Greeting Mixer Slides 你好 Mandarin
Lesson 1: Greetings & Farewells
Listening Skills Level: Beginner
The Sound of Hello
Morning
早上好
Zǎoshang hǎo
Night
晚安
Wǎn'ān
Listen closely: "Zao" sounds sharp and rising, like the sun coming up. "Wan" is lower and softer.
Speed Greeting Game
When you hear the audio clip, perform the correct action!
Greeting (Arrival)
WAVE
Farewell (Departure)
BOW
Key Audio Markers
再见 (Zàijiàn)
Goodbye (Literally: "See you again")
早 (Zǎo)
Morning! (Casual, short form)
你好 (Nǐ hǎo)
Hello (The universal standard)
Ears On Worksheet Ears On Challenge
Lesson 1: Greetings & Farewells
NAME:
DATE:
1
Time of Day Recognition
Listen to the audio clips provided by your teacher. Check the box that matches the time of day for each greeting.
Clip # Morning (早) Night (晚) Anytime (你好) Clip 1
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| Clip 3 |
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| Clip 4 |
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2
Coming or Going?
Are they arriving or leaving? Circle the correct icon based on what you hear.
Clip 5
HELLO / ARRIVING
GOODBYE / LEAVING
Clip 6
HELLO / ARRIVING
GOODBYE / LEAVING
3
The "See You" Secret
Listen to the word for "Goodbye" (Zàijiàn). Based on its sound and what we discussed, what do the two characters likely mean literally?
AGAIN NEVER SEE / MEET SLEEP
Greeting Guide Teacher Notes Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson 1: Greetings & Farewells
Instructional Goal
This lesson focuses on building auditory recognition of basic Mandarin greetings. Students should be able to distinguish between morning, night, and general greetings, as well as recognize the difference between arriving (greetings) and departing (farewells).
Audio Script for "Ears On" Worksheet
Read these clips aloud or play recorded versions. Repeat each clip twice.
Clip 1: Morning Greeting
"Zǎoshang hǎo!" (早上好)
Target: Morning (早)
Clip 2: General Greeting
"Nǐ hǎo!" (你好)
Target: Anytime (你好)
Clip 3: Night Greeting
"Wǎn'ān!" (晚安)
Target: Night (晚)
Clip 4: Short Morning
"Zǎo!" (早)
Target: Morning (早)
Clip 5: Arrival
"Nǐ hǎo! Nǐ hǎo!"
Target: Hello / Arriving
Clip 6: Departure
"Zàijiàn! Zàijiàn!" (再见)
Target: Goodbye / Leaving
"Speed Greeting" Game Rules
Have students stand up in a circle or by their desks.
Explain: Wave if you hear a greeting (Arriving). Bow if you hear a farewell (Leaving).
Call out phrases randomly and increase speed. Use: Ni hao, Zaijian, Zao, Wan'an, Mingtian jian (See you tomorrow).
Challenge: Mix in "Zao" and "Wan'an" with different gestures (e.g., stretch for sun, hands together for sleep).
Roll Call Slides Name Detective
Lesson 2: Surnames & Titles
Surname First Laoshi vs. Tongxue
The 1-2-3 of Chinese Names
Part 1
姓
Surname
(Family Name First)
Part 2
名
Given Name
(1 or 2 Characters)
Unlike Western names, the family name comes first to show respect to ancestors.
Social Titles
老师
Lǎoshī
Teacher (Universal title of respect)
同学
Tóngxué
Classmate (Used for peers in school)
Pro Tip:
Listen for the surname before the title. For example: "Wáng Lǎoshī" (Teacher Wang).
Roll Call!
Stand up only when you hear your assigned "Surname + Title" combination.
Listen for:
Wáng Lǎoshī
Listen for:
Lǐ Tóngxué
Name Detective Worksheet Name Detective
Case File: The Roll Call Mystery
OPERATIVE NAME:
ASSIGNMENT DATE:
1
Surname Snatcher
Listen to the introductions. Your mission is to extract ONLY the family name (Surname) from the spoken audio. Remember: Surnames come FIRST!
#01
Family Name Heard:
#02
Family Name Heard:
#03
Family Name Heard:
2
Title Tracker
Listen to the speaker's tone and context. Which title are they using?
SPEAKER A
LAOSHI
TONGXUE
SPEAKER B
LAOSHI
TONGXUE
3
Structure Evidence
If you hear "Wang Laoshi", which part is the surname and which is the title? Write the labels below the boxes.
