Intermediate Lesson

Intermediate Level (Traveling in China 旅游中国)

Greetings and Conversation 人际交往

Getting around 在路途中

Accommodation 住宿

Eating and Drinking 餐饮

Health 健康

Active Holidays 活力度假

Entertainment 娱乐

Sightseeing and Excursions 观光和游览

Shopping 购物

School 学校

Beginners Lesson (age over 4)

Syllables (Hanyu pinyin) 汉语拼音

Basic Phrases 短语

500 Basic Chinese Characters 五百基本汉字

Basic Grammar语法

Toddler lesson

Syllables: read and recognize
Numbers: read and do some hand language.
Animals :read the pictures in Mandarin.

Timetable
Half an hour at a time, Two or three times per week.

2011 Lessons

Kids Lesson:

Toddler Lesson (below 3)
Beginners Lesson
(Age: 3-5,5-8, over 8)
Intermediate Lesson
(Age: 3-5,5-8, over 8)

Adults Lesson:

Beginners Lesson
Intermediate Lesson
HSK

Travelling in China (20-30 lessons)
Business in China

HSKHSK - Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (汉语水平考试 ）

HSK is divided into three categories:

• Beginning level - HSK Basic (Level 1, 2, 3)
• Elementary to intermediate level - Elementary (Level 3 - overlaps Basic Level 3, Level 4, 5); Intermediate (Level 6, 7, 8)
• Advanced level - HSK Advanced (Level 9, 10, 11)

HSK is held regularly in China and in other countries each year and HSK certificates are issued to those who have successfully demonstrated mastery of HSK standards of Chinese proficiency.

All tests are designed by experts at HSK headquarters located in Beijing, China and all tests are scored at the HSK office in Beijing.

The final results will then be sent back to the PCC/HSK test centers, where they will be distributed to examinees within 90 days of the test date. After this period, score reports and certificates will be available for pick-up or mailed directly to examinees.

Thanks

Chinese Culture (7)

Besides, Chinese seldom express what they think directly and they prefer a roundabout way. Neither show their emotions and feelings in public. They rarely greet people with a handshake, though it is very popular among foreigners, say nothing of embracing or kissing when greeting or saying good-bye. Consequently, it is better not to behave too carefree in public, even though you are well-intentioned. Also, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions. Do not particularly push yourself forward, or else you are unwelcome.

此外，中国人很少直接表达自己的想法，而喜欢用侧敲旁击的方式。从不在公共场合表现自己的情绪或者感觉。尽管在西方握手的见面礼非常普遍，但在中国这样做的人还不是很多，更不用说见面和道别时的拥抱和亲吻了。因此，即使你是出于好意，在公共场合也不要表现的太自由自在。同样，在政治话题上保持相对慎重也是明智的。不要太特立独行，否则你将会是不受欢迎的。

Object

single: 我 你 她 他 它

ownership: 我的 你的 她的 他的 它的

plural: 我们 你们 她们 他们 它们

ownership: 我们的， 你们的, 她们的, 他们的, 它们的.

Structure of sentence

3 parts
object + verb + subject
她 吃 饭。
她 吃 饭 吗？
她 吃 什么？

客气 keqi

Keqi not only means considerate, polite, and well mannered, but also represents humbleness and modesty. It is impolite to be arrogant and brag about oneself or one's inner circle. The expression is most often used in the negative, as in buyao keqi, meaning "you shouldn't be so kind and polite to me," or "you're welcome."

客气并不只是包含考虑周详、礼貌文雅和举止端详，还表现在谦逊和谨慎。对自己或者自己的圈内人表达的傲慢或者自夸都是不礼貌的。表达的时候，通常要以否定的形式，比如“不要客气”，意思是说“你不必对我这么关心、礼貌”或“不用谢”。

Chinese Culture (6) Relationships

关系/Guanxi (Relationships between People)

Throughout much of Chinese history, the fundamental glue that has held society together is the concept of guanxi, relationships between people. It is very important for the Chinese to have good relationships. They often regard good social relations as a symbol of personal ability and influence. Someone who has no connections would be despised and is only half-Chinese.

纵贯中国的历史，一个维系社会的基本粘合剂就是关系这个概念，也就是人与人之间的关联。对中国人来说，有良好的关系是十分重要的。他们往往将拥有良好的社会关系看成是一个人能力和影响力的象征。一个毫无关系的人将会被轻视，而且最多只能算半个中国人。

Chinese Culture (5) FACE

面子/Mianzi (Face)

The idea of shame, usually expressed as 'face' could be loosely defined as the 'status' or 'self-respect' in Chinese and by no means alien to foreigners. It is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face. Never insult, embarrass, shame, yell at or otherwise demean a person. Since all these actions would risk putting a Chinese in a situation that he might lose face. Neither try to prove someone wrong nor shout at him in public. In order to get a successful effect without letting a Chinese lose face, any criticism should be delivered privately, discreetly and tactfully, or else, just opposite to what you wish.

