This course in essential Mandarin functions covers all the basics to get started speaking and writing Mandarin. As an introductory course, it assumes no prior knowledge of Mandarin. You will be guided through all the lessons to first understand the material before then storing the new language in your memory through a memory palace.
Mandarin uses a logographic script for its writing system. Given the size and complexity of the writing system (you need about 3000 characters to be able to read and write!) we have decided to teach Chinese writing in a separate course. In this program, however, you will be able to review the same content not only in pinyin transliteration, but also in both traditional and simplified characters.
This course takes you through our map of Mandarin Essential Functions, the first in a series of 12 functional maps covering all the phrases and vocabulary necessary to reach a professional level. Topics covered range from numbers and time, through to describing things. You will not only learn a number of useful phrases and expression, but you will also learn how Mandarin works as a language. Mandarin has a markedly different structure to English, but is remarkably similar in a number of ways.All of this will be explained in detail within the context of the survival language presented in this course
This course assumes you have already completed our full course in Memory. Once you have gone through the lessons in Mandarin, you will be guided step-by-step through how to store all of the material in a memory palace so that you can retain, access, and use the content long-term. 3D animations will be used to demonstrate how a memory palace might look for this course, but you will be free to use your own spaces and imagination.
PDF handouts of all content as well as audio recording of all examples in Mandari are available to download as part of the program.
Scroll down to the Curriculum to view free samples before signing up.
Shuangqi Yao – or Adah Yao – is a native speaker and teacher of Mandarin from China. She received her Masters Degree in Language Teaching from China West Normal University. Adah has 7 years’ language teaching experience and has taught Mandarin to hundreds of students, from children to adults. In 2017, she taught Mandarin at King’s Ely School in England, and is now teaching back in China.
Dr Aaron Ralby is the founder and director of Linguisticator Ltd. He holds a BA in English and Modern Languages and Linguistics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; an MPhil in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic from the University of Cambridge; and a PhD in Medieval Studies from Cornell University. Aaron is the principle overseer of course creation at Linguisticator and also presents all final materials produced by his team of linguists and native speakers.
Read more about Aaron here.
