Chinese for Beginners from Coursera

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Chinese culture and language with our ABC Chinese course for beginners. This comprehensive course provides an introduction to Mandarin phonetics and essential daily expressions, enabling learners to achieve a fundamental understanding and confidently engage in basic conversations.

Our carefully crafted curriculum covers practical topics and real-life situations, ranging from exchanging personal information and discussing daily schedules to conversing about food, prices, city life, weather, and hobbies. The diverse selection of reading materials and interactive activities ensures a rich and stimulating learning experience, piquing learners' interests throughout the course.

No need to worry about learning Chinese characters – this course focuses on speaking skills, making it accessible and enjoyable.

Elevate your learning with a thrilling bonus feature: virtually travel to China and hone your speaking skills with our immersive game, playable on a VR headset or desktop. Embark on a scavenger hunt, talk to vendors, encounter fellow travelers, and explore a traditional market, all while applying your Chinese skills in a real-world environment.

What's inside

Syllabus

Who Are You?

When we first meet someone, we need to learn about each other. In this module, we are going to learn some ways to introduce yourself, including name, nationality, identity, and discussing your family. We are also going to study Chinese Mandarin phonetics.

When Do You Go To School?

How do you plan your daily life? In this module, we are going to learn how to describe our daily schedule, including numbers, time, periods, and some corresponding actions.

What Do You Like to Eat?

Food is our most important need. In this module, we are going to talk about Chinese main courses, fruits, vegetables and meat, as well as drinks. Have you seen or tried any of these Chinese dishes? Maybe you have already learned to say them in Chinese!

I Like Shopping!

Shopping! Shopping! Some people love to go shopping, while others feel it is a headache. Still, shopping is an essential part of our life. In this module, we are going to learn how to express our color and size preference, how to ask about price, and how to bargain. Do you know what the most popular color is in your country? How about in China?

Do You Live in a Big City?

Do you live in a big city or a small town? How do you get to work or school every day? In this module, we are going to learn how to give directions and how to speak about transportation. This module is valuable in case you need to talk about directions with a Chinese friend or you need to go somewhere when you are in China.

How About the Weather?

Weather can influence our daily life and personal health. In this module, we are going to talk about temperature, seasons, and personal health. China is a very big country and the weather can be quite different across regions and seasons; we will learn to talk about all sorts of weather.

What is Your Hobby?

What do you like to do in your spare time? We have so many choices nowadays and lead such colorful lives. In this module, we are going to talk about weekday pastimes, sports, TV programs, and some other activities related to the internet, reading, music, and travel!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops core conversational skills in Mandarin Chinese, addressing common daily situations

Provides a comprehensive foundation in Mandarin phonetics, enabling learners to accurately pronounce Chinese words

Emphasizes practical language use through interactive activities and real-life scenarios, ensuring learners can apply their skills in everyday conversations

Utilizes a multi-modal approach with a blend of reading materials, interactive activities, and a virtual travel experience, fostering engagement and diverse learning styles

Reviews summary

Lessons in chinese fundamentals

Learners say this well-structured beginner Chinese course is clear, simple, and easy to follow. While student reviews mention the materials are not well organized, the course may be suitable for learners with no prior knowledge of Chinese who want to gain basic proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Students appreciate the instructor's clear and easy-to-understand teaching style.

"The instructor does have a clear voice, easy to understand."

This course is a good choice for learners with no prior knowledge of Chinese.

"It is a good course for someone who has no idea about chinese language and wants to get a feel of it."

Students express concern about the course materials being not well organized.

"The materials are not well organized and designed."

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 for Beginners with these activities:

Create a vocabulary notebook with Chinese words and phrases

Show steps

Creating a vocabulary notebook with Chinese words and phrases will serve as a valuable reference tool and help you expand your vocabulary.

Browse courses on Chinese Vocabulary

Show steps

Gather Chinese words and phrases from your studies
Organize them into categories or topics
Write down the words and phrases along with their meanings and pronunciations
Regularly review your notebook to reinforce your learning

Practice basic Chinese words and phrases

Show steps

Warming up your memory and practicing basic Chinese words and phrases will ease you into the course and prepare you for more complex topics later on.

