Chinese Language & Culture

Chinese is spoken by approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide.

Chinese buildings Are you interested in Chinese travel, culture, or business? China is more accessible to the international visitor than ever before, and is becoming an increasingly important power in the global economy. Now is the time to learn to speak Chinese with our language classes in Mandarin, the most widely spoken Chinese dialect.

In our courses you will learn about Chinese culture, mythology, economics, business etiquette, folk music, geography and more. And now you do not have to learn to read and write Chinese characters in order to learn to speak Chinese. These courses use Pinyin, a method of writing Chinese in the Roman alphabet.

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Conversational Chinese classes in Madison
Chinese classes for youth
Instructors for Chinese classes
Also of interest

Conversational Chinese classes in Madison

Chinese conversation 1: This course provides an introduction to Chinese language and culture, with an emphasis on developing basic conversational ability. Areas covered include greetings, commonly used expressions, question phrases, and description. Gain cultural knowledge through in-class exercises and take-home assignments. Instructor: Shuning Liu.

Chinese conversation-ongoing: Continue learning Mandarin Chinese through a fast, interactive, and practical approach. Improve your listening and speaking skills with an increased emphasis on conversation on more advanced topics. Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese Conversation 1 or equivalent. Instructor: Xiuping Zhu.

If you aren't sure which level is right for you, please contact the Chinese classes coordinator at languages@dcs.wisc.edu .

Browse upcoming Chinese courses in the Continuing Education Catalog online.

Textbooks for language classes are available for preview and purchase on campus in the University Book Store's lower level, in the outreach section. The University Book Store is located at 711 State St., Madison (at Lake St., on the Library Mall). See campus map.

Chinese for Youth

We also offer children's Chinese classes.

Chinese for youth: Children who have not taken Mandarin Chinese begin to learn the language through songs, games, pictures, and short conversations. No text. Instructor: Li Li.

Chinese for youth: advanced: Children who have taken Mandarin Chinese for youth continue to learn the language through songs, games, pictures, and short conversations. No text. Instructor: Li Li.

Browse upcoming Mandarin Chinese for youth courses in the Continuing Education Catalog online.

Instructors

Li Li (BA, Beijing Teaching Univ.) has taught Mandarin Chinese to children and adults in China, South Korea, and the U.S. for many years.

Shuning Liu has taught Chinese in China and the U.S. One of her research interests is to develop quality curricula and methods for teaching Chinese.

Xiuping Zhu (MA in English linguistics), a native of China, is a UW-Madison School of Education graduate student in the World Language Education Program. She has taught Chinese at the Madison Chinese School and Madison Hope Chinese School.

How to register

Call 608-262-2451, 7:00 am-4:00 pm, M-F. Specific program numbers and links to the mail-in registration form or to register online can be found in the continuing education catalog.

Contact us

Madison area registration questions: 608-262-2451.
UW-Madison Continuing Studies in Chinese coordinator Antonio Noguera: anoguera@dcs.wisc.edu or 608-262-5929.
Join the mailing list for Chinese or other language programs.
Review frequently asked questions about language programs.

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