Languages
Chinese beginners: short introduction
A communicative Chinese course for complete beginners, focusing on speaking and listening in everyday situations.
Choose a date before booking
Upcoming classes
1 class
What Beginner (A1) Mandarin means
At A1 Mandarin, learners are beginning to use familiar words and simple sentences in predictable everyday situations.
Introduce yourself
我叫安娜。我住在伦敦。
My name is Anna. I live in London.
Order in a café
来一杯咖啡，谢谢。
A coffee, please.
Ask for directions
请问，火车站在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the railway station?
These are general examples of language use at this level, not a description of any individual course syllabus.
About this course
The course introduces spoken Chinese through practical situations including greetings, exchanging personal information, and ordering food and drink. Participants practise numbers and the pronunciation of basic vocabulary while developing foundational oral communication skills. Teaching uses a communicative approach, with speaking and listening activities, pair and group work, role plays, and audio-visual techniques where appropriate. The course focuses on oral communication rather than writing.
What you'll learn
- Greet people in Chinese
- Introduce themselves and other people
- Order food and drink
- Use numbers in relevant situations
- Pronounce basic Chinese vocabulary
Is this course right for you?
The course is designed for complete beginners with no particular skills identified as necessary. Participation involves oral classroom activities, interaction with other learners, pair and group work, and role plays.
- Focuses on speaking and listening rather than writing
- Homework may be required between classes
Before you go
- The course is based on the tutor's own materials.
- Learners may be expected to complete homework as required.