The Shanghai International Studies University is an elite institution of higher learning in China. SISU has been one of the most acclaimed and influential universities cultivating intercultural professionals.
Become comfortable pronouncing the syllables in the Mandarin Chinese languageUnderstanding the correct pronunciation and tone of Mandarin Chinese is essential for beginners learning the language. On this three-week course, you’ll be introduced to Chinese phonetics, tones, and syllables to help build your confidence in speaking Chinese.Using videos and audio content to enhance your learning, this interactive course will teach you the main rules of spelling and how to correct errors in pronunciation.You’ll cover useful phrases such as greetings, self-introduction, expressing thanks, love, and apology to help you become more comfortable in speaking Chinese Mandarin correctly.Understand the basics of Chinese phoneticsYou’ll learn the key elements of Chinese phonology, including initials, finals, and the four main tones to help you speak the language more effectively.As well as this, you’ll learn how to tackle the difficult Chinese pronunciations by understanding how to differentiate similar sounds.You’ll also improve your Chinese written skills by learning the core rules of spelling.Use Pinyin to develop your Mandarin pronunciationPinyin is a helpful and widely-used tool that uses the Latin alphabet to write Mandarin Chinese. You’ll learn how to use this system to help you accurately pronounce different words, and further your study of the language.By the end of this course, you’ll be able to demonstrate impressive pronunciation of all syllables in Mandarin Chinese, and feel confident in applying words and sentences to daily communication.This course is designed for beginners who want to improve their Chinese speaking skills, and learn the correct pronunciation of the language.
Discover the world's most commonly spoken languageBuild your confidence in speaking and writing Mandarin Chinese by learning useful words and phrases, pronunciation, and grammar.
Learn Chinese greetings to begin a basic conversationAre you new to the Chinese language? On this six-week interactive course, you’ll be introduced to useful words and expressions to help you build confidence in speaking Chinese Mandarin.You’ll start with greetings and introductions before moving onto everyday tasks such as ordering meals and asking for directions to help you navigate your way through China.Gain an insight into Chinese cultureThroughout the course, you’ll learn how to use Chinese words and phrases in the right context. From family members and different jobs to talking about the weather and health, you’ll understand how to discuss different topics in Chinese Mandarin.You’ll also build your knowledge of traditional and popular Chinese culture to help you understand more about the language you’re learning.Study alongside professors at Shanghai International Studies UniversityBy the end of this course, you will know approximately 150 new words and feel confident using Chinese vocabularyin the right setting.You’ll learn from top professors and teachers at the Shanghai International Studies University who will help you build a solid foundation to progress to more advanced Chinese language courses in the future.This course is part of the Introduction to Mandarin Chinese ExpertTrack, a comprehensive set of courses to help you learn how to speak, write, and pronounce Chinese Mandarin.This course is designed for beginners who want to learn the Chinese language and become more familiar with Chinese Culture.
Learn the basics of Chinese sign language and sign language linguisticsThis comprehensive four-week course from the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) provides you with basic knowledge of Chinese sign language (CSL), sign language linguistics, as well as Chinese deaf culture and deaf education.Explore basic Chinese sign language (CSL) linguisticsYou’ll firstly learn 150 Chinese sign language signs for limited communication, as well as word categories such as verbs, nouns, conjunctions, and personal pronouns, as well as special structures.You’ll then decipher how to do Chinese fingerspelling, and will cover the wider linguistics which are present within CSL. You’ll then get an introduction to the varieties within Chinese sign language, and will identify the difference between CSL and signed Chinese.Develop intercultural and transmodal communication skillsAfter getting an insight into the history of CSL and deaf education within Shanghai, you’ll then explore elements of deaf culture, including video chatting etiquettes, table manners and leisure activities.Ultimately, by discovering sign language and deaf culture, you’ll be sure to understand more about the deaf community, and will subsequently be able to embrace and help initiate a more inclusive society.Learn from linguistics and sign language experts at the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)Throughout the duration of the course, you’ll be under the guidance of Dr.Lin Hao, a linguistics associate researcher whose research lies in Chinese sign language linguistics and deaf studies.You’ll also be learning from Ni Yingjie, a native Chinese sign language speaker from the deaf family, as well as Cai Weiyu, an experienced sign language teacher.This course is primarily geared towards English-speaking students and researchers who are interested in learning about sign language studies and deaf education.It will also be useful to any learners who may involve communicating with the deaf people.
Increase your language skills by learning how to read ChineseUnderstanding Chinese grammar is a tricky but vital step to tackle when learning the language.Whether you want to learn Chinese for work or fun, understanding basic Chinese grammar will help you communicate and express yourself accurately.On this four-week course, you’ll boost your knowledge of the rules of Chinese grammar and learn how to structure a sentence correctly.Using simple daily words and phrases, you’ll learn how to read Chinese and the grammatical rules to follow in your own practice.Learn how to write Chinese charactersYou’ll understand how to structure sentences by learning how to write basic Chinese words and how to express dates and times.You’ll explore fundamental sentence structures as well as special sentences to improve your skills in reading, writing, and translating accurately.Understand Chinese syntax, semantics, and pragmaticsBy the end of this course, you’ll understand Chinese sentence structures, their meaning, and how to use words and phrases in context to communicate more effectively.Studying alongside experts at Shanghai International Studies University, you’ll build your confidence and skills in writing and speaking the Chinese language.This course is part of the Introduction to Mandarin Chinese ExpertTrack, a comprehensive set of courses to help you learn how to speak, write, and pronounce Chinese Mandarin. Some basic knowledge of the Chinese language is necessary for this course.This course is designed for learners who have some basic knowledge of the Chinese language and are looking to improve and become familiar with Chinese grammar.