Chinese I (Regular)
MIT OpenCourseWare's introduction to modern standard Mandarin, the first of a four-semester sequence, assumes no prior background. Students learn Mandarin pronunciation and Pinyin romanization, along with basic reading and writing of around 150 characters in traditional or simplified script. The course builds skills for simple, practical conversations on everyday topics while highlighting the connection between language and culture, including sociolinguistically appropriate usage. Class format centers on performance of memorized dialogues, drills, question-and-answer sessions, and communicative exercises. Materials are freely available through MIT OpenCourseWare under a Creative Commons license, with no certificate offered. The course is designed for classroom-style language acquisition rather than passive viewing, suited to learners wanting a structured first step into Mandarin grammar, vocabulary, and conversational practice.