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An Na, Wang Jun, and 叶军

"Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for Intermediate Learners" is the first course of the MOOC specialization "Learn Intermediate Mandarin Chinese" created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

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What's inside

Syllabus

LESSON 1 你也喜欢跑步吗? Do you also like running? PART 1
Learning how to express hobbies; Learning expressions related to sports
LESSON 1 你也喜欢跑步吗?Do you also like running? PART 2
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores learning how to talk about sports, talk about home furnishings, and compare things, which are standard in beginner Mandarin Chinese classes
Explores concepts such as expressing hobbies, learning, home furnishings, lifestyles, and comparing things, which are relevant to daily conversation in Mandarin
Develops expressions in cases of emergencies, emphasizing location, time, or manner of an event, which are core skills for everyday communication in Mandarin
Taught by Wang Jun, An Na, and 叶军, who are recognized experts in teaching Mandarin as a foreign language
Examines evaluation of people and oneself, learning how to talk about interviews, which are useful for learners looking to navigate a professional setting in a Mandarin-speaking country

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Reviews summary

Structured intermediate mandarin foundation

According to learners, Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Part 1 is a solid continuation providing clear explanations, particularly for grammar points. Students appreciate the structured lessons and useful vocabulary that build upon beginner knowledge. However, some reviewers note that the pace might feel fast at times, and a common point raised is the perceived need for more opportunities for practice, especially listening and speaking, or the use of supplementary materials alongside the course lectures and exercises. Overall, it's seen as a valuable step for those transitioning to intermediate level.
Good bridge from beginner to intermediate.
"This course was a perfect next step after finishing a beginner course, it felt like a good intermediate level."
"For someone just moving past beginner, this course felt appropriate and challenging in a good way."
"As an intermediate learner, I found the content matched my level well and helped expand my knowledge."
"While it's labeled intermediate, some parts felt slightly easy, others just right."
"It's a decent course, but I'm not sure it pushes you much beyond a strong beginner level."
Instructors are clear and knowledgeable.
"The instructor is very clear and easy to understand, which is crucial for language learning."
"Professors seem knowledgeable and explain concepts patiently."
"Enjoyed the teaching style; the instructors were engaging."
"The lecturers are competent and present the material effectively."
"Good pronunciation from the instructors helps with listening practice."
Introduces practical new words.
"The vocabulary introduced in each lesson was relevant and useful for everyday conversations."
"I liked that the course included vocabulary related to specific topics like hobbies and interviews."
"Good selection of new words that help you talk about more complex subjects."
"Found the new vocabulary lists to be well-curated and helpful for expanding my lexicon."
"The dialogues presented provided good context for learning and using the new vocab."
Grammar and concepts are explained well.
"The explanations, especially for grammar, were very clear and easy to follow."
"I finally understood some tricky grammar points thanks to the way the instructor explained them."
"The content is presented logically, and the vocabulary and grammar points are explained effectively."
"Learned a lot! The explanations are quite detailed which helps grasp the concepts."
"The course does a good job of breaking down complex ideas into manageable parts."
Some find the pace fast, need more practice.
"Sometimes the pace felt a bit too fast for me to fully absorb everything before moving on."
"While the lectures are informative, I felt there wasn't enough practice material provided to really solidify what was taught."
"I had to find external resources for extra listening and speaking practice because the course exercises weren't enough."
"Could benefit from more interactive exercises or assignments to help reinforce the lessons."
"The amount of content covered in each unit felt rushed at times, requiring extra review."

