There are a variety of options for learning to speak Mandarin Chinese. Deciding which option is best for you might make the difference between an enjoyable learning experience and getting turned off of the Chinese language entirely. Here are a few of the options available to study Chinese.
Traditional Chinese Classes
If you learn how to speak Chinese in a traditional classroom setting, you’ll benefit from loads of resources and a teacher who has likely had the experience training years of students in tones, characters and Chinese conversation. You might also get caught in the shuffle, however, and not get the personalized attention you’d get in other settings. Also, standard Mandarin Chinese textbooks can sometimes get boring.
Private Chinese Tutoring
A private Chinese tutor will give you one-on-one help, which can be great for mastering perfect pronunciation and Chinese grammar. A Mandarin tutor is also more likely to teach you colloquial Chinese and Chinese slang, the kinds of things you won’t get in a classroom setting. Disadvantages of a Chinese tutor include cost and an irregular schedule that might encourage you to skip lessons.
Online Chinese Courses
Online Chinese courses have been popping up all over the Web, with venues like Chinese Pod making waves with people all over the world who are interested in learning the Chinese language. People who learn to speak Mandarin through these sites generally get up and running quite quickly and the cost of an online Chinese course is typically cheaper than a similar college Mandarin class or private tutoring.
Chinese Language Software and Audio CDs
The three big producers of Chinese language software and audio CD lessons are Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur and Rocket Chinese. Like an online Mandarin course, these programs can get you speaking Chinese quickly and have been used by thousands of people from casual tourists to people wanting to learn the language for business or in preparation for moving to China.
Immersion Study Abroad in China
For serious Chinese learners, there’s nothing like a study abroad in China. You’ll get classroom time in the language, of course, but the real lessons come when you need to ask for directions, order food at a restaurant and negotiate a decent price for something you desperately need and somehow forgot to pack when you were still back home. Learning Mandarin in China can be a lesson in life as well as a lesson in the language.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
What to Expect from Your First Chinese Language Class
You’ve bought the Chinese language textbook and Mandarin Chinese dictionary. Maybe you’ve even flipped through them a little, perhaps getting a little overwhelmed by all those Chinese characters you’ll be expected to learn and wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into (and whether it’s too late to switch to something easier- like Spanish or German.)
But never fear! Your first Chinese language class will be fun! Promise!
Most Chinese language classes designed for beginners don’t attempt to throw you into the language without any preparation. In your first class, you’ll probably learn how to greet people and you’ll start learning how to say things properly and all about tones.
Essentially, tones are the different ways that any given Chinese syllable can be pronounced- and each separate syllable has four possible tones, conveniently called first, second, third and fourth tone. Saying something in a different tone can completely change the meaning, so you’ll learn in your first class how to properly say the tones.
As far as that greeting goes, I’ll give you a quick hint:
In Mandarin Chinese, you’ll greet people by saying “Ni hao.”
Practice that a few times before your first class and you’ll be ahead of all your classmates already.
But never fear! Your first Chinese language class will be fun! Promise!
Most Chinese language classes designed for beginners don’t attempt to throw you into the language without any preparation. In your first class, you’ll probably learn how to greet people and you’ll start learning how to say things properly and all about tones.
Essentially, tones are the different ways that any given Chinese syllable can be pronounced- and each separate syllable has four possible tones, conveniently called first, second, third and fourth tone. Saying something in a different tone can completely change the meaning, so you’ll learn in your first class how to properly say the tones.
As far as that greeting goes, I’ll give you a quick hint:
In Mandarin Chinese, you’ll greet people by saying “Ni hao.”
Practice that a few times before your first class and you’ll be ahead of all your classmates already.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Reasons for Studying Chinese
If you're considering taking a Mandarin Chinese course, learning a little Chinese online or traveling to China to study abroad, here are a few good reasons for studying Chinese:
- Mandarin Chinese, the official language of mainland China, is spoken by over 900 million people. It is the language with the most speakers in the world and over 20% of the people on the planet can speak it.
- Business in China is booming. China is currently the fastest growing economy in the world and one of the few countries that weathered the global recession and economic crisis that began in 2008. Speaking Mandarin is one way to take advantage of the growing opportunities to sell to, buy from and collaborate with people in China.
- Chinese is the number one language used on the internet today. If your business, school or personal interests involve the web, you'll want to know Mandarin.
- You'll be able to appreciate the vast culture and history of China when you understand the language.
- Travel will be easier, and not just in China. As China opens up to tourism more and more, the opportunities to see world-famous sights like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Three Gorges and the pandas of Chengdu will be greatly enhanced when you know a little Mandarin. In addition, Chinatowns exist all over the U.S. and around the world, so no matter where you go, a little Chinese language may come in handy.
- Mandarin Chinese, the official language of mainland China, is spoken by over 900 million people. It is the language with the most speakers in the world and over 20% of the people on the planet can speak it.
- Business in China is booming. China is currently the fastest growing economy in the world and one of the few countries that weathered the global recession and economic crisis that began in 2008. Speaking Mandarin is one way to take advantage of the growing opportunities to sell to, buy from and collaborate with people in China.
- Chinese is the number one language used on the internet today. If your business, school or personal interests involve the web, you'll want to know Mandarin.
- You'll be able to appreciate the vast culture and history of China when you understand the language.
- Travel will be easier, and not just in China. As China opens up to tourism more and more, the opportunities to see world-famous sights like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Three Gorges and the pandas of Chengdu will be greatly enhanced when you know a little Mandarin. In addition, Chinatowns exist all over the U.S. and around the world, so no matter where you go, a little Chinese language may come in handy.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Privacy Policy
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