Learn foundational Mandarin Chinese through an engaging course designed for complete beginners, featuring interactive dialogues, character studies, and cultural insights. Master essential Pinyin pronunciation, tonal patterns, and practical vocabulary across six comprehensive lessons covering daily scenarios like greetings, self-introductions, transportation, food, accommodation, and shopping. Practice with listening comprehension exercises, enjoy tea time conversations with Peter, explore emotionally meaningful expressions, and reinforce learning through homework assignments and Mandarin songs. Develop basic conversational skills while gaining authentic exposure to Chinese culture through stories like Peter's first day in Beijing and interactions with characters like Xiaoye's grandma.
Overview
Syllabus
- In case you missed the story
- Peter's first day in Beijing
- Your Guide to Pinyin
- Pinyin is easy and helpful
- Pronunciation of initials
- Pronunciation of finals
- Lesson 1 Greetings
- Dialogue
- Characters
- Listening comprehension
- Tips
- Reference
- Homework
- Lesson 2 Self-introduction
- Frustrating but beautiful tones
- Dialogue
- Characters
- Tips
- Listening comprehension
- The end
- Homework
- Lesson 3 Transportation
- Listening Comprehension: Tones
- Dialogue
- Characters
- Tea time with Peter
- Mandarin song
- Homework
- Lesson 4 Food
- Mandarin song
- Distinguishing tones
- Dialogue
- Characters
- Tea Time with Peter
- The end
- Homework
- Lesson 5 Accommdation
- ji, qi, xi and the special -i
- Xiaoye's grandma
- Dialogue
- Characters
- Tea time with Peter
- Homework
- Lesson 6 Shopping
- Dialogue
- Characters
- Tea time with Peter
- Interpreting emotionally meaningful words
- The end
- A special song for you
- Homework
Taught by
Xia Ding, Xiaoning Wang, Li Lu, and Yuan Li
