Mandarin Chinese Essentials for Travel & Work

An e-learning material covering the Mandarin you need for trips and the workplace. It explains pinyin, the four tones, basic characters and sentence patterns, then applies them to transport, hotels, food, shopping, introductions, meetings and business etiquette in Chinese-speaking settings.

Levels4

Starting from265 credits

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About this study guide

This e-learning material introduces Mandarin Chinese with a clear focus on practical use. It starts with pinyin and the four tones, explaining how tone changes meaning and how to read pinyin alongside simplified characters. You will then study measure words, word order, question particles and the most common verbs, along with characters you are likely to see on signs and menus. Travel topics include airports, taxis, hotels, restaurants, shopping and asking for directions. Work topics cover introductions, business cards, meetings, numbers and dates, and polite expressions used with colleagues and clients, plus notes on etiquette. The material is arranged in four levels, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert, and is a good fit for travellers and professionals who want to study Mandarin at their own pace.

Each level is unlocked on its own

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Compare the levels below and add the one that fits you to your cart

Level 1 / 4

Beginner

What you will study

You will study the four tones and the neutral tone, pinyin spelling, basic sentence order, numbers, time and money. Travel phrases cover greetings, transport, hotels, ordering food and asking for help, with an introduction to common characters.

Who this level is for

This level is for complete beginners in Mandarin. It introduces the sound system, tones and pinyin so you can pronounce words accurately, then builds a first set of phrases for travel and simple daily exchanges.

What you will be able to do

By the end of this level, you should be able to pronounce Mandarin tones more accurately, read pinyin, handle basic travel situations and recognise a small set of everyday characters on signs and menus.

Level 2 / 4

Intermediate

What you will study

Topics include measure words, aspect markers such as le and guo, comparisons, time expressions and question patterns. Practical units cover shopping, directions, introductions at work, scheduling meetings and small talk with colleagues, with more character reading.

Who this level is for

Intended for learners who know pinyin and basic phrases and want to use Mandarin for longer everyday and workplace conversations. The level expands grammar, vocabulary and character reading step by step.

What you will be able to do

After this level, you should be able to describe past and planned activities, use measure words correctly, arrange meetings and appointments and read short, simple texts written mostly in common characters.

Level 3 / 4

Advanced

What you will study

You will study complex sentence structures, result and direction complements, the ba and bei constructions, and connectors for explaining reasons. Work units cover meetings, emails, phone calls, business dining etiquette and presenting basic figures.

Who this level is for

This level suits learners who communicate in everyday Mandarin and need it more often at work. It focuses on professional situations, clearer expression of opinions and reading texts that use a wider range of characters.

What you will be able to do

Once you complete this level, you should be able to take a more active role in work conversations, explain reasons and opinions, write short business messages and read practical texts such as notices and emails.

Level 4 / 4

Expert

What you will study

This stage covers chengyu and common idioms, formal written style, negotiation language, polite refusal and indirect communication. You will analyse authentic business texts, practise presentations and discussions, and study etiquette in relationship building.

Who this level is for

Designed for strong Mandarin speakers who want to communicate with more precision and cultural awareness in demanding professional settings. The focus is on nuance, formal language and handling complex discussions.

What you will be able to do

At this final level, you should be able to lead discussions, negotiate politely, understand formal written Mandarin, use idioms appropriately and adapt your language to cultural expectations in professional relationships.

Levels are unlocked with credits from your balance. You can buy more credits whenever you need them.