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College Spoken Chinese Fast Class Intermediate 1

4.3 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 8 ratings
see reviews
Hong Zeng

I am excited to announce to you that here comes the third sequel of College Spoken Chinese Fast Class: the quickest way of learning conversation Chinese. I am an award-winning professor of Chinese for 16 years at prestigious American colleges with two PhDs in Chinese and comparative language and literature. The quickest way of acquiring spoken language is the way we learned a language during our childhood: from mouth to mouth, without any written script. While without an explaining medium language, a baby has to figure out the meaning of the sentences from recurring situations, we, as adult learners, can even further enhance the speed by minimal, explaining medium language (here is English). The sequence of "College Spoken Chinese Series: The quickest way of learning conversational Chinese" has four courses. Each course takes you only 4 hours (30-40 minutes each day for the two dialogues of each lesson, you can finish the course in a week), the four courses will allow you to master spoken Chinese included in two year's college Chinese curriculum (without the written character requirement of course) in just 16 hours. You will be able to conduct conversation fluently in all realms of daily life, including greeting, family, time, hobbies, visit friends, make appointment, study Chinese, school life, go shopping, weather, traffic, dining, library, renting apartment, book air ticket, traveling, etc. Not just random teaching of some key sentences in a situation, but full-body real-life conversation that encompasses exactly two year's college Chinese curriculum (based on the same range of vocabulary, grammar and situation dialogues). This sequence can be for any new-learners of Chinese, but don't mistake it for just new learners. It is immeasurable valuable for those students who have already studied Chinese for years but need to make his pronunciation as accurate, his speech as fluent as native speakers through the teacher's all-talking head videos emphasizing the mouth shape of pronunciation, the correct tone and sentence cadence that you cannot acquire otherwise. This course is the second sequel, encompass topics such as see a doctor, dating and courtship, rent an apartment, sports, book air tickets, pick up and see off a person at the airport, the mythological and origin and daily practice of major Chinese festivals, very important topics in daily life. Each dialogue is taught in three lectures. The first lecture will teach you the meaning of each phrase and sentence in the dialogue with the help of medium languageEnglish, but the main emphasis is to lead you speak after me through the whole dialogue as soon as you understand them. During this lecture, you may glance at the printed out PDF of the text with its pinyin text for identifying the sound with my talk-head pronunciation, particularly students who have never studied pinyin and not familiar with Chinese pronunciation. In the second lecture, I will lead you to speak through the text twice and practice the dialogue with you in a new, invented context where we act as two sides speaking the dialogue. The third lecture is an acting video in which you can review your dialogue and speak after me again. I didn't put in pinyin subtitles in the talking head videos, because I think it will distract you from recalling the full sentence you speak after me, instead, you will just spell out the pinyin one by one mechanically, without being able to duplicate the full sentence language out of your memory when you speak after me. After the first lecture, you should not even look at the PDF while speaking after me, you should speak after me like a child learning his first languagefrom mouth to mouth, observing the mouth shape in pronunciation, imitate the pronunciation and tones as closely as possible, draw from memory the whole sentence structure after you heard it, on the spot. That is how you can maximize the speed of learn spoken language. You will see after four hours, you are able to speak, with near native-speaker accuracy and fluency some major situational dialogues, the content of which a college student has to learn in one full semester (without the written requirement), in five months.

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What's inside

Learning objective

One semester of college chinese curriculum on the intermediate level. at the end of the class, the students will be able to converse fluently and accurately intermediate level of chinese.

