China is a booming destination and learning Mandarin here can be a really amazing experience. Taking a course in China is much more than just a language study. It is a rich international and inter-cultural experience and it is an opportunity to develop a wide range of language, cultural and communication skills.
Languages and Dialects in China
95% of the Chinese population speak one of the several variants of the Chinese language. Other languages spoken in China include Tai, Tibetan, Lolo, Mongolian and Miao. There are also considerable Chinese-speaking communities is South-east Asian countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
There are several variants of spoken Chinese which are considered to be different languages by some and regional dialects by others. These are the most common:
• Mandarin is the most widely spoken variant of Chinese in China.
• Cantonese is spoken primarily in overseas communities, Hong Kong, Guangdong, parts of Hainan, Southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Macau.
• Xiang/Hunanese is spoken in Hunan, a south-central region.
• Hakka (Kejia) is spoken in Guizhou, Hunan, Guangdong, Taiwan, South-western Fujian, Indonesia, Singapore, Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan, and several other communities.
• Other Chinese languages/dialects include Min, Gan, and Wu.
A national Chinese language was established in 1913, although predominately based on Mandarin other regional dialects were incorporated in its development. In 1949 the language was renamed Putonghu (common language) and in 1956 it become the formal language of instruction in school rooms across the country. Today it is the most widely spoken form of Chinese.
Written Chinese
Written Chinese is made up of characters rather than letters and is based on the standard spoken language so that speakers of all variants can read it. There are roughly 3,500 basic Chinese characters which when applied in combination create around 10,000 complex characters. Many of the characters are used in the written languages of Vietnam, Japan and Korea.
Traditionally Chinese characters were written in vertical columns and read from the top to the bottom, right to left. This is still the layout used in much official documentation but today the westernised layout (horizontal rows, top to bottom, left to right) has become generally used.
As it is impossible to discern the pronunciation of a Chinese word by looking at the characters which represent it a phonetic spelling system was developed to help non-native speakers. The system is called pinyin and many Chinese products/signage show words in both characters and pinyin.
In order to type Chinese characters on a computer specialist software is needed. Specifically designed programs like NJ Star translate typed pinyin words to Chinese characters.
Is it Easy to Learn to Speak Chinese
Chinese is a notoriously difficult language to learn, but don’t let that put you off! It may take you a long time and a lot of hard work to learn but the benefits outweigh the effort.
If you plan on living and working in China then learning the language will hugely improve your career prospects and allow you to get much more out of the country socially. A willingness to try learning the language of your host nation will make a big difference to how the Chinese perceive you. Having even the most basic grasp of the language will earn the respect and appreciation of locals.
How rapidly you are able to learn Chinese depends on how much commitment you give the endeavour. If you want to speak fluently quickly it will require constant practice and complete emersion in the language.
Mingling with locals, participating in a language exchange, watching Chinese television and practising with friends are all brilliant ways of using your spare time to absorb and learn. It’s also a good idea to speak your native language as little as possible, the more you have to rely on Chinese to communicate the more quickly you will learn to speak it properly!
Constant practise is fantastic but some people find they can only learn with formal instruction. Many Chinese universities and private language schools offer lessons, but cost and time commitment can vary significantly so doing a bit of research can really pay off. Private one-on-one classes are often the best way to learn quickly, but these are usually quite pricey. In the end it’s entirely a matter of preference whether you decide to learn at a steady pace over a long period of time or engage in intensive classes.
Best Destinations to Study in China
You can find Chinese language schools throughout the country in places like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhau, Dalian and Hong Kong.
Study in Shanghai
Shanghai in China is a bustling metropolis located at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Connected with Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in the west, Shanghai is exposed to the East China Sea in the east. With a total area of 6,341 square kilometers (about 2,448 square miles) and a population of more than 13 million, Shanghai takes its place among the world’s biggest, most booming urban areas. A lot of schools are located in downtown Shanghai in the former French Quarters behind the famous Bund, the school is based in a very nice and new building overlooking a Chinese style garden square in a peaceful residential area.
