Learn Cantonese for Beginners: Level 1

Learn to speak Cantonese with these online language classes.



10 x 2 hours Class size 1 to 10 guests    

  $429 (Afterpay & PayPal Pay in 4 available)

This live online class will teach you the basics of the culturally rich Cantonese language.
Cantonese is the language of Hong Kong and southern mainland China. These beginner Cantonese lessons will introduce you to the Cantonese language and teach you how to communicate in Cantonese with simple vocabulary and basic sentences.
You will be able to communicate in day-to-day situations and have some small talk. It is a tonal language, so these Cantonese classes will focus on how to recognise the different tones that can change the meaning of words and sounds.
Additionally, these Cantonese lessons will teach you common characters of the written language and help you gain a better understanding of Cantonese culture.
At the end of this online Cantonese course for beginners, you will be equipped with important language skills that will have you on your way to mastering the basics!
What will be covered in this beginner's Cantonese course?
Topics:
  • Greetings and introducing oneself
  • Asking and responding to simple questions
  • Shopping and everyday transactions
  • Hobbies and daily routines
  • Seasons, time, and days of the week
  • Family members and relationships
  • Cultural practices and social etiquette
Communication skills:
  • Listening and pronunciation practice
  • Tone recognition and production
  • Speaking through guided conversations
  • Building confidence in everyday communication
  • Introduction to commonly used written characters
Grammar concepts may include:
  • Sentence structure
  • Basic grammatical patterns
  • Formal and informal speech
  • Key functional language for everyday use
By the end of this beginner's Cantonese course, you should be able to:
  • Recognise the different tones and understand their meaning
  • Communicate in simple, everyday situations using basic vocabulary
  • Use foundational sentence structures and key grammatical patterns
  • Listen for tone, rhythm and pronunciation in spoken Cantonese
  • Read and write a small number of commonly used Chinese characters
  • Demonstrate an introductory understanding of Cantonese culture and communication styles
  • Develop practical Cantonese language skills for travel, community, family, or workplace communication
All students must be over 18 years of age.
Knowledge required
This course is ideal for complete beginners with no previous knowledge of Cantonese, as well as heritage learners wanting to strengthen their spoken language skills.
What to bring
  • A device and stable internet connection (we recommend logging in on a laptop/computer rather than a mobile or tablet)
  • Notebook and pen
  • Textbook
Textbook details:
Colloquial Cantonese: The Complete Course for Beginners (2010 version and later)
ISBN: 978-113-895-822-7
We recommend purchasing your textbook after your Cantonese course has been confirmed (usually within three working days of the proposed start). The textbook is not included in the enrolment fee.
Session repeats

This class series runs over 10 consecutive sessions, at the same time every week.

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Your teacher
Kari Yu

Kari Yu


With over 10 years of experience teaching Chinese and Japanese, Kari Yu brings energy, empathy, and expertise to every lesson. Fluent in three languages and a graduate of the University of New South Wales with a Master’s in Education, Kari has taught at selective high schools, community colleges, and international training companies like Berlitz. She specialises in making language learning practical, enjoyable, and culturally enriching—whether you’re just starting out or building on existing skills. Her classes are known for their clear structure, tailored content, and warm, supportive atmosphere. Whether you’re learning for travel, work, or personal growth, Kari’s passion for teaching and deep cultural insight will help you reach your language goals with confidence.




Your host

Sydney Community College
Sydney Community College

4.8 (303)

Sydney Community College is a social enterprise with a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
Our mission is to enrich lives, to strengthen adult individuals and to build communities through innovative high quality continuing education and training.

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