In this chapter, our communication goal is to be able to greet someone and respond naturally. You will also begin to pronounce Mandarin words accurately.



Lesson 1 — Hello! 你好

Lesson 2 — Pinyin & Pronunciation

Lesson 3 — Nice to Meet You 很高兴认识你

CHAPTER 1 — Getting Started with Mandarin

In this chapter, the communication goal is to ask and give names. You will also be able to say where you're from and talk about your occupation/studies.

Lesson 4 — What's Your Name?

Lesson 5 — Where Are You From?

What Do You Do?

CHAPTER 2 — Who Are You?

In this chapter, the communication goal is to understand and use numbers. You will also be able to talk about age and birthdays, and also say and ask what time it is.

Lesson 7 — Numbers 1–100

Lesson 8 — Age, Birthday & Dates

Lesson 9 — Time & Schedules

CHAPTER 3 — Numbers, Age & Personal Information

In this chapter, the communication goal is to talk about your family and describe your family. You will also be able to give simple descriptions of other people.

Lesson 10 — Meet My Family

Lesson 11 — How Many People Are in Your Family?

Lesson 12 — Describing People

CHAPTER 4 — My Family & People Around Me

In this chapter, the communication goal is to talk about your normal day, say what you're doing now, and also talk about your hobbies.

Lesson 13 — My Daily Routine

Lesson 14 — What Are You Doing?

Lesson 15 — What Do You Like to Do?

CHAPTER 5 — My Everyday Life

In this chapter, the communication goal is to talk about the foods that you like to eat and don't like to eat. You will also be able to order confidently in a restaurant and handle a simple restaurant interaction.

Lesson 16 — What Do You Like to Eat?

Lesson 17 — Ordering Food

Lesson 18 — Restaurant Conversation

CHAPTER 6 — Food, Drinks & Eating Out

In this chapter, the communication goal is to ask about prices and shop for basic items.

Lesson 19 — How Much Is It?

Lesson 20 — Shopping for Clothes

Lesson 21 — Buying Something

CHAPTER 7 — Shopping & Money

In this chapter, the communication goal is to ask where something is, understand,  and give simple directions. You will also be able to use basic transportation language.

Lesson 22 — Where Is It?

Lesson 23 — Asking for Directions

Lesson 24 — Transportation

CHAPTER 8 — Getting Around

In this chapter, the communication goal is to talk about future plans and arrange to meet someone. You will also be able to Invite someone and respond.

Lesson 25 — What Are You Doing Tomorrow?

Lesson 26 — Making an Appointment

Lesson 27 — Let's Do Something Together

CHAPTER 9 — Making Plans

In this chapter, the communication goal is to express basic feelings, preferences and opinions.

Lesson 28 — How Are You Feeling?

Lesson 29 — I Like It / I Don't Like It

Lesson 30 — What Do You Think?

CHAPTER 10 — Talking About Feelings & Preferences

In this chapter, the communication goal is to keep a simple conversation going and handle a simple social visit.

Lesson 31 — Making Small Talk

Lesson 32 — Visiting Someone

CHAPTER 11 — Social Chinese

In this chapter, the communication goal is to handle basic everyday communication.

Lesson 33 — Phone & Messaging Chinese

Lesson 34 — A Day in My Life

CHAPTER 12 — Putting It All Together

<h3 id="97123300-86cd-4be0-91ed-b361182b73c5" data-toc-id="97123300-86cd-4be0-91ed-b361182b73c5" style="text-align: left; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;">Complete Beginner Conversational Mandarin</h3>12-Week CourseLearn the Mandarin you need for everyday conversations — from your first “你好” to holding your first real conversation.This 12-week course is designed for complete beginners with little or no prior knowledge of Mandarin. You’ll build a strong foundation in pronunciation, Pinyin, vocabulary, sentence structure, and essential grammar while learning how to use Chinese naturally in everyday situations.Instead of focusing only on memorising words and grammar rules, the course takes a practical, conversation-first approach. You’ll learn how to introduce yourself, talk about your family and daily life, order food, shop, ask for directions, make plans, discuss your interests, express preferences, and interact confidently in common social situations.Each week combines guided instruction, listening practice, speaking activities, useful dialogues, vocabulary review, and real-life role-plays to help you turn what you learn into language you can actually use. You’ll also gain cultural insights that help you understand how Mandarin is used in everyday Chinese communication.By the end of the course, you’ll be able to handle a range of basic conversations, understand commonly used expressions, and communicate simple ideas with greater confidence.Whether you’re learning Mandarin for travel, work, study, relationships, living in China, or simply the joy of learning a new language, this course gives you a clear and supportive path to getting started.No prior Mandarin experience required. Just bring your curiosity, commitment, and willingness to speak!

Learn the Mandarin you need for everyday conversations, from your first “你好” to holding basic everyday conversations in Mandarin. In this course, you’ll also build a strong foundation in pronunciation, Pinyin, vocabulary,  and sentence structure.

Complete Beginner Conversational Mandarin

Nelly Ogochukwu

Course Details

Course content