王 (Wáng)
老师 (Lǎoshī)
Name Key Teacher Resource Name Detective Key
Lesson 2: Audio Script & Solutions
Audio Script
Introduction #01
"Wáng Xiǎomíng nǐ hǎo." (王小明你好)
Correct Surname: Wang
Introduction #02
"Lǐ Huā, zǎoshang hǎo." (李华, 早上好)
Correct Surname: Li
Introduction #03
"Zhāng Lǎoshī, zàijiàn." (张老师, 再见)
Correct Surname: Zhang
Speaker A (Context: A student speaking to a teacher)
"Wáng Lǎoshī, nín hǎo." (王老师, 您好)
Correct Title: Laoshi
Speaker B (Context: A teacher greeting a group of students)
"Tóngxuémén, nǐmén hǎo." (同学们, 你们好)
Correct Title: Tongxue (Plural form)
Part 3 Solution
王 (Wáng)
SURNAME
老师 (Lǎoshī)
TITLE
Note for Teachers: Emphasize that in China, you would rarely call someone "Teacher" without their surname first. It's almost always [Surname] + [Title]. This is a major difference from "Mr. Wang" where "Mr." comes first.
Status Slides Polite or Personal
Lesson 3: Ni vs. Nin
Formal Address Social Register
Spot the Difference
Informal
你
Nǐ
Used with friends, peers, and people younger than you.
Formal
您
Nín
The "Heart" (心) below!
Used for elders, teachers, or someone you've just met.
Auditory Markers
Register Check: Tone of Voice
Formal speech often sounds slower, clearer, and more deliberate . Informal speech is often clipped and casual.
Context Clues
If you hear a title (like Laoshi ), the speaker will almost always switch to Nín .
Who's Speaking?
You will hear the same request: "Hello, how are you?" twice. One is to a puppy , one is to a president .
Nǐ hǎo!
Casual tone
Nín hǎo!
Respectful tone
Social Scene Worksheet Polite or Personal
Register Recognition Lab
STUDENT:
DATE:
1
The "Heart" Check
Circle the character that shows high respect and contains the "heart" (心) radical.
你
您
2
Register Sorting
Listen to the audio clips. Check the column that matches the formality level of the speaker.
Clip Number
Informal (你 Nǐ)
Formal (您 Nín)
Clip #1
Clip #2
Clip #3
Clip #4
3
Scenario Matching
If you were the speaker in these situations, which would you use? Write 'Ni' or 'Nin' in the box.
Asking a classmate for a pencil.
Greeting your Principal.
Talking to your younger brother.
Greeting a doctor at a hospital.
Register Guide Teacher Resource Register Recognition Guide
Lesson 3: Teacher Key & Script
Concept Check: The "Heart" Character
Remind students that "Nǐ" (你) has the "Person" radical on the left, but "Nín" (您) adds the "Heart" (心) radical at the bottom. This visual cue helps them remember that "Nín" is for showing sincere respect from the heart.
Audio Script for "Register Sorting"
Clip #1: Friendly Peering
"Nǐ hǎo, Zhāng Lì. Nǐ zěnme yàng?" (你好, 张丽. 你怎么样?)
Target: Informal (Nǐ)
Clip #2: Student to Teacher
"Lǎoshī, nín hǎo. Zhè shì wǒ de zuòyè." (老师, 您好. 这是我的作业.)
Target: Formal (Nín)
Clip #3: Meeting an Elder
"Wáng Yéye, nín hǎo. Zǎoshang hǎo." (王爷爷, 您好. 早上好.)
Target: Formal (Nín)
Clip #4: Sibling Greeting
"Dìdi, nǐ zài gàn shénme?" (弟弟, 你在干什么?)
Target: Informal (Nǐ)
Scenario Key (Part 3)
Ni
Classmate
Nin
Principal
Ni
Younger Brother
Nin
Doctor / Professional
World Tour Slides Global Voices
Lesson 4: Nationalities & Origins
Country Names The "Ren" Rule
How to Say "Person"
美国
Měiguó
(America)
人
Rén
(Person)
American Person
Měiguórén
In Mandarin, just add rén after any country to say someone is from there!
Major Country Sounds
中国
Zhōngguó
China
英国
Yīngguó
UK / Britain
法国
Fǎguó
France
加拿大
Jiānádà
Canada
澳大利亚
Àodàlìyà
Australia
墨西哥
Mòxīgē
Mexico
Mystery Guest
You will hear 3 clues about a traveler. Listen for the country keyword + rén to pinpoint their home!
Clue Sample:
"Wǒ shì Fǎguórén."
