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Online Complete Beginner Russian Tuesday 6:00pm - 7:00pm PST (January 6th to February 10th) The class size is 3-6 students. Instructor: Julie
🇨🇳 Complete Beginner Mandarin – Online Class
For learners in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose & the Bay Area
đź“… Course Dates
This class will meet from January 6th to February 10th.
Format: Online, small group (3–6 students)
Schedule: Weekly live classes
👥 Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Mandarin. If you have never studied Chinese before—or know only a few words—this class will guide you step by step from the very beginning. You’ll learn the foundations of Mandarin in a clear, supportive environment that makes the language approachable and enjoyable.
If you’re based in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, or San Jose, this is a great opportunity to start Mandarin in a small, friendly group with personalized attention.
📖 What You’ll Learn
In this course, students will build a strong foundation in spoken and written Mandarin. You’ll learn to:
Understand and use Pinyin and Mandarin tones correctly
Pronounce sounds accurately and develop good listening habits from day one
Use basic sentence structures to communicate simple ideas
Greet people, introduce yourself, and exchange basic personal information
Recognize and write a first set of essential Chinese characters (Hanzi)
Build confidence speaking Mandarin in everyday situations
🌍 Themes and Topics Include
Greetings and polite expressions
Introducing yourself and others
Talking about nationality, languages, and basic personal details
Numbers, dates, and time
Daily activities and simple routines
Ordering drinks or simple food items
Cultural basics and everyday etiquette in China
đź’¬ What to Expect
Each class includes:
Live, interactive instruction with an experienced teacher
Clear explanations of pronunciation, tones, and structure
Guided speaking practice in pairs and small groups
Step-by-step introduction to reading and writing characters
Cultural insights to support real-world communication
Light, manageable homework to reinforce learning
✅ By the End of the Course, You’ll Be Able To:
Pronounce Mandarin sounds and tones with confidence
Hold simple conversations using basic phrases
Introduce yourself and ask simple questions
Read and write a small set of essential Chinese characters
Understand and respond to slow, clear spoken Mandarin
Be fully prepared to move into a Mandarin Low Beginner course
👩‍🏫 About the Instructor
Li (Julie) was born and raised in China. She earned her M.A. in English Translation from Xiamen University and her Ph.D. in Chinese and Japanese language and literature from Nagoya University. During her six years at Nagoya University, she also taught Chinese language and literature. Her research interests include modern Japanese literature, traditional Chinese opera, and travel literature. With a strong background in cross-cultural communication, she helps students gain both language skills and cultural understanding. She customizes lessons based on students’ goals and learning pace.
🏫 About the School
This course is offered by Polyglottist Language Academy, based in Berkeley and serving students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area—including Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and beyond—with both in-person and online learning options.
🇨🇳 Complete Beginner Mandarin – Online Class
For learners in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose & the Bay Area
đź“… Course Dates
This class will meet from January 6th to February 10th.
Format: Online, small group (3–6 students)
Schedule: Weekly live classes
👥 Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Mandarin. If you have never studied Chinese before—or know only a few words—this class will guide you step by step from the very beginning. You’ll learn the foundations of Mandarin in a clear, supportive environment that makes the language approachable and enjoyable.
If you’re based in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, or San Jose, this is a great opportunity to start Mandarin in a small, friendly group with personalized attention.
📖 What You’ll Learn
In this course, students will build a strong foundation in spoken and written Mandarin. You’ll learn to:
Understand and use Pinyin and Mandarin tones correctly
Pronounce sounds accurately and develop good listening habits from day one
Use basic sentence structures to communicate simple ideas
Greet people, introduce yourself, and exchange basic personal information
Recognize and write a first set of essential Chinese characters (Hanzi)
Build confidence speaking Mandarin in everyday situations
🌍 Themes and Topics Include
Greetings and polite expressions
Introducing yourself and others
Talking about nationality, languages, and basic personal details
Numbers, dates, and time
Daily activities and simple routines
Ordering drinks or simple food items
Cultural basics and everyday etiquette in China
đź’¬ What to Expect
Each class includes:
Live, interactive instruction with an experienced teacher
Clear explanations of pronunciation, tones, and structure
Guided speaking practice in pairs and small groups
Step-by-step introduction to reading and writing characters
Cultural insights to support real-world communication
Light, manageable homework to reinforce learning
✅ By the End of the Course, You’ll Be Able To:
Pronounce Mandarin sounds and tones with confidence
Hold simple conversations using basic phrases
Introduce yourself and ask simple questions
Read and write a small set of essential Chinese characters
Understand and respond to slow, clear spoken Mandarin
Be fully prepared to move into a Mandarin Low Beginner course
👩‍🏫 About the Instructor
Li (Julie) was born and raised in China. She earned her M.A. in English Translation from Xiamen University and her Ph.D. in Chinese and Japanese language and literature from Nagoya University. During her six years at Nagoya University, she also taught Chinese language and literature. Her research interests include modern Japanese literature, traditional Chinese opera, and travel literature. With a strong background in cross-cultural communication, she helps students gain both language skills and cultural understanding. She customizes lessons based on students’ goals and learning pace.
🏫 About the School
This course is offered by Polyglottist Language Academy, based in Berkeley and serving students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area—including Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and beyond—with both in-person and online learning options.