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction of the Course
lesson 15, 16: see a doctor; Dating
lesson 15 dialogue 1 part 1 see a doctor
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Assumes prior knowledge, making it suitable for learners who have completed a beginner's course or have some basic conversational skills
Covers practical topics like seeing a doctor, renting an apartment, booking air tickets, and discussing Chinese festivals, which are useful for navigating daily life
Emphasizes accurate pronunciation and fluency through all-talking head videos and imitation exercises, which is beneficial for learners seeking to refine their speaking skills
Focuses on conversational Chinese and real-life dialogues, which is ideal for learners who want to develop practical communication skills rather than focusing on grammar and writing
Offers value for students who have studied Chinese for years but need to make their pronunciation as accurate, their speech as fluent as native speakers
Can be for any new-learners of Chinese, but don't mistake it for just new learners, as it is immeasurable valuable for those students who have already studied Chinese for years

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Reviews summary

Fast spoken chinese for fluency

Learners say this course offers a unique and rapid approach to improving spoken Chinese fluency and pronunciation. The instructor, with extensive experience, guides students through dialogues focused on practical daily life topics. The method emphasizes listening and imitating spoken sounds directly, often without immediate pinyin support, which some find challenging initially. The pace is very fast, aiming to cover significant material quickly. While effective for conversational skills, it intentionally excludes character writing, requiring supplementary study for a well-rounded understanding.
Emphasizes imitation over pinyin/reading.
"Learning directly from the mouth shape was different, but effective for pronunciation."
"It was challenging at first to not rely on pinyin, but it forced me to listen better."
"I prefer having the Pinyin subtitles available; relying purely on listening is difficult."
Covers useful daily life conversations.
"The dialogues covered realistic situations I'd encounter in China."
"Learning how to talk about seeing a doctor or renting was very practical."
"I appreciate that the topics are directly applicable to daily conversation."
Instructor is knowledgeable and skilled.
"The professor's expertise is clear, and they explain concepts well."
"I trust the instructor's method because of their background."
"The teacher's guidance on tones was invaluable."
Excellent for improving speaking and listening.
"I finally feel like I'm making progress on speaking Chinese fluidly."
"The repeated practice helps drill the sounds and tones into my memory."
"This method really focuses on getting you to *speak* right away, which I needed."
Moves very quickly through topics.
"The pace is super fast! You really have to commit time each day."
"This is definitely a 'fast class' – maybe too fast if you can't practice constantly."
"I liked the intensity; it kept me focused and moving forward."
Focus is purely on spoken language.
"Be aware this course doesn't teach characters at all."
"Great for speaking, but I need another resource for reading and writing."
"As promised, it's zero characters, which is exactly what I wanted for pure conversation."

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 College Spoken Chinese Fast Class Intermediate 1 with these activities:
Review Pinyin Pronunciation
Strengthen your understanding of Pinyin to improve pronunciation accuracy in spoken Chinese.
Browse courses on Chinese Pronunciation
Show steps
  • Review Pinyin charts and audio examples online.
  • Practice pronouncing each sound individually.
  • Record yourself and compare to native speaker recordings.
Read 'Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook'
Reinforce your understanding of Chinese grammar to improve sentence construction and overall fluency.
View The Chinese Lexicon on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read through chapters relevant to the course topics.
  • Complete the workbook exercises to test your understanding.
  • Review any areas where you struggle.
Shadow Native Speakers
Improve your pronunciation and intonation by mimicking native Chinese speakers.
Show steps
  • Find audio or video clips of native speakers.
  • Listen to a short segment and repeat it immediately.
  • Focus on matching the speaker's tone and rhythm.
  • Record yourself and compare to the original.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Record Yourself Speaking Dialogues
Practice speaking the dialogues from each lesson and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Choose a dialogue from a recent lesson.
  • Record yourself speaking both parts of the dialogue.
  • Listen back to your recording and note any errors.
  • Repeat the process until you are satisfied with your pronunciation and fluency.
Practice with a Language Partner
Enhance your conversational skills by practicing dialogues and engaging in free-form conversations with a language partner.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner online or in person.
  • Practice the dialogues from the course together.
  • Engage in free-form conversations on topics covered in the course.
  • Provide each other with feedback on pronunciation and grammar.
Create Short Skits
Solidify your understanding of the course material by creating and performing short skits based on the dialogues.
Show steps
  • Choose a dialogue from the course.
  • Expand on the dialogue to create a short skit.
  • Record yourself performing the skit.
  • Share your skit with others and get feedback.
Read 'Remembering Simplified Hanzi'
Learn to recognize Chinese characters to deepen your understanding of the language, even though the course focuses on spoken Chinese.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Work through the book at your own pace.
  • Use the mnemonic techniques to memorize characters.
  • Review characters regularly to reinforce your memory.

