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Whether you want to learn Chinese or boost your skills, you may want to consider taking an online Chinese course. Check out our list for the best options that can get you speaking Chinese in no time.
Best Chinese Courses
Take a sneak peek at the best Chinese courses:
- HSK1-6 Chinese Language Course by GoEast Mandarin
- Learn Chinese by Rosetta Stone
- Chinese for Beginners by Peking University
- Mandarin Chinese Level 1 by edX
- Speak Chinese Language in 9 Hours with the Master Formula by Udemy
- Core Chinese 2: Advance to Intermediate Level by Udemy
- Mandarin Chinese Level 2 by edX
- Speak Mandarin Chinese Right: Sound Native in Under 4 Hours by Udemy
- Core Chinese 3: Complete Your Chinese Foundations by Udemy
- Mandarin Chinese Level 3 by edX
What Makes a Chinese Course Great?
The best online Chinese courses are affordable, interactive and offer bonus resources to give you a holistic learning experience.
1. Affordable
With so many affordable and free options to choose from, there’s no need to spend several hundred dollars on a Chinese course. If money’s tight, start with a free class and work your way up to more expensive options as you progress toward Chinese mastery.
2. Interactive
Chinese courses where you’re encouraged to speak the language are far more effective than those that require you to listen to an instructor ramble on for hours. Consider courses that are interactive and include assignments so you can practice your Chinese speaking skills.
3. Offers Bonus Resources
Supplements, like printable PDFs, readings and quizzes, are a significant plus. Look for Chinese courses that provide these extras at no additional cost to you.
Our Top Picks
We’ve researched several courses to compile our top picks. They are from leading online learning providers like Coursera, Rosetta Stone and Udemy.
We’ve also categorized the courses by skill level — beginner, intermediate and advanced. You’ll also find the enrollment fee and description for each class.
Online Chinese Course for Beginners
New to Chinese? Consider these online courses for beginners.
1. HSK1-6 Chinese Language Course by GoEast Mandarin
- Who it's for: Beginners to advanced Chinese speakers
- Price: Varies, depending on the course
GoEast Mandarin, the only Chinese language course on this list that combines self-learning with online materials, offers live classes from professional Chinese teachers. All teachers have an official degree in foreign language education and fantastic student reviews.
GoEast Mandarin teaches Chinese online in all time zones on all HSK levels, as well as business and spoken Chinese. GoEast Mandarin uses group classes and private classes supplemented with online self-study materials including videos, flash cards and quizzes.
Courses include:
- HSK1
- HSK2
- Chinese Hanzi characters
- HSK3
- HSK4
- HSK5
- HSK6
- Business Chinese
- Spoken Chinese
2. Learn Chinese by Rosetta Stone
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: Free
Wouldn’t it be nice to learn Chinese on the go? Rosetta Stone’s comprehensive course includes 10-minute lessons and interactive activities.
Course material can be accessed both online and offline, which makes it easier to learn when it’s convenient for you. You’ll learn the immersion method to help you quickly develop a great foundation.
Rosetta Stone offers 4 subscription levels:
- 3 months for $11.99 per month
- 12 months for $7.99 per month
- 24 months for $5.99 per month
- Lifetime subscription for a $199 flat fee
3. Chinese for Beginners by Peking University
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: Free
Traveling to China soon? Whether it’s for business or pleasure, it’s helpful to get acclimated with the language before you arrive. This introductory course from Peking University will help you do just that.
Led by Xiaoyu Liu, associate professor, Chinese for Beginners is comprised of 7 modules to prepare you for everyday conversation:
- Who Are You?
- When Do You Go to School?
- What Do You Like to Eat?
- I Like Shopping!
- Do You Live in a Big City?
- How About the Weather?
- What is Your Hobby?
Course material is delivered through videos and readings. Each module also includes quizzes to test your comprehension of the content taught in the class. You should be able to complete the course in 11 hours.
Enrollment is free.
4. Mandarin Chinese Level 1 by edX
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: Free
This course is the 1st installment in the Mandarin Chinese series from MandarinX. It spans 6 weeks and covers everyday phrases, vocabulary and the significance of proper tones in Mandarin. You will also learn essential Chinese language skills for business environments.
The class lays a solid foundation. It’s led by Estella Chen, the founder and CEO of MandarinX.
There’s no cost to enroll, but you can add a verified certificate for only $149. The upgraded enrollment option grants you exclusive access to an interactive webinar on Chinese trends and business culture.
