But! You don’t have to do this all alone. There are also a variety of different classes and tutoring services at your disposal. We at DigMandarin have developed this brief guide to provide an overview of your options, rating them based on accessibility, flexibility, cost, quality of curriculum, and quality of learning environment.

Whether you’re just setting off on your Chinese journey, coming back to your studies after a break, or simply looking to make a change, this guide is for you. Selecting the right kind of Chinese class will not only help you make progress more quickly, but it will also help you stick to a structured routine. If you’re in a learning environment that makes you feel more engaged, then studying will also feel like less of a chore. Are you feeling ready to take the next step? Let’s get into it.

• Confucius Institute: The Best Classes for Chinese Language and Culture Immersion Learning
• Local Chinese Schools: The Most Immersive Learning Experience
• Local Private Chinese Tutors: The Highest Amount of Individual Attention
• Online Chinese Tutors and Classes: The Most Flexible Approach

Confucius Institute: The Best Classes for Chinese Language and Culture Immersion Learning

Named after the famous ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, this organization was established by the Chinese government to promote the Chinese language and culture overseas. You can expect their teachers to be extremely qualified, true experts in Chinese second language education. Its branches are usually connected to a university, meaning its courses are generally accessible for those living in major cities or university towns. Tuition costs can vary from location to location, but you can expect their offerings to be less expensive than credited university courses. Some of their classes can even be free.

Furthermore, because all branches are a part of the same organization, the curriculum and teaching style are rather uniform. The Confucius Institute is well known for its courses geared towards preparation for the HSK (汉语水平考试), the official Chinese language proficiency exam, and the BCT (Business Chinese Test). If you have professional or academic aspirations, then these courses can help you make major strides towards your goals. However, their curriculum extends far beyond that and includes courses in cultural arts such as calligraphy, painting, and Tai Chi. They offer many different enrichment opportunities spanning from on-campus activities to group outings and even overseas trips.

The Confucius institute is an excellent option for students who benefit from a well-structured approach. The traditional classroom setting can be pretty hit or miss. Some people find that it helps them remain focused, while others find it bores them. The established course content is very comprehensive, at the cost of flexibility. Even though the Confucius Institute offers classes for all levels, the standardized curriculum focuses on general fluency and may not help you learn about niche topics that interest you. There’s also a lack of schedule flexibility. The classes that you want to attend may not be held at a time that’s convenient for you.

Overall, the Confucius Institute is best suited to students who are interested in following a standard curriculum, live near a university, and enjoy a traditional classroom setting.

• Accessibility: ★
• Flexibility: ☆
• Courses: ★★★★★
• Teacher Professionalism: ★★★★★
• Pricing: ★★
• Learning Atmosphere: ★★★★★

You can explore the list of Confucius Institutes worldwide to find one that is near your location.

Local Chinese Schools: The Most Immersive Learning Experience

As an alternative to universities, local Chinese schools may offer a similar quality of curriculum at a lower price point and in a more immersive learning environment. These schools are generally established by diaspora communities to provide cultural and linguistic education. Naturally, you’re more likely to find these schools in your area if you’re located in a region with a higher population of Chinese people, such as a major city or certain suburbs.

Many of these schools provide daily classes for children and offer classes for adults on a less frequent basis. So again, the schedule may or may not work for you. The true benefit of local schools is the level of immersion that they provide. Each school is its own community, and you’re going to connect with a lot of native speakers and other students to practice with.

In comparison with the Confucius Institute, you can expect a very standard curriculum that will focus more on general education than test preparation. The quality of the teaching methods may vary from school to school, but local Chinese schools also tend to hire teachers with strong qualifications and experience in teaching Chinese as a second language. If you have multiple Chinese schools in your area, you may have to visit more than one to find the right fit for you. To gain insights into the quality and reputation of schools in your area, consider checking review platforms such as Trustpilot, which feature reviews and ratings from past and current students.

You can also expect the cost to vary. In some regions, local Chinese schools may be less expensive than coursed with the Confucius Institute, while in other regions the opposite may be true. It’s generally worthwhile to compare your own school’s prices to those of the Confucius Institute to find the most cost-effective option.

Overall, local Chinese schools are best suited to students who are looking to connect with a community, have a flexible schedule, and may have a relatively limited budget.

• Accessibility: ★★☆
• Flexibility: ★★
• Courses: ★★★
• Teacher Professionalism: ★★★★
• Pricing: ★★★
• Learning Atmosphere: ★★★★

Local Private Chinese Tutors: The Highest Amount of Individual Attention

There are many reasons why you may decide to go with private tutoring instead of a group class setting. You may not have access to any local schools or Confucius Institute branches. Perhaps you find that the traditional classroom setting doesn’t click with you. Or maybe your goals fall outside of a standard curriculum. Naturally, this option costs quite a bit more than group classes, but the benefits may well outweigh the costs for you.

