Free Online Chinese Language Courses from Top Universities

About this article
Because of international trade, Chinese is becoming a useful language to know, but it is also very difficult to learn. Whether to self-teach or just for additional practice, the Open Courseware classes listed in this article can strengthen your Chinese language skills.
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Free Chinese Language Courses

Here are 13 online Chinese language courses offered free by two top universities, Utah State University (USU) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Utah State University (USU)

USU offers online coursework components to introduce beginning learners to speaking and writing Chinese.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT's OpenCourseWare contains both regular and streamlined courses for all levels of Chinese language learners. The streamlined course track is designed primarily for people who have some basic knowledge of Chinese when starting out. More advanced courses in both tracks also delve into Chinese culture.

Free Online Chinese Courses at a Glance

Course & SchoolProgram LevelFormatAssignmentsQuizzes & ExamsDownloadable
First Year Chinese I course from USUBeginnerVideosYesNoNo
First Year Chinese II course from USUBeginnerVideosYesNoNo
Chinese I (regular) course from MITUndergraduate/GraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes
Chinese II (regular) course from MITUndergraduate/GraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes
Chinese III (regular) course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading Resources, Audio LessonsYesNoYes
Chinese IV (regular) course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading Resources, Audio Lessons, TextbookYesNoYes
Chinese V (regular): Chinese Culture & Society course from MITUndergraduateAudio LessonsYesNoYes
Chinese VI (regular): Discovering Chinese Cultures and Societies course from MITUndergraduateVideosYesNoYes
Chinese I (streamlined) course from MITUndergraduate/GraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesYesYes
Chinese II (streamlined) course from MITUndergraduate/GraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesYesYes
Chinese III (streamlined) course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesYesYes
Chinese IV (streamlined) course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes
Chinese VI (streamlined) course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PHD: Communication
      • PHD: Communication
    Certificate
      • CTG: Communication
      • CTG: Communication
  • Stanford, CA

    Stanford University

  • Online Programs Available
    4. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Cambridge, MA

    Harvard University

  • Philadelphia, PA

    University of Pennsylvania

  • Durham, NC

    Duke University

  • Notre Dame, IN

    University of Notre Dame

  • University of Maryland Global Campus

Featured Schools

The schools and programs listed below are popular educational options, and tuition varies based on program and location

Grand Canyon University

  • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships

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Liberty University

  • PHD: Communication
  • CTG: Communication

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Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?