Learn Mandarin Chinese

Chinese courses in Coursera

Last year I took the "Chinese for Beginners" ( https://www.coursera.org/learn/learn-chinese ) and "More Chinese for Beginners" ( https://www.coursera.org/learn/more-chinese-for-beginners ) courses from Peking University in Coursera. I loved the teaching style and I think they were really productive for me. But unfortunately, at the time there were no more Chinese courses there (except some specialized in business Chinese, that I'm not especially interested in).

Now I have checked again, and I see there are two series of four courses: an HSK test preparation program from Peking University, but different teachers than the ones above ( https://www.coursera.org/specializations/hsk-learn-chinese ) and a Learn Mandarin Chinese specialization from Beijing Jiao Tong Univesrity ( https://www.coursera.org/specializations/learn-mandarin ). So I'd like to enroll in one, but I'm undecided.

Anyone has tried any of those courses and can give a recommendation?

https://www.coursera.org/specializations/learn-mandarin

Watch mandarin TV.

Best Coursera course?

assuming I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also gonna be taking chinese 1 this college semester, if it matters

"HSK Test Preparation Specialization" - Peking University

"Chinese for Beginners" + More - Peking University

"Learn Mandarin Chinese Specialization" - Shanghai Jiao Tong University

also would you recommend doing pimsleur alongside one of these courses?

ty

There are a lot of resources some have already been mention so I am just going to tell you what I use ( this is for french but a lot of then can be use for different languages) Listening: NETFLIX or YouTube ( you should add chrome extension like Language Learning with Netflix they also have a YouTube extension.

Speaking: Itaki or HelloTalk (free apps) they are exchange language programs. Kinda like a penpal.

Reading: I do news articles. I would suggest to research online as I am sure there are resources specifically for your target language.

Writing: have a journal and use Itaki or HelloTalk

Other suggestions: use the app Anki. Anki is a free and open-source flashcard program that utilizes spaced repetition, which is a method used to increase the rate of memorization.

For free courses I think I saw coursera have a beginner level for mandarin but if you dont like it I am sure that there are a lot of other lessons in YouTube. AT THE END OF THE DAY: the best recommendation is just to start. Dont over complicated :).