Chinese - Level 1

Girl smiling and giving peace sign with hand with talk bubble saying "ni hao" and Chinese script and another bubble that says Hello.

Student Reviews

"The class was excellent."

"Class was a joy."

"Great teacher, very welcoming, great explanations."

"Good pace of learning and well-structured content; instructor went over and above to accommodate class interests; instructor was realistic with homework and course structure for a continuing education class."

"Fun, interactive class!"

"Yuanyuan was very patient, although she moved through the material at a good pace."

"She is AMAZING! I wish this could be offered twice a week so I could have more practice."

Class Overview

Learn basic Chinese! In this weekly class, you will learn basic Mandarin Chinese characters, vocabulary and expressions commonly used in everyday life. Practice pronunciation, tones, reading and writing as well as essential grammar.

This class will prepare you to build basic Chinese conversational skills in familiar topics. You will also have the opportunity explore traditional and modern Chinese cultures. No prior knowledge and experience is required.  

*** The class meets online via Zoom. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, please see Frequently Asked Questions about Online Classes for  instructions. 

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Be able to read, write, pronounce, speak and listen to basic Mandarin Chinese 
  • Identify first essential action words
  • Write and read basic Chinese characters
  • Learn daily vocabulary and expressions in real life situations
  • Read and comprehend short passages written in Chinese characters 
  • Practice sounds, tones and grammatical constructions 
  • Explore traditional and modern Chinese language cultures

 

Recommended Textbook

  • Integrated Chinese 4th Edition, Volume 1 Textbook (Simplified Chinese), ISBN: 9781622911356
  • If you choose to purchase a text, we recommend searching online for the best pricing. The Seattle Central Collge bookstore does not stock textbooks for Continuing Education classes  

 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

  • Anyone who is interested in learning Mandarin Chinese language and culture.
  • Travelers, businesspeople, friends and family of Chinese speakers who have practical reasons for learning Chinese.
  • This class is a perfect choice for people who have never learned or have a very limited knowledge of the language -- no prior knowledge or experience is required!

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Class Details

Spring 2026

  • When : Thursday, Apr 16 to Jun 18 ; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  • Location : SCONL , Zoom WA
  • Fee : $299
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Instructor

Summer 2026

  • When : Tuesday, Jul 07 to Aug 25 ; 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Location : SCONL , Zoom WA
  • Fee : $299
LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Instructor