If you're dreaming of studying in China on a scholarship, you'll need the Mandarin to talk about it — even at HSK 1. This 21-line dialogue between Charlotte and Lucas walks through exactly that scenario: Lucas is preparing for an exam required to apply to a Chinese university, and Charlotte asks him what the process involves.
Charlotte and Lucas cover the basics of applying to study in China, from exam requirements to what a scholarship can offer. Across 21 lines, you'll hear everyday conversational phrasing at the HSK 1 level, with synchronized hanzi, pinyin, and English so you can follow every sentence.
Key vocabulary in this lesson includes:
These words let you discuss scholarships, tuition coverage, and academic goals — all within HSK 1's accessible grammar. For more beginner-level listening, browse the HSK 1 lessons hub page or try another HSK 1 listening dialogue titled "The 'UV-Maxxing' Summer Craze".
Start by listening to the full dialogue at normal speed, then slow it down to 0.5x or 0.75x to catch every syllable. Replay individual lines that feel tricky until the rhythm becomes familiar. Once you can follow the meaning comfortably, switch to speaking mode: read each line aloud and get pronunciation feedback from Mei Lin.
Want to go further? You can create a custom Chinese dialogue on any topic — for example, a follow-up conversation about arriving on campus or registering for classes. You can also explore more free Chinese listening practice with AI dialogues across all levels, including an HSK 7 listening dialogue titled "Unmasking Unwell" for when you're ready to push higher.
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This dialogue follows Charlotte and Lucas as they discuss Lucas's plan for studying in China. Lucas explains he's taking the CSCA exam, which is required for anyone who wants to attend a Chinese university. The conversation covers applying, scholarships, and what studying in China involves — all at HSK 1 level.
You'll practice five key words: 申请 (shēnqǐng, "Apply"), 奖学金 (jiǎng xué jīn, "scholarship" or "fellowship"), 免费 (miǎnfèi, "Free of charge"), 研究 (yánjiū, "research"), and 博士 (bóshì, "doctor"). These terms let you talk about studying in China and the scholarship application process in basic Mandarin.
Yes. After listening, switch to speaking mode and read each line aloud. Mei Lin gives you pronunciation feedback on your tones and delivery. You can also slow playback to 0.5x or 0.75x and replay individual lines before attempting to speak them yourself.
Yes, listening to this dialogue is free without an account. If you want to practice a different angle on studying in China, you can create your own custom dialogue on any topic at no cost to start.