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Steven Zhao

    Welcome to our Chinese course. We want to help you get better at listening and speaking Chinese quickly, even if you don't know anything about the language yet.

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    Welcome to our Chinese course. We want to help you get better at listening and speaking Chinese quickly, even if you don't know anything about the language yet.

Most people usually start learning a new language by reading or memorizing stuff. But we think it's better to learn like how babies learn – by listening first. When babies hear lots of understandable language, it helps their brains learn the language. Then, they start talking. We're going to do the same thing with you. We'll give you lots of stuff to listen to and understand, and then you'll start speaking. It's like exercising your brain to learn a new language.

  Here are the key features of our course:

  1. Emphasis on Listening and Speaking: We prioritize the development of listening and speaking skills, utilizing a plethora of visuals such as pictures and videos to aid comprehension and retention.

  2. Focus on Comprehensible Input: Rather than rote memorization of grammar rules, we provide ample comprehensible listening materials to help you intuitively grasp language patterns.

  3. Speaking Practice: Through repetitive exercises, association with real-life scenarios, and mastering sentence patterns, we'll guide you in confident oral expression.

Our curriculum covers:

  • Everyday vocabulary and expressions

  • Common colloquial phrases used by native speakers

  • Questioning techniques and responses

  • Natural self-expression in Chinese

Whether you're a complete beginner or seeking to enhance your oral proficiency, our course caters to your needs. Join us as we explore the beauty of the Chinese language together.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will learn everyday chinese vocabulary and expressions used by native speakers.
  • You will learn to understand common daily expressions used by chinese people.
  • You will learn how to ask and answer questions in chinese (who/what/when/where/how/why...).
  • You will learn how to express yourself naturally in chinese.
  • You'll receive over 26 hours of video, along with downloadable audio recordings, transcripts, and flashcards.

Syllabus

Review with Anki flashcards
Chapter 1
Lesson 1: What is this?
Lesson 1: Listening exercise
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes listening and speaking skills, which aligns with modern language acquisition techniques and helps learners develop practical communication abilities early on
Uses comprehensible input and repetitive exercises, which are effective strategies for building a strong foundation in a new language
Includes downloadable audio recordings, transcripts, and flashcards, which provides learners with a variety of resources to support their learning
Relies on Anki flashcards, which may require learners to familiarize themselves with a specific spaced repetition software
Focuses on everyday vocabulary and expressions, which is ideal for learners who want to quickly start using the language in real-life situations
Features over 26 of video content, which may be time-intensive for some learners

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Reviews summary

Easy beginner mandarin conversation

According to learners, this course offers a highly effective approach for absolute beginners to learn Mandarin Chinese, focusing heavily on listening and speaking through comprehensible input. Many highlight the instructor's clear and patient teaching style. Students appreciate the emphasis on everyday conversation and practical phrases they can use immediately. The structured repetition and use of visuals and Anki flashcards are frequently mentioned as helpful aids. However, some learners accustomed to traditional methods note the limited focus on grammar rules and Chinese characters, which might require supplementary study if reading and writing are primary goals. While the pace is generally considered suitable for beginners, a few advanced students find it slow.
Some find it fast, others find it slow.
"The pace is perfect for a complete beginner."
"Felt a bit slow after the first few chapters, but overall good."
"Moves at a comfortable pace, allowing you to absorb everything."
Frequent repetition aids memorization.
"There is a lot of repetition, which is crucial for language learning, but can feel slow."
"The repetition helps cement the vocabulary and sentence structures."
"While repetitive, the exercises are effective for memorization."
Method emphasizes listening over grammar rules.
"While the method is great for speaking, I do miss explicit grammar explanations."
"It's different from traditional courses; you don't get grammar breakdowns."
"If you're looking for grammar rules explained, this isn't the course for that."
Focuses on useful daily conversations.
"The vocabulary and phrases are highly relevant for everyday situations."
"I can already use some of the phrases I learned in daily interactions."
"Focuses on practical conversation, which is exactly what I needed for travel."
Learning via listening and input works.
"This is the most effective way I have ever found to learn a language, by comprehensible input."
"The methodology is what sets this course apart. Learning through listening and repetition is fantastic."
"I'm really enjoying the focus on listening first, it feels much more natural than typical grammar lessons."
Instructor is patient and easy to understand.
"The instructor is very clear and easy to understand, making complex tones manageable."
"He is patient and explains things in a simple, direct way."
"The instructor's voice is pleasant and the explanations are concise."

