Mandarin Chinese Course Levels

Please see an approximate list of topics below.  There is a focus on developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in addition to learning grammar.  Vocabulary building is approached from a number of angles.

Mandarin Chinese Beginners A

Focus: Foundations of Mandarin pronunciation and basic communication.

Language Skills

  • Introduction to Pinyin (phonics and the four tones)

  • Writing and typing using Pinyin input

  • Basic Hanzi (character) recognition

  • Introduction to the 7 core words framework

Conversational Topics

  • Greetings and polite expressions

  • Personal introductions (name, nationality, age, zodiac)

  • Numbers 1–99

  • Dates and time expressions

  • Food and drinks; ordering in a restaurant

Mandarin Chinese Beginners B

Focus: Strengthening pronunciation accuracy and expanding descriptive language.

Language Skills

  • Pinyin spelling rules and pronunciation patterns

  • Hanzi recognition and introduction to basic writing rules

  • Continued use of the 7 core words framework

Conversational Topics

  • Classroom language and instructions

  • Weather and seasons

  • Describing people (personality and physical characteristics)

  • Professions and studies

  • Family members and relationships

Mandarin Chinese Beginners C

Focus: Developing everyday communication and expanding vocabulary for daily life.

Language Skills

  • Continued practice with Pinyin, Hanzi recognition, writing, and typing

  • Expansion of vocabulary using the 7 core words framework

Conversational Topics

  • Hobbies and sports preferences

  • Frequency expressions 

  • Work and daily routines

  • Colors and clothing

  • Shopping and basic transactions

Mandarin Chinese Beginner D

Focus: Functional communication for real-life situations and social interaction.

Language Skills

  • Continued development of Pinyin accuracy

  • Expanded Hanzi recognition and writing

  • Application of the 7 core words framework in longer sentences

Conversational Topics

  • Asking for directions and describing locations

  • Making plans and discussing schedules

  • Making phone calls and basic service interactions

  • Introduction to Chinese digital communication (WeChat)

Mandarin Chinese Intermediate A

Focus: Developing narration and written expression in the past.

Language Skills

  • Reading and writing using Pinyin and Hanzi

  • Journal writing to practice personal expression

  • Introduction to past tense structures

  • Expressing occurrence and completion of actions

  • Describing simultaneous actions

  • Introduction to common idiomatic expressions (chéngyǔ)

Topic Examples

  • Talking about past activities and experiences

  • Cultural stories and short anecdotes

Mandarin Chinese Intermediate B

Focus: Expanding narrative ability and expressing abilities and comparisons.

Language Skills

  • Continued reading and writing with Pinyin and Hanzi

  • Regular journal writing for reflection and narration

  • Narrating events in the past tense

  • Expressing ability and capability

  • Using comparisons to express simple opinions and preferences

Topic Examples

  • Childhood memories and school life

  • Comparing cultures and lifestyles

Mandarin Chinese Intermediate C

Focus: Communicating about future plans and personal goals.

Language Skills

  • Continued development of reading and writing with Pinyin and Hanzi

  • Introduction to future tense expressions

  • Expressing desires, intentions, and goals

  • Making suggestions and recommendations

Topic Examples

  • Travel and vacation planning

  • Discussing goals and personal interests

Mandarin Intermediate D

Focus: Advanced communication, reasoning, and discussion.

Language Skills

  • Using connectors, transitions, and reasoning language

  • Expressing agreement and disagreement with supporting reasons

  • Participating in structured discussions and debates

Topic Examples

  • Social media and contemporary topics

  • Cultural perspectives and traditions