Chinese Songs Season 1 from Udemy

Hello, everyone, welcome to Chinese Songs Season 1: Learn Chinese through beautiful Chinese folk songs. As you all know, learning songs is a great means of learning language ever since our birth. The melodious rhythm, poetic and rhymed language, frequent use of refrains and repetition in songs are not only intoxicating to our mind and heart, but also make the lyrics highly memorable and make the learning experience close to our childhood learning experience of our mother tongues. This sequence of learning Mandarin Chinese through Chinese songs includes popular Chinese songs from different Ages, genres and geographical regions and therefore embody the cultural diversity and folk customs of the different races constituting Chinese culture. The first season of this sequence chose mostly popular folk songs, because folk songs have strong local-color music and tune, simple but beautiful language, and embody most the idiosyncrasies of each geographical region and racial or minority culture. Passing down from generation to generation, they have constituted the unforgettable fabric of the rich Chinese culture. All the ten songs chosen for this course are extremely popular Chinese folk songs passed down through generations and well-known to every household. Being able to sing them will allow you to be considered as an insider of Chinese culture when you go to China or communicate with Chinese people and therefore endear you to them. Among these 10 songs, "Jasmine flower" is from Jiang Su Province, the southern China, and embodies the feminine, soft beauty and oblique expression of love in the cultural ambience of southern China, "Kang Ding Love Song" is from Si Chuan province, with its bolder, opener expression of love, "Ali Shan's Girls" are from Taiwan, with its local mountain and water and native Taiwanese customs.

Each song is taught in two lectures, the first lecture will introduce you to the language of the lyrics, you will learn vocabularies and lyrics: I will explain to you the meaning of the lyrics, and lead you to read it twice, and ask you questions about them. Then I will sing to you the song, and lead you to sing twice after me sentence by sentence, before you will sing together with me. All these repetition will ensure you to sing the songs accurately and beautifully and understand the lyrics thoroughly. The second lecture is the singing video of a professionally trained singer, so you can sing together with her, with your by-then-already-memorized lyrics in your head.

You will see you can master a great range of Chinese language through these songs, from expression of emotion to description of Nature, appreciate the diverse beauty of the poetic and musical ambience of Chinese culture in different geographical regions, and these lyrics will be branded in your memory and delighted heart as almost your first language did.

Please do check out the last lecture with free youtube links of these songs sung by the most famous Chinese singers, and other related course information.

What's inside

Learning objectives

A great range of chinese language expressing emotion and nature
10 most famous chinese folk songs

Get acquainted with the local color music and songs representing the diversity of chinese regional culture.

A great range of chinese language expressing emotion and nature
10 most famous chinese folk songs
Get acquainted with the local color music and songs representing the diversity of chinese regional culture.

Syllabus

Introduction

First two songs

1. 茉莉花text practice

1. 茉莉花singing video

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses popular folk songs to introduce learners to Mandarin Chinese, which can make language acquisition more engaging and memorable

Explores Chinese culture through folk songs from different regions, offering insights into local customs and traditions

Employs repetition and singing to aid memorization of vocabulary and lyrics, which is helpful for building a foundational understanding

Features songs passed down through generations, providing a glimpse into the historical and cultural significance of Chinese folk music

Includes singing videos with professionally trained singers, allowing learners to practice pronunciation and intonation

Focuses on folk songs, which may not cover the full spectrum of modern Chinese music and language

Reviews summary

Learn chinese language and culture through songs

According to learners, this course offers a unique and enjoyable way to engage with the Chinese language, primarily focusing on cultural immersion through popular folk songs. Many found it an effective method for improving pronunciation and learning practical vocabulary within a memorable context. The course is often described as a delightful exploration of Chinese culture and music, providing insights beyond just language. While students appreciate the structured approach of text practice followed by singing videos, some note it works best as a supplement to more traditional language study, especially for grammar. Overall, it's seen as a highly engaging and culturally enriching experience.

Best used alongside other learning methods.

"This course is fantastic for cultural enjoyment and pronunciation, but it doesn't replace a structured grammar course."

"Great as a fun supplement to traditional language lessons, but not sufficient as a sole learning tool."

"It enhances my other Chinese studies by providing real-world context and listening practice through music."

Instructor is clear and easy to follow.

"The instructor explains the lyrics clearly and breaks down the singing practice well."

"Following along with the text practice before the singing video was a very helpful structure."

"The repetition and guidance made it easy to master each song."

Helps improve pronunciation and learn words.

"Repeating the lyrics and singing really helped me practice my tones and pronunciation effectively."

"I picked up a lot of useful vocabulary and expressions directly from the song lyrics."

"Memorizing the songs made recall of phrases much easier compared to list-based learning."

Explore Chinese culture via traditional songs.

"The course offers wonderful insights into the different regional cultures of China through the song selections."

"Singing these famous folk songs made me feel more connected to Chinese culture and history."