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 Easy Mandarin Chinese: Learn Chinese language for Beginners with these activities:
Review Pinyin Pronunciation
Review the basics of Pinyin pronunciation to ensure a solid foundation for learning new vocabulary and sentence structures.
Browse courses on Pinyin
Show steps
  • Find a Pinyin chart online or in a textbook.
  • Listen to audio recordings of each sound.
  • Practice pronouncing each sound individually and in combination.
Read 'Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook'
Supplement the course's focus on listening and speaking with a structured understanding of Chinese grammar.
View Basic Chinese on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook'.
  • Read the chapters corresponding to the grammar points covered in the course.
  • Complete the exercises in the workbook to reinforce your understanding.
Practice Tones with Online Exercises
Reinforce your understanding of Mandarin tones through repetitive exercises, which is crucial for accurate pronunciation and comprehension.
Show steps
  • Find online resources that offer tone practice exercises.
  • Listen to the audio examples and repeat the tones.
  • Use a tone checker tool to verify your pronunciation.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Speaking with a Language Partner
Improve your speaking skills and gain confidence by practicing with a language partner.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner online or in person.
  • Schedule regular practice sessions.
  • Use vocabulary and sentence structures learned in the course to have conversations.
Create a Short Dialogue
Solidify your learning by creating a short dialogue using vocabulary and sentence structures learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic relevant to the course material.
  • Write a short dialogue between two people.
  • Record yourself and a partner speaking the dialogue.
Watch Chinese TV Shows with Subtitles
Immerse yourself in the language and improve your listening comprehension by watching Chinese TV shows with subtitles.
Show steps
  • Find Chinese TV shows with Chinese or English subtitles.
  • Watch the shows and pay attention to the pronunciation and vocabulary.
  • Look up any unfamiliar words or phrases.
Explore 'Remembering Simplified Hanzi'
Enhance your understanding of the Chinese language by learning to recognize and write simplified Hanzi characters.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Remembering Simplified Hanzi'.
  • Work through the book, learning the mnemonic stories for each character.
  • Practice writing the characters regularly to reinforce your memory.