Browse courses on Chinese Vocabulary

Show steps

Review the Chinese alphabet (Pinyin)
Practice pronunciation of common words
Form simple phrases using basic vocabulary

Watch videos on Chinese pronunciation

Show steps

Watching videos on Chinese pronunciation will enhance your listening skills and help you master the correct pronunciation of Chinese words and phrases.

Browse courses on Chinese Pronunciation

Show steps

Search for videos on Chinese pronunciation
Listen to native speakers pronounce words and phrases
Practice imitating the pronunciation

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Complete online Chinese grammar exercises

Show steps

Engaging in Chinese grammar exercises will solidify your understanding of the language's structure and help you construct sentences correctly.

Browse courses on Chinese Grammar

Show steps

Find online Chinese grammar exercises
Complete exercises on various grammar topics
Check your answers and identify areas for improvement

Translate a short Chinese text into your native language

Show steps

Translating a short Chinese text into your native language helps you develop your reading comprehension skills and deepen your understanding of Chinese grammar and vocabulary.

Show steps

Find a short Chinese text that interests you
Read the text carefully and understand its meaning
Translate the text into your native language, paying attention to grammar and vocabulary
Review your translation and make any necessary corrections

Career center

Learners who complete Chinese for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Interpreter

Interpreters are an essential part of international business. They provide a vital link between people who speak different languages, helping them to communicate effectively. The Chinese for Beginners course can help you build a solid foundation in Mandarin, one of the world's most widely spoken languages. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Interpreter, including listening comprehension, speaking fluency, and cultural awareness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter

Translator

Translators are responsible for converting written text from one language to another. They play a vital role in international communication, ensuring that information is accurately and effectively conveyed across language barriers. The Chinese for Beginners course is an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to become a Translator. It will help you develop the language skills and cultural knowledge you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Translator

Foreign Service Officer

Foreign Service Officers represent their country abroad, working to promote its interests and build relationships with other nations. They are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including political reporting, economic analysis, and cultural diplomacy. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Foreign Service Officers, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Foreign Service Officer

ESL Teacher

ESL (English as a Second Language) Teachers help non-native speakers to learn English. They develop and implement lesson plans, assess student progress, and provide support to students outside of the classroom. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for ESL Teachers, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESL Teacher

International Business Consultant

International Business Consultants help companies to expand their operations into new markets. They provide advice on a variety of topics, including market entry strategies, cross-cultural communication, and legal compliance. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for International Business Consultants, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Business Consultant

Travel Agent

Travel Agents help people to plan and book their vacations. They provide advice on destinations, accommodations, and activities, and they can also help to arrange visas and other travel documents. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Travel Agents, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Travel Agent

Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, including fiction, non-fiction, and journalism. They develop and write articles, books, short stories, and other works. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Writers, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They conduct market research, develop marketing strategies, and manage marketing budgets. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Marketing Managers, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Librarian

Librarians help people to find and access information. They work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, school libraries, and corporate libraries. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Librarians, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Journalist

Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. They work in a variety of settings, including newspapers, magazines, and television stations. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Journalists, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. They develop and implement public relations campaigns, write press releases, and give speeches. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Public Relations Specialists, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. They develop and deliver lectures, lead discussions, and grade assignments. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Professors, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Editor

Editors review, revise, and edit written content for a variety of purposes, including fiction, non-fiction, and journalism. They work with writers to improve the clarity, accuracy, and readability of their work. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Editors, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Museum curator

Museum Curators are responsible for the care and preservation of museum collections. They also develop and implement educational programs and exhibitions. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Museum Curators, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Researcher

Researchers conduct original research in a variety of fields, including science, social science, and the humanities. They design and implement research studies, analyze data, and publish their findings. The Chinese for Beginners course can be a valuable asset for Researchers, helping them to build the language skills and cultural understanding they need to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher