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Xia Ding,
Xiaoning Wang,
Li Lu,
and
Yuan Li
This introductory Chinese language course will emphasize basic language skills for everyday life in Mandarin speaking countries.
The course utilizes pinyin, the standard system of Romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese, so learners will find it easy to understand and study the language.
The course is composed of several parts: Dialogues (taught through pinyin), listening comprehension exercises (in real-world situations), Chinese characters (frequently used in daily life), Mandarin songs, and Tea Time (tips for self-study).
Read more
This introductory Chinese language course will emphasize basic language skills for everyday life in Mandarin speaking countries.
The course utilizes pinyin, the standard system of Romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese, so learners will find it easy to understand and study the language.
The course is composed of several parts: Dialogues (taught through pinyin), listening comprehension exercises (in real-world situations), Chinese characters (frequently used in daily life), Mandarin songs, and Tea Time (tips for self-study).
Read more
This introductory Chinese language course will emphasize basic language skills for everyday life in Mandarin speaking countries.
The course utilizes pinyin, the standard system of Romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese, so learners will find it easy to understand and study the language.
The course is composed of several parts: Dialogues (taught through pinyin), listening comprehension exercises (in real-world situations), Chinese characters (frequently used in daily life), Mandarin songs, and Tea Time (tips for self-study).
This course is for anyone interested in learning Mandarin Chinese, especially if you plan to work or study in Mandarin-speaking countries. The course is also a good start toward the HSK Chinese proficiency test.
What you'll learn
- Colloquial Mandarin vocabulary used in daily life
- Highly practical expressions in given Mandarin contexts
- Listening skills for communicating with Chinese native speakers
- Some basic and frequently used Chinese characters
- How to utilize the course for self-study
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/zjwyxc/tsinghua
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Colloquial mandarin vocabulary used in daily life
- Highly practical expressions in given mandarin contexts
- Listening skills for communicating with chinese native speakers
- Some basic and frequently used chinese characters
- How to utilize the course for self-study
- Colloquial mandarin vocabulary used in daily life
- Highly practical expressions in given mandarin contexts
- Listening skills for communicating with chinese native speakers
- Some basic and frequently used chinese characters
- How to utilize the course for self-study
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Traffic lights
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Teaches foundational Mandarin Chinese language skills and knowledge, which is the most widely spoken language in the world
Develops proficiency in listening and conversational skills, which are essential for real-world interactions
Provides a solid foundation for learners who plan to work or study in Mandarin-speaking countries, which can enhance career and academic opportunities
Utilizes pinyin, a standard transliteration system, which simplifies language learning for those unfamiliar with Chinese characters
Emphasizes practical and frequently used expressions, which enables learners to effectively communicate in everyday situations
This course has no explicit requirements for background knowledge or prerequisites, which makes it accessible to a broader audience
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Reviews summary
Practical mandarin chinese for beginners
According to learners, this course is a solid introduction to Mandarin Chinese, particularly for practical, everyday conversation. Students appreciate the clear explanations and the use of pinyin which makes starting to talk quickly achievable. Many found the focus on listening skills and frequently used characters very helpful. While the course provides a good foundation, some learners note that more depth or supplementary material might be needed for those serious about mastering characters or achieving fluency beyond the basics. Overall, it's seen as a valuable starting point, especially for those planning travel or basic communication.
Provides a foundational understanding of the language.
"This course is an excellent starting point for learning Mandarin."
"It gives you a solid foundation to build upon if you want to continue learning."
"As a total beginner, this course gave me confidence to take the next steps in language learning."
"I feel I have a good base after completing this course."
Instructors explain concepts clearly, pinyin is helpful.
"The instructors explain everything very clearly, making it easy to follow even complex tones."
"Using pinyin first made it much less intimidating to start speaking right away."
"The explanations are simple and easy to grasp for a complete beginner."
"I appreciated the clear breakdown of pronunciation and sentence structure."
Emphasizes speaking and listening for daily use.
"It really helps with practical, daily conversation and getting started quickly."
"I feel much more confident in listening and speaking basic Mandarin after taking this course."
"The focus on everyday expressions and dialogue is perfect for someone needing to communicate quickly."
"I liked how the course focused on what you actually need to say in basic situations."
May require additional resources for further learning.
"This course is good as an intro, but I'll definitely need other resources to continue."
"It's a great first step, but not enough on its own for anything beyond basic survival Mandarin."
"You might need to supplement with other materials if you have specific learning goals like HSK."
Character learning is basic, not in-depth.
"If you want to learn a lot of characters, this course only covers a few basics."
"The focus is definitely on speaking/listening; character learning is minimal."
"I wish there was a bit more emphasis or exercises on writing and recognizing characters."
"While characters are mentioned, don't expect to read much after this."
