MIT OPENCOURSEWARE 2011: Learning Chinese: A Foundation Course in Mandarin (汉语基础教材)

 

Learning Chinese: A Foundation Course in Mandarin (汉语基础教材)

Yǒngwǎng-zhíqián (勇往直前) ‘Advancing bravely’: the author in Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Julian Wheatley. Used with permission.)

Instructors:

Dr. Julian K. Wheatley

Resource Description

This online textbook represents materials that were used in the first four semesters (two years) of the Mandarin program at MIT. They eventually formed the basis of a print textbook of the same name, published by Yale University Press; information and supplemental materials for the Yale edition are available at the companion website. The OCW course materials were extensively revised, and at times reordered, before publication, but the general principles of the original remain: to provide a comprehensive resource for the foundation levels of Chinese language that separates the learning of oral skills from literary (the former being transcribed in pinyin, and the latter in characters). This resource contains the complete online version of the text and accompanying audio recordings.

Online Textbook

This online textbook represents materials that were used in the first four semesters (two years) of the Mandarin program at MIT. They eventually formed the basis of a print textbook of the same name, published by Yale University Press (elementary level available 2011, intermediate level due late 2011 or early 2012). Information about the Yale edition, plus online materials that could supplement the OCW material with some allowances, is available at the companion website. The Yale website also includes extensive audio-clips (numbering over 40 by July 2011, up through Unit 4), which cover much of the same ground as the OCW version.
Wheatley, Julian K. Learning Chinese: A Foundation Course in Mandarin. (汉语基础教材) New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780300141177.

• Corrections to the Yale edition (PDF)
• Index to the Yale edition (PDF)

The OCW course materials were extensively revised, and at times reordered, before publication, but the general principles of the original remain: to provide a comprehensive resource for the foundation levels of Chinese language that separates the learning of oral skills from literary (the former being transcribed in pinyin, and the latter in characters). This resource contains the complete online version of the text in four parts. Audio recordings courtesy of Julian K. Wheatley, Tong Chen, Jin Zhang, and Min-Min Liang accompany the text, used with their permission.

Front Matter

• Acknowledgments and Preface (PDF)
• Table of Contents (PDF)

Additional Resources

• Highlights of Character Lessons 1-7 (PDF)
• Calligraphy practice grid (PDF)

Chinese Sequence on OCW

OpenCourseWare now offers a complete sequence of four Chinese language courses by Dr. Wheatley, covering beginning to intermediate levels of instruction at MIT. They can be used not just as the basis for taught courses, but also for self-instruction and elementary-to-intermediate review. These courses use Learning Chinese as a textbook, covering roughly one part each semester. View syllabi and day-by-day schedules for each course in the sequence:

21F.101/21F.151 Chinese I (Regular), Spring 2006
21F.102/21F.152 Chinese II (Regular), Spring 2006
21F.103 Chinese III (Regular), Fall 2005
21F.104 Chinese IV (Regular), Spring 2006

Students who have completed this material are encouraged to explore additional Chinese courses on the OCW Foreign Languages & Literatures page.

 

 

Part I: Introduction / Units 1-4 / Character Lessons 1-3

Each section and recording in Part I is available as an individual file, as well as a single download. Links to audio and exercises from the Yale edition companion site are also included where they are available.
Complete Part I text and audio (ZIP)

Online textbook files.