Career center

Learners who complete College Spoken Chinese Fast Class Intermediate 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cultural Exchange Coordinator
A cultural exchange coordinator organizes and facilitates programs that promote cultural understanding and exchange. This course helps build a foundation for a cultural exchange coordinator working with Chinese participants or in China. The course includes dialogues on Chinese festivals and daily life scenarios, providing insights into Chinese culture and customs. The course's emphasis on accurate pronunciation and fluent conversation is important for building relationships and facilitating meaningful cultural exchange experiences.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Exchange Coordinator
Study Abroad Advisor
A study abroad advisor helps students plan and prepare for studying in a foreign country. This course helps build a foundation for a study abroad advisor who works with students interested in studying in China. The course provides insights into Chinese culture and daily life, as well as practical conversational skills for navigating various situations. The course covers topics such as school, renting apartments, and Chinese festivals. The emphasis on accurate pronunciation and fluency is important for providing effective guidance and support to students.
See salaries and explore the career path for Study Abroad Advisor
Tour Guide
A tour guide leads groups of people on trips and excursions, providing information and insights about the places they visit. This course helps build a foundation for a tour guide who leads tours in Chinese-speaking regions or caters to Chinese-speaking tourists. This course provides learners with the practical conversational Chinese skills necessary to communicate effectively in various daily life scenarios, including booking air tickets and discussing Chinese festivals. The fluency and accurate pronunciation emphasized in the course are crucial for a tour guide to deliver engaging and informative tours.
See salaries and explore the career path for Tour Guide
International Business Professional
An international business professional works in a global environment, managing relationships and transactions across borders. This course helps build a foundation for an international business professional who interacts with Chinese-speaking clients or partners. The course's dialogues cover a range of topics relevant to daily life and business interactions, such as making appointments and discussing travel arrangements. The emphasis on accurate pronunciation and fluency is crucial for building rapport and trust in international business dealings.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Business Professional
Hospitality Manager
A hospitality manager oversees the operations of hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality establishments. This course helps build a foundation for a hospitality manager who caters to Chinese-speaking guests or works in Chinese-speaking regions. The course provides practical conversational skills to communicate with guests, address their needs, and provide excellent service. The course explicitly covers topics like booking air tickets. The focus on accurate pronunciation and fluency is valuable for creating a welcoming and positive experience for guests.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hospitality Manager
Flight Attendant
A flight attendant ensures the safety and comfort of passengers on airplanes. This course can be quite useful for a flight attendant who frequently interacts with Chinese-speaking passengers. The course offers practical conversational skills to address passengers, handle queries, and provide assistance during flights, especially in situations like booking air tickets. The emphasis on accurate pronunciation and fluency is important for clear communication and a positive passenger experience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Flight Attendant
Cross-Cultural Consultant
A cross cultural consultant advises individuals and organizations on how to navigate cultural differences in various settings. This course helps build a foundation for a cross cultural consultant working with Chinese clients or in China. The dialogues cover a variety of topics relevant to daily life and cultural understanding, such as Chinese festivals and customs related to dating. The course's emphasis on accurate pronunciation and fluent conversation is important for building trust and rapport in cross cultural interactions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cross-Cultural Consultant
Interpreter
An interpreter is a professional who converts spoken language from one language to another. This course may be useful, as it provides practical conversational Chinese skills. The course focuses on spoken Chinese and emphasizes accurate pronunciation and fluency. The course includes dialogues on topics such as seeing a doctor, dating, renting an apartment, sports, booking air tickets, airport scenarios, and Chinese festivals. The focus on mimicking native speaker pronunciation is invaluable for an interpreter who wants to interpret Chinese.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter
Travel Agent
A travel agent assists customers in planning and booking travel arrangements. This course may be useful for a travel agent interacting with Chinese-speaking clients or arranging travel to Chinese-speaking regions. The course includes practical dialogues on topics such as booking air tickets and discussing travel plans, providing relevant vocabulary and conversational skills. The course's focus on accurate pronunciation and fluency is valuable for clear communication and customer satisfaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Travel Agent
Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative assists customers with inquiries, orders, and complaints. This course helps build a foundation for a customer service representative who interacts with Chinese-speaking customers. The course provides practical conversational skills to address customer needs and resolve issues effectively. The course covers topics such as healthcare, renting apartments, and booking tickets. The emphasis on understanding and mimicking native speaker pronunciation is valuable for providing excellent customer service.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative
International Aid Worker
An international aid worker provides assistance to communities in need around the world. This course helps build a foundation for an international aid worker who works in Chinese-speaking regions. The course provides practical conversational skills to communicate with local communities, understand their needs, and provide effective assistance. The dialogues cover topics such as seeing a doctor and other elements of daily life. The emphasis on cultural sensitivity and accurate communication is essential for building trust and providing meaningful support.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Aid Worker
Translator
A translator converts written text from one language to another. Though this course focuses on spoken Chinese, the practical vocabulary and situational dialogues covered can be beneficial. The course includes dialogues on topics such as seeing a doctor, dating, renting an apartment, sports, booking air tickets, airport scenarios, and Chinese festivals. For a translator, having a strong understanding of colloquial expressions can add nuance and accuracy to their translations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Translator
Librarian
A librarian assists users with finding information and resources in a library setting. This course may be useful if they wish to serve Chinese-speaking patrons or manage a collection of Chinese-language materials. Though the course focuses on spoken Chinese, the cultural insights and vocabulary related to daily life situations can be beneficial for understanding the needs of Chinese-speaking library users.
See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian
ESL Teacher
An English as a Second Language teacher instructs students in the English language. This course may be useful if they plan to work with Chinese-speaking students. This course provides exposure to the structure and nuances of the Chinese language, which can help an ESL teacher anticipate challenges that Chinese-speaking learners might face. Additionally, understanding some basic Chinese phrases can help build rapport with students and facilitate communication.
See salaries and explore the career path for ESL Teacher
International Adoption Agent
An international adoption agent helps families navigate the process of adopting children from other countries. This course helps build a foundation for an international adoption agent who works with families adopting children from China. The course provides insights into Chinese culture and customs, as well as practical conversational skills for communicating with Chinese authorities and caregivers. The emphasis on cultural sensitivity and accurate communication is crucial for a smooth and ethical adoption process.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Adoption Agent

