Chinese for HSK 1

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/hsk-1

Introduction

## Course Review: Chinese for HSK 1 on Coursera ### Overview As someone who has always wanted to learn Mandarin Chinese, I was thrilled to discover the course "Chinese for HSK Level 1" on Coursera, taught by the experienced instructor YU Bin. This course is designed for absolute beginners, and it focuses on helping students prepare for the HSK (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì), the standardized Chinese proficiency test that assesses the capability of non-native speakers in using the language in various everyday contexts. ### Course Content The course is structured into several modules, each addressing different aspects of daily life which are essential for beginners: 1. **Greetings and Numbers**: The first week focuses on fundamental social interactions such as greetings and sharing personal information like name, nationality, and age. You will also learn pinyin, the romanization system for Chinese characters. This is a crucial foundation for pronunciation, and the course provides ample practice opportunities. 2. **Family and School/University**: In the second week, the focus shifts to introducing family members and discussing education. By the end of this module, students will confidently be able to structure sentences about their family's composition and their academic background. 3. **Time and Weather**: Time management is vital in any culture, and in week three, you will learn how to inquire about and express time as well as discuss the weather. This is particularly useful when planning activities in a Chinese-speaking environment. 4. **Work and Hobbies**: The fourth week dives into professional life and leisure activities. You will learn to describe your job aspirations and favorite pastimes in Chinese, which not only enhances vocabulary but ensures you're ready to engage in casual conversations. 5. **Shopping and Food**: Week five centers around a universally relished topic—shopping! The course teaches vocabulary related to shopping scenarios, including asking prices and discussing preferences in cuisine. This practical knowledge empowers you to navigate marketplaces, restaurants, and online shopping with confidence. 6. **Traffic and Directions**: The final week before the test covers essential vocabulary related to transportation and giving directions. You'll learn phrases that help you ask for and provide directions, making your travels in Chinese-speaking areas much easier. 7. **Final Test**: After completing all modules, the course culminates in a final assessment that tests the skills acquired throughout the sessions. It provides a great benchmark for your progress and readiness for the HSK Level 1 examination. ### Learning Experience One of the standout features of this course is its blend of interactive content, including video lectures, quizzes, and practical exercises. The engaging style of YU Bin, along with his clear explanations and demonstrations, ensures that even the most complex content feels accessible. There is also a community forum where learners can interact, ask questions, and support each other, which enhances the overall learning experience. ### Recommendations I highly recommend "Chinese for HSK 1" to anyone interested in starting their journey in Mandarin Chinese. This course is especially beneficial for absolute beginners, translating detailed academic concepts into practical language use. Not only does this course effectively prepare you for the HSK Level 1 examination, but it also equips you with essential conversational skills that can enrich your personal or professional life. Whether you aim to travel to China, communicate with Chinese-speaking friends, or enhance your resume with a new language, this course serves as a valuable first step. The skills you gain in this course can open doors to further levels of HSK and deeper understanding of Chinese culture. ### Conclusion In summary, if you're looking for a well-structured, informative, and engaging course to learn Mandarin Chinese, "Chinese for HSK 1" on Coursera is an excellent choice. Join YU Bin in this enjoyable learning journey, and don’t hesitate to invest in your linguistic future! 你可以做到! (You can do it!)

Syllabus

Greetings and numbers

In this week, you will learn about name, nationality, age, phone number and other personal information as well as basic greetings. Together with these topics, you will also have opportunities to practise pinyin. If you have never learnt pinyin, you may need a bit more time on it; if you have already learnt it, you could skip the related contents.

How do you introduce your family? Do you have any pets? If you are a student, would you like to tell us something about your school or university? At the end of this week, you will be able to answer the questions above in Chinese.

What time do you get up? When is your birthday? What is the weather like in different places in China? This week, you will learn how to ask and answer questions about the time and the weather.

What do you do? Where would you like to work? Do you like watching films? What is your favorite sport? You will be able to answer these questions in Chinese after this week!

Whether you like it or hate it, shopping is very much a part of daily life. What do you usually buy? How to ask the price in Chinese? Do you like online shopping? These lessons may give you more confidence when going to a Chinese supermarket or restaurant!

How do you get to your school/university/office? Do you like walking? Where would you like to visit? Can you describe the location of the place? What time is your flight? At the end of this week, you will be able to talk about traffic and directions in Chinese!