"Appreciating the poetic language and diverse musical styles was a highlight for me."

Learning language through music is effective.

"Learning Chinese through these beautiful songs makes it much more engaging than just textbooks."

"This unique approach really helped the lyrics and vocabulary stick in my memory."

"I found that singing along vastly improved my pronunciation and understanding of natural rhythm."

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 Songs Season 1 with these activities:

Review Basic Mandarin Pronunciation

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Strengthen your understanding of Mandarin pronunciation to improve your ability to learn and sing the songs accurately.

Browse courses on Pinyin

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Review Pinyin charts and audio examples.
Practice pronouncing initials, finals, and tones.
Record yourself and compare to native speakers.

Read 'Speak Chinese With Confidence'

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Gain a stronger foundation in Mandarin Chinese grammar and vocabulary to better understand the lyrics of the songs.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the introductory chapters on pronunciation and basic grammar.
Complete the exercises in each chapter to reinforce your understanding.
Focus on vocabulary related to emotions, nature, and daily life.

Create a Lyrics and Vocabulary Notebook

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Organize and expand on the lyrics and vocabulary from each song to aid memorization and comprehension.

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Dedicate a section in your notebook for each song.
Write down the lyrics in Chinese characters, Pinyin, and English translation.
Add notes on grammar points and cultural context.
Include personal reflections and connections to the song's meaning.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Practice Singing with a Language Partner

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Improve your pronunciation and singing skills by practicing with a language partner.

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Find a language partner who is also learning Chinese or is a native speaker.
Choose a song from the course and practice singing it together.
Provide each other with feedback on pronunciation and rhythm.
Discuss the meaning of the lyrics and cultural context.

Record Yourself Singing a Song

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Solidify your learning by recording yourself singing one of the songs from the course and sharing it with others.

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Choose a song you feel comfortable singing.
Practice the song until you can sing it smoothly and accurately.
Record yourself singing the song using a microphone or smartphone.
Share your recording with friends, family, or online communities for feedback.

Explore 'A New China: An Intermediate Reader'

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Deepen your understanding of Chinese culture and society to better appreciate the context of the songs.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Select chapters that relate to the themes and regions represented in the songs.
Read the passages carefully and look up any unfamiliar vocabulary.
Reflect on how the readings enhance your understanding of the songs' lyrics and cultural significance.

Research the History of a Song

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Further your knowledge by researching the history and cultural significance of one of the songs from the course.

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Choose a song that interests you and research its origins.
Find information about the composer, lyricist, and historical context.
Write a short report summarizing your findings and sharing your insights.
Present your research to a group or share it online.

Career center

Learners who complete Chinese Songs Season 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Language Teacher

A language teacher helps students develop proficiency in a specific language. This course may be useful for aspiring language teachers, especially those focusing on Mandarin Chinese or Chinese culture. The course's emphasis on folk songs provides a unique and engaging approach to language acquisition. Learning 10 famous Chinese folk songs and understanding the cultural context behind these songs helps build a more comprehensive understanding of language. The course introduces a range of Chinese language expressing emotion and nature. The detailed analysis of lyrics, vocabulary, and cultural nuances within the songs is helpful to conveying deeper meaning to students. The course's approach to teaching language through music offers valuable insights into effective language instruction. A language teacher can incorporate folk songs into the classroom to make learning enjoyable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Language Teacher

Cultural Ambassador

A cultural ambassador represents a country or region and promotes its culture to others. This course helps one become a cultural ambassador with a focus on Mandarin Chinese culture through folk songs. The course provides a deep dive into the cultural diversity and folk customs of different regions within China, as embodied in its folk music. Learning 10 famous folk songs and understanding their historical and cultural significance helps build a strong foundation for cultural representation. The course helps provide insights into the nuances of Chinese traditions and values, which is helpful for communicating effectively with people from different backgrounds. With the knowledge of the cultural significance of songs of areas like Jiang Su Province, Si Chuan province, and Taiwan, a cultural ambassador is well-equipped to act as a competent representative.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Ambassador

Translator

Translators convert written or spoken content from one language to another. This course may be useful to a translator, especially one focused on Mandarin Chinese and its cultural nuances. The course provides a unique understanding of the Chinese language through the lens of folk songs, encompassing diverse eras, genres, and regions. By learning the lyrics, vocabulary, and meaning behind ten popular folk songs, one gains an appreciation for the cultural diversity and folk customs that embody Chinese culture. The course's focus on idiomatic expressions and culturally specific references within the songs helps build a translator's ability to accurately convey meaning across languages. By the end of this course, a translator will deeply understand the expression of emotion and description of nature in the Chinese language.