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 College Spoken Chinese Fast Class Intermediate 1.
Cover image
The Chinese Lexicon
Save
Provides a solid foundation in Chinese grammar, which is essential for constructing accurate sentences. It is particularly helpful for understanding sentence structure and common grammatical patterns. While the course focuses on spoken Chinese, a grasp of grammar will improve fluency and comprehension. This book is often used as a supplementary text in college-level Chinese courses.
The Chinese Lexicon
Paperback
$$$
The Chinese Lexicon: A Comprehensive Survey
Kindle Edition
$$$

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Course image
Rating
4.3 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Hong Zeng
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Assumes prior knowledge, making it suitable for learners who have completed a beginner's course or have some basic conversational skills
Covers practical topics like seeing a doctor, renting an apartment, booking air tickets, and discussing Chinese festivals, which are useful for navigating daily life
Emphasizes accurate pronunciation and fluency through all-talking head videos and imitation exercises, which is beneficial for learners seeking to refine their speaking skills
Focuses on conversational Chinese and real-life dialogues, which is ideal for learners who want to develop practical communication skills rather than focusing on grammar and writing
Offers value for students who have studied Chinese for years but need to make their pronunciation as accurate, their speech as fluent as native speakers
Can be for any new-learners of Chinese, but don't mistake it for just new learners, as it is immeasurable valuable for those students who have already studied Chinese for years
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