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Wang Jun
and
An Na
Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for beginners is a beginner's course of Mandarin Chinese in continuation of Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for beginners. It uses lectures, short plays, interactive exercises and cultural tips to help learners build a fundamental capability of oral Chinese in real-life situations. At the end of the 5-lesson course, the learners will reach the following proficiency:
♦ 300 words
♦ 40 language points
♦ handling 10 real-life situations
Completing "Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for beginners" or having attended Chinese courses of any types for at least 15 hours is the prerequisite.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/c3bve5/mandarin
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What's inside
Syllabus
Lesson 6 Qù túshūɡuǎn zěnme zǒu ？ 去图书馆怎么走？ How to get to the library? Part 1(Please complete Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for beginners before you start this module)
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Syllabus
Lesson 6 Qù túshūɡuǎn zěnme zǒu ？ 去图书馆怎么走？ How to get to the library? Part 1(Please complete Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for beginners before you start this module)
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Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners in Mandarin Chinese, teaching them essential vocabulary and phrases
Taught by experienced instructors, Wang Jun and An Na, who have a strong reputation for teaching Mandarin Chinese
Uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, short plays, and interactive exercises, to engage learners and make learning more effective
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Reviews summary
Basic mandarin chinese conversation course
according to students, this course is a solid follow-up to Mandarin Chinese 1, effectively building on foundational concepts. Many learners found the lectures and explanations to be clear and easy to follow, appreciating the practical dialogues and scenarios presented, such as asking for directions or making phone calls. While the course provides a useful introduction to basic conversational situations and vocabulary, some reviewers noted that it might require supplementary practice to achieve fluency. The interactive exercises were generally seen as helpful, though a few recent comments suggested they could be more varied or challenging. Overall, the sentiment is largely positive for those looking to continue their beginner studies.
May need outside resources for fluency.
"While the course is good, I felt the need to use other resources for more practice."
"It gives a good foundation, but you'll need to supplement with speaking practice."
"The course content is excellent but doesn't provide enough drilling practice."
"To truly become conversational, external practice is essential."
Effective continuation of the first course.
"This course is a great continuation of the first Mandarin class."
"It picks up right where part 1 left off and expands well."
"Prerequisite is essential; it builds nicely on the foundation."
"Glad I took the first course; this one flows logically."
Focus on real-life conversation scenarios.
"The dialogues are very practical and useful for real situations."
"I enjoyed the focus on practical conversations like asking for directions."
"Learning how to talk about health and make appointments was very useful for daily life."
"The scenarios presented in the plays felt very realistic."
Instructors explain concepts effectively.
"The explanations are very clear and easy to understand."
"The lessons build well on the previous course, and the concepts are explained clearly."
"I found the instructions and explanations straightforward and helpful for a beginner."
"Instructors present the material in a way that makes sense even for complex tones."
Some find exercises repetitive or simple.
"The exercises could be more varied or challenging."
"I wish there were more opportunities for interactive practice."
"Some exercises felt a bit repetitive after a while."
"While helpful, the practice activities are somewhat basic."
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 Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for Beginners with these
activities:
Participate in online forums or discussion groups dedicated to Mandarin Chinese learning
Show steps
Connect with other learners and share your knowledge and experiences to enhance your understanding.
Show steps
-
Join online forums or discussion groups related to Mandarin Chinese
-
Participate in discussions and ask questions
-
Share your insights and help others with their questions
-
Read and learn from the contributions of other members
Watch videos or listen to podcasts on advanced Mandarin Chinese grammar
Show steps
Supplement your learning with additional resources to gain deeper insights into grammar concepts.
Show steps
-
Search for online videos or podcasts on Mandarin Chinese grammar
-
Choose a topic that you need to improve on
-
Watch or listen to the content and take notes
-
Review your notes and practice using the new grammar structures
Complete practice exercises on Mandarin Chinese grammar and vocabulary
Show steps
Immerse yourself in the language and reinforce your understanding of grammar rules and vocabulary through practice.
Show steps
-
Access the practice exercises provided in the course materials
-
Complete the exercises on a regular basis
-
Review your answers and identify areas for improvement
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Compile a list of useful Mandarin Chinese vocabulary and phrases for everyday conversations
Show steps
Build your vocabulary and improve your ability to communicate in various situations.
Show steps
-
Identify common topics and situations where you would need to communicate in Mandarin Chinese
-
Research and collect useful vocabulary and phrases related to these topics
-
Organize your vocabulary and phrases into categories
-
Review your compilation regularly and practice using the vocabulary and phrases
Create a Mandarin Chinese dialogue with a partner
Show steps
Develop your speaking skills and confidence by engaging in real-life conversations.