Intermediate Online Chinese Courses
Ready to transition from a beginner to the intermediate level? You may find these courses useful.
5. Speak Chinese Language in 9 Hours with the Master Formula by Udemy
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: $199.99
You can improve your Chinese speaking skills in just 9 hours. Consider this highly-rated course from Udemy to help you get the job done. It’s ideal if you have some experience speaking Chinese. You may also find this course useful if you’re an intermediate student having a tough time using the language.
You’ll have instant access to 239 lectures in 11.5 hours of on-demand video for $199.99. It also includes 22 downloadable resources to supplement your learning. When you finish the final lesson, you’ll receive a certificate of completion.
Instructor Shawn Dee Bouchard is a 5-star Udemy instructor. He’s fluent in Chinese and English and has taught hundreds of students how to speak Chinese.
6. Core Chinese 2: Advance to Intermediate Level by Udemy
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: $199.99
Interested in more advanced aspects of Chinese grammar? Consider this intermediate course from Udemy that covers Chinese grammar and expressions. It’s facilitated by native Chinese speakers Daniel Lin and Peggy Goh.
The $199.99 enrollment fee includes 108 lectures condensed into 9.5 hours of on-demand video, 1 article and 1 downloadable resource. You will also be tasked with completing 80 exercises that require you to speak Chinese using just a few words.
It’s a good idea to complete Core Chinese Course 1 before you enroll. You should also have some Chinese grammar under your belt.
7. Mandarin Chinese Level 2 by edX
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: Free
Mandarin Chinese Level 2 is the second course in the series from MandarinX. It builds on the foundational elements taught in the introductory class to help you expand your knowledge of the Mandarin language.
Also taught by Estella Chen, the course includes lessons on conventional phrases used in everyday communication and vital tips to develop practical communication skills. There are also lessons on key vocabulary differences between Taiwan and Chinese, along with grammar and sentence patterns in Mandarin Chinese.
Register today for free or upgrade your enrollment for only $149 to receive a verified certificate. It takes 6 weeks to complete the course if you work at a pace of 4 to 10 hours per week.
Advanced Chinese Courses
These advanced courses may be a good fit if you want to become more fluent in Chinese and sound like a native.
8. Speak Mandarin Chinese Right: Sound Native in Under 4 Hours by Udemy
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: $49.99
Offered by ChinesePod Ltd., this advanced course will help you master Chinese pronunciation. It’s an excellent resource for intermediate and advanced Chinese speakers because it’s full of tips and tricks to rectify pronunciation issues.
The class is divided into 3 units — Tones, Tone Changes and Pronunciation. It includes 22 lectures condensed into 3.5 hours of on-demand video and 29 downloadable resources.
You’ll need a device to play video files. You’ll also need Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer or smartphone before you enroll.
9. Core Chinese 3: Complete Your Chinese Foundations by Udemy
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: $199.99
Consider this advanced course, Core Chinese 3: Complete Your Chinese Foundations, if you want to take to soar your Chinese speaking skills. It includes 100 practice assignments that require you to use basic vocabulary to create thousands of expressions.
You can enroll for $199.99 and have full lifetime access to 124 lectures in 11.5 hours of on-demand video, 1 article and 1 downloadable resource. The course also comes with a money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the course for any reason.
It’s a good idea to complete Core Chinese 2: Advance to Intermediate Level before you register for the class.
10. Mandarin Chinese Level 3 by edX
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: Free
The final installment of the Mandarin Chinese series from MandarinX focuses on effective communication in business settings. You will learn more advanced vocabulary and sentence structures that will serve you well in the business world.
It spans 6 weeks and requires you to spend 4 to 10 hours each week working through the course material. You’ll have the opportunity to speak directly with Dr. Estella Y. Chen and other students in a bonus webinar if you pay for the class.
Be sure to complete Mandarin Chinese Level 1 and Mandarin Chinese Level 2 before you sign up for the class.
Choose the Right Chinese Course for You
Finding the perfect Chinese course doesn’t have to overwhelm you. You can get started with one of our top picks and work toward Chinese fluency. You can enroll in an intermediate or advanced course to sharpen your skills. Be sure to review the course outline before you register to confirm it’s a good fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn Chinese?
It takes 2,200 hours plus consistent practice to become fluent.
What length of time per day should you study Chinese?
You should dedicate between 1 to 2 hours a day to become really fluent.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community