Best Way to Learn Chinese
- Joined: Feb 25th, 2009
- Posts: 5
I have a couple of(maybe not so)quick questions. I think I have read through the relevant strings on the forum which has been helpful. There seems to be general agreement that 1:1 tutoring or teaching is the most effective means to make rapid progress in learning Chinese. Are small classes, say 2-4 people just as good, especially since there is potentially a more varied conversation situation?
I am struggling with what is the most efficient means - private tutor vs. school setting. Schools would seem to have superior materials, established protocols and methods. My experience with tutors has thus far been less than stellar. "Flexibility" has been a euphemism for no real plan or program. Quit asking me what book I would like to use or what I would like to learn! Chinese, dammit! Maybe my experience has not been typical, however. Any comments?
If I select a school, I will probably choose between TLI and CLE. I looked at several others but they didn't seem to measure up to these two. For rapid advancement, TLI looks the most promising be so $$$! Does anyone have any additional information about TLI?
Lao Arthur
sweet_learner
Re: Best Way to Learn Chinese
Said by whom? By the 1:1 tutors?
That depends on the WHAT more then the HOW. 1:1 can be bad, 30 people in the class can be good if the teacher is excellent.
Schools are businesses. Their primary aim is to make money, and to make money from you as much as possible and as long as possible. Nuff said.
It ends often in a friendly chit-chat, or sex. Can be nice, not not really productive when it comes to language learning.
Yes.
Keep in mind that those tutors usually have no experience in teaching CFL. They believe that every native speaker is automatically qualified. Fact is that a foreigner is usually better in teaching a language that is not hist first language. They know the pitfalls better.
I would do it like that:
"F" schools or classes
Learn on my own (incl. reading characters)
Observe what I learn, identify my weaknesses.
Then get a 1:1 tutor and instruct them exactly what I want to learn and how I want to learn.
Yes, tutors have no plan of their own. If you have no plan it's an aimless waste of money, but if you have one it can be quite efficient.
HuanChu
Re: Best Way to Learn Chinese
And of course, that isn't limited to the Chinese. Way too many foreigners get off the boat and think they should be paid 200RMB an hour just because they have been speaking English as native language for the last 25 years.
But you are right, I think tutors should supplement school based classes. A class with 4 - 8 students would be good, then have the Chinese tutor with you for a few more hours a week to concentrate on your weaker areas.
Better choose a teacher with TCFL certificate if possible. Though the paper doesn't always mean a better teacher.
A very smart man wrote:
sweet_learner
Re: Best Way to Learn Chinese
That's why I said "foreigners" and not "Chinese". Applies to me too. Being a native speaker of something doesn't make me qualified at all. In fact, I did some teaching some years ago and I now for sure know that I am not qualified.
I also suggest not to do "language exchange". If you really want a tutor hire one and pay for it.
Provoke interactions with Chinese people and make every interaction with people a lesson. Make every taxi ride a lesson (I do, and the drivers seems to enjoy it too).
Take advantage of it when the waiters in the noodle shop are not busy. Ask for help on the street (even if you don't need any help). And. And. And.
Or as the great Cantofishwife said: Ask questions were you know the answer already.
arthurmclarty
Re: Best Way to Learn Chinese
Thanks for the comments. Regarding schools, yes, I know they are for-profit businesses. If their product is good, if they can produce results, I don't mind paying a chunk of change. I suspect there are several that are roughly equivalent, the difference being the discipline and perseverance of the student rather than any intrinsic superiority. Because of a hectic and erratic work schedule a 1:1 rather than classes is an easier match, and, based on my academic history, I think I need structure as well as convenience for me to do well. In 10 weeks or so I will know if my assumptions are correct and school selection appropriate.
Lao Arthur
Niu Bi
Re: Best Way to Learn Chinese
I've found that the best way to learn Chinese is in a school setting. You get a teacher up in the front showing you how to write (and therefore read) and pronounce characters.
Supplement that any way you like - but I found that I learned best on my own with my Chinese character book and repetition upon repetition of writing.
If you learn how to write a character then you've also learned how to read it. Learning how to speak comes with time but I've found that getting right into the writing is the best way to learn the language.
Tommy Wang
Re: Best Way to Learn Chinese
I had been working as an announcer in a broadcasting station for more than 10 years before I came to Beijing to study English at Beijing Foreign Studies University. I speak quite standard mandarin and have Standard spoken Chinese horizontal checkout rank certificate first levels of first-class.
I hope I could find a friend from the States or Canada to study languages together. I speak a little English to communicate so it's better you could also speak a little Chinese. My contact is 13911223917. I hope it’s free each other.
huangli
Re: Best Way to Learn Chinese
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golden
Re: Best Way to Learn Chinese
everyone is different.
the outcome of the study is the accumulation of the chinese knowledge which depends on the teacher and the one being taught.
according to some formula including many parameters, we can calculate and get the answer. the bigger the value is , the more progress u get.
so, 1-1, 2-4 group, small class, big class, that is not very important, just choose the best way for u, that means the biggest value under some cost of time and money