Show steps
-
Find a language exchange partner or a classmate to practice with
-
Choose a topic for your dialogue
-
Prepare your dialogue by writing down the key phrases and sentences you want to use
-
Practice the dialogue with your partner
-
Record the dialogue for later review
Read authentic Mandarin Chinese short stories or novels
Show steps
Immerse yourself in the language and culture by reading real-world texts.
View
The Backyard Bird Chronicles
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Find a Mandarin Chinese short story or novel that interests you
-
Read the text aloud and listen to the pronunciation of the characters
-
Look up unfamiliar words and phrases in a dictionary or online resources
-
Summarize the main points of the story in Mandarin Chinese
Volunteer at a local organization or event where you can interact with Mandarin Chinese speakers
Show steps
Gain practical experience and improve your speaking and listening skills while making a positive impact.
Show steps
-
Find a local organization or event that caters to Mandarin Chinese speakers
-
Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering
-
Participate in activities and interact with Mandarin Chinese speakers
-
Listen and observe how Mandarin Chinese is used in real-life situations
Participate in online forums or discussion groups dedicated to Mandarin Chinese learning
Show steps
Connect with other learners and share your knowledge and experiences to enhance your understanding.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Join online forums or discussion groups related to Mandarin Chinese
- Participate in discussions and ask questions
- Share your insights and help others with their questions
- Read and learn from the contributions of other members
Watch videos or listen to podcasts on advanced Mandarin Chinese grammar
Show steps
Supplement your learning with additional resources to gain deeper insights into grammar concepts.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for online videos or podcasts on Mandarin Chinese grammar
- Choose a topic that you need to improve on
- Watch or listen to the content and take notes
- Review your notes and practice using the new grammar structures
Complete practice exercises on Mandarin Chinese grammar and vocabulary
Show steps
Immerse yourself in the language and reinforce your understanding of grammar rules and vocabulary through practice.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Access the practice exercises provided in the course materials
- Complete the exercises on a regular basis
- Review your answers and identify areas for improvement
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Compile a list of useful Mandarin Chinese vocabulary and phrases for everyday conversations
Show steps
Build your vocabulary and improve your ability to communicate in various situations.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify common topics and situations where you would need to communicate in Mandarin Chinese
- Research and collect useful vocabulary and phrases related to these topics
- Organize your vocabulary and phrases into categories
- Review your compilation regularly and practice using the vocabulary and phrases
Create a Mandarin Chinese dialogue with a partner
Show steps
Develop your speaking skills and confidence by engaging in real-life conversations.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a language exchange partner or a classmate to practice with
- Choose a topic for your dialogue
- Prepare your dialogue by writing down the key phrases and sentences you want to use
- Practice the dialogue with your partner
- Record the dialogue for later review
Read authentic Mandarin Chinese short stories or novels
Show steps
Immerse yourself in the language and culture by reading real-world texts.
View
The Backyard Bird Chronicles
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a Mandarin Chinese short story or novel that interests you
- Read the text aloud and listen to the pronunciation of the characters
- Look up unfamiliar words and phrases in a dictionary or online resources
- Summarize the main points of the story in Mandarin Chinese
Volunteer at a local organization or event where you can interact with Mandarin Chinese speakers
Show steps
Gain practical experience and improve your speaking and listening skills while making a positive impact.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a local organization or event that caters to Mandarin Chinese speakers
- Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering
- Participate in activities and interact with Mandarin Chinese speakers
- Listen and observe how Mandarin Chinese is used in real-life situations
Career center
Learners who complete Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Mandarin Chinese Interpreter
Mandarin Chinese Interpreter
A Mandarin Chinese Interpreter works with clients that do business with individuals and companies in China. This course will help you develop the skills you need to communicate with Chinese clients. The proficiency in Mandarin that you will develop will serve you well in this role, especially the focus on real-life situations which will allow you to more effectively negotiate and manage relationships with Chinese colleagues and clients.
Mandarin Chinese Translator
Mandarin Chinese Translator
A Mandarin Chinese Translator is responsible for translating written documents from Mandarin Chinese to their native language. With the language skills you will develop in this course, you will be able to help businesses communicate cross-culturally, potentially serving in international business, diplomatic missions, or academic institutions. This course will help you to provide accurate and culturally-sensitive translations.
