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Introduction to Chinese

Grammar

Qianping Li, WANG CHENXIN, Fuyu Kong, and 捷 王

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for learners wanting to improve their Chinese and become more familiar with Chinese grammar.

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Reviews summary

Focused chinese grammar introduction

According to learners, this course offers an exceptionally clear and structured introduction to Chinese grammar, making complex rules digestible for true beginners. Many find the explanations incredibly lucid and the quizzes effective for reinforcing understanding. However, a significant portion of students highlight a major limitation: the course is highly theoretical and lacks practical application, such as speaking or listening practice. It's often described as a 'grammar textbook come to life', requiring students to supplement their learning with other resources for a comprehensive language experience. While praised for its solid grammatical foundation, it may not suit those seeking an immersive approach.
Praised for its structured modules and clear instructor pronunciation.
"I especially appreciated how the concepts were broken down into bite-sized modules."
"The instructor's pronunciation was also very clear and helpful."
"The instructor's teaching style is engaging."
An excellent starting point for true beginners struggling with Chinese grammar.
"This course is an excellent starting point for learning Chinese grammar."
"Absolutely fantastic! Highly recommend for true beginners!"
"A solid introduction to Chinese grammar... a great foundation if you're serious about learning Chinese."
Provides incredibly clear and structured explanations of Chinese grammar.
"The explanations are incredibly clear and the examples really helped solidify my understanding."
"This course breaks down grammar into digestible pieces. The examples are perfect, and the quizzes truly test my understanding."
"The clarity of presentation is unmatched. I particularly liked the structured approach to sentence patterns."
"The instructor explains complex concepts simply."
Often requires additional resources for vocabulary, characters, or speaking practice.
"I'd recommend supplementing with a speaking practice app."
"It feels like you need prior knowledge of vocabulary to fully grasp the examples."
"For an 'introduction', it expects you to piece together a lot of the context yourself."
"If you're only interested in the theoretical grammar rules, it's fine, but for a holistic approach, look elsewhere."
Highly theoretical, neglecting speaking, listening, and holistic language use.
"While it focuses on grammar, it completely neglects the practical application, such as speaking or listening."
"It doesn't integrate well with other aspects of language learning like characters or conversation."
"It's too academic and dry. I needed something more immersive."
"My main critique is that it's a bit too focused on theoretical grammar without enough real-world dialogues or usage scenarios."

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Chinese: Grammar will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 Introduction to Chinese: Grammar.
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Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar
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Is widely regarded as a standard resource for learners across different levels. It provides clear explanations and is well-organized, making it excellent for gaining a broad understanding of Chinese grammar. It serves as a valuable reference tool throughout one's language learning journey. The book combines traditional and function-based grammar approaches.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar
Paperback
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Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar
Kindle Edition
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Chinese
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Complete reference guide suitable for advanced learners and those seeking a thorough understanding of Chinese grammar. It delves into complex grammatical patterns and is an invaluable resource for in-depth study and reference. It is considered a standard reference work.
Intermediate Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook...
Paperback
$$
Chinese: An Essential Grammar (Routledge Essential...
Kindle Edition
$$
Chinese: A Comprehensive Grammar (Routledge...
Paperback
$$$
Basic Chinese (Routledge Grammar Workbooks)
Paperback
$$
The Chinese Lexicon
Paperback
$$$
Intermediate Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook...
Hardcover
$$$
Chinese: An Essential Grammar (Routledge Essential...
Paperback
$$
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外国人实用汉语语法
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This revised edition of a highly recommended grammar book for foreigners offers updated content and explanations in Chinese. It practical guide addressing common grammatical issues faced by learners. This core text in the field of teaching Chinese as a second language.
Practical Chinese Grammar for Foreigners
Paperback
$$
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Chinese: An Essential Grammar
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Offers a clear and comprehensive overview of Chinese grammar, suitable for learners from beginner to advanced levels. It is often used in university-level courses as a foundational text. While comprehensive, some may find it quite academic in its approach.
Chinese: An Essential Grammar
Paperback
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Chinese: An Essential Grammar
Kindle Edition
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Intermediate Chinese
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Building upon 'Basic Chinese,' this workbook is designed for intermediate learners looking to deepen their grammatical understanding and practice. It provides targeted exercises to reinforce learning. This good follow-up resource for students progressing in their studies.
Intermediate Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook...
Hardcover
$$$
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Basic Chinese
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Ideal for beginners, this book focuses on correct structures and common errors, providing a solid foundation in Chinese grammar. It includes numerous exercises to help solidify understanding through practice. This good resource for those just starting their study of Chinese grammar. It is available in Simplified Characters.
Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook (Routledge...
Hardcover
$$$$
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Yufa! A Practical Guide to Mandarin Chinese Grammar
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This practical guide focuses on explaining Chinese grammar in a clear and accessible way for learners. It is designed to help students understand and use grammatical structures effectively. It is often recommended for intermediate learners.
Yufa! A Practical Guide to Mandarin Chinese Grammar...
Paperback
$$$
Yufa! A Practical Guide to Mandarin Chinese Grammar...
Kindle Edition
$$
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Schaum's Outline of Chinese Grammar
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This outline provides a concise and comprehensive summary of Chinese grammar, suitable for quick reference and review. It covers a wide range of grammar points in a condensed format. While broad in coverage, it may lack the detailed explanations found in more extensive textbooks.
Schaum's Outline of Chinese Grammar (Schaum's...
Kindle Edition
$$
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Outline of Classical Chinese Grammar
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For those interested in the historical development of Chinese grammar, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to the syntax of Classical Chinese. It is an authoritative study focusing on the high classical period. is suitable for advanced students and researchers in Chinese linguistics and classical literature.
Outline of Classical Chinese Grammar
Paperback
$$

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Time
16 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institution
Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)
Instructors
Qianping Li
WANG CHENXIN
Fuyu Kong
捷 王
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