Skip to main content

Chinese Course -
Mandarin Express Intro Level A

Course Aims

  • 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

Course Description

This is a beginner’s Mandarin Chinese course for non-Chinese speakers, who have no prior knowledge of Chinese, to quickly and effectively build up their listening and speaking abilities around ten fundamental topics to start speaking Mandarin from lesson one.

Course Materials

Course Duration

30 class hours

How Does It Work

Mandarin Express Intro Level A is an introductory course, focusing on listening and speaking Mandarin. The learning medium is pinyin. Students are not required to study any Chinese characters.  

Starting from the unique Mandarin sounds and some basic concepts, students learn essential words and structures, all presented in a conversational context. 

This Chinese course is full of interactive and communicative class activities. Students have adequate opportunities to speak Mandarin. Exchanges in Mandarin is encouraged during classes, and special effort is made to keep English at its minimum. 

The pronunciation drills are done in an incremental manner and within targeted areas. Students will be able to gradually fine tone their pronunciations and to speak Mandarin naturally and confidently. 

For developing listening skills, students are exposed to various tightly controlled listening exercises, which are written within the boundary of students’ knowledge and are super effective in bringing out the desired outcome. 

On completing the course, students are able to introduce themselves in Mandarin, to ask directions around the town, to talk about their daily activities, to discuss appointments, and so on.

Evaluation of Progress

A review chapter is in place for every five chapters. This is where learnings are consolidated and assessed. How well students complete the exercises in these review chapters demonstrate their progress.

Study Modes


Other Related Chinese Courses


Chinese writing course

Chinese Reading and Writing 1

Mandarin course

Mandarin Express Intro Level B

Intensive Mandarin Program

Intensive Mandarin Program