Learn Cantonese for Beginners

Learn Cantonese in Sydney with this Beginner’s course.

Cantonese is the language of Hong Kong and southern mainland China. It is a tonal language, so this course will focus on how to recognise the different tones that can change the meaning of words and sounds.

This Beginners course will introduce you to the Cantonese language and teach you how to communicate in Cantonese with simple vocabulary and basic sentences, so you will be able to communicate in day to day situations and have some small talk.

Additionally, you will learn common characters of the written language as well as gain a better understanding of the Cantonese culture.

Please note that we currently offer two types of courses – class room and live online via zoom platform! The online class is a live and interactive but modified online version of the face-to-face class previously offered by the College. Some outcomes may not be achieved. The length of the session has also been adjusted.

Outcomes

By the end of this Cantonese Beginners Class you will be able to

• recognise the different tones and understand their meaning
• speak clearly and be understood in a limited way on some practical everyday matters
• understand basic grammar such as sentence structure, gender of nous, singular and plural forms, etc
• read and write simple character related to the topics above
• understand the culture and its practices

Ideal for

• Students with no previous learning in Cantonese

Course content

Topics

• Greetings and introducing oneself
• Ask and respond to simple questions
• Shopping
• Hobbies and daily routines
• Season, time and days of the week
• Family members and relationships
• Cultural practices and taboos
• Basic language principles

Grammar

• Pronunciation
• Recognising tones
• Sentence structure
• Gender
• Formal and familiar speech

Textbook

Please purchase the course textbook – which is used for the Beginners and Level 2 course.

Colloquial Cantonese: The Complete Course for Beginners (version of 2010 and after)
ISBN: 978-113-895-822-7

You can purchase the textbook from Abbeys Bookstore (131 York Street, Sydney). It is close to the CBD campus and offers a 10% discount to Sydney Community College students.

We recommend purchasing your textbook after your course has been confirmed (usually within three working days of the proposed start). The textbook is not included in enrolment fee. If you would like to inquire about the current price, please call Abbeys Bookstore on: (02) 9264 3111

Please bring to class

• Textbook
• Notebook and pen

Other information

• Enrol now in our Beginners and Level 2 course and save 10%. Use our promotion code ‘GROUP10’ at the checkout. Please visit our Concessions and Discounts page for more information.

Avoid disappointment. Enrol early.

Please ensure that you have given a valid email and mobile number as all course changes will be communicated via sms or email.