Languages
Chinese beginners taster
An interactive introduction to Mandarin Chinese and culture for complete beginners, covering greetings, introductions, drinks orders and phone numbers.
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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
This introductory workshop uses Mandarin Chinese to explore everyday situations and aspects of Chinese culture. Learners practise greeting people, introducing themselves, asking someone’s name, ordering three drinks in a café and giving a phone number. Teaching includes repetition of words and sentences, paired and group activities, and a discovery exercise. The session is designed around active participation rather than independent work outside class.
What you'll learn
- Greet someone in Mandarin Chinese
- Introduce yourself and ask for another person’s name
- Order three different drinks in a café
- Give a phone number in Mandarin Chinese
Is this course right for you?
The course is intended for complete beginners, so no previous Mandarin study or particular skills are identified as necessary. Learners should be prepared to participate in paired and group activities, repeat words and sentences, and take part in a discovery exercise.
- Includes interactive work with other learners in pairs and groups