Course Description

This exciting course, "Chinese Language in Culture, Level 2," offered by MITx, is the second installment in a series designed to introduce students to modern standard Chinese, commonly known as Mandarin. As the language with the largest number of native speakers globally, Mandarin is the official language of Mainland China and Taiwan, as well as one of the official languages of Singapore. This course builds upon the foundation laid in Level 1, taking students on a journey to further develop their Mandarin skills and cultural understanding.

What Students Will Learn

• Mastery of Mandarin pronunciation, including recognition and writing of Pinyin romanization
• Basic reading and writing skills in Chinese
• Ability to engage in simple, practical conversations on everyday topics
• Understanding of the relationship between Chinese language and culture
• Sociolinguistically appropriate use of language
• Skills to function successfully in Chinese culture using Mandarin as the primary language
• Presenting oneself in a way that Chinese people find comfortable
• Understanding of Chinese interpersonal behavioral culture and related thought patterns
• Performance skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Chinese at a basic level of proficiency
• Cultural understanding suitable for correct performance of assigned tasks in Chinese

Pre-requisites

While not strictly required, it is preferred that students have completed MITx: Chinese Language in Culture, Level 1. The course assumes no prior background in the language for those who haven't taken Level 1.

Course Syllabus

• Week 1: Lesson 6: Getting around
• Week 2: Lesson 7: Eating and Drinking
• Week 3: Lesson 8: Going Shopping
• Week 4: Lesson 9: Making a Phone Call
• Week 5: Lesson 10: Holiday Celebrations
• Week 6: Lesson 11: Reading & Writing II
• Week 7: Final Oral Project

Who This Course Is For

• Students interested in learning Mandarin Chinese from scratch
• Professionals aiming to interact with Chinese people in pursuit of their career goals
• Individuals planning to live, work, or study in China, Taiwan, or Singapore
• Language enthusiasts looking to broaden their linguistic horizons
• Anyone interested in Chinese culture and how it relates to language use

Real-World Applications

• Navigate daily life in Chinese-speaking countries with confidence
• Conduct basic business interactions in Mandarin
• Build meaningful relationships with Chinese speakers
• Appreciate Chinese culture on a deeper level
• Enhance career prospects in industries with ties to China
• Travel more comfortably in Chinese-speaking regions
• Engage with Chinese media and entertainment
• Pursue further studies in Chinese language and culture