with the pace and complexity, otherwise it can feel quite challenging. Overall, it's seen as a valuable resource for professionals looking to enhance their business interactions with China.
Dialogue videos help with immersion and pronunciation.
"The acting videos brought the dialogues to life and made them easier to remember."
"Watching the actors helped me understand the context and pronunciation better than just reading."
"I enjoyed the acting videos, they added a practical dimension to the learning."
"Seeing the dialogues performed made the language feel more natural."
Focuses on improving oral communication skills.
"The practice and acting videos were great for improving my listening comprehension and speaking confidence."
"Reading along and repeating after the instructor really helped my pronunciation and fluency."
"This course is fantastic for getting comfortable with spoken business Chinese."
"I feel much more confident speaking in business settings after practicing the dialogues."
Structured lessons aid learning vocabulary and dialogue.
"The breakdown of each lesson into vocabulary, practice, and acting video was very helpful."
"I found the method of learning vocabulary, then practicing the text, and finally watching the acting video to be very effective for retention."
"The course structure makes it easy to follow and reinforce what you've learned."
"Having the vocabulary explained before tackling the dialogue text made learning much smoother."
Covers key scenarios like negotiation and reception.
"The scenarios covered, like price negotiation and welcoming guests, are very relevant to my work."
"I appreciated the focus on specific business situations like arranging meals and contacting suppliers on Alibaba."
"It provides practical phrases and dialogues that I can immediately use in business contexts."
"Covered real-world business scenarios, which is exactly what I needed."
Some reviewers noted inconsistent video or audio quality.
"Some of the earlier videos seemed to have lower audio or video quality."
"While the content is good, the production value isn't always the highest compared to other courses."
"A few lectures had slightly muffled audio, which made it harder to follow."
"The video resolution wasn't always crisp in certain sections."
Requires basic Chinese knowledge, not for total beginners.
"While it says for beginners, I really struggled without a basic understanding of Pinyin and tones."
"I highly recommend having at least an elementary grasp of Chinese grammar and pronunciation before taking this."
"If you are a true beginner with no Chinese experience, this course might be too advanced."
"Felt a bit overwhelming at times because my foundational Chinese wasn't strong enough."

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 Business Chinese with these activities:
Review Basic Mandarin Grammar
Reinforce your understanding of basic Mandarin grammar to better grasp the more complex sentence structures used in business Chinese.
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous Mandarin courses.
  • Practice sentence construction with basic grammar rules.
  • Complete online quizzes on Mandarin grammar.
Read 'Mastering Chinese: The Complete Course for Beginners'
Build a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese to better understand the nuances of business Chinese.
View Mastering Chinese: The Complete Course for... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Review the pronunciation and tones of Mandarin Chinese.
  • Practice writing basic Chinese characters.
  • Complete the exercises in the book to reinforce learning.
Read 'Business Chinese: An Advanced Reader'
Enhance your understanding of business Chinese through real-world examples and advanced vocabulary.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read each chapter carefully, focusing on new vocabulary.
  • Translate key phrases and sentences into English.
  • Practice reading the dialogues aloud to improve pronunciation.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Vocabulary Flashcard Drills
Reinforce vocabulary acquisition through repetitive flashcard drills, focusing on terms related to business reception, negotiation, and partnerships.
Show steps
  • Create flashcards for new vocabulary words from each lesson.
  • Review flashcards daily, focusing on pronunciation and meaning.
  • Use spaced repetition to optimize learning and retention.
Practice Business Role-Playing
Improve fluency and confidence by practicing business scenarios with a peer, such as welcoming a client, negotiating a contract, or discussing shipping terms.
Show steps
  • Find a partner who is also learning business Chinese.
  • Choose a business scenario and assign roles.
  • Practice the scenario, focusing on pronunciation and grammar.
  • Provide feedback to each other on areas for improvement.
Create a Business Dialogue Script
Solidify your understanding of business Chinese by writing a dialogue script for a specific business scenario, such as a price negotiation or a meeting with a supplier.
Show steps
  • Choose a business scenario relevant to the course.
  • Write a dialogue script using vocabulary and grammar from the course.
  • Practice the dialogue with a partner or record yourself.
Prepare a Presentation in Business Chinese
Develop advanced communication skills by preparing and delivering a presentation on a business-related topic in Chinese.
Show steps
  • Choose a business topic relevant to the course.
  • Research the topic and gather relevant information.
  • Write a presentation script in business Chinese.
  • Practice the presentation and refine your delivery.
  • Record yourself giving the presentation and review it.