🇫🇷
Passport Patrol Worksheet Passport Patrol
Global Identity Logistics
AGENT ID:
MISSION DATE:
Vocabulary Recon
美国
Měiguó (USA)
中国
Zhōngguó (China)
英国
Yīngguó (UK)
法国
Fǎguó (France)
墨西哥
Mòxīgē (Mexico)
加拿大
Jiānádà (Canada)
人
Rén (Person)
我是
Wǒ shì (I am)
1
Origin Identification
Listen to the travellers state their origins. Circle the flag that matches what you hear.
TRAVELLER 1
🇺🇸 MĚIGUÓ
🇨🇳 ZHŌNGGUÓ
🇫🇷 FǍGUÓ
TRAVELLER 2
🇬🇧 YĪNGGUÓ
🇲🇽 MÒXĪGĒ
🇨🇦 JIĀNÁDÀ
2
Transcription Mission
Listen to the last speaker. They will introduce themselves. Fill in the missing words.
"Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ shì
rén."
Translation hint: "Hello! I am a [Country] person."
Origin Key Teacher Resource Origin Log Key
Lesson 4: Audio Script & Solutions
Passport Patrol Audio
Traveller 1 Script
"Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ jiào Lǐ Huā. Wǒ shì Zhōngguórén ."
Target Flag: 🇨🇳 (China)
Traveller 2 Script
"Wǒ shì Mòxīgērén . Nǐ ne?"
Target Flag: 🇲🇽 (Mexico)
Part 3 Transcription Mission
"Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ shì Měiguó rén."
Missing Word: 美国 (Měiguó)
Extension Activity
Ask students to "travel" around the room. When they meet a peer, they must use Lesson 3's register (Ni vs Nin) and then state their origin using Lesson 4's vocabulary.
Teacher Prompt:
"Nǐ shì nǎ guó rén?" (Which country person are you? / Where are you from?)
Spy Mission Slides The Dossier Mission
Lesson 5: Capstone Assessment
Top Secret Advanced Listening
Mission Briefing
Identify
Extract surnames and given names from the dialogue.
Validate
Determine the relationship (Formal vs Informal).
Locate
Note the speaker's nationality and country of origin.
Listen for details. Every syllable matters.
Audio Wiretap
Recording intercepted: 14:00 CST
Round 1: Initial Contact
00:00 - 00:30
Round 2: Detailed Intel
00:30 - 01:15
Final Mission Check
Greetings (Lesson 1)
Names & Titles (Lesson 2)
Politeness (Lesson 3)
Origins (Lesson 4)
Final Objective:
"Complete the Dossier for both speakers to verify full situational awareness."
Dossier Report Worksheet Confidential Dossier
CLASSIFIED LISTENING INTEL // PROJECT MANDARIN
ANALYST:
FILED ON:
MISSION OBJECTIVE: LISTEN TO INTERCEPTED DIALOGUE 5-A. IDENTIFY TWO TARGETS. DOCUMENT NAMES, TITLES, ORIGINS, AND REGISTER.
Target Alpha
Surname (Family Name)
Given Name
Country of Origin
Title (if used)
Target Beta
Surname (Family Name)
Given Name
Country of Origin
Title (if used)
Relationship Register
How are the targets addressing each other?
Informal (Nǐ)
Formal (Nín)
Situation Notes
What time of day is the interaction taking place?
Mission Briefing Teacher Resource Mission Briefing Resource
Confidential Script & Analyst Key
Assessment Context
This dialogue is designed to test all skills from Lessons 1–4. Read the dialogue at a natural pace. Read it three times total: once for general gist, once for detail extraction, and a final time for confirmation.
Dialogue 5-A: The Introduction
WANG: "Wáng Lǎoshī, zǎoshang hǎo! Wǒ jiào Mǎ Dīng. Wǒ shì Měiguórén. Nín hǎo ma?"
TEACHER: "Mǎ Dīng, nǐ hǎo. Wǒ shì Wáng Huá. Wǒ shì Zhōngguórén. Rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng."
Target Alpha Solution (Ma Ding)
Surname: Ma (Mǎ)
Given Name: Ding (Dīng)
Origin: USA (Měiguórén)
Title: None / Student
Target Beta Solution (Wang Hua)
Surname: Wang (Wáng)
Given Name: Hua (Huá)
Origin: China (Zhōngguórén)
Title: Laoshi (Teacher)
Situational Analysis
Time of Day
Morning ("Zǎoshang hǎo")
Register Logic
Formal (Nín) used by Student Ma; Informal (Nǐ) used by Teacher Wang.