Category — Chinese Language

The Times online have a Mandarin course of podcasts which cover the following topics:

1. Getting to know people
2. Exchanging information and asking for a telephone number
3. Having a drink and having a meal
4. Booking a room and booking a table
5. Asking for directions and going to a local attraction
6. Taking a train and getting a bus
7. Sightseeing
8. Being ill and seeing a doctor
9. Going shopping and buying a souvenir
10. Making friends and keeping in touch

Times online Mandarin course

Technorati Tags: Chinese, language, learning Chinese, Mandarin

The BBC have a great little module for learning a bit of Mandarin. There are interactive click through screens, with both audio and written words which you can toggle between English and Chinese. Look out for the “challenges” which can be fun if you want to test your basic Mandarin.

Modules include:

• For starters
• Introducing yourself
• Family introductions
• Saying a bit about yourself
• Ordering drinks
• Ordering a meal
• Doing some shopping
• Asking for directions
• Public transport
• Finding and booking a hotel

Mandarin Chinese on the BBC website

Technorati Tags: learning Chinese, Mandarin

Perhaps one of your resolutions this year (or maybe last year) is to learn a new language.

Learning Chinese can be cool. But its not easy. Is learning Chinese worth the time, effort and expense? With over 1.3 billion Chinese-speaking people in China alone (that’s a fifth of the world’s total population of 6.5 billion World!), the figures say it is.

I’ve recently started to learn (properly, as in writing as well!), but my motivations might be different to anyone else’s. How can learning Chinese really benefit you? Perhaps the following can get you thinking:

Top Ten Reasons why you should Learn Chinese

Technorati Tags: Cantonese, China, learning Chinese, Mandarin, simplified, traditional

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