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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.
Track 13: Beginners Chinese: Sports
Describing the sport one can play.
© The Open University 2010
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Originally published: Friday, 4th June 2010
Copyright information
- Body text - Content : Copyright The Open University
- Audio/Video tracks: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 The Open University 2010
- Image 'Beginners’ Chinese' - Copyright: The Open University 2010
- Image 'Getting started with Chinese 1' - Copyright: Toa55/iStock / Getty Images Plus
- Image 'Tourist' - Copyright: Dreamstime
- Image 'The number two in Chinese' - The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Portales: beginners' Spanish' - Copyright: The Open University 2008
- Image 'The Language of Comedy' - Copyright: The Open University
- Image 'Map of Europe with flags and bakery window in Italy' - Sifu Renka under CC-BY-NC-ND licence under Creative-Commons license
- Image 'Hairy Bikers talking with female baker via an interpreter' - Copyright: BBC
- Image 'Traffic in Naples' - Ingrid Lemaire under CC-BY-NC licence under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Gaelic in modern Scotland' - Copyright: Used with permission
- Image 'European day of languages poster 2015' - Copyright: Council of Europe
- Image 'Barack Obama' - Copyright: © Bambi L. Dingman | Dreamstime.com
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Publication details
-
Originally published: Friday, 4th June 2010
Copyright information
- Body text - Content: Copyright The Open University
- Audio/Video tracks: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 The Open University 2010
- Image 'Beginners’ Chinese' - Copyright: The Open University 2010
- Image 'Getting started with Chinese 1' - Copyright: Toa55/iStock / Getty Images Plus
- Image 'Tourist' - Copyright: Dreamstime
- Image 'The number two in Chinese' - The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Portales: beginners' Spanish' - Copyright: The Open University 2008
- Image 'The Language of Comedy' - Copyright: The Open University
- Image 'Map of Europe with flags and bakery window in Italy' - Sifu Renka under CC-BY-NC-ND licence under Creative-Commons license
- Image 'Hairy Bikers talking with female baker via an interpreter' - Copyright: BBC
- Image 'Traffic in Naples' - Ingrid Lemaire under CC-BY-NC licence under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Gaelic in modern Scotland' - Copyright: Used with permission
- Image 'European day of languages poster 2015' - Copyright: Council of Europe
- Image 'Barack Obama' - Copyright: © Bambi L. Dingman | Dreamstime.com
- Image 'Languages and Employability' - Copyright: The Open University
- Image 'Berlin Wall ' - Copyright: United States Government under CC BY-SA 3.0) license
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??? will give you the skills you need to speak and understand simple Chinese (Mandarin) in everyday contexts. No previous knowledge of Chinese is required. This key introductory OU level 1 module will take you through a wide range of practical situations such as socialising, shopping and getting around. Study resources include printed materials and a dedicated website with a variety of online activities - which support independent learning. And while you're learning the language you'll explore aspects of Chinese society and culture, which will give you a real feel for the Chinese way of life.

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