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 for Intermediate Learners: Part 1 with these activities:
Create Mandarin Chinese Flashcards
Design your own Mandarin Chinese flashcards to enhance memorization and recall of key vocabulary.
Show steps
  • Gather a list of essential Mandarin Chinese vocabulary.
  • Create flashcards with the vocabulary word on one side and its meaning on the other.
  • Review the flashcards regularly to improve your memory.
  • Test yourself by trying to recall the meaning of the words without looking at the flashcards.
Watch Mandarin Chinese Grammar Videos
Expose yourself to Mandarin Chinese grammar in different contexts and formats to enhance your understanding and improve retention.
Browse courses on Chinese Grammar
Show steps
  • Find reputable Mandarin Chinese grammar video channels or playlists.
  • Watch videos regularly to improve your grammar knowledge.
  • Take notes of key grammar rules and examples.
  • Practice using the grammar in your own conversations.
Attend a Mandarin Chinese Conversation Workshop
Participate in immersive Mandarin Chinese conversation workshops to improve your fluency and confidence in speaking.
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a Mandarin Chinese conversation workshop that aligns with your level.
  • Attend the workshop sessions regularly and actively engage in conversations.
  • Practice the techniques and strategies learned during the workshop.
  • Seek feedback from the workshop leader or other participants.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Contribute to Open Source Mandarin Chinese Projects
Engage in open source projects related to Mandarin Chinese to expand your knowledge and contribute to the broader language learning community.
Browse courses on Open Source Software
Show steps
  • Identify open source projects focused on Mandarin Chinese.
  • Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
  • Make contributions to the project, such as code improvements, documentation updates, or bug fixes.
  • Collaborate with other contributors and participate in project discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Part 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Writer
As a Writer, you will focus on developing written content for a variety of purposes. These purposes include advertising, journalism, public relations, and more. Whether you write for news, marketing materials, scripts, or anything in between, being able to communicate in Mandarin Chinese is a valuable skill that opens up a wider range of jobs. This course may assist you in expanding your written communication capabilities in Mandarin Chinese.
Journalist
Journalists write and prepare news stories to inform the public. These roles can be focused on a variety of topics, such as local news, national news, or international news. Whether you want to write for print or digital media, knowing Mandarin Chinese can make you a more competitive candidate for a variety of positions. This course can provide a foundation in Mandarin Chinese that will make learning additional Mandarin Chinese skills easier.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists help to manage a company or organization's public image. To do this, they create and maintain relationships with the media, the public, and other stakeholders. Given the global nature of the business world, knowing Mandarin Chinese can open up opportunities for roles within all business sectors. This course will help you develop the Mandarin Chinese skills you need to succeed in this role.
Editor
As an Editor, you review, revise, and prepare written content to be published. This content can include books, magazines, newspapers, and more. If you are interested in the publishing industry, this course can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese writing skills, making you a more competitive candidate. This is particularly beneficial for those who aspire to work with international publishers.
Translator
Translators convert written content from one language to another. This can be a crucial role in many industries, including publishing, business, and government. Given that Mandarin Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, your knowledge of it would be beneficial in this field. This course will help you lay a foundation for your Mandarin Chinese translation knowledge.
Interpreter
Interpreters convert spoken content from one language to another. As with Translation, knowing Mandarin Chinese is advantageous in this field. This course may assist you in building upon your knowledge of Mandarin Chinese communication.
Teacher
As a Teacher, you will help students learn and develop their knowledge and skills. Given the growing need for Mandarin Chinese educators, this course is a great place to start. Coursework includes topics like educational expressions and home furnishings, which can be essential in a classroom setting.
International Business Consultant
As an International Business Consultant, you help companies evaluate and enter foreign markets. Mandarin Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with many speakers in China, a significant economic powerhouse. This course can help you advance your Mandarin Chinese skills to communicate with potential business partners.
Diplomat
Diplomats act as the official representatives of their countries. They work to build and maintain relationships between countries through diplomacy. China is one of the world's most powerful and influential countries. Having Mandarin Chinese skills will make you more competitive in working with Chinese diplomats, building connections, and negotiating.
Research Analyst
As a Research Analyst, you conduct research and analyze data. You may use this data to make recommendations, write reports, and provide insights on a variety of topics. This role may be found in industries such as finance, business, and government. Knowing Mandarin Chinese may help you gain access to a wider array of sources for your research.
Foreign Service Officer
Foreign Service Officers represent the United States abroad. These officers work in embassies and consulates to promote U.S. interests. Mandarin Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. This course can help you start developing the skills you will need to communicate in Mandarin Chinese on the job.
Travel Agent
Travel Agents assist clients in planning and booking travel arrangements. In the wake of the global pandemic, international travel is slowly regaining its momentum. Mandarin Chinese is the official language of China, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With Mandarin Chinese skills, you can more effectively cater to clients' travel needs.

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 for Intermediate Learners: Part 1.
Popular textbook for intermediate learners of Mandarin Chinese. It provides authentic reading materials and exercises to help learners develop their reading comprehension skills.
Comprehensive textbook for intermediate learners of Mandarin Chinese. It covers a wide range of topics, including grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing.
Functional approach to learning Mandarin Chinese. It focuses on teaching learners the language skills they need to communicate in real-world situations.
Phrasebook and dictionary for travelers who want to learn basic Mandarin Chinese. It useful reference tool for learners who want to communicate in everyday situations.
Collection of short stories for beginners learning Mandarin Chinese. It provides authentic reading materials and exercises to help learners develop their reading comprehension skills.
Dictionary of English-Chinese idioms. It useful reference tool for learners who want to improve their understanding of Chinese culture and language.

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