Courses
Mandarin language schools in China offer Mandarin courses for juniors and adults alike, as well as specific corporate courses aimed at business people and students. By studying in China, you will study not only the Mandarin language, but also Chinese culture.
Instructors are generally all native Mandarin Chinese speakers and they are highly experienced and dedicated professionals with a lot of experience teaching Mandarin Chinese courses. They are very friendly, professional and have a university degree with a relevant education background.
Beginners Chinese Group Courses
The Standard Mandarin Chinese Course is a general Mandarin Chinese group course designed for all levels. The teaching method include tapes, role play, outdoor activities, workshops and phonetics. You can start any Monday. Course generally consist of 20 lessons of 50 minutes per week, which is 4 lessons per day. There is a maximum of 12 students per class.
Daily Schedule:
Usually 9.00 – 12.30 from Monday to Friday
There are 4 Levels:
Beginner Level
Students attending this Mandarin Chinese course have never learned Mandarin Chinese or they may have learned Chinese phonetics and a few words but can not express themselves in complete sentences. This level will focus on teaching basic Chinese vocabulary, sentence structures and grammar using everyday topics. Phonetics, tone exercises and drills ensure that students learn the correct pronunciation and intonation from the very beginning.
‘False Beginner’ Level
You already know some Mandarin Chinese or perhaps learned Chinese before but have now forgotten most of it. To acquire a good basis, you will start again from the beginning with the grammar, Chinese phonetics and basic Chinese vocabulary.
Intermediate Level
Students attending this Mandarin Chinese course can understand elementary Chinese grammar and are able to converse on general topics and may have up to a 1000 words of vocabulary in Chinese. Classes focus on improving grammar and increasing the students vocabulary. Practical texts are used to provide a greater awareness of Chinese culture and society.
Advanced Level
Students attending this Mandarin Chinese course can discuss general topics, raise complex questions, and express their opinions clearly using correct intonation and should command a vocabulary of about 2000 words. Classes focus on vocabulary building, reading, listening comprehension, and conversational skills. Class work includes reading newspapers and listening to news broadcasts. Students are taught advanced spoken and written Chinese.
Junior Courses
Junior and teen courses run from age 5 up to the age of 18, depending on the location. Accommodation is either with a host family or on campus. Younger teenagers are supervised at all times while older students are given a curfew by their parents which is enforced by host families and schools.
In general, classes for Juniors are held in the morning with activities and excursions in the afternoon. Activities provided vary from school to school. Some are included in the price and some are optional particularly for older students who will be given a certain amount of free time.
All courses for Juniors are designed so that the students gain knowledge of the language primarily, but also to be immersed in the culture of the country they are studying in, and having fun at the same time.
Combined Group + Private Classes
Combined Mandarin Chinese group course with 4, 8 or 10 private Mandarin Chinese lessons. This is a 20 morning-lesson standard course combined with 4, 8 or 10 private lessons per week in the afternoon. The private lessons allow you to go thoroughly into grammar or any of your weak points. You can also choose to study different topics according to your level and in agreement with your teacher.
Private Classes
Private One 2 One or Two 2 One. These are private courses designed for those of you who wishes to make the most of their Chinese course and learn at their own pace.
Language Certificates
Across China the standardised test for speaking Chinese as a foreign language is The Chinese Proficiency Test or Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK). There are over 140 HSK test centres within China and overseas in which testing is frequently held. HSK certificates of proficiency are an almost globally recognised qualification and are issued by the State Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China.
There are several different HSK test levels; Basic, Elementary-Intermediate and Advanced. Within each level candidates complete sections for listening comprehension, reading comprehension and grammar and are then issued a score based on their knowledge. Whilst the HSK certificates are permanently valid the score report expires after two years.
FAQ
Accommodation
Courses can be booked with or without accommodation.
Start Dates
Most months, starting every Monday.
Activities
Schools arrange different activities such as trips in the city you study and around China and cultural activities. There are activities almost every day. The concept behind providing these activities is simple: they want you to have the opportunity to visit places and participate in activities that are interesting and fun, and they want to put you into a situation where you have the chance to practice Chinese and have fun at the same time!