羞耻这个概念，通常被表达为“面子”。在中文中大致的含义是“地位”或者“自尊”，这和外国人的观念并不相同。在中国，最糟糕的事莫过于失了面子。所以，千万不要对一个人进行侮辱、羞辱或者对其大吼，让其尴尬等。因为这样会让一个中国人感觉到失了面子。千万不要证明某人错了，或者在公共场合对其吼叫。为了能有效的传达意见而不让中国人丢了面子，任何的批评都应该私下传递，而且方式要巧妙而谨慎。否则，你将事与愿违。

Speaking

十(shí)是(shì)十(shí)，
四(sì)是(shì)四(sì)。
十(shí)四(sì)是(shì)十(shí)四(sì)，
四(sì)十(shí)是(shì)四(sì)十(shí)。

三字经 3

昔孟母，择邻处。

子不学，断机杼。　　

〖启示〗孟子所以能够成为历史上有名的大学问家，是和母亲的严格教育分不开的。做为孩子，要理解这种要求，是为了使自己成为一个有用的人才。　　

【译文】战国时，孟子的母亲曾三次搬家，是为了使孟子有个好的学习环境。一次孟子逃学，孟母就割断织机的布来教子。

三字经 2

苟不教，性乃迁。

教之道，贵以专。　　

〖启示〗百年大计，教育为本。教育是头等重要的大事。要想使孩子成为对社会有用的人才，必须时刻注意对孩子的教育，专心一致，时时不能放松。　　

【译文】如果从小不好好教育，善良的本性就会变坏。为了使人不变坏，最重要的方法就是要专心一致地去教育孩子。

三字经1

人之初，性本善。
性相近，习相远。　　

〖启示〗人生下来原本都是一样，但从小不好好教育，善良的本性就会变坏。所以，人从小就要好好学习，区分善恶，才能成为一个对社会有用的人才。　　
【译文】人生下来的时候都是好的，只是由于成长过程中，后天的学习环境不一样，性情也就有了好与坏的差别。

Writing Practice (上下)

Pronunciation: 上 shang4 ;
上(shàng) Meaning: above, up
Pronunciation: 下 xia4；
下(xià) Meaning: under, below
Tips: “上” the botton of this word is "一”which means the ground. The other part "卜”means something above the ground. So "上” means "above". The word “下”like the mirror image of the word“上”and it has the opposite meaning. It means "below".

Speaking Practice

一二三四五，
上山打老虎，
老虎没打到，
打到小老鼠，
老鼠有几个？
一个， 两个， 三个， 四个， 五个，
五个小老鼠。

Chinese culture (4) Chinese food (中国菜）

For most foreigners, “Chinese food” usually implies a lot of deep-fried, strong-flavored and greasy dishes that all taste similar. However, for Chinese people, “Chinese food” is just a concept, because, like Chinese culture in general, Chinese food is extremely diverse. China covers a large territory and has many nationalities; hence there is a wide variety of Chinese foods, each with quite different but fantastic and mouthwatering flavors. Because China's local dishes have their own typical characteristics, Chinese food can be divided into eight regional cuisines, the distinction of which is now widely accepted. Certainly, there are many other local cuisines that are famous, such as Beijing Cuisine and Shanghai Cuisine.

Shandong Cuisine
Consisting of Jinan cuisine and Jiaodong cuisine, Shandong cuisine, clean, pure and not greasy, is characterized by its emphasis on aroma, freshness, crispness and tenderness. Shallots and garlic are frequently used as seasonings so Shandong dishes taste pungent. Soups are given much emphasis in Shandong cuisine. Thin soups are clear and fresh while creamy soups are thick and taste strong. Jinan chefs are adept at deep-frying, grilling, pan-frying and stir-frying while Jiaodong chefs are famous for cooking seafood with a fresh and light taste.
Typical menu items: Bird's Nest Soup; Yellow River Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce

Sichuan Cuisine
Sichuan Cuisine, known more commonly in the West as “Szechuan,” is one of the most famous Chinese cuisines in the world. Characterized by its spicy and pungent flavors, Sichuan cuisine, with a myriad of tastes, emphasizes the use of chili. Pepper and prickly ash are always in accompaniment, producing the typical exciting tastes. Garlic, ginger and fermented soybean are also used in the cooking process. Wild vegetables and meats such as are often chosen as ingredients, while frying, frying without oil, pickling and braising are used as basic cooking techniques. It can be said that one who doesn't experience Sichuan food has never reached China.
Typical menu items: Hot Pot; Smoked Duck; Kung Pao Chicken; Water-Boiled Fish; Tasty and Spicy Crab; Twice Cooked Pork; Mapo Tofu