Career center

Learners who complete Easy Mandarin Chinese: Learn Chinese language for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Language Tutor
A Language Tutor provides personalized language instruction to students. This course may be useful because it will allow you to tutor students in Mandarin. The course emphasizes listening and speaking skills, the use of common colloquial phrases, and natural self-expression, which can be directly applied to tutoring sessions. You can use the curriculum of the course to guide your tutoring sessions. The course's focus on comprehensible input may also allow you to relate to your students.
Interpreter
An Interpreter converts spoken language from Mandarin to another language, or vice versa, in real-time. The course's emphasis on listening and speaking is invaluable. The course provides ample comprehensible listening materials to help you intuitively grasp language patterns. The focus on everyday vocabulary and colloquial phrases is also helpful for understanding and conveying natural speech. The speaking practice in the course also aids in this career path.
Translator
As a Translator, you'll convert written or spoken language from Mandarin to other languages, or vice versa. This course may be helpful because it emphasizes listening and speaking skills, providing a solid foundation for understanding and conveying nuanced meanings. The focus on everyday vocabulary and colloquial phrases will prepare you to accurately translate real world conversations and texts. Additionally, the questioning techniques covered prepare you to ask clarifying questions of clients. It is especially helpful that the course teaches sentence patterns.
Tour Guide
As a Tour Guide, you lead groups of tourists, often providing information about local attractions and culture. This course may be helpful if you want to guide Mandarin-speaking tourists in English-speaking countries, or vice versa. The course's emphasis on everyday vocabulary and expressions, questioning techniques, and natural self-expression are all valuable for communicating effectively with tourists. Additionally, this course may help you learn how to give tours in Mandarin.
ESL Teacher
As an ESL Teacher, you'll instruct non-native speakers in English. This course may be useful to better understand the challenges faced by Mandarin speakers learning a new language. By learning Mandarin vocabulary, expressions, and questioning techniques, you gain insights into the linguistic background of your students. You can also relate to their learning process and provide more effective instruction; in particular, the curriculum's focus on everyday vocabulary and expressions will allow you to better understand your students.
Immigration Officer
An Immigration Officer interviews and processes individuals applying for entry into a country. This course may be useful if you work with Mandarin-speaking immigrants or visitors. The course teaches you everyday vocabulary and expressions, common colloquial phrases, and questioning techniques. Because of this, you can communicate effectively with applicants, assess their eligibility, and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
Customer Service Representative
A Customer Service Representative interacts with customers to provide information, address inquiries, and resolve issues. This course may be useful if you work for a company that serves Mandarin-speaking customers. The course's curriculum covers everyday vocabulary and expressions, common colloquial phrases, and questioning techniques, which allows you to communicate effectively with customers, and the focus on real-life scenarios will allow you to address their needs with confidence.
Localization Specialist
A Localization Specialist adapts products or content to a specific region or market. This course may be useful if you are localizing content for Mandarin-speaking audiences. The course teaches you everyday vocabulary, expressions, and common colloquial phrases. It also allows you to understand cultural nuances, allowing you to ensure that the localized content is culturally appropriate and resonates with the target audience.
Travel Agent
As a Travel Agent, you assist customers in planning and booking travel arrangements. This course may be useful if you serve Mandarin-speaking clients or work in Mandarin-speaking destinations. The course teaches the vocabulary and expressions needed to communicate effectively with clients, understand their travel needs, and provide recommendations. The focus on real-life scenarios is especially relevant.
Cultural Liaison
As a Cultural Liaison, you facilitate communication and understanding between different cultures. This course may be helpful because it will allow you to communicate effectively with Mandarin speakers and gain insights into their culture. The course covers everyday vocabulary and expressions, common colloquial phrases, and questioning techniques, which helps you bridge cultural gaps and promote cross-cultural understanding. The emphasis on speaking practice helps as well.
Foreign Correspondent
A Foreign Correspondent reports on news and events from a foreign country. This course may be helpful for those reporting from Mandarin-speaking regions. Proficiency in Mandarin allows you to conduct interviews, understand local media, and gain firsthand insights into the issues affecting the region. The course's curriculum, which prioritizes the development of listening and speaking skills, is also valuable in this career, as is the emphasis on comprehending colloquial phrases.
Market Research Analyst
As a Market Research Analyst, you study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. This course may be useful if you conduct research in Mandarin-speaking markets. Being able to comprehend the language allows you to analyze surveys, focus group discussions, and other forms of data collection. Because the course teaches common colloquial phrases, it allows you to gain better insights into consumer behavior and preferences.
International Business Consultant
An International Business Consultant advises companies on expanding their operations into foreign markets. This course may be useful if you consult with companies that are interested in doing business in Mandarin-speaking regions. The course helps you communicate with local partners, understand cultural nuances, and navigate business practices. In particular, it teaches common colloquial phrases used by native speakers.
Diplomat
As a Diplomat, you represent your country's interests abroad. This course may be useful if you are assigned to a Mandarin-speaking country. Fluency in Mandarin allows you to communicate effectively with government officials, build relationships, and negotiate agreements, and the emphasis on speaking practice helps with this as well. The questioning techniques learned in the course are also valuable.
Intelligence Analyst
An Intelligence Analyst gathers and analyzes information to support national security. This course may be useful if you are analyzing information from Mandarin-speaking sources. The course teaches you how to understand Mandarin language and culture. Emphasis on listening comprehension is especially important. Because you will also learn common colloquial phrases, you'll be in a better position to understand communications.

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 Easy Mandarin Chinese: Learn Chinese language for Beginners.
Provides a clear and concise explanation of Mandarin Chinese grammar. It is helpful for understanding the underlying structure of the language. While the course focuses on listening and speaking, this book can serve as a valuable reference for understanding grammatical concepts that arise during the lessons. It is commonly used as a supplementary textbook in introductory Chinese courses.
Introduces a mnemonic system for learning to write Chinese characters. While this course focuses on listening and speaking, learning to recognize characters can greatly enhance your overall understanding of the language. This book is more valuable as additional reading to expand your knowledge of the Chinese language. It is not required for the course, but it can be a helpful tool for visual learners.

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