Career center

Learners who complete Business Chinese will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
International Trade Specialist
An International Trade Specialist facilitates trade between businesses in different countries. The role involves understanding import and export regulations, market analysis, and cross cultural communication. This course, which teaches fundamental aspects of Mandarin Chinese used in conducting business, helps one to communicate effectively with Chinese suppliers and partners. The course provides essential vocabulary and grammar for business receptions, negotiations, and seeking business partners. You will learn how to welcome guests, discuss pricing, and navigate trade exhibitions in China by taking this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Trade Specialist
International Sales Representative
An International Sales Representative promotes and sells products or services to customers in foreign markets. This role requires strong communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and negotiation abilities. This course introduces essential Mandarin Chinese used in conducting business. This can help facilitate sales with companies in China. By learning how to welcome guests, negotiate prices, and seek partners, you can build relationships and close deals.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Sales Representative
Global Sourcing Manager
A Global Sourcing Manager identifies and selects suppliers from around the world to procure goods and services. This role requires strong negotiation skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to communicate effectively with international vendors. This course provides you with practical business Chinese language skills beneficial for negotiating with Chinese suppliers. The course helps you learn essential phrases for discussing pricing, packaging, minimum order quantities, and signing contracts. Those who wish to find and vet suppliers in China should strongly consider enrolling in this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Global Sourcing Manager
International Business Development Manager
An International Business Development Manager identifies and pursues new business opportunities in foreign markets. This role involves market research, relationship building, and an understanding of international business practices. The Business Chinese course introduces fundamental aspects of Mandarin Chinese language used in conducting business. The course helps to equip those in this managerial role with the language skills necessary to connect with Chinese partners. You will learn how to arrange business meals, negotiate deals, and seek out new business ventures, all of which can improve your prospects as a Business Development Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Business Development Manager
International Marketing Manager
An International Marketing Manager develops and implements marketing strategies in foreign markets. The role requires an understanding of cultural nuances, market trends, and effective communication skills. This course introduces one to the Mandarin Chinese language used in conducting business. The course provides vocabulary and phrases relevant to building relationships with Chinese partners. This course is especially useful for learning how to communicate effectively while participating in trade exhibitions.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Marketing Manager
Import Export Agent
An Import Export Agent facilitates the movement of goods between countries, ensuring compliance with regulations and managing logistics. The role requires knowledge of international trade laws, customs procedures, and negotiation skills. The Business Chinese language skills from this course may be useful when working with Chinese suppliers and customers. The course covers essential phrases for discussing shipping, contracts, and payment terms. Those who are entering the field or already working as an Import Export Agent may benefit from this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Import Export Agent
Customs Broker
A Customs Broker assists businesses with importing and exporting goods, ensuring compliance with customs regulations and managing documentation. This role requires knowledge of international trade laws, tariffs, and customs procedures. This course can help customs brokers communicate with Chinese suppliers and partners. You will learn about negotiating prices, packaging, and shipping terms. This course helps you to navigate international trade logistics with confidence.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customs Broker
Translator
Translators convert written or spoken content from one language to another, maintaining accuracy and context. This role requires fluency in multiple languages, attention to detail, and cultural understanding. This course introduces fundamental aspects of Mandarin Chinese used in conducting business. Students can learn the vocabulary, grammar, and dialogues necessary for translating business documents and communications accurately. Understanding business receptions, negotiations, and partner interactions may be particularly helpful for translators.
See salaries and explore the career path for Translator
Interpreter
Interpreters facilitate real-time communication between individuals who speak different languages. This role requires fluency in multiple languages, strong listening skills, and the ability to think quickly. This course introduces fundamental aspects of Mandarin Chinese used in conducting business that may be useful for real time translation. By learning essential phrases for business receptions, negotiations, and seeking business partners, one can interpret conversations accurately and effectively. You can also master the nuances of business Chinese to ensure smooth communication.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter
Cross-Cultural Consultant
A Cross Cultural Consultant advises organizations on how to navigate cultural differences in the workplace and in international business dealings. This role involves training, communication strategies, and an understanding of diverse cultural norms. This course may be useful in fostering better understanding and communication with individuals from China. It covers essential phrases for business receptions, negotiations, and partnership building. As the course is taught by an award winning Professor of Chinese, it may be useful for prospective Cross Cultural Consultants.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cross-Cultural Consultant
International Trade Compliance Officer
An International Trade Compliance Officer ensures that a company's import and export activities comply with international trade laws and regulations. This role requires a thorough understanding of trade policies, customs procedures, and risk management. This course may assist those in the role by improving communication with Chinese suppliers and partners. Gaining a better understanding of common business phrases and interactions in Chinese may be useful for navigating trade relations.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Trade Compliance Officer
Supply Chain Analyst
A Supply Chain Analyst analyzes and optimizes the flow of goods and services. This role involves understanding international logistics, risk management, and supplier relationships. This course may be useful in communicating with Chinese suppliers and improving supply chain efficiency. You will learn essential phrases for discussing shipping, minimum order requirements, and contract terms. Taking this course will help to better the role of Supply Chain Analyst and improve your standing in the company.
See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst
Foreign Service Officer
A Foreign Service Officer represents their country's interests abroad, engaging in diplomacy, consular services, and international negotiations. This role typically requires a bachelor's degree and strong intercultural communication skills. The course may be useful in carrying out diplomatic or trade related activities in China. By learning essential business Chinese language skills you can engage in more effective communication and build stronger relationships with Chinese counterparts. You can gain cultural insights that enhance your diplomatic efforts by taking this class.
See salaries and explore the career path for Foreign Service Officer
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price. This course may be useful as China represents a vast market. As a Market Research Analyst, you will use the vocabulary in this course to welcome guests, arrange meals, take taxis, and check in at hotels. As an analyst, this course may be helpful to grow your company's understanding of Chinese markets.
See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst
Foreign Language Teacher
A Foreign Language Teacher instructs students in a foreign language, including grammar, vocabulary, and cultural aspects. This may require a master's or doctorate degree. The course might be useful as it provides comprehensive instruction in business Chinese, including vocabulary, grammar, and practical dialogues. The course is taught by an experienced professor of Chinese, which may enhance your teaching skills. The course includes acting videos to reinforce learning, a technique you potentially could use in teaching.
See salaries and explore the career path for Foreign Language Teacher

