If you want to learn to speak Chinese then perhaps you should consider using the teaching services of popular online Chinese schools such as Mando Mandarin (http://www.mandomandarin.com). Knowing how to speak Chinese is now a valuable asset no matter where you are in the world – it is the most widely spoken language, used by over a billion people. It goes without saying that Chinese language translation is in dire need. Whether it is for leisure or for business, choosing to learn Chinese now, rather than later, will put you ahead of others.
If you are going to learn from someone, then make sure you have assessed all the pros and cons of each method. Traditional methods like using books and CDs are cheap but without tutor advice, studying may be a long and arduous task. Learning in a classroom ensures that you will have a live teacher but there are restrictions on how much attention you will get and also if you can incorporate fixed classes into your busy life.
This is where using Mando Mandarin becomes helpful. If you are determined to learn Chinese, but need motivation and guidance, without the strict restriction of a classroom, then Mando Mandarin is for you. The style of teaching and services it offers is completely unique.
First of all let’s look at the courses on offer. There is the beginner class which offers three modules;
1. Basics and Pinyin (phonetics)
2. Listening Comprehension
3. Basic Conversation
Beginner 1, Basics and Pinyin is a 36 hour course, taken in smaller chunks, if you wish. The minimum purchase time is 2 hours at a reasonable $40.00. This means that you can purchase the tutoring time as you go along as you can afford to. You should actually sign up for the free one-hour lesson they offer before paying for a course. Maybe you just want to give it a go and see if it is learning Chinese online is right for you. Either way, there is no huge commitment, and you are not forced to take on a whole course in one go. Flexibility is the key.
By the end of module one you will understand 600-700 words, 100 sentences, basic grammar and be able to have short conversations with Chinese speakers.
Beginner 2 module is also 36 hours and will help you listen. There will be lots of role play to help you with this; you will be a better listener and know 700 new words at the end of it.
Beginner 3 is also 36 hours and will help you develop real conversational skills like visiting the bank, post office, hospital, travelling and so on. 600-800 new words will be learned.
The Intermediate
1. Extended Conversations I
2. Extended Conversations II
3. Proficiency
Intermediate 1 is 36 hours. If you are proficient with the language, then this course will help you. It will help you speak smoothly and hold an extended conversation.
Intermediate 2 is 36 hours and will improve fluency and speed. It will also help you discuss real social affairs.
Intermediate 3 is 36 hours and should only be taken if you have at least a 2,000 word vocabulary. Complex topics will be given to you and you can discuss these freely.
Advanced
• Fine Tuning
This module is 36 hours +. If you are fluent this module is customizable and will help you fine tune any area you wish.
There is a business style module
1. Business & Networking
2. Advanced Business
Business 1 is 36 hours. There is a focus on language skills in day to day business settings, for example; being able to deal with calls, being able to make appointments and work with schedules. You will also be taught about Chinese culture and etiquette, and how to politely interact.
Business 2 is 36 hours +. This course is very comprehensive and will not only teach the language, but will cover important topics like international trade, banking, and finance and help you understand the nuances of doing business in China.
Then Short-Term Courses:
1. Survival Chinese
2. Intensive Chinese
3. Pronunciation Workshop
4. Literacy Crash Course
Survival Chinese is 10 hours and can be done over two days. This is a great choice if you have a last minute holiday booked, knowing some of the language will be highly beneficial to finding your way around, dealing with hotels, airports and taxis etc.
Intensive Chinese is 20 hours and can be taken over one week, in four hour lessons. This will teach you basic Mandarin, greetings and so on.
The pronunciation work shop is 20 hours and is recommended over two weeks in two hour sessions. If you want to be heard clearly and get rid of any accents, then this is a great course to do. It is especially useful for Chinese who are living or were raised in other countries and need to hone their skills.
The Literacy Crash Course is 30 hours over three weeks or 60 hours over six weeks using 2 hour lessons, Monday to Friday. This is a flexible course and it will depend on your current level of Chinese and how far you want to go.
Mando Mandarin allows you to experience a trial lesson through its website, which lasts for one hour. It is a great chance to speak to a consultant, get comfortable with the learning method, and to let the consultant assess your level and create a personalized plan. Any questions can be asked live in person so no waiting for a response.
The most important part of these modules is that they are fully customizable. Even if you were to find another online provider, the chances are that they have a fixed syllabus. This means that you may be taught modules that may be interesting, but are not of any use to you. With Mando Mandarin, the courses are fully customizable meaning that no time, money or effort is wasted.
Tutoring helps incredibly when it comes to learning quickly and effectively. We have already said that a tutor in a classroom environment is useful to an extent but as we know from school, it can be difficult being heard, and getting specific advice when there are thirty other people in the room.
With traditional online courses, you are allocated a teacher, but most of the communication will be through emails. This is fine, but does not address some key problems like the fact that you will not be able to hear someone actually say the words, so that you can perfect your accent and pronunciation of the language. Also by the time you have got round to sending an email to your tutor there is a chance that you may have forgotten all the issues you were having.
With Mando Mandarin, tutoring is completely live. This means it is as good as having a tutor sat next to you on a one-on-one basis. As long as you have a computer and speakers or headphones, you can talk to your tutor. This means you go through everything, line by line if you need to, pronouncing words perfectly and asking questions as you go along. They can help you with Chinese language translation too.
On top of the live tutoring, you will be sent coursework materials to help you study further.
You will receive an electronic copy of a book, Beginner’s Pinyin Book, which covers everything you need to know to first get to grips with Chinese. This twenty page book covers the important components of the Chinese language and how to pronounce the words. Importantly, there are also tests in the book so you can see how well you are doing. Your tutor will guide you through the lessons and be able to help you understand Pinyin.
Every student gets a course plan. This is unique and shows that the level of tutoring at Mando Mandarin is customized to help you achieve your goals. The plan is based on the student’s needs, and current skill level. It will look at the student’s background, work, ability to learn and what the ultimate goal is as well as the time frame in which he or she can commit. When you are learning a new language, it is important to have these clear defined goals; otherwise it is easy to lose sight of it. A personalised plan from an experienced professional means that you will have help and guidance all along the way from someone who also wants you to succeed, rather than someone who will teach a strict syllabus with no consideration over what it is you ultimately want.
Mando Mandarin has many unique teaching materials, from the live tutoring, to the fully customizable lessons, to the books and plans that are devised from its experienced team – not just taken from a textbook. The ultimate goal of Mando Mandarin is to help you succeed in learning how to speak Chinese in as short a time as possible. As long as you are happy with your course plan, and are willing to commit to completing the lessons there is no doubt that Mando Mandarin will offer the best online Chinese program that combines personalised help along with flexible learning and the ability to fit into your life so that it is not a chore, but a fun rewarding experience. If you’ve got some time to try out the best ways to learn Chinese, you should definitely check out Mando Mandarin and give a shot at their free trial lessons.