CONTENTS	FILES	LINKS
Background 1. China 2. Chinese speech 3. Chinese writing 4. Key terms 5. Further readings and references	Chapter (PDF)
Sounds and symbols: An overview of pinyin 1. The syllable 2. Tones 3. Initial consonants 4. Rhymes 5. Miscellany 6. Writing connected text in pinyin 7. Recapitulation	Chapter (PDF) 0.2.3 The low-tone (MP3) 0.3.1 The consonant chart (MP3)	Audio (HTML) Worksheets (PDF) Exercise Key (PDF)
Unit 1 1.1 Conventions 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Numbering and ordering 1.4 Stative verbs 1.5 Time and tense 1.6 Pronouns 1.7 Action verbs 1.8 Conventional greetings 1.9 Greeting and taking leave 1.10 Tones 1.11 Summary 1.12 Rhymes and rhythms	Chapter (PDF) 1.10.1 Tone combos (the first 6) (MP3) Exercise 3c (MP3) Exercise 3d,e (MP3)	Audio (HTML) Worksheets (PDF) Exercise Key (PDF) Vocabulary (alphabetical) (PDF) Vocabulary (book order) (PDF)
Characters 1 1.1 General features of Chinese texts 1.2 The form of characters 1.3 Function 1.4 Writing 1.5 Presentation of characters 1.6 Numbers 1.7 Dates 1.8 Days 1.9 Surnames and pronouns 1.10 More pronouns and function words 1.11 Stative verbs and associated function words 1.12 Action verbs and associated function words 1.13 On the streets	Lesson (PDF) Stroke Order (PDF)
Unit 2 2.1 Pronunciation 2.2 Adverbs 2.3 More stative verbs 2.4 Nouns and modification 2.5 Identity 2.6 Names and titles 2.7 Location and existence 2.8 Miscellany 2.9 Dialogue: At the airport 2.10 Reflections: What have you learned? 2.11 Pinyin notes and practice 2.12 Summary 2.13 Rhymes and Rhythms	Chapter (PDF) 2.4 Nouns and modification (MP3) 2.7.1 Some Chinese place names (MP3) 2.9 At the airport (MP3) 2.11.3 Tone combos (the next 6) (MP3)	Audio (HTML) Worksheets (PDF) Exercise Key (PDF) Vocabulary (alphabetical) (PDF) Vocabulary (book order) (PDF)
Characters 2 2.0 Review 2.1 Set 1, with notes 2.2 Set 2, with notes 2.3 Set 3, with notes 2.4 Set 4, with notes 2.5 Form of characters 2.6 Miscellany 2.7 On the street #2	Lesson (PDF) Stroke Order (PDF)
Unit 3 3.1 Pronunciation: Initials of rows 3 and 4 3.2 Amount 3.3 Nationality 3.4 The cardinal directions: NSEW 3.5 Yes and no 3.6 Thanks and sorry 3.7 Things to drink 3.8 Why, because, so 3.9 Money 3.10 Other numbered sets 3.11 Courses and classes 3.12 Dialogue: Courses and classes 3.13 Sounds and pinyin 3.14 Summary 3.15 Rhymes and rhythms Appendix: Countries and nationalities	Chapter (PDF) 3.4.1 Dialogues (MP3) 3.7.1 Dialogue (MP3) 3.12 Courses and classes (MP3) 3.13.1 Tone combos (the last 3) (MP3)	Audio (HTML) Worksheets (PDF) Vocabulary (alphabetical) (PDF) Vocabulary (book order) (PDF)
Characters 3 3.0 Review 3.1 Set 1, with notes 3.2 Set 2, with notes 3.3 Set 3, with notes 3.4 Set 4, with notes 3.5 Creating new characters 3.6 Miscellany 3.7 On the street #3	Lesson (PDF) Stroke Order (PDF)
Unit 4 4.1 Tone contrasts 4.2 Existence and location 4.3 Time phrases 4.4 de revisited 4.5 Names in detail 4.6 Years 4.7 Studying and working 4.8 Forms of address 4.9 Introductions 4.10 Dialogue: On the bus to Miányáng 4.11 Food (1) 4.12 Pinyin: Initial w and y 4.13 Summary 4.14 Rhymes and rhythms Appendix 1: Courses of study and university names Appendix 2: The 45 most common surnames	Chapter (PDF) 4.2.1 Places (MP3) 4.10 On the bus to Miányáng (MP3) 4.11.1 Two short narratives (MP3)	Audio (HTML) Worksheets (PDF)

 

 

Part II: Units 5-7 / Character Lessons 4-6

Each section and recording in Part II is available as an individual file, as well as a single download.
Complete Part II text and audio (ZIP)

