Question 1

What is Mandarin, and why is it important to learn?

Accepted Answer

Mandarin is the most common dialect of the Chinese language, spoken by over 730 million people. It is based on the dialect of Beijing, the capital of China, and it has been established as the official form of the language by the Chinese government. With more native speakers than any language in the world, learning Mandarin is an important way to understand and appreciate the ancient culture, famous cuisine, and influential philosophy of one of the world’s great civilizations.

With a $14 trillion GDP according to the World Bank, China is also the second largest economy in the world after the United States. Led by electronics manufacturing powerhouses like Huawei and Haier as well as tech companies like Alibaba and Tencent, China has established itself as a powerful force in the global economy, and there are vast opportunities there for international companies owing to its export industries as well as its growing consumer market. Learning Mandarin is thus an incredibly valuable asset in the business world, allowing speakers to conduct negotiations and socialize with their counterparts in their native language.`

Question 2

What kinds of careers can I have with the ability to speak Mandarin?

Accepted Answer

Because of its central role in the global economy, even basic Mandarin skills can help you open doors - and close deals - across a wide range of business careers. If your company has an international supply chain, or sells into global markets, there’s a good chance that speaking Mandarin will create new opportunities by enabling communication with Chinese business owners in their native language.

If you achieve fluency in Mandarin speech, writing, and grammar, you can pursue an exciting career as an interpreter or translator. Helping Chinese business, political, and cultural leaders communicate effectively in English - and for English-speaking businessmen, politicians, and artists get their message across in Mandarin - can be rewarding work full of travel and meeting interesting people. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, interpreters and translators earned a median annual salary of $51,830 in 2019, and economic globalization is expected to drive faster-than-average growth in these jobs.

Question 3

Can I learn Chinese language skills by taking online courses with Coursera?

Accepted Answer

Yes - or, duì, in Mandarin Chinese! Coursera gives you opportunities to learn languages from around the world, including courses in beginning and intermediate-level Mandarin. You can take courses from top-ranked schools in China including Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Taiwan University, allowing you to learn remotely from native speakers. And, because Coursera lets you view and complete course materials on a flexible schedule, you learn these valuable language skills while maintaining your existing work or family life.

Question 4

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn Mandarin?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can learn Mandarin if they have the desire to do so. But before you get started, it helps to be familiar with the languages tones, characters, and word order. Knowing this ahead of time makes it easier to dive into things, but it’s not a necessity. It does help to be familiar with how you best learn. For example, do you learn better by hearing someone else, by reading, or by repeatedly reciting words and phrases? Knowing how you learn best will help you choose courses and instructors that will best meet your learning style. Additionally, before learning Mandarin, you should have focus and drive because learning the Chinese language requires a certain amount of dedication.

Question 5

How do I know if learning Mandarin is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Learning Mandarin might be the right option for you if you want to join the millions of people studying it as a second language for business or if you're simply interested in the culture. It’s the most widely spoken global language, which gives those proficient in it an advantage when working with the Chinese business market, when traveling in Taiwan or China, and when delving into Chinese architecture, history, or music. Mandarin is also spoken in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand.

Question 6

What topics can I study that are related to Mandarin?

Accepted Answer

Some topics related to Mandarin that you might be interested in studying include fundamentals of Chinese character writing, Chinese culture, and Chinese medicine. Chinese character writing can be particularly useful to help you master writing in Chinese and gaining the ability to distinguish between the different types of symbols in the language. Learning more about the culture can help reinforce your drive to study the language and your understanding of the history and current life of Chinese people, the elements of their social structure, and customs.

Question 7

What types of places hire people with a background in Mandarin?

Accepted Answer

If you can speak and understand Mandarin, it might open a variety of career options up for you at companies hiring people with a background in the language, which include the court system, educational institutions offering English as a second language, and some city and governmental jobs. Additional places that might be looking for someone proficient in Mandarin include companies that require a lot of travel overseas, including major corporations, global marketing organizations, and research or financial analysis firms.

Question 8

What are the benefits of taking an online Mandarin course?

Accepted Answer

Online Mandarin courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Mandarin skills. Choose from a wide range of Mandarin courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Question 9

What Mandarin courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

Accepted Answer

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Mandarin, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.

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Explore the Mandarin Course Catalog

Chinese for HSK 5

Chinese for HSK 2

Chinese for HSK 3 PART I

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Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Part 1

Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Part 2

Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for Beginners

Translation in Practice

是誰在說話 -- 可愛的臺灣。（Intermediate Chinese）

Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Part 3

现代汉语核心语法

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Frequently Asked Questions about Mandarin

What is Mandarin, and why is it important to learn?‎

What kinds of careers can I have with the ability to speak Mandarin?‎

Can I learn Chinese language skills by taking online courses with Coursera?‎

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn Mandarin?‎

How do I know if learning Mandarin is right for me?‎

What topics can I study that are related to Mandarin?‎

What types of places hire people with a background in Mandarin?‎

What are the benefits of taking an online Mandarin course?‎

What Mandarin courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?‎

Other topics to explore