Chinese for Beginners

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

Introduction

### Course Review: Chinese for Beginners on Coursera #### Course Overview If you've ever wanted to delve into the fascinating world of Chinese culture and language, the **Chinese for Beginners** course on Coursera is an excellent launching pad. This comprehensive program immerses you in the tonal beauty of Mandarin and provides you with the fundamental skills necessary to engage in basic conversations. With its focus on practical topics and real-life situations, this course promises to transform your understanding of Mandarin Chinese – one of the world’s most spoken languages. #### Curriculum Breakdown 1. **Who Are You?** - The journey begins with the essential skill of self-introduction. You’ll learn how to share your name, nationality, and identity while discussing your family. This module also emphasizes Mandarin phonetics, laying a solid foundation for your pronunciation and listening skills. 2. **When Do You Go to School?** - Planning your daily life becomes much clearer as you engage in discussions about schedules. You’ll learn to tell time, use numbers, and describe your daily routines, which is essential for navigation in any social situation. 3. **What Do You Like to Eat?** - Food is a universal connector, and in this module, you’ll explore Chinese cuisine. From main courses to fruits, vegetables, and drinks, this section not only teaches vocabulary but also encourages cultural appreciation through culinary exploration. 4. **I Like Shopping!** - Shopping is a significant aspect of life in many cultures. Here, you’ll acquire the language skills needed to express preferences regarding colors and sizes, ask about prices, and practice the art of bargaining – an invaluable skill if you plan to shop in China! 5. **Do You Live in a Big City?** - Understanding directions and transportation is crucial for any traveler. This module equips you with the vocabulary and phrases needed to navigate through both urban and rural environments, ensuring that you’re well-prepared to interact with locals. 6. **How About the Weather?** - Weather influences our daily lives, and in this segment, you’ll learn to discuss various weather conditions, temperatures, and their effects on health. This kind of conversational skill is particularly useful when engaging with locals about day-to-day topics. 7. **What is Your Hobby?** - Finally, discover how to share your hobbies and interests. This module covers a range of activities, including sports, TV programs, and digital pastimes, allowing you to engage in deeper conversations and connect on a personal level with others. #### Recommendations **Pros:** - The course is structured in a clear, engaging manner, making it easy for beginners to follow. - It provides a balance between learning vocabulary, honing pronunciation, and applying language skills in everyday situations. - Immersive content will not only help you learn the language but also enhance your understanding of Chinese culture. **Cons:** - As it's targeted towards absolute beginners, more advanced learners may find the pace too slow. - The course does not delve significantly into written Chinese characters, which might limit a deeper understanding of the language's written form. #### Conclusion In conclusion, the **Chinese for Beginners** course on Coursera is an excellent choice for anyone eager to start their journey into Mandarin. Whether you're planning to travel to China, connect with Mandarin-speaking friends, or simply cultivate a new skill, this course equips you with the essentials to navigate basic conversations and appreciate the rich tapestry of Chinese culture. With its engaging curriculum and practical focus, it’s highly recommended for beginners eager to make meaningful connections through language. Sign up today and embark on your journey into the captivating world of Chinese!

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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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 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!