CONTENTS	FILES
Characters 4 4.0 Review 4.1 Set 1, with notes 4.2 Set 2, with notes 4.3 Set 3, with notes 4.4 Set 4, with notes 4.5 Traditional vs. simplified characters 4.6 名片 Míngpiàn 4.7 On the street #4	Lesson (PDF) Stroke Order (PDF)
Unit 5 5.1 Tone contrasts 5.2 Or 5.3 At the beginning of class 5.4 Food (2) 5.5 Expanding the V + de construction 5.6 Talking to children 5.7 Music and musicians 5.8 Verbs of cognition 5.9 Destination 5.10 Purpose 5.11 In the past 5.12 And 5.13 Sports and scores 5.14 Dialogue: Who won? 5.15 Pronunciation 5.16 Summary 5.17 Rhymes and rhythms	Chapter (PDF) 5.1 Tone contrasts (MP3) 5.4.1 Ordering in a restaurant (MP3) 5.6 Talking to children (MP3) 5.7.2 Musical preferences (MP3) 5.14 Who won? (MP3) 5.15 Pronunciation (MP3)
Characters 5 5.0 Review 5.1 Set 1, with notes 5.2 Set 2, with notes 5.3 Set 3, with notes 5.4 Set 4, with notes 5.5 Traditional characters 5.6 Formal numbers 5.7 The five elements 5.8 On the street #5	Lesson (PDF) Stroke Order (PDF)
Unit 6 6.1 Opposites 6.2 Describing people 6.3 Verb + guò 'have you ever...' 6.4 When, before, after 6.5 When? 6.6 Places of work 6.7 Directions 6.8 The shì-de construction 6.9 Dialogue: Where are you from? 6.10 Calling Michael Jordan 6.11 Food (3) 6.12 Highlights 6.13 Rhymes and rhythms Appendix: Chinese historical periods	Chapter (PDF) 6.3.5 Dialogues (MP3) 6.9 Where are you from? (MP3)
Characters 6 6.0 Review 6.1 Set 1, with notes 6.2 Set 2, with notes 6.3 Set 3, with notes 6.4 Set 4, with notes 6.5 A tale of filial piety 6.6 Traditional characters (reading) 6.7 Animal radicals 6.8 On the street #6	Lesson (PDF) Stroke Order (PDF)
Unit 7 7.1 Verb combinations (1) 7.2 Connecting sentences 7.3 Speaking languages 7.4 Dialogue: Language abilities 7.5 Dialogue: Tea and coffee 7.6 Alone or with others; conveyances 7.7 Cái 'not until' 7.8 Duration 7.9 More le patterns 7.10 Weather 7.11 Dialogue: Talking about weather 7.12 Co-verbs (2) 7.13 A letter home 7.14 Pronunciation practice 7.15 Highlights 7.16 Rhymes and rhythms Appendix: Question words	Chapter (PDF) 7.2.4 If... (MP3) 7.4 Language abilities (MP3) 7.5 Tea and coffee (MP3) 7.9.2 Enduring states (MP3) 7.11 Talking about weather (MP3) 7.13 A letter home (MP3) 7.14 Pronunciation practice (MP3)

 

 

Part III: Units 8-10 / Character Lesson 7

Each section and recording in Part III is available as an individual file, as well as a single download.
Complete Part III text and audio (ZIP)

