Mandarin Chinese I

Mandarin Chinese I is for students who have little or no prior background in the language. Students are introduced to standard Chinese language (Mandarin) and culture. Emphasis is placed on pinyin (the phonetic system indicating Chinese pronunciation in the English alphabet), listening comprehension, speaking skills and character writing. Simplified Chinese characters are taught during the course, while traditional forms of characters are also introduced to show the formation and change of Chinese characters. Students develop a core vocabulary and knowledge of basic grammar for conversation. Conversation topics relate to daily life and school life; such as, greetings, directions, personal hobbies, and courtesy expressions. Cultural knowledge is gained through videos, movies, online research, and supplementary readings.

Q&A

Question: Can I take Mandarin I if I've never studied Mandarin before? 

Answer: Yes, the program is perfect for beginners or students who are new to the language. 

Question: Can I take Mandarin I if I hear Mandarin at home and understand daily conversations, but cannot read or write in Chinese? 

Answer: Yes, Mandarin I is an ideal choice if you want to improve your reading and writing skills in addition to your listening and speaking abilities. 

Question: What will I learn in the first year of Mandarin?

 Answer: In your first year, you'll learn: 

• A system that uses the Roman alphabet (pinyin) to represent Chinese sounds. 
• Proper pronunciation, with an emphasis on mastering the tonal differences in Mandarin. 
• Around 250 basic to simple Chinese characters. 
• How to express yourself on a variety of topics, such as introducing yourself and your family, discussing hobbies, talking about dates and time, visiting friends, and sharing daily school life experiences. 
• Key Chinese holidays and traditions, with hands-on experiences celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year.