Cantonese and Mandarin for Complete Beginners (简体/繁體) from Udemy

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Welcome to this beginners Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese language course and thank you for choosing to learn with us.

This course is designed for total beginners of Mandarin or Cantonese who have little or no knowledge of the Chinese language. Unlike other courses, this one teaches you both the simplified and traditional characters, both in Mandarin and Cantonese - essentially a 2 in 1 course (or 4 in 1 if you prefer).

As well as the basics, this course focuses on introductions, asking questions, basic vocabulary building, sentence structure, dialogue, grammatical points and so much more…

In addition, there are some extra, older lessons from a previous instructor which are in Mandarin only. These lessons are separate to the rest of the course but contain many grammatical points, extra vocabulary and more. They have been kept on this course as an extra 'bonus', if you like.

There are many different ways to learn a new language, however they all require time and effort. If you keep practicing regularly and dedicate a certain amount of time each day, you should be fine. Also take the time to speak with native speakers if you have the opportunity to do so.

Completing this course will give you a knowledge base of at least 1500 words as well as being able to read both simplified and traditional characters. If you are in China, you will find that simplified characters are predominantly used. If however you are planning on going to Hong Kong or Macau (or even Taiwan), you will see traditional characters everywhere. You will learn how to correctly pronounce each character and how to recognize them if you are abroad in either of these places.

We hope you enjoy this course and find it to be useful.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to speak chinese and hold a simple conversation with native speakers
How to read pinyin and chinese characters
Over 1500 commonly used words and sentences in everyday language
How to create your own sentences and continue learning vocabulary independently

Basic grammar rules in chinese
How to correctly pronounce chinese characters
Tips on how to improve your language skills in chinese
Interesting facts about the chinese language, culture, food and so much more…

How to speak chinese and hold a simple conversation with native speakers
How to read pinyin and chinese characters
Over 1500 commonly used words and sentences in everyday language
How to create your own sentences and continue learning vocabulary independently
Basic grammar rules in chinese
How to correctly pronounce chinese characters
Tips on how to improve your language skills in chinese
Interesting facts about the chinese language, culture, food and so much more…

Syllabus

Mandarin (Lessons 1-20)

Lesson 1: Introductions and Greetings

Lesson 2: Pinyin and Tones

Lesson 3: Food and Drink

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a foundation for learners new to Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese

Emphasizes both simplified and traditional Chinese characters

Builds vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar skills

Covers various topics, including introductions, questions, and daily life

Includes extra lessons for additional practice and immersion

Teaches correct pronunciation and character recognition for immersion abroad

Reviews summary

Comprehensive beginner's dual chinese language

According to students, this course offers a unique and ambitious approach to learning Chinese by simultaneously introducing both Mandarin and Cantonese, alongside simplified and traditional characters. Learners find it an excellent starting point for complete beginners, appreciating the clear explanations of fundamental concepts like Pinyin and tones. While highly comprehensive for its dual focus, some suggest that continued practice outside the course is essential for fluency. The course provides a solid foundational vocabulary and grammar, making it a valuable resource for anyone aiming to understand and speak basic Chinese across different regions.

Older, Mandarin-only lessons offer extra content but may feel separate.

"The 'bonus' Mandarin lessons are a bit old but useful for extra vocab."

"The older Mandarin lessons felt a bit disjointed from the main course, but still provided some value."

"These additional lessons are a nice extra, though they are specifically Mandarin and don't quite align with the dual-language structure."

Requires external practice to achieve fluency beyond the course material.

"You definitely need to dedicate time to practice on your own, it's not a magic bullet, but it gives you all the tools."

"While highly comprehensive for its dual focus, some suggest that continued practice outside the course is essential for fluency."

"I learned some basics, but definitely needed other resources to supplement for deeper understanding."

Builds essential vocabulary and grammar for basic everyday conversations.

"I found the grammar explanations particularly helpful. You definitely need to dedicate time to practice on your own..."

"The vocabulary building is strong, and I learned how to create my own sentences."

"This course provides all the tools needed to build a solid foundational vocabulary for everyday use."

Effective guidance on critical pronunciation and tonal aspects of Chinese.

"The instructor explains everything so clearly, especially the tones."

"The pronunciation guides are excellent, and I'm amazed I can now read some basic characters in both forms."

"I felt very supported through the process of understanding tones and initial conversations."

The course provides clear explanations, ideal for those starting from scratch.

"The instructor explains everything so clearly, especially the tones. I've tried other apps, but this really makes sense."

"Amazing course for total beginners. The instructor breaks it down."

"The lectures themselves are clear and easy to follow, even when covering complex initial concepts."

A unique offering to learn both major Chinese languages and character sets.

"This course is truly unique! Learning both Mandarin and Cantonese, plus simplified and traditional characters, simultaneously for a beginner is incredible."

"Seriously impressed with the value. Being able to get foundational Mandarin and Cantonese in one place is fantastic."

"It's a really unique selling point to cover both major Chinese dialects and character forms."

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 Cantonese and Mandarin for Complete Beginners (简体/繁體) with these activities:

Organize your course materials

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Getting your course materials organized will help you keep track of what you've learned and make it easier to review for exams.

