Languages · Beginner

Start Chinese from zero and build your first sentences

A structured beginner programme built around the new HSK 1 level, for people who have never studied the language before.

Level: beginner3 months access · 6 modules · 24 lessons
  • Built on new HSK 1
  • Video lessons and texts
  • Tests after each lesson
  • 3 months of access
  • 14-day refund
See the curriculum
Hand holding a calligraphy brush over rice paper with ink strokes beside a tea cup

Why starting Chinese feels harder than it is

Many people want to learn Chinese for years and never begin. The writing looks unfamiliar, the sounds seem impossible, and every app and textbook suggests a different place to start. It is easy to decide that the language is simply too far away and put it off again.

Others begin on their own and quickly lose confidence. They memorise words without knowing how to put them together, and they are never sure whether what they say is correct. Without a clear order of topics, progress feels random and motivation fades after a few weeks.

This course is designed for exactly that moment. It assumes you have never studied a language of this kind and takes you step by step through the material of the new HSK 1 level. Each lesson adds a small, clear piece, so you always know what you are learning and why it comes next.

The aim is modest and real: by the end you can understand and build simple sentences, introduce yourself, ask basic questions and recognise the most common everyday words. That is a solid base to build on, whether you continue towards higher levels or simply want to enjoy the language.

What you will be able to do

The programme focuses on practical first steps rather than theory for its own sake.

  • Build your first simple sentences in Chinese

    You learn how the basic sentence pattern works and then reuse it with new words.

  • Introduce yourself and talk about basic facts

    Name, country, family and simple daily details become easy to say.

  • Ask and answer common everyday questions

    You practise the question forms that come up in the first conversations.

  • Recognise the core vocabulary of HSK 1

    The words are grouped by topic, so they are easier to remember and use.

  • Read Pinyin with growing confidence

    You connect written syllables to sounds and tones from the first lessons.

  • Use numbers, dates and time expressions

    You can count, say the day and talk about when something happens.

  • Check your own progress with regular tests

    Short tests after the material show what you have mastered and what to repeat.

  • Plan your next step in learning Chinese

    You finish with a clear idea of your level and what to study next.

6
modules
24
lessons
3 months
of access
HSK 1
level the course is built on

A clear structure instead of scattered study

The course is built around the new HSK 1 standard. That gives the material a defined scope: you are not asked to learn everything at once, only the words and patterns a true beginner needs first.

Each module covers one area of everyday language, such as greetings, family, numbers or daily routines. Inside a module the lessons move from the simplest idea to its use in a complete sentence, so each new piece rests on the one before it.

The school behind the programme puts particular emphasis on correct pronunciation and an easy-to-follow structure, and that approach shapes how the lessons are organised. You hear the language, see it written and then use it yourself in tests, so every skill is practised more than once.

Neatly arranged blank cards, pencil, teapot and bamboo sprig on a wooden desk

How the course works

You open each lesson on the learning platform, which works on all devices, so you can study on a laptop at home or on a phone on the way to work. Every lesson combines text documents and video files. The videos are recorded in advance in professional quality, and you can watch them as many times as you like.

After the material you complete homework. The main format is tests, which you can take at your own pace and which help you check that the lesson has really sunk in. Nothing here requires special equipment, only a bit of regular attention.

The course is offered in a basic and an extended version. The basic version gives you the lessons, materials and tests. The extended version adds assignments where some results are attached to your answer, homework that is reviewed by the teacher, and feedback on your work. Choose the one that matches how much guidance you want.

Access to the course lasts three months from purchase. That is long enough to move through six modules at a calm pace, repeat difficult lessons and take the tests again if you want to.

The programme

Six modules take you from the very first sounds to simple, complete sentences.

