Learning Chinese : Start From Scratch (零到一學中文)

National Taiwan University via Coursera

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

Introduction

### Course Review: Learning Chinese: Start From Scratch (零到一學中文) As globalization continues to bring cultures together, the demand for learning Mandarin Chinese has skyrocketed. If you're looking to dip your toes into the vast ocean of Mandarin conversation, then Coursera’s course, **Learning Chinese: Start From Scratch (零到一學中文)**, is an excellent choice. #### Overview This introductory six-week course is thoughtfully designed for absolute beginners, making it ideal for those who have yet to experience the beauty of the Chinese language. The immersive nature of the course, where instruction is delivered entirely in Mandarin, allows for an authentic learning environment. By focusing primarily on practical conversations, students will not only pick up essential vocabulary but also gain valuable insights into the cultural nuances that shape communication in Mandarin-speaking environments. #### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Greetings**: Students embark on their learning journey by mastering the art of greeting. This week’s focus is on understanding cultural communication basics as learners acquire 25 simple words to form short phrases. By the end of this module, learners will confidently greet others and respond appropriately. 2. **Introduce Yourself**: The second week emphasizes self-introduction within the context of a classroom. By utilizing ‘Studying Chinese’ as a theme, students will build their vocabulary with 31 new words. They will learn to talk about themselves and their classmates, giving them a practical framework to engage in initial conversations. 3. **Shopping**: In the third week, the course delves into everyday dialogues related to shopping. Participants will learn how to express their likes, dislikes, and everyday needs. With the introduction of 33 new words, students will be able to communicate their shopping choices effectively and form meaningful statements about their daily routines. 4. **Making an Order**: The fourth week takes a culinary approach, introducing students to the vocabulary related to food. By learning to navigate menus and understand dining customs—such as how food reflects Chinese culture—participants will acquire 41 new words, enabling them to express their preferences and desires effectively in a restaurant setting. 5. **Taking the Bus to School**: Transportation becomes the focus in the fifth week, where learners will describe their surroundings and navigate urban scenarios using 41 new words. This practical exposure to conversation about daily commutes helps reinforce vocabulary through relatable contexts. 6. **Daily Dialogue**: In the final week, students will engage in discussions about attending school, work, and leisure activities. Utilizing 40 new words, they will enhance their ability to talk about their daily lives and relationships, rounding out their conversational skills in Mandarin. #### Course Experience What I genuinely appreciate about this course is its structured approach to language learning. With a strong focus on visual aids and situational videos, students can grasp pronunciation and context more effectively. Moreover, the gradual buildup of vocabulary and phrases helps prevent cognitive overload often experienced by new learners of any language. The course's strong emphasis on practical dialogue equips learners with the tools needed for real-world interactions, making it an excellent choice for those planning to travel to Mandarin-speaking countries or engage with Chinese-speaking communities. #### Recommendation I highly recommend **Learning Chinese: Start From Scratch** not just for its comprehensive curriculum but also for its engaging delivery. The combination of cultural insights and practical conversational skills makes this course a worthwhile investment for anyone interested in learning Mandarin Chinese from the ground up. Whether you’re preparing for travel, looking to expand your career opportunities, or simply fascinated by the language, this course serves as a strong foundation for your language-learning journey. Take the leap into the world of Mandarin—your first steps in mastering a language with over a billion speakers await!

Syllabus

Greetings

Starting from the first step of cultural communication, the course introduces how Chinese people greet others and respond to greetings. Students will learn 25 simple words and form short phrases, beginning to communicate with others.

Introduce yourself

This week’s lesson uses ‘Studying Chinese’ as its main theme. Students will learn how to make a self-introduction, meet classmates from different countries, learn vocabulary commonly used in the classroom, use 31 new words, talk about themselves and their classmates, and understand how Chinese words are formed from individual characters as well as their meaning and the ways they can change.

Shopping

Learn everyday simple statements, such as being able to talk about: time, temperature, making choices when shopping, and personal likes and dislikes. Using 33 new words, make statements about one’s everyday life, talk about the things one wants to buy.

Ｍaking an order

Learn numbers and measure words while eating food, understand how eating food is an expression of Chinese culture, and use 41 new words to make statements about eating food as well as express desires, preferences, and opinions.

Taking bus to school

Recognize different modes of transportation and describe walking on the street, learn to use 41 simple words and form short phrases, make statements based on observations of urban streetscapes and the perceived distance of objects.

Daily Dialogue

Learn to talk about attending school, going to work, forms of communication, and leisure activities. Use 40 words to form short phrases, talk about one’s work and relations with other people at school.