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Gather all of your course materials
Sort your materials into different categories
Create a system for storing your materials
Review your materials regularly

Explore Chinese Culture through Online Resources

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Understanding Chinese culture will enhance your comprehension of the language and deepen your appreciation for its nuances.

Browse courses on Chinese Culture

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Visit websites and watch videos about Chinese history, traditions, and customs.
Read articles and blogs written by Chinese authors to gain insights into their perspectives.
Interact with native Chinese speakers online through forums or social media to ask questions and learn about their experiences.

Mandarin and Cantonese Pronunciation

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Refresh your understanding of Pinyin and Mandarin and Cantonese pronunciation rules to strengthen your foundation in the language.

Browse courses on Pinyin

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Review the Pinyin system, including the four Mandarin tones and Cantonese six tones.
Practice reading and listening to Mandarin and Cantonese words and phrases, paying close attention to the pronunciation.
Record yourself speaking Mandarin and Cantonese words and phrases and listen back to identify any areas for improvement.

Ten other activities

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Practice using Pinyin to Pronounce Chinese Characters

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Mastering Pinyin is essential for learning Mandarin and Cantonese. This activity will help you solidify your understanding of Pinyin and improve your pronunciation.

Browse courses on Pinyin

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Find a Pinyin chart and practice pronouncing each sound.
Read Chinese texts aloud, paying attention to the Pinyin pronunciation.
Record yourself pronouncing Chinese words and compare your pronunciation to native speakers.

Mandarin and Cantonese Character Recognition Drill

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Practice recognizing and writing simplified and traditional Chinese characters to improve your literacy in both scripts.

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Use a character recognition app or website to practice identifying simplified and traditional Chinese characters.
Write out simplified and traditional Chinese characters from memory, focusing on those that you find challenging.
Read Mandarin and Cantonese texts and articles to expose yourself to a variety of characters and improve your recognition skills.

Join a Chinese Language Study Group

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Participating in a study group will provide you with opportunities to practice speaking, listening, and interacting with other learners, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

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Find a study group at your school, community center, or online.
Attend meetings regularly and actively participate in discussions.
Collaborate with other members on language exchange or projects.

Basic Mandarin and Cantonese Conversation Practice

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Practice basic Mandarin and Cantonese conversations to improve your speaking and listening skills.

Browse courses on Basic Vocabulary

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Find a language partner or tutor to practice speaking and listening to Mandarin and Cantonese.
Use online resources or apps to practice conversational scenarios and improve your fluency.
Immerse yourself in Mandarin and Cantonese audio and video content to improve your listening comprehension.

Create a Chinese grammar quiz

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Creating a Chinese grammar quiz will help you solidify your understanding of the different grammar points covered in the course.

Browse courses on Chinese Grammar

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Identify the key grammar points you want to cover
Create a variety of questions that test different aspects of the grammar point
Write clear and concise instructions for each question
Test your quiz on a friend or family member

Create a Glossary of Commonly Used Chinese Phrases

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Creating a glossary will help you memorize and retain commonly used Chinese phrases, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively.

Browse courses on Vocabulary

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Identify commonly used Chinese phrases from textbooks, online resources, or conversations with native speakers.
Write down the phrases along with their English translations and Pinyin pronunciations.
Review your glossary regularly to reinforce your memory.

Mandarin and Cantonese Grammar Tutorials

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Review and reinforce your understanding of Mandarin and Cantonese grammar to improve your speaking and writing skills.

Browse courses on Chinese Grammar

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Review grammar rules and concepts covered in the course, including sentence structure, verb tenses, and modal particles.
Complete online grammar exercises and quizzes to practice applying grammar rules in context.
Seek out additional grammar resources, such as textbooks or online forums, to further your understanding of Mandarin and Cantonese grammar.

Mandarin and Cantonese Vocabulary Builder

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Create your own flashcards or use a spaced repetition app to expand your Mandarin and Cantonese vocabulary.

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Identify the Mandarin and Cantonese vocabulary you need to learn, based on your current level and goals.
Create flashcards or use a spaced repetition app to add the new vocabulary to your study routine.
Regularly review your flashcards or use the spaced repetition app to reinforce your memory and improve your vocabulary retention.

Practice speaking Chinese with a native speaker

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Practicing speaking Chinese with a native speaker will help you improve your pronunciation, fluency, and confidence.

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Find a native Chinese speaker who is willing to practice with you
Set up a regular time to meet
Prepare some topics to talk about
Be patient and don't be afraid to make mistakes

Mandarin and Cantonese Language Exchange

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Connect with other learners or native speakers of Mandarin and Cantonese to practice speaking and listening to the language in a supportive environment.

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Join a language exchange group or find a tandem language partner.
Meet up with your language exchange partner or group regularly to practice speaking and listening to Mandarin and Cantonese.
Provide feedback and support to your language exchange partner or group members to help everyone improve their language skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Cantonese and Mandarin for Complete Beginners (简体/繁體) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Cantonese and Mandarin for Complete Beginners (简体/繁體)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive beginner's dual chinese language

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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