  1. 1Module 1 — First steps with ChineseGet oriented in the language and learn how sounds are written down.
    • How Chinese is organised: characters, Pinyin and tones
    • Reading your first syllables in Pinyin
    • Greetings and polite phrases
    • Saying who you are: the first simple sentences
  2. 2Module 2 — Talking about yourselfShare basic information about you and the people around you.
    • Personal pronouns and the verb to be
    • Names, countries and nationalities
    • Family members and how to name them
    • Describing a person with simple words
  3. 3Module 3 — Numbers, dates and timeCount, name days and say when things happen.
    • Numbers from one to one hundred
    • Days of the week and months
    • Telling the time
    • Putting time words into a sentence
  4. 4Module 4 — Questions and answersLearn the question forms that make conversation possible.
    • Yes-or-no questions with a question particle
    • Question words: who, what, where
    • Questions about quantity and price
    • Short answers and negation
  5. 5Module 5 — Everyday lifeUse new vocabulary around common daily situations.
    • Food and drink: ordering and choosing
    • Places in the city and getting around
    • Daily actions and routines
    • Likes, wishes and simple opinions
  6. 6Module 6 — Putting it all togetherReview the material and see your level as a whole.
    • Review of the core HSK 1 vocabulary
    • Review of the main sentence patterns
    • Building a short story about yourself
    • Final test and next steps in learning
Garden pavilion with tiled roof reflected in a still pond, one distant walker
A quiet garden path, a calm place to imagine using the language one step at a time.

What you get

  • Pre-recorded video lessons

    Professional-quality videos that you can watch as many times as you need.

  • Text materials for every lesson

    Documents that summarise the topic and give you something to review later.

  • Tests after the material

    The main homework format, so you can check yourself right away.

  • Access on all devices

    Open the lessons on a computer, tablet or phone.

  • Three months of access

    Enough time to study at your own pace and revisit earlier lessons.

  • Optional extended version

    Teacher-reviewed homework and feedback for those who want more guidance.

  • A clear learning path

    Six modules in a fixed order so you always know what to do next.

  • 14-day refund

    If the course is not what you expected, you can ask for your money back within 14 days.

Is this course for you?

This course is for you if…

  • You have never studied Chinese and want a clear place to begin.
  • You tried apps or books but never felt that the material formed a system.
  • You prefer short lessons you can fit around work or study.
  • You want a defined goal such as the new HSK 1 level.
  • You like checking your progress through tests rather than guessing.

Probably not a fit if…

  • You already speak Chinese at an elementary level and want higher-level material.
  • You are looking for live one-to-one tutoring as the main format.
  • You expect to reach fluency within a few weeks.
  • You want a course focused only on reading and writing characters in depth.

After the course

When you finish, you will no longer be a person who just wants to learn Chinese. You will be someone who has studied it, who understands how basic sentences are built and who can say and recognise the most common everyday phrases.

You will know the core vocabulary of the first HSK level and be able to read Pinyin with confidence. The tests will have shown which topics are solid and which deserve another review, so your next steps are clear rather than guessed.

From there you can move on to the next level, start practising with native materials, or simply keep enjoying the language at a pace that suits you. The most difficult part, getting started, will be behind you.

Questions before you order

How much time do I need each week?

The course is self-paced, so it depends on you. Many learners find that a few short sessions a week are enough to move steadily through the six modules within the three-month access period.

Do I need any prior knowledge of Chinese?

No. The course starts from zero and is made for people who have never studied the language. You only need to be willing to practise regularly.

How does access work after payment?

After your payment is confirmed, you receive access to the course on the learning platform. You can sign in from any device and start with the first lesson straight away. Access lasts three months.

What format are the lessons in?

The lessons combine pre-recorded videos with text documents. Homework is mostly in the form of tests, which you complete on the platform.

Is there feedback from a teacher?

The extended version includes teacher-reviewed homework and feedback on your assignments. The basic version gives you the lessons, materials and tests without personal review.

Can I watch the lessons more than once?

Yes. The videos are recorded in advance, so you can replay any lesson as many times as you like while your access is active.

Does the material stay available after I finish?

The lessons and materials remain available to you throughout your three-month access period, so you can return to any topic for review at any time during it.

What is your refund policy?

You can request a refund within 14 days of purchase if the course does not meet your expectations.

Can I study from my phone?

Yes. The learning platform works on all devices, so you can watch videos, read materials and take tests on a phone, tablet or computer.

Begin your first sentences in Chinese

Take the first step with a clear structure, short lessons and a defined level to aim for.