2.1: Lesson 2 Overview - Socialising

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Throughout this semester, we are using a series of lessons called "Chinese Basic 2" which is published by the Language Centre of the University of Cambridge. The full materials include 7 different lessons. This week, we will study the second of these lessons, titled "Socialising". The lesson page itself is located in the section above. Below is a short guide with my suggestions on how you should study it this week.

Start with the Lesson Dialogues

First, you should read and listen to the three short example dialogues presented in this lesson:

The first time you study each of these dialogues, be sure to click the "Show Translation" and "Show Pinyin" buttons, so that you can follow along easily. Then, press the play button and listen while reading. Do this several times for each dialogue. After listening and reading along for probably 2 to 5 times, you should have a good idea of what the speakers are saying, since the English translation has been displayed next to the transcript. Try to finish this step by Monday.

Once you have a good idea of the meaning of each phrase, you can press the button titled "Hide Translation". Now, press the play button again, read the pinyin, and speak along with the dialogue. Again, do this several times. After listening and speaking along about 5 to 10 times, you will be ready to press the "Hide Pinyin" button. You will probably be doing this step around the middle of this week.

Finally, after careful study and after listening and reading along, and eventually speaking along while reading the pinyin, you should review the dialogue by listening and reading only the Chinese characters, without viewing the pinyin or the English translation. Aim to reach this level of mastery by about Friday this week. Then, continue to review these dialogues next week and throughout the semester, displaying and reading only the Chinese characters if possible.

As part of your review of each of these dialogues, be sure to click the sections at the bottom titled "Vocabulary" and "Exercises" for reference and for self-assessment of your understanding.

Practice Reading & Learn Key Phrases

After you feel somewhat comfortable with at least one or two of the dialogues above, move along to the following sections of this lesson:

In these sections, you will learn about key vocabulary and phrases relating to greetings in Mandarin. Try speaking aloud the examples given in these sections.

Learn Key Grammar Points

This lesson covers some basic grammar points that you should know in order to use the vocabulary you're learning this week effectively. Toward the end of this week, study the following sections on grammar:

In the Class Forums Q&A section of our Laulima site, you can raise any questions that you have about the grammar in this lesson. Posting questions in the class forums is optional, and not required each week.

Self-Assessment Exercises

Finally, after you have finished studying the content for this lesson, try out each of these self-assessment exercises:

You should aim to finish these exercises probably by Friday this week, or early next week. They are not graded. If you find any of these exercises difficult, please contact me with questions, or post your questions in the class forums, or go back to the relevant section of the lesson and review as necessary.