Beginners Mandarin Chinese I - Spring Term 2026

Beginner I - Essential Foundations

Note: No classes on bank holidays

Course Description 

Beginner I introduces you to the core building blocks of Mandarin Chinese. You will learn how the sound system works, how tones shape meaning, and how Chinese characters are formed. The course focuses on practical everyday language, helping you start speaking from day one with confidence. 

This Course is Ideal For: 

• Complete beginners with no Mandarin experience 

• Students familiar with pinyin but not yet comfortable with pronunciation 

• Travellers, professionals, or hobby learners starting fresh 

• Anyone who wants a gentle, supportive introduction to Mandarin 

What You Will Learn: 

• Mandarin pronunciation, tones, and pinyin accuracy 

• Basic character recognition and writing principles 

• Essential daily vocabulary: greetings, introductions, numbers, time 

• Basic sentence structures for everyday interactions 

• Simple listening comprehension through short dialogues 

By the End You Will Be Able To: 

• Introduce yourself and ask simple questions 

• Understand and use essential everyday expressions 

• Recognise basic characters and pronounce words correctly 

• Handle simple real-life situations in Mandarin 

Benefits of This Course: 

• Build a strong foundation you’ll rely on at all future levels 

• Start speaking Mandarin confidently from day one 

• Learn the essential pronunciation skills needed for fluency 

• Enjoy a friendly classroom environment where mistakes are welcome 

DISCLAIMER - If you are undertaking an in-person course please note that we may need to move the course online due to any unforeseen circumstances. Please note no refunds are issued for moving courses online.

Note: During reading weeks and bank holidays, there will be no classes unless specified by the teacher.

We offer Goldsmiths staff, students, alumni, local Lewisham residents, over 65s and those in receipt of income support a 15% discount. To receive the discount code, you need to provide proof to [email protected] before we can send you the discount code.

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Host or Publisher Goldsmiths Confucius Institute for Dance and Performance, University of London