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Business Chinese.
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Provides authentic business-related texts and dialogues, enhancing your understanding of real-world business scenarios. It valuable resource for expanding your vocabulary and improving your reading comprehension skills in a business context. While not a prerequisite, it offers additional depth and practical examples to supplement the course material. This book is commonly used in advanced Business Chinese courses.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Mastering Chinese
Save
Provides a comprehensive introduction to Mandarin Chinese, covering pronunciation, grammar, and basic vocabulary. It is particularly helpful for students who need to strengthen their foundational knowledge before tackling business-specific language. While not directly focused on business contexts, it builds a solid base for understanding more complex concepts. This book is valuable as additional reading for beginners.
Mastering Chinese: The Complete Course for...
Paperback
$$$
Mastering Chinese with Two Audio CDs
Paperback
$$
Mastering Chinese: The complete course for...
Paperback
$$$

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Rating
4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
6 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Hong Zeng
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on practical business scenarios like welcoming guests, negotiating contracts, and finding suppliers, which are essential for international business
Includes acting/performing videos to reinforce learned language, which can help learners improve their pronunciation and comprehension skills
Taught by Professor Zeng, an award-winning professor with 16 years of experience teaching Chinese at prestigious American universities
Covers Amazon FBA business in China, including participating in trade exhibitions and contacting suppliers on Alibaba, which is relevant for e-commerce businesses
Recommends taking introductory Mandarin courses first, which may be necessary for learners without prior Chinese language experience
Provides sentence-by-sentence explanations of business dialogues, which can help learners understand the nuances of business Chinese
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