Mandarin Chinese: Beginners Level 1
Begin your journey into the Mandarin Chinese language and culture with our online beginner-friendly course. Designed for those with no prior experience, this class provides a supportive introduction to Mandarin, emphasizing everyday use and cultural insights.
Mandarin is more accessible than many expect—there are no verb conjugations, plurals, or grammatical genders. You’ll begin learning Pinyin, the phonetic system for Mandarin sounds, and be gradually introduced to Chinese characters. With guidance from an experienced native-speaking tutor, you'll learn to use tones effectively, form simple sentence structures, and understand the synergy between spoken and written Mandarin.
Course Outline
- Greetings, self-introductions, and common vocabulary
- Pinyin system, tones, and pronunciation
- Numbers, dates, times, and measure words
- Simple sentence structures including negatives and basic questions
- Insight into Chinese culture through language
Schedule & Pricing
- Start Date: Multiple options available (e.g., Jan 29, Apr 29, Jul 21, Oct 21)
- Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
- Delivery: Online via Zoom
- Fee: $429
- Automatic discount available when you enrol in three Mandarin courses (15%) or Level 1 & 2 together (10%, code: GROUP10)
Materials & Certificate
- Textbooks: “Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 1, 4th Ed” or “Easy Peasy Chinese”
- Certificate: Certificate of Attendance provided with 80% attendance
Join us and build foundational Mandarin skills in a structured, engaging, and culturally enriching environment.
Details
You will learn
- Understand Mandarin pronunciation through tones and Pinyin
- Form basic sentence structures and ask simple questions
- Recognise key Chinese characters and cultural nuances
You will get
- Certificate of Attendance upon 80% participation
- Exposure to native Mandarin-speaking instruction
- Foundational skills for continued Mandarin learning
Appropriate for
Complete beginners with no prior experience learning Mandarin Chinese; learners interested in Chinese culture; travelers to Chinese-speaking regions; and anyone curious to learn a tonal language in a supportive setting.
Preparation
What to bring
- Notebook and pen
- Course textbook (as specified upon confirmation)
- Stable internet-connected device for Zoom access
What to wear
Your Teacher
Sydney Community College
Sydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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Mandarin Chinese: Beginners Level 1
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