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 Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People with these
activities:
Complete daily practice drills
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of the pronunciation of Mandarin words by doing daily practice drills
Browse courses on
Mandarin Chinese
Show steps
-
Listen to the audio for each drill multiple times
-
Attempt to repeat the words and phrases from the audio
-
Check your pronunciation against the audio
Engage in peer practice sessions
Show steps
Improve your Mandarin speaking and listening skills by practicing with peers in a relaxed and supportive environment
Show steps
-
Find a Mandarin language partner or join a study group
-
Set regular practice sessions and stick to them
-
Take turns leading conversations and providing feedback
-
Record your practice sessions to identify areas for improvement
Contribute to open source Mandarin learning resources
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of Mandarin while giving back to the community by contributing to open source projects that provide free learning materials
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
-
Identify Mandarin learning projects on platforms like GitHub
-
Choose a project to contribute to based on your skills and interests
-
Read the project documentation and follow the contribution guidelines
-
Submit your contributions to the project
Show all three activities
Complete daily practice drills
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of the pronunciation of Mandarin words by doing daily practice drills
Browse courses on
Mandarin Chinese
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Listen to the audio for each drill multiple times
- Attempt to repeat the words and phrases from the audio
- Check your pronunciation against the audio
Engage in peer practice sessions
Show steps
Improve your Mandarin speaking and listening skills by practicing with peers in a relaxed and supportive environment
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a Mandarin language partner or join a study group
- Set regular practice sessions and stick to them
- Take turns leading conversations and providing feedback
- Record your practice sessions to identify areas for improvement
Contribute to open source Mandarin learning resources
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of Mandarin while giving back to the community by contributing to open source projects that provide free learning materials
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify Mandarin learning projects on platforms like GitHub
- Choose a project to contribute to based on your skills and interests
- Read the project documentation and follow the contribution guidelines
- Submit your contributions to the project
Show all three activities
Career center
Learners who complete Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Chinese Teacher
Chinese Teacher
Chinese Teachers are responsible for teaching Mandarin Chinese to students of all ages. They develop lesson plans, create teaching materials, and assess student progress. This course may be useful for Chinese Teachers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Chinese Teachers to know.
Translator
Translator
Translators convert written or spoken material from one language to another. This course may be useful for Translators because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Translators to know.
Interpreter
Interpreter
Interpreters facilitate communication between people who speak different languages. This course may be useful for Interpreters because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Interpreters to know.
Foreign Service Officer
Foreign Service Officer
Foreign Service Officers represent the United States abroad. They work in embassies and consulates, and they are responsible for a variety of tasks, including political reporting, economic analysis, and public diplomacy. This course may be useful for Foreign Service Officers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Foreign Service Officers to know.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers are responsible for generating new business for their companies. They identify and develop new sales leads, and they work to close deals. This course may be useful for Business Development Managers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Business Development Managers to know.
Consultant
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and expertise to businesses and organizations. They work in a variety of fields, including management, finance, and marketing. This course may be useful for Consultants because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Consultants to know.
Investment Banker
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and advise them on mergers and acquisitions. This course may be useful for Investment Bankers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Investment Bankers to know.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. They work to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and drive sales. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Marketing Managers to know.
Product Manager
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for developing and managing products. They work to define product requirements, design features, and launch new products. This course may be useful for Product Managers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Product Managers to know.
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course may be useful for Software Engineers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Software Engineers to know.
Data Scientist
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. This course may be useful for Data Scientists because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Data Scientists to know.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts provide advice and expertise to businesses and investors. They work in a variety of fields, including investment banking, asset management, and corporate finance. This course may be useful for Financial Analysts because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Financial Analysts to know.
Project Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work in a variety of industries, including construction, engineering, and manufacturing. This course may be useful for Project Managers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Project Managers to know.
Sales Manager
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams. They work to develop and implement sales strategies, and they are responsible for achieving sales goals. This course may be useful for Sales Managers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Sales Managers to know.
Account Manager
Account Manager
Account Managers are responsible for managing relationships with clients. They work to develop and maintain business relationships, and they are responsible for generating revenue. This course may be useful for Account Managers because it provides a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese, including colloquial vocabulary, practical expressions, and listening skills. Additionally, the course covers some basic Chinese characters, which are essential for Account Managers to know.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/zjwyxc/tsinghua
Reading list
We've selected ten 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
Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People.
This comprehensive Chinese-English dictionary that includes over 80,000 entries. It valuable resource for students and researchers of Chinese.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to modern Chinese usage. It covers basic grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structures. It emphasizes practical language use. Its comprehensive grammar section supplements the course's focus on listening skills. This book can be used as a foundational text.
Save
Offers a comprehensive introduction to Mandarin Chinese with a focus on practical language use. Its strength lies in its wide range of exercises and practical examples. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions.
Save
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the HSK, the Chinese proficiency test. It includes information on the test format, scoring, and preparation materials. It valuable resource for students who are preparing to take the HSK.
Offers an in-depth exploration of Chinese grammar, providing a theoretical understanding of the language's structure. It useful reference tool for learners who want to understand the intricacies of Mandarin Chinese grammar.
This popular textbook for beginning students of Mandarin Chinese. It provides a clear and concise introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of the language. It good choice for students who are looking for a comprehensive textbook.
This dictionary provides comprehensive coverage of Chinese grammar, offering clear explanations and examples. It valuable reference tool for learners who want to deepen their understanding of the language's grammatical structures.
This basic course in Mandarin Chinese that is designed for beginners. It provides a clear and concise introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of the language. It good choice for students who are looking for a basic introduction to the language.
This comprehensive grammar provides a deep dive into Mandarin Chinese grammar. It offers detailed explanations and examples, making it suitable for advanced learners who seek a thorough understanding of the language's structure.
Save
This classic work of Chinese philosophy offers insights into the teachings of Confucius. It valuable resource for learners who want to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and thought.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/zjwyxc/tsinghua
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Rating
4.8
Effort
2 to 3 hours per week for 6 weeks
Level
Elementary
Via
edX
Institution
Tsinghua University
Instructors
Xia Ding
Xiaoning Wang
Li Lu
Yuan Li
Language
English
Transcript
English
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