Beginners’ Chinese - Audio

Do you want to learn some basics in Mandarin Chinese? The tracks presented here are designed to give you a taste of Mandarin Chinese language and culture. You’ll hear short conversations where people greet each other, introduce themselves and their families, describe where they come from and what they do for a living. You’ll hear them talk about sports, ask for directions, buy things, order food in a restaurant, invite someone to dinner – or simply share their experience of learning Chinese. You’ll also find a track to help you with pronunciation and the use of tones. Finally, there’s the chance to listen to interviews in English about Chinese-speaking cultures. Our guide to the language and culture of mainland China is Dr Kan Qian, who is chair of The Open University course: L197: Beginners’ Chinese You can also download transcripts for all the tracks.

Beginners' Chinese

A short introduction to this album.

06-04
01:11

Beginners Chinese: Pronunciation and tone

Mandarin Chinese speech sounds and tones. Learn how to pronounce Chinese vowels, consonants and the four tones.

06-04
02:43

Beginners Chinese: Numbers from zero to ten

Learn to count from zero to ten in Chinese.

06-04
00:45

Beginners Chinese: Greetings and names

Greeting each other and asking about each other’s names.

06-04
00:35

Beginners Chinese: Where do you live?

A short exchange where two people chat about where they live.

06-04
00:29

Beginners Chinese: Greeting friends

Useful expressions such as ‘long time no see’ to greet friends.

06-04
00:42

Beginners Chinese: Nationalities and the place you come from

Talking about nationality and what part of the country one comes from.

06-04
00:46

Beginners Chinese: Describing people

Describing someone’s name and profession.

06-04
00:53

Beginners Chinese: Professions and ages

Describing someone’s profession and age.

06-04
00:56

Beginners Chinese: Family

Talking about one’s family.

06-04
00:47

Beginners Chinese: Dates

Discussing the day of the week.

06-04
00:55

Beginners Chinese: Daily activities

Describing daily activities.

06-04
00:47

Beginners Chinese: Sports

Describing the sport one can play.

06-04
00:44

Beginners Chinese: Food and drink

Common words for food and drinks.

06-04
00:47

Beginners Chinese: Placing orders

Ordering food and drinks in a restaurant.

06-04
00:38

Beginners Chinese: Asking for directions

Asking for directions politely.

06-04
00:42

Beginners Chinese: Role-play: buying and selling

Play the role of a customer to buy something.

06-04
01:55

Beginners Chinese: Inviting someone for dinner

Inviting a friend and giving instructions.

06-04
00:49

Beginners Chinese: Learning Chinese

Sharing experience in learning Chinese and paying complements to others.

06-04
00:40

Beginners Chinese interview: Forms of address and professional titles

Interview in English: Discussion on how Chinese people address each other in public places and how professional titles are used as forms of address.

06-04
05:59

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