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Q: Learn Chinese-Center or Tutor?
I have asked this question in my other account on a different expat website, but can anyone recommend either using a center or a private tutor to learn Chinese. My Chinese is not good and I had lessons before in a school but they were expensive, so, before I sigh up for any classes, can anyone tell me what price I should be paying for either a private tutor or in a language center. I assume the price will be similar for most big cities in China (I live in Shenzhen), but what should I be paying, and what books should I be using. I have heard New Practical Chinese Reader and Integrated Chinese are both good (although I have never used them), but what do other expats and Chinese teachers on here recommend? Any help would be much appreciated!
10 years 8 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
IC is pretty good, but if you really want to learn the language...
Get a local girlfriend. All it will cost you is an ipad.
ok, my personal experience and opinion...
'Tutor' after you've done some language programs (software, mp3, etc). Have the tutor correct you, and go with the tutor to places around you - museums, shopping, dinner, etc. That way, you'll build up your most needed vocabulary/grammar.
Schools tend to be too formal, and don't teach what you really need. Besides, the environment is artificial... sitting in a classroom trying to remember words and phrases that may have limited use. If you actually go to the bank, and have the tutor help you through the transactions, you're far more likely to actually learn. (and remember!!)
As Spider suggested, if you have a Chinese local as a gf other intimate, then life would become much easier - if you focus on learning Chinese - and not them using you for English!
I don't recommend you take classes unless you are just not disciplined enough to study on your own. Though they can be useful in the very beginning but they likely won't get you to a high level for a variety of reasons (textbook that is used, teaching style, classmates who clown around, inauthentic dialogue etc.). Find a graded reader and just read everyday is my advice. After reading enough you will find you have enough vocabulary to discuss with Chinese and then just talk when you get a chance.
dom87:
reading is good. Now the hard part is that most could only read pinyin and there are very few graded readers for pinyin.
if you have any please share it with me, i would appreciate it very much.
learning the signs and then start to read is also good but not all have the time to learn all these pictures ~.~
pbrown22:
That is true, there aren't graded readers for pinyin as far as I know either. You need to have a decent vocab first before using them. In my Chinese study I first used the han yu jiao cheng "汉语教程“text which introduces new words in pinyin and English. Now I'm currently using the "Chinese Breeze Graded Reader". They include a CD so you can follow along with the story. For me there aren't a whole lot of new words so far but it helps with reading comprehension. After comprehending I can go on to some more difficult reads.
There is no need for you to find teachers or classes to learn chinese mandarin. The best and most effective way is to communicate with local people. This method of studying Chinese is adopted by hanbridgemandarin, after do that, you will make progress fastly. When you teach someone, you also can learn something from him or her.
