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