Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🌆 How to learn Chinese in Newbury and what are my options in terms of commitment?
Besides self-study using apps, you have 4 primary opportunities for learning Chinese interactively in Newbury. First, universities and community colleges are an especially good idea for in-state residents. Also, ask about the centers for continuing education and professional studies (they are cheaper.) Your 2nd option can be local private language academies that are better priced and flexible in schedule and requirements. Third, government-supported learning centers usually offer cheaper group and more expensive in-person courses. Finally, you can choose a private Chinese tutor in Newbury. If flexibility is key, you can compare local Newbury and online Chinese tutors.
🎟 Is it cheap to learn Chinese and what do Chinese tutors charge?
For university and college courses you can estimate Chinese course cost as 1/10th of the yearly tuition (one course is usually 3 out of 30 credit hours offered) to get the price of 1/2 of a hundred course hours each semester. Language centers and private Chinese tutors charge $30-55 per hourly group lesson, with individual classes starting from $50 or more. Some of the less pricey Chinese tutors can be found online, with rates on Preply averaging 13 and tutor rates varying widely based on tutor country of residence, availability and specialization. Average reviews for Chinese lessons on Preply is 4.96 out of 5 stars.
📚 How much Chinese do I need to know to sign up for a course?
When considering college and learning center classes be prepared pass a few pre-requisites. All classes vary widely in terms of textbook quality, homework volume and graded tasks, so research each program in advance. With personal Chinese tutors you can read real feedback for whom the tutor is effective with and which other expertise they make available (like classes for adults, etc.) For better flexibility, choose a tutor from many teaching online.
🔥 Why is Chinese so hard and are there ways to learn it in a better way?
Formal language instruction practiced in schools is not the most effective way to learn Chinese. As proven by others before, you can gain basic Chinese fluency in 300 hours from zero knowledge. Studying and getting feedback five hours a week you will be able to understand many sentences, have simple conversations, get proficient in daily routines in about a year. Finding native speakers is not a practical option for everyone, so online classes are a rapid and easy way of acquiring the basic knowledge of Chinese. After gaining basic skills, online marketplaces like Preply have Chinese tutors who specialize in intensive classes for intermediate and advanced speakers.
🤷 How long does it take to achieve a good level of Chinese?
Some people brag about their natural ability and learn languages quickly, but for most to go beyond the basics and gain working fluency in Chinese will take at least 600 hours of practice. The required duration of time can differ a lot depending on your available level of Chinese or knowledge of other languages in the same group. After alphabet and basic reading it is a good idea to use the language as often as possible: watch television, start a journal or write posts and comments using your new language skills, try to communicate with native speakers to speak with, try as many as possible ways to think and speak in Chinese out loud. If this is not easy you can also take conversational Chinese classes online.
🤳 Can I choose my own Chinese coach?
In learning centers, it's possible that you can choose your own tutor (from up to a dozen teachers). Online, certainly! The largest selection of approved Chinese tutors with video profiles and customer reviews is available on online language learning 'supermarkets' like Preply.
🗓 What time of day and on which days are classes available?
Colleges usually offer classes twice a week over a semester (75-day period). Language schools as a rule make available shorter, 8-week, 12-week, and 16-week course sessions. Online, the number of lessons is really up to you, with early morning, day, evening and night classes available, on weekdays and/or weekends.