International Business Manager
International Business Manager
As an International Business Manager, you could specialize in business with China. This course will provide you with the communication skills you need to build relationships with Chinese colleagues and clients, an increasingly valuable skill in the globalization of business.
Foreign Service Officer
Foreign Service Officer
A Foreign Service Officer serves as a diplomat of the United States government. Because the U.S. has extensive diplomatic relations with China, Mandarin is a critical language skill for U.S. diplomats. This course will help you to develop the language skills and cultural knowledge you need to represent the U.S. in China.
Cultural Exchange Coordinator
Cultural Exchange Coordinator
A Cultural Exchange Coordinator plans and manages cultural exchange programs between the U.S. and China. The language skills you will develop will serve you well in this role, especially the focus on real-life situations which will make you more effective when interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds.
Education Consultant
Education Consultant
An Education Consultant works with Chinese students who are interested in studying in the United States or with American students who are interested in studying in China. The language skills you will develop in this course will make you a highly effective resource for students, parents, and schools.
Journalist
Journalist
A Journalist who specializes in reporting on China will find the specialization in real-life Mandarin Chinese situations particularly useful. This will allow you to not only read and write about events, but to effectively interview Mandarin speakers and better understand the culture.
Librarian
Librarian
A Librarian who specializes in Chinese studies will find the Mandarin Chinese language skills developed in this course to be highly useful. This will not only allow you to better assist patrons seeking materials in Mandarin, but also help build bridges with Mandarin speakers in the community.
Teacher
Teacher
A Teacher of Mandarin Chinese will find the structured approach to Mandarin Chinese language learning and the focus on real-life situations helpful. This course will help you become more effective in teaching Mandarin to students, especially since the focus on real-life situations will help your students apply their language skills outside the classroom.
Tour Guide
Tour Guide
A Tour Guide who leads tours in China will find the real-life Mandarin Chinese situations particularly useful. This will allow you to more effectively interact with tourists and provide them with a better understanding of Chinese culture.
Social Worker
Social Worker
A Social Worker who works with Chinese immigrants or Chinese communities will find the Mandarin Chinese language skills developed in this course to be highly useful. This will not only allow you to better serve your clients, but also help build bridges with Mandarin speakers in the community.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst who specializes in Chinese markets may find the language skills developed in this course to be useful. This is especially true if you interact with Mandarin speakers on a regular basis. However, a deeper understanding of Chinese business culture may be more useful than a basic knowledge of the language.
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
As a Software Engineer, you could work on projects that require knowledge of Mandarin Chinese. While this course will not provide you with the technical skills required for software engineering, the language skills you will develop may be useful.
Product Manager
Product Manager
As a Product Manager, you could work on products that are used by Mandarin speakers. While this course will not provide you with the technical skills required for product management, the language skills you will develop may be useful.
Sales Manager
Sales Manager
As a Sales Manager, you could work in a company that does business with Mandarin speakers. While this course will not provide you with the business skills you need for sales management, the language skills developed in this course may be useful.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/c3bve5/mandarin
Reading list
We've selected seven 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
Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for Beginners.
Save
This revised edition of Practical Chinese Reader 1 offers more up-to-date content and a wider range of exercises, making it an even more valuable resource for beginners.
This textbook is designed for beginner-level Mandarin Chinese learners and provides a comprehensive introduction to the language.
Save
Comprehensive beginner-level course in Mandarin Chinese, which provides a solid foundation for further study
A reference grammar that provides a detailed and comprehensive description of the grammatical structure of Mandarin Chinese. It is an excellent resource for learners who want to gain a deeper understanding of the language.
Save
This compilation of the teachings of Confucius and his disciples covers a wide range of topics, including ethics, politics, and personal conduct.
A seminal work of Chinese literature, this novel offers insights into the social, political, and cultural landscape of 18th-century China.
An alternate selection, this book is an internationally acclaimed biography of Mao Zedong. It offers important insights into the psychological and political motivations of Mao and the broader socio-political developments in China during his time.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/c3bve5/mandarin
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Effort
Approx. 18 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Instructors
Wang Jun
An Na
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
中文
العربية
한국어
日本語
हिंदी
Nederlands
Svenska
Pусский
Türkçe
Polski
Ελληνικά
українська мова
Bahasa Indonesia
ไทย
қазақша
اُردُو,
tiếng Việt
This course belongs to a
collection
called
Learn Mandarin Chinese. It's comprised of four courses:
- Learn Mandarin Chinese: Capstone Project
- Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for Beginners (viewing)
- Mandarin Chinese 3: Chinese for Beginners
- Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for Beginners
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