Unlocking the Secrets of the Chinese Language
Master the basics of Mandarin pronunciation and greetings to begin unlocking the secrets of the Chinese language.
Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Unlocking the Secrets of the Chinese Language
Take your first steps in Chinese with Universiti Malaya
Mandarin Chinese is spoken by over a billion people worldwide. Learning it provides a gateway to a vast community of speakers and an insight into one of the world’s oldest and richest civilisations.
This beginner-friendly two-week course from Universiti Malaya is designed to provide a foundation for anyone starting out in Chinese.
From the basics of the Mandarin sound system to essential vocabulary and greetings, the course will set you on your way to unlocking the secrets of the Chinese language and culture.
Gain an introduction to the tones and sound system in Mandarin Chinese
The four tones are the building blocks of the Chinese language. Mastering them is essential for comprehension and communication.
Week 1 of the course will provide a comprehensive overview of the Mandarin sound system. You’ll be guided through each of the four tones, and learn how to harness Pinyin to aid you in your pronunciation.
Learn how to greet people and introduce yourself in Chinese
Once you’ve nailed your Chinese pronunciation, you can begin equipping yourself with the most essential vocabulary.
The second week of the course will guide you through a range of different greetings and words for introducing yourself and your family.
By the end of two weeks, you’ll have the foundation you need to begin confidently communicating and interacting in Chinese.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction and Sound System in the Chinese Language
Getting Started
Getting to know each other.
Introduction to the Chinese Language
Discover the basics of learning Chinese.
Introduction to Chinese Vowels
Learn how to differentiate and pronounce Chinese vowels.
Introduction to Chinese Consonants
Learn how to differentiate and pronounce Chinese consonants.
Exploring Tones, Meanings, Hanyu Pinyin, and Pronunciation
Uncover the dynamic varieties of tones, diverse meanings, the art of writing Hanyu Pinyin, and the intricacies of pronunciation.
Weekly wrap up
Let's review Week 1!
Week 2
Greetings and Self-introduction
Greetings
Learn the different method of greetings in Mandarin.
Self-introduction and Family
Explore different dialogues that can be used in daily conversation.
Weekly Wrap Up
Let's review Week 2!
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...
- Pronounce and read Hanyu Pinyin correctly.
- Demonstrate the ability to understand and speak simple Chinese sentences correctly in conversations.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for complete beginners with no prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.
Who will you learn with?
Dr. Lau Su Kia is currently a language teacher at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya (UM). He began teaching Chinese as a second language at UM in 2007.
Yong Zhien Bao is a language teacher at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, UM. His Master’s thesis is on Chinese phonetics, and he is currently teaching basic Chinese courses at the faculty.
Who developed the course?
Universiti Malaya
Universiti Malaya is the premier research university in Malaysia, committed to advancing knowledge and learning through quality research and education for the nation and for humanity.
Established
1905Location
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaWorld ranking
Top 60Source: QS World University Rankings 2021
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $79/one-off payment | $349.99 for one year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 11 May 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
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
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
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 11 May 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- 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
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
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
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Get a taste of this course
Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:
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