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Tour Guide

A tour guide leads individuals or groups of people around cities, historical sites, or other locations of interest. This course is helpful for a tour guide, particularly one working in China or with Chinese speaking tourists. Learning 10 famous Chinese folk songs and understanding their cultural significance helps a tour guide create a more engaging and informative experience for visitors. The course dives into local customs, traditions, and expressions that are unique to different regions of China. This is helpful for communicating the spirit of the lands to visitors. A tour guide will be able to showcase an appreciation for Chinese culture by incorporating the songs studied in this course into tours.

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ESL Teacher

An English as a Second Language teacher works with people whose first language is not English. This course may be useful for an ESL teacher, particularly one who works with Chinese speaking students. The course shares how songs can be used to learn a language. The understanding of the Chinese language attained in this course can be used to relate to Chinese speaking students. The course's syllabus can be adapted to use English language songs to help ESL students of all backgrounds. The course may provide insights into the challenges and strengths that Chinese speakers bring to the process of language acquisition.

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Music Educator

A music educator teaches students about music theory, history, and performance. A music educator may also use songs to teach language. This course may be useful, especially for those who hope to incorporate world music into their curriculum. Folk songs have strong local color music and tune, simple but beautiful language, and embody most the idiosyncrasies of each geographical region and racial or minority culture. The course shares how learning songs is a great means of learning language. The methodology used in this course can be adapted to teach music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

Social Media Manager

A social media manager is responsible for a brand's online presence. This course may be useful for a social media manager who focuses on marketing to Chinese speaking communities or promoting Chinese culture. Learning 10 famous Chinese folk songs and understanding their cultural significance helps a social media manager create more engaging and relevant content for their target audience. The course helps one dive into local customs, traditions, and expressions that are unique to different regions of China. The ability to connect with the target audience on a deeper level is helpful for building brand loyalty and driving engagement.

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Content Creator

A content creator produces engaging material for websites, blogs, or social media. This course may be useful for a content creator. The course may provide insights into topics that would be interesting to a Chinese speaking audience. Learning 10 famous Chinese folk songs and understanding their cultural significance helps a content creator develop ideas for videos, articles, or social media posts. The course shares insights into local customs, traditions, and expressions that are unique to different regions of China. A content creator can use the knowledge gained in this course to produce content that resonates with a Chinese speaking audience.

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Librarian

A librarian helps people find information and resources. This course may be useful for a librarian who works with Chinese language materials or serves a Chinese speaking community. Learning 10 famous Chinese folk songs and understanding their cultural significance helps a librarian better understand the needs of their patrons. The course helps one dive into local customs, traditions, and expressions that are unique to different regions of China. This is helpful for curating a collection that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the community.

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Choir Director

A choir director leads a group of singers in rehearsals and performances. Learning about Chinese folk songs may be useful for a choir director, especially where there is an interest in teaching cultural diversity. The course dives into the diverse beauty of the poetic and musical ambience of Chinese culture in different geographical regions. The course's syllabus of Chinese songs representing the diversity of Chinese regional culture may be helpful to a choir director selecting music.

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Event Planner

An event planner organizes and executes events, such as weddings, conferences, or festivals. This course may be useful for an event planner, particularly one who specializes in events with a Chinese cultural component. Learning 10 famous Chinese folk songs and understanding their cultural significance helps an event planner create a more authentic and memorable experience for attendees. The course helps one dive into local customs, traditions, and expressions that are unique to different regions of China. An event planner can use the knowledge gained in this course to incorporate cultural elements into the event design, entertainment, and catering.

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Museum curator

A museum curator is responsible for managing and interpreting museum collections. Learning 10 famous Chinese folk songs and understanding their cultural significance can help a museum curator create more engaging and informative exhibits about Chinese culture. The course helps one dive into local customs, traditions, and expressions that are unique to different regions of China. This is helpful for curating a collection that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the community.

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Community Organizer

A community organizer works to bring people together to address local issues and build stronger communities. This course is useful for a community organizer, particularly one who works with Chinese speaking communities. Learning 10 famous Chinese folk songs and understanding their cultural significance helps a community organizer connect with people from different backgrounds and build relationships. The course can allow a community organizer to engage with community members on a cultural level.

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Foreign Service Officer

A foreign service officer represents their country's interests abroad. The foreign service officer works in embassies and consulates, promoting international relations and assisting citizens living or traveling abroad. This course may be useful for a foreign service officer posted in China or working with Chinese citizens. Understanding Chinese culture through its folk songs can help a foreign service officer build rapport and foster stronger relationships with local communities. The officer will learn about the diversity of Chinese regional culture.

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Market Research Analyst

A market research analyst studies consumer behavior and market trends to advise companies on product development, marketing strategies, and pricing. This course may be useful for market research analysts, especially those focusing on the Chinese market. The folk songs in this course reflect the values, preferences, and cultural nuances of different regions within China. Learning 10 famous songs and developing an understanding of the cultural context, a Market Research Analyst can gain insight into the needs and beliefs of the customer base.

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Chinese Songs Season 1

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Learn chinese language and culture through songs

Activities

Career center

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