• Learn essential words and sentence structures introduced in pinyin
• Develop conversational abilities around daily social topics
• Build up listening abilities and discern unique Mandarin sounds

This is a beginner’s Mandarin course, which introduces pronunciations and basic concepts of Mandarin to non-Chinese speakers, teaches them essential words and structures in a conversational context, and helps them develop conversational ability around ten fundamental topics, such as self introduction, places around the town and food. Adequate listening exercises are provided for students to get familiar with the uniqueness of Mandarin sounds and to train their Mandarin listening skills in words, sentences and short conversations and paragraphs.

• 30 class hours

Students are assessed based on their performance of interacting with the teacher and with others during class activities, in aspects of language clarity, and willingness to participate.