Print this page Beginner Mandarin Chinese: Course 1

Start your beginner Mandarin Chinese learning journey with our Beginner Mandarin Chinese: Course 1, designed for learners with no prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese or those who wish to refresh the basics. This introductory course builds the foundations needed to communicate in simple everyday situations while developing your understanding of essential Mandarin Chinese grammar and vocabulary. It is ideal for learners interested in learning Mandarin Chinese for cultural interest or personal enrichment in a supportive and interactive learning environment.

You will practise communication in situations such as greeting people, introducing yourself, exchanging personal information, talking about hobbies, and using common classroom expressions. Grammar is introduced naturally through these interactions, including basic sentence structure, personal pronouns, question forms, numbers, measure words, and common verbs such as “to be” and “to like.” Vocabulary and pronunciation are integrated throughout, including greetings, family and personal topics, numbers, leisure activities, simplified Chinese characters, and the sound system of Hanyu Pinyin with tones and key pronunciation patterns.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

TEXTBOOK

• Hello Chinese / Ni Hao Zhongwen 1 (Shanghai Jiaotong Uni Pre, 2016), ISBN: 9787313156846

Supplier: Abbey's Language Book Centre
Please note that textbook cost is not included in the course fee. In the event of a course being cancelled, WEA Sydney cannot be held responsible for the purchase of any textbooks. Language courses will be confirmed or cancelled at least 7 days prior to their starting date.

COURSE OUTLINE

Communication

• Greeting people and introducing yourself
• Saying your name and nationality
• Asking and answering simple personal questions
• Asking for and giving phone numbers
• Talking about hobbies and leisure activities
• Understanding and using basic classroom expressions

Grammar

• Sentence structure: basic Mandarin word order
• Pronouns: personal pronouns
• Questions: particles and simple question forms
• Numbers: telephone number patterns
• Measure words: introduction
• Verb forms: basic use of “to be” and “to like”

Phonetics

• Romanisation: full introduction to Hanyu Pinyin
• Sounds: initials and finals
• Tones: four tones and tone changes
• Sounds: difficult Mandarin pronunciation contrasts
• Listening: tone recognition and discrimination
• Rhythm: basic rhythm and intonation patterns

Vocabulary

• Greetings and polite expressions
• Countries and nationalities
• Numbers and dates
• Family and personal information
• Leisure activities and hobbies
• Introduction to simplified Chinese characters

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Communicate in Mandarin Chinese in simple situations such as greetings, introductions, and exchanging personal information.
2. Use fundamental grammar structures including word order, question forms, numbers, and basic verbs.
3. Apply essential vocabulary and pronunciation features, including Hanyu Pinyin and tones, in beginner-level interactions.