CONTENTS	FILES
Characters 7 7.0 Review 7.1 Set 1, with notes 7.2 Set 2, with notes 7.3 Máo Zédōng's youth, with glossary 7.4 Set 3, with notes 7.5 Set 4: Weather terms, with notes 7.6 On the street #7 Coda	Lesson (PDF) Stroke Order (PDF)
Unit 8 8.1 Temporal and logical sequence 8.2 Sports 8.3 Comparison 8.4 Cities, population 8.5 Bargaining 8.6 Dialogue: In the store 8.7 Regional languages: dialogue and narrative 8.8 A narrative about Lin Mei 8.9 Jobs 8.10 V + le revisited 8.11 Dialogue: What did you do yesterday? 8.12 Verb combinations (2) 8.13 Measure words revisited 8.14 Aspirations 8.15 Highlights 8.16 Rhymes and rhythms Appendix: Additional measure words	Chapter (PDF - 1.1MB) 8.1 Temporal and logical sequence (MP3) 8.2 Sports (MP3) 8.3.2 Comparing population (MP3) 8.3.3 Comparison 'not as...' (MP3) 8.4.4 Talking about size of cities, population (MP3) 8.5.1 At the fruit stand (MP3) 8.6 In the store (MP3) 8.6.1 Shìqing 'things' (MP3) 8.7.1 Chinese regional languages (MP3) 8.8 A narrative about Lin Mei (MP3) 8.9 Jobs (MP3) 8.11 What did you do yesterday? (MP3) 8.12.1 Directional complements (MP3)
Unit 9 9.1 More modification 9.2 Clothes 9.3 Bargaining, the way the Chinese might do it 9.4 Setting the stage: Verb + zhe 9.5 Colors 9.6 Dialogue: Buying a seal 9.7 The bǎ (把) construction 9.8 Verb combinations (3) 9.9 Peking Duck 9.10 'Stand a little closer' 9.11 Destination and goal: Verb + dào, zài, or gěi 9.12 Wáng Xuéyīng: the story 9.13 Patterns with duì 9.14 Interjections 9.15 On apologies 9.16 Highlights 9.17 Rhymes and rhythms	Chapter (PDF - 1.1MB) 9.1.2 Who's in the photo? (MP3) 9.3 Bargaining, the Chinese way (MP3) 9.4.1 Standing and sitting in class (MP3) 9.4.3 Current actions vs. persisting states (MP3) 9.4.5 At the temple (MP3) 9.6 Buying a seal (MP3) 9.7 The bǎ (把) construction (MP3) 9.9 Peking Duck (MP3) 9.10 'Stand a little closer' (MP3) 9.10.1 Getting home (MP3) 9.11 Destination and goal: Verb + dào, zài, or gěi (MP3) 9.12 Wáng Xuéyīng: the story (MP3)
Unit 10 10.1 Feeling ill 10.2 More on indefinites 10.3 Verb reduplication 10.4 An interview with your teacher 10.5 Minor constructions 10.6 Xiēhòuyǔ, a form of word play 10.7 Religion 10.8 Verb combinations (4) 10.9 Transformations (with chéng) 10.10 Bèi 'by' 10.11 Dialogue: Seeking opinions 10.12 Chōuyān 'smoking' 10.13 Driving 10.14 Vivid stative verbs (of the form SVxx) 10.15 Tōngxùn gōngjù 'communication tools' 10.16 Waiting and rushing 10.17 Telephoning 10.18 Chinese etiquette 10.19 Highlights 10.20 Rhymes and rhythms Appendix: Body parts	Chapter (PDF - 1.2MB) 10.4 An interview with your teacher (MP3) 10.8.1 -xiàlai (MP3) 10.8.3 Moving out (MP3) 10.9 Transformations (with chéng) (MP3) 10.10 Bèi 'by' (MP3) 10.10.3 Dialogue (MP3) 10.11 Seeking opinions (MP3) 10.12 Chōuyān 'smoking' (MP3) 10.12.1 Smoking (MP3) 10.13 Driving (MP3) 10.15 Tōngxùn gōngjù 'communication tools' (MP3) 10.17.1 Leaving a message (MP3) 10.18 Chinese etiquette (MP3)

 

 

Part IV: Units 11-12 / Menu Supplement

Each section and recording in Part IV is available as an individual file, as well as a single download.
Complete Part IV text and audio (ZIP)

CONTENTS	FILES
Unit 11 11.1 Constructions with yī 'one' 11.2 Places to see in Beijing 11.3 Requests 11.4 A geography lesson 11.5 Following a recipe 11.6 Xuéxí Hànzì 11.7 Australia 11.8 To Yángzhōu by way of Zhènjiāng 11.9 Confrontation (1) 11.10 Rhymes and rhythms	Chapter (PDF) 11.2 Places to see in Beijing (MP3) 11.4 A geography lesson (MP3) 11.6 Xuéxí Hànzì (MP3) 11.7 Australia (MP3) 11.8 To Yángzhōu by way of Zhènjiāng (MP3)
Unit 12 12.1 Taking photographs 12.2 Méi Tàidé: the story 12.3 The Tiān'ānmén incident 12.4 Kinship 12.5 Death 12.6 The Chinese school system 12.7 Life in Tiānjīn 12.8 Adverbials of manner 12.9 Confrontation (2) 12.10 The North Wind and the Sun	Chapter (PDF) 12.2 Méi Tàidé: the story (MP3) 12.3 The Tiān'ānmén incident (MP3) 12.4 Kinship (MP3) 12.6 The Chinese school system (MP3) 12.7 Life in Tiānjīn (MP3)
The Chinese Menu (Zhōngguó càidān) Part I: Preliminaries Part II: Dialogue in a restaurant Part III: Sample menu items	Chapter (PDF)

 

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Wheatley, Julian K.. RES.21F-003 Learning Chinese: A Foundation Course in Mandarin (汉语基础教材), Spring 2011. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu/ (Accessed 28 Sep, 2011). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

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