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Mandarin Chinese in Motion: Chinese Culture on TV

Boost your Chinese language skills and your understanding of Chinese culture as you delve into a popular Taiwanese TV series.

Multi-ethnic couple watching TV

Mandarin Chinese in Motion: Chinese Culture on TV

  • 4 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

Learn Mandarin with the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Learning a second language through daily life experiences can be an effective way to improve your language skills.

On this four-week course, you’ll develop your Mandarin Chinese through the engaging Taiwanese TV series, ‘Gold Leaf (茶金)’.

The series, set in the 1950s, is based on a novel written by Huang Kuo-hua and is about the tea industry in Taiwan. It provides an immersive way to help you master Mandarin Chinese and learn more about the fascinating culture.

Expand your Mandarin vocabulary

Throughout the course, you’ll develop your Mandarin vocabulary, refine your listening skills, and enhance comprehension.

You’ll have many opportunities to practise what you learn to help hone your language abilities further.

Delve into Taiwanese and Chinese culture

Beyond language, you’ll gain profound insights into Taiwanese culture and uncover the uniqueness of Taiwan’s tea culture.

You’ll explore tradition alongside language acquisition to help you develop your knowledge of both Chinese language and culture.

Gain career-enhancing language skills

By immersing yourself in this unique language course, you’re not merely learning a language; you’re equipping yourself with valuable skills that can open doors in your career and enrich your understanding of the world.

Skip to 0 minutes and 18 seconds Hi, I’m Teresa. This course was inspired by the Taiwanese TV drama 《茶金》Gold Leaf. Tea is the second most consumed drink after water. The way people drink tea, also presents their special culture and history. You are welcomed to join the course to learn some Taiwanese tea culture and share the tea and experience from your country!

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Tea in the Drama and Today

    • Welcome to the course

      Explore a cultural journey through tea, taste, and tradition in our course. From Ten Famous Taiwanese Teas to Tea House Explorations, we'll dive into Mandarin tea tasting, traditional weddings, and more.

    • The Ten Famous Taiwanese Teas

      Delve into tea culture with Ten Famous Taiwanese Teas. Experience tea tasting in Mandarin Chinese. Decode tea ads, share your favorite tea.

    • Something to know in "Gold Leaf"

      Explore rich traditions: Chinese weddings, symbolism of colors, tea in 'Gold Leaf' & modern society.

    • Summary Activity

      Showcase your tea expertise! Celebrate completing Week 1 with a sense of accomplishment.

  • Week 2

    Tea in the Old Days

    • Kungfu Tea

      Experience the art: Kungfu tea, Chinese teapots, Taiwanese brewing traditions, and your personalized tea ceremony. Immerse yourself in the journey.

    • Let's Brew Tea!

      Explore teaware's significance, functions, and cultural context. Discover unique teaware from diverse cultures. Dive into the world of tea aesthetics.

    • Summary Activity

      Is this your preference? Congrats on finishing Week 2 – an exciting journey into diverse tea cultures and traditions.

  • Week 3

    What Does the Tea House Look Like?

    • Tea House

      Explore Taiwan's tea houses and unravel the Japanese influences. Discover the cultural fusion behind the presence of Japanese-style elements.

    • Behind the Tea House

      Delve into the role of language while experiencing ancient Chinese tea houses. Share your tea house journey and participate in Dian Cha and Chinese latte art activities

    • Summary Activity

      Explore Tea Cuisine - 茶葉蛋 Tea eggs. Congratulations on finishing Week 3, diving into the delectable world of tea-infused culinary delights.

  • Week 4

    More than Drinking Tea

    • Tea and Dessert

      Discover Chinese desserts known as 茶點 that pair perfectly with tea. Explore global flavors and enjoy tea-infused treats from around the world in this week's exploration.

    • The Tea Leaf in Drama Title

      Analyze drama titles: Director's intentions and hidden meanings. Explore symbolism in titles. Uncover narrative layers through intriguing discussions.

    • Summary Activity

      Craft your tea house menu, a reflection of your journey. Celebrate the completion of a 4-week course that brings together cultural exploration and culinary creativity.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • features in Mandarin Chinese when tasting tea
  • a brief idea of the traditional and modern ways of drinking tea
  • a brief idea of traditional marriage in Taiwan
  • how to make tea cuisine which was taught in the course

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning Mandarin Chinese.

You’ll not only develop your language skills but also your understanding of Taiwanese culture.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) was originally founded in Shanghai in 1896 and was re-established in Hsinchu, Taiwan in 1958.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Subscribe & save

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 5 Dec 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

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Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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