Chinese for Beginners

Korshub Take

Taught by Peking University, this course is an immersive introduction to Mandarin Chinese for learners starting from zero. It leans into culture as much as language, treating the two as inseparable rather than teaching vocabulary in isolation.

Coverage includes the essentials — vocabulary, grammar, and oral expression and comprehension — and notably incorporates virtual reality elements, an unusual addition for a language course at this scale.

• Foundational Mandarin vocabulary and grammar
• Oral expression and listening comprehension
• Cultural context alongside language basics

With 1,486,271 students enrolled, it's one of the largest beginner Chinese courses on Coursera — a credible starting point for anyone new to the language.