Guangdong (Cantonese)
CuisineTasting clean, light, crisp and fresh, Guangdong cuisine, familiar to Westerners, usually has fowl and other meats that produce its unique dishes. The basic cooking techniques include roasting, stir-frying, sauteing, deep-frying, braising, stewing and steaming. Steaming and stir-frying are most frequently used to preserve the ingredients' natural flavors. Guangdong chefs also pay much attention to the artistic presentation of their dishes.
Typical menu items: Shark Fin Soup; Steamed Sea Bass; Roasted Piglet; Dim Sum (a variety of side dishes and desserts)

Fujian Cuisine
Combining Fuzhou Cuisine, Quanzhou Cuisine and Xiamen Cuisine, Fujian Cuisine is renowned for its choice seafood, beautiful color and magical tastes of sweet, sour, salt and savory. The most distinct feature is their "pickled taste."
Typical menu items: Buddha Jumping Over the Wall; Snow Chicken; Prawn with Dragon's Body and Phoenix's tail

Huaiyang Cuisine
Huaiyang Cuisine, also called Jiangsu Cuisine, is popular in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Using fish and crustaceans as the main ingredients, it stresses their freshness. Its carving techniques are delicate, of which the melon carving technique is especially well known. Cooking techniques consist of stewing, braising, roasting, and simmering. The flavor of Huaiyang Cuisine is light, fresh and sweet and its presentation is delicately elegant.
Typical menu items: Stewed Crab with Clear Soup, Long-boiled and Dry-shredded Meat, Duck Triplet, Crystal Meat, Squirrel with Mandarin Fish, and Liangxi Crisp Eel

Zhejiang Cuisine
Comprising local cuisines of Hanzhou, Ningbo, and Shaoxing, Zhejiang Cuisine is not greasy. It wins its reputation for freshness, tenderness, softness, and smoothness of its dishes with their mellow fragrance. Hangzhou Cuisine is the most famous one of the three.
Typical menu items: Sour West Lake Fish, Longjing Shelled Shrimp, Beggar's Chicken

Hunan Cuisine
Hunan cuisine consists of local cuisines of Xiangjiang Region, Dongting Lake and Xiangxi coteau areas. It is characterized by thick and pungent flavors. Chili, pepper and shallot are usually necessities in this variation.
Typical menu items: Dongan Chicken; Peppery and Hot Chicken

Anhui Cuisine
Anhui Cuisine chefs focus much more attention on the temperature in cooking and are good at braising and stewing. Often ham will be added to improve taste and candied sugar added to gain freshness.
Typical menu items: Stewed Snapper; Huangshan Braised Pigeon

中国茶文化 Savoring tea

The Chinese people, in their drinking of tea, place much significance on the act of "savoring." "Savoring tea" is not only a way to discern good tea from mediocre tea, but also how people take delight in their reverie and in tea-drinking itself. Snatching a bit of leisure from a busy schedule, making a kettle of strong tea, securing a serene space, and serving and drinking tea by yourself can help banish fatigue and frustration, improve your thinking ability and inspire you with enthusiasm. You may also imbibe it slowly in small sips to appreciate the subtle allure of tea-drinking, until your spirits soar up and up into a sublime aesthetic realm. Buildings, gardens, ornaments and tea sets are the elements that form the ambience for savoring tea. A tranquil, refreshing, comfortable and neat locale is certainly desirable for drinking tea. Chinese gardens are well known in the world and beautiful Chinese landscapes are too numerous to count. Teahouses tucked away in gardens and nestled beside the natural beauty of mountains and rivers are enchanting places of repose for people to rest and recreate themselves.

China is a country with a time-honored civilization and a land of ceremony and decorum. Whenever guests visit, it is necessary to make and serve tea to them. Before serving tea, you may ask them for their preferences as to what kind of tea they fancy and serve them the tea in the most appropriate teacups. In the course of serving tea, the host should take careful note of how much water is remaining in the cups and in the kettle. Usually, if the tea is made in a teacup, boiling water should be added after half of the cup has been consumed; and thus the cup is kept filled so that the tea retains the same bouquet and remains pleasantly warm throughout the entire course of tea-drinking. Snacks, sweets and other dishes may be served at tea time to complement the fragrance of the tea and to allay one's hunger.