A Course in Contemporary Chinese 當代中文課程
The six-volume Mandarin textbook series developed by the Mandarin Training Center (MTC) at National Taiwan Normal University — universally known as Dangdai (當代). The definitive standard for learning Traditional Chinese in Taiwan, used at MTC, mapped directly to TOCFL certification bands, and the curriculum Zhong Chinese is built around.
What is A Course in Contemporary Chinese?
A Course in Contemporary Chinese (當代中文課程), known universally as "Dangdai," is the flagship Mandarin curriculum produced by the Mandarin Training Center (MTC) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). First published in 2014 and continuously revised, it is the textbook series against which all other Taiwan-based Mandarin curricula are measured.
| Book | CEFR | TOCFL Band | New Vocabulary | Study Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book 1 | A1 | Band A · Novice 1 | ~250 words | 100–150 hrs |
| Book 2 | A2 | Band A · Novice 2 | ~250 words | 100–150 hrs |
| Book 3 | B1 | Band B · Level 1 | ~300 words | 120–180 hrs |
| Book 4 | B1–B2 | Band B · Level 2 | ~350 words | 150–200 hrs |
| Book 5 | B2–C1 | Band C · Advanced 1 | ~350 words | 180–250 hrs |
| Book 6 | C1–C2 | Band C · Advanced 2 | ~350 words | 200–300 hrs |
Unlike older textbooks that teach formal, Beijing-influenced Mandarin, Dangdai teaches the language as it is actually spoken and written in contemporary Taiwan. The vocabulary covers night markets, the MRT, democratic elections, LINE messages, and boba tea shops alongside the essential grammar structures. Students emerge fluent in real Taiwanese Mandarin. The series spans six volumes, from absolute beginner to near-native fluency, and uses Traditional Chinese characters exclusively — the standard writing system in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
From Book 4 onwards, the curriculum introduces Shūmiànyǔ (書面語) — the formal written register governing academic papers, legal documents, and news media in Taiwan. This spoken-to-written transition is the single most important inflection point in the series. The audio throughout is produced with Taipei-accented speakers, so learners develop phonology aligned with Taiwanese speech rather than Mainland pronunciation.
Who is this for?
MTC Students
You're attending the Mandarin Training Center at NTNU — the school that wrote this curriculum. Zhong Chinese lets you pre-learn each lesson's vocabulary before class and review it on the MRT home. Students who pre-study consistently out-pace their classmates within weeks.
Self-Learners
You have the Dangdai books but no classroom to keep you accountable. The curriculum is excellent — the problem is that textbooks give you no mechanism for retention. Zhong Chinese adds FSRS spaced repetition to every word in Books 1–6, turning passive reading into permanent memory.
TOCFL Candidates
The TOCFL vocabulary lists map almost exactly to the Dangdai curriculum: Books 1–2 for Band A, Books 3–4 for Band B, Books 5–6 for Band C. Studying through Zhong Chinese means you're preparing for the exam and the curriculum at the same time, with no wasted effort.
The Six Books
Each volume corresponds to a TOCFL certification band and introduces 250–350 new vocabulary items, building cumulatively to 1,800+ words by Book 6. Select a book for full lesson breakdowns, grammar points, and sample vocabulary.
Book 1 — Absolute Beginner
~250 words · 100–150 hrs
Hold basic introductions, order food, ask for prices, and navigate simple daily exchanges in Taipei.
Book 2 — Elementary
~250 words · 100–150 hrs
Describe routines, talk about health and weather, make plans by phone, and express opinions with basic hedging.
Book 3 — Intermediate
~300 words · 120–180 hrs
Discuss hobbies, plan and narrate trips, handle most daily social situations, and read mid-level news with support.
Book 4 — Upper Intermediate
~350 words · 150–200 hrs
Read newspaper articles and formal emails, write structured arguments, and begin switching between spoken and written registers.
Book 5 — Advanced
~350 words · 180–250 hrs
Read and write academic essays, follow political and economic news without support, and operate in professional Taiwanese contexts.
Book 6 — Proficiency
~350 words · 200–300 hrs
Read unabridged literary and academic texts, write publication-quality formal Chinese, and communicate at near-native level.
Editions, Audio & Self-Study
A Course in Contemporary Chinese was first published in 2014 by NTNU Press and revised in 2017–2018. The second edition is the current standard — if you already have first-edition copies, the core grammar and vocabulary are largely unchanged, but most MTC classes now use the second edition. Each book is sold as a textbook (課本) and a separate workbook (練習本), with audio files distributed digitally through the NTNU Press. Textbooks typically retail for NT$400–600 each (approximately US$13–19). Purchase direct from NTNU Press for international shipping, or from Eslite and major Taiwanese bookchains if you are in Taiwan.
The audio covers all lesson dialogues at natural speed, vocabulary pronunciation, and workbook listening exercises — recorded by Taipei-accented native speakers. Self-learners should supplement with Taiwan-produced podcasts and YouTube content at their level, and use a spaced repetition system from day one: the textbook introduces words but provides no systematic review mechanism. Zhong Chinese covers all vocabulary from Books 1–6 with FSRS-powered flashcards built specifically around this curriculum.
Dangdai vs. Other Mandarin Textbook Series
The four most widely used Mandarin textbook series are Dangdai, Integrated Chinese, Practical Audio-Visual Chinese (PAVC), and New Practical Chinese Reader (NPCR). Here is how they compare on the criteria that matter most. See our full Dangdai vs. Integrated Chinese comparison →
| Feature | Dangdai (當代) | Integrated Chinese | PAVC | NPCR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Script | Traditional only | Traditional + Simplified | Traditional only | Simplified only |
| Origin | Taiwan (NTNU MTC) | USA (Cheng & Tsui) | Taiwan (NTNU) | China (BLCU) |
| Depth | A1–C2 (6 books) | A1–B2 (4 volumes) | A1–B2 (5 books) | A1–B2 (6 books) |
| Dialect | Taiwan Mandarin | Neutral / US-market | Taiwan Mandarin | Mainland Mandarin |
| TOCFL alignment | Direct (same publisher) | Partial | Good | None |
| Best for | MTC students, Taiwan residency, TOCFL | North American university courses | Taiwan-focused, older format | Mainland China, HSK prep |
Explore Further
Textbook Comparison
Dangdai vs. Integrated Chinese: Which Textbook Is Right for You? →
A direct comparison of the two most widely used Mandarin textbook series — how they differ on script, dialect, TOCFL alignment, depth, and who each is designed for.
Curriculum Review
Dangdai Chinese: An Honest Review →
Who the curriculum is for, who it isn't for, and why it remains the de-facto standard for learning Mandarin in Taiwan.
Study in Taiwan
Complete Guide to Learning Mandarin in Taiwan →
MTC vs ICLP vs TLI, the student visa process, living costs, housing, and how to structure your studies for real fluency.
School Comparison
MTC vs Other Language Courses →
A direct comparison of Taiwan's major Mandarin programs — cost, intensity, methodology, and which school each type of learner should choose.
Deep Dive
Analysing Dangdai Book Four →
Why the curriculum gets significantly harder at Book 4 — the structural gap between spoken Chinese (Kǒuyǔ) and written Chinese (Shūmiànyǔ).
Certification Hub
TOCFL Certification →
Taiwan's official Mandarin proficiency test — band structure, vocabulary requirements, and how Dangdai maps directly to each level.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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