Chinese Slang by Felix Lättman — Udemy Review & Syllabus

Here, Stephie and Felix will go through the entire range of Chinese slang along with some tips and tricks and how (and not) to use them. The first lesson is suitable for beginners whereas the rest requires a basic understanding of the Chinese language.

About the Course and DominoChinese

We are the first foreign-run Chinese (Mandarin) teaching company in China with a completely new approach to teaching Chinese. Our courses are constructed by foreigners for foreigners, and also include the wide experience of our Chinese teachers.

In this course, you will learn the fundamental concepts upon which you can easily build your Chinese language learning. By the end of this course, you will be able to conduct a simple conversation in Chinese with basic expressions, as well as the relevant reading and writing skills.

Chinese is the most logical language there is and we hope to demonstrate to the world how to successfully navigate it. Through the ancient system of using pictograms, two words with separate meanings can join to form entirely new words. For example, learn the word for electricity (电), then add brain (脑) and you get computer (electric-brain). Replace brain with stairs (梯) and you get elevator (electric-stairs). 话 means speech and 'electric-speech' means telephone. Chinese is a clearly structured, logical language, and it is this logic that makes the learning experience feel like a puzzle that anyone can solve.

We teach entirely through videos, where we first explain concepts and then show them in practice through dialogues with strangers on the street. Videos are shortened down to 1-5 minutes and to make sure you are paying attention we will give you quizzes between the videos based on what you have just learned. Pass it and move on to learn about the next concept.

When you sign up we will also give you our course book that helps you review everything you learn much easier.

Your instructor in this course is Felix Lattman, who founded Domino Chinese in Guangzhou, China, after spending some years in the city and teaching himself Chinese. To him Chinese made a lot more sense than it is generally credited with, and so he realised this language of 1.3 billion people should be very easy to learn as long as it is taught in the right way. In 2013, he started teaching Chinese to foreigners and within 3 months all of his students could converse in Chinese.

With Felix's approach to teaching Chinese combined with the other Chinese teachers' experience in the company, we hope to improve Chinese teaching everywhere in the world and make it fun, logical and much more like "a walk in the park" for anyone.

What's inside

Learning objective

All the relevant chinese slang in 2019

Syllabus

Introduction

Learning Resources

233

666

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides an in-depth exploration of Chinese slang, including its history and usage

Suitable for learners with a beginner to intermediate level of Chinese language proficiency

Taught by experienced instructors with a deep understanding of Chinese language and culture

Utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including videos, dialogues, and quizzes, to enhance comprehension

Covers a wide range of slang terms, making it a comprehensive resource for learners

Provides tips and tricks for using slang effectively and appropriately

Reviews summary

Practical chinese slang for everyday use

According to learners, this course is a unique and much-needed resource for understanding real, everyday Chinese slang not typically covered in traditional lessons. Students consistently praise the engaging and passionate instructor, Felix, and the short, digestible video format, especially the effective real-life examples and street dialogues. While highly recommended for adding flavor to Chinese conversations and bridging the gap to authentic language, some learners noted that certain slang terms felt outdated or regional, and wished for more depth or cultural context. It's particularly well-suited for beginners with basic understanding, though intermediate learners might find some content too basic.

Ideal for beginners with basic Chinese, less depth for intermediates.

"Good for absolute beginners maybe, but not much beyond that."

"I'm a beginner who's been learning for a few months, and the 'Introduction' lesson being suitable for beginners was very true."

"As an intermediate learner, I was hoping for more depth or cultural nuances explained for each term."

"Recommended if you know basic Chinese."

Fills a vital gap by teaching real, everyday colloquial Chinese.

"It fills a gap that most traditional Chinese lessons don't touch – real, everyday slang."

"This finally gave me the missing piece – how people actually talk on the street."

"A very unique and much-needed course! It's refreshing to learn practical, informal Chinese."

"What a breath of fresh air! I've always found it hard to get a grasp on Chinese slang, and this course breaks it down brilliantly."

Dynamic teaching and effective short video lessons are highly praised.

"Felix is a great instructor, very engaging and makes learning fun."

"The short videos with real-life examples are super effective. Felix makes it very entertaining."

"The instructor Felix is very energetic and explains things clearly. The video style with street interviews is genius – it really helps to hear the slang used in context."

"The short, punchy videos are perfect for retaining information, and the real-life dialogues are incredibly helpful. Felix's enthusiasm is infectious."

Quizzes are too basic; some topics lack cultural depth.

"Sometimes the quizzes felt a bit too simple."

"The quizzes are too simple to reinforce complex concepts."

"Lack of depth in explanations for certain cultural nuances was a drawback."

"I found myself needing to cross-reference a lot. The short video format meant less depth."

Some slang terms are perceived as dated, needing current updates.

"My only minor gripe is that some of the slang felt a little outdated or regional, which is tough to tell sometimes without more context."

"I took this course hoping to get a deep dive into modern Chinese internet slang... but much of it felt like very general colloquialisms or even somewhat outdated terms."

"While some slang was useful, a significant portion felt either too basic or simply not current for 2019, let alone now. It needs an update."

"I felt some terms were a bit dated already, which is a challenge for any slang course, but overall, it expanded my understanding of colloquial Chinese."

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 Slang with these activities:

Review of core Chinese language concepts

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Refresh your memory on the basic building blocks of the Chinese language, ensuring a strong foundation for understanding the nuances of slang.

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Read through your old Chinese language notes or textbooks.
Complete practice exercises on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Watch beginner-friendly Chinese videos or listen to podcasts.
Find a language partner or tutor for guided practice.

Volunteer at a Chinese cultural event or organization

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Immerse yourself in the Chinese language and culture by volunteering at events or organizations, providing opportunities for authentic language practice and cultural exchange.

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