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Course Outline

The course has 12 lessons, organized into four stages. Each lesson includes five parts: 1) Sample conversations; 2) Key phrases; 3) Core sentence patterns; 4) Thematic vocabulary; 5) Cultural insights. 

STAGE 1: Foundations of Communication

Lesson 1 — Hello

Objectives:

• Basic greetings and self-introduction

• Everyday courtesy expressions 

• Practice tones 

Culture: The nature of the Chinese language; how greetings differ from English; forms of politeness.

Lesson 2 — Asking Questions

Objectives:

• Common question forms: Who? What? Where?

• Basic answers and simple descriptive responses

• Introducing others

Culture: Family structure in China; importance of titles and respectful address.

Lesson 3 — I Am Learning Chinese

Objectives:

• Talking about languages and school subjects

• Expressing ability and progress

• Describing study habits

Culture: Experiences of foreigners learning Chinese; how Chinese people refer to foreigners; social expectations around language learning.

STAGE 2: Daily Life and Activities

Lesson 4 — I Like Playing Tennis

Objectives:

• Talking about hobbies, sports, and favorite activities

• Expressing likes and dislikes

• Describing routines

Culture: Student life in China; popular activities among Chinese middle schoolers.

Lesson 5 — I Have a Lot of Homework

Objectives:

• Talking about schoolwork and workload

• Expressing feelings (tired, busy, stressed)

• Asking for help; describing simple physical discomfort (headache, tired eyes)

Culture: The role of homework and study culture in China; tutoring, after-school classes.

Lesson 6 — I Want to Order…

Objectives:

• Ordering food and drinks

• Describing tastes and preferences

• Recognizing names of common Chinese dishes

Culture: Chinese food traditions; dining etiquette; differences between U.S. and Chinese restaurants.

STAGE 3 — Travel and Exploration

Lesson 7 — Planning a Trip

Objectives:

• Talking about cities, destinations, and landmarks

• Discussing travel plans, schedules, and itineraries

• Using transportation-related vocabulary

Culture: How people travel within China; major cities and regional differences.

Lesson 8 — On the Train

Objectives:

• Expressions commonly used on trains: tickets, seats, directions

• Asking for help or clarification during travel

• Talking about travel purposes

Culture: Social norms when traveling in public spaces; high-speed rail in China.

Lesson 9 — Air Travel

Objectives:

• Airport procedures: check-in, security, boarding

• Asking about delays, gates, and luggage

• Phrases for international travel

Culture: Major tourist destinations in China.

STAGE 4 — Health, Relationships, and Festivals

Lesson 10 — I Have a Fever

Objectives:

• Describing symptoms and health issues

• Asking for or offering help

• Basic expressions used in hospital 

Culture: What visiting a hospital or clinic is like in China; common medical practices.

Lesson 11 — Making Friends

Objectives:

• Starting and maintaining friendships

• Expressing interests and feelings

• Invitations and hosting events

Culture: Friendship norms in China; hospitality; making connections.

Lesson 12 — It’s Spring Festival!

Objectives:

• Festival greetings and well-wishes

• Describing common Spring Festival traditions and activities

• Talking about family gatherings

Culture: Spring Festival customs; regional variations; travel and family reunion.

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