First, let’s discuss the kinds of private tutors that may be available to you. They generally fall into two categories: teachers with training in Chinese second language education and native speakers who are offering their insight. Obviously, the level of professionalism and lesson curriculum have a high variability, which is why it’s essential to find a tutor who can meet your specific learning needs. Beyond that, you’ll find that those who have more teaching credentials will charge quite a bit more than those who are just starting out, so you should consider what kind of learning experience you’re looking for: do you want a fully fleshed out Chinese course, or are you just looking for conversation practice to complement your independent studies?

Fortunately, private tutors can offer the most specialized curriculum. When you’re in a one-on-one context, your tutor can prepare lessons that will both provide you with the foundation you need but also focus on topics and skills that are most relevant to you. You’ll also find that a private tutor will give you more specific feedback, so your fluency will increase at a much faster rate.

Why go to the trouble of finding someone local? Well, a local tutor can provide in-person sessions either at your home or in public, which can be more engaging and help you form a stronger personal connection. But beware, it’s important to choose a location where you can remain focused during your lessons. If you have kids running around your house or get distracted by the hustle and bustle of a café, it may be time to move somewhere else.

Given the fact that the quantity and quality of local tutors available change drastically from place to place, it’s important to do your due diligence. Many teachers who have their own websites will post testimonials from previous students, and some online platforms will rank tutors based on their credentials and reviews. If you’re meeting someone from a less regulated platform like Craigslist, for example, be sure to always meet the person in public before going somewhere private. Safety first!

Overall, local private tutors are most suited to students who are looking for a flexible curriculum and schedule and who have a little more budget to dedicate to their Chinese studies. If this sounds like you, but there aren’t any suitable tutors available in your specific area, stay tuned for the next section. We’ve got you covered!

• Accessibility: ★★★
• Flexibility: ★★★★
• Courses: ★★☆
• Teacher Professionalism: ★★
• Pricing: ★★★★
• Learning Atmosphere: ★★☆

Online Chinese Tutors and Classes: The Most Flexible Approach

While the kinds of classes available can change depending on if you live in New York City or rural England, rest assured that you can still get the same kind of structure and support from purely online options. Being connected to the internet means being connected to the largest worldwide network of Chinese teachers, courses, and other learning resources. Online classes offer the highest level of flexibility, so they’re an excellent option for busy students, full-time workers, or parents.

Online classes with private tutor

First, let’s talk about private online tutors. There are a variety of services online that can connect you with qualified tutors around the world. iTalki and Preply are two such options that allow you to search through a catalogue of registered teachers to find one who suits your needs, including budget, schedule, learning goals, and preferred teaching style. However, it can take a long time and a lot of effort to figure out if someone is the right fit based on their online profile. If you’re willing to put in the work, these can be the most flexible and cost-effective options.

• Accessibility: ★★★★★
• Flexibility: ★★★★★
• Courses: ★★★
• Teacher Professionalism: ★★
• Pricing: ★★★
• Learning Atmosphere: ★

One-on-one Chinese classes

Otherwise, there are exclusively Chinese-focused options like Touch Chinese, which can match you with tutors that they have personally vetted for quality of curriculum and teaching style. These services may cost a little more, but the quality of their lessons is guaranteed. You can have confidence that you’ll be working with an experienced teacher who knows how to help you achieve your goals. Because there is a smaller number of tutors available, the schedule may be somewhat limited compared to the vast catalogue available on freelance websites.

• Accessibility: ★★★★★
• Flexibility: ★★★★
• Courses: ★★★★
• Teacher Professionalism: ★★★★
• Pricing: ★★★
• Learning Atmosphere: ★★★

Video Chinese classes

Then, let’s talk about online classes. There are asynchronous online classes, such as the ones we provide here at DigMandarin, which can provide a strong foundation in the Chinese language. These kinds of courses are extremely accessible because you can log in to them anytime, anywhere. Another advantage is that most asynchronous courses have a pay once, access forever structure. When you find that you have a little extra cash, it’s a worthwhile investment to pay for a course that you can choose to start at any time. You can also start a course, take a break for a while, and resume whenever you’re ready to get back on the horse. Online courses provide a structured curriculum that can help you work towards specific goals, such as HSK preparation or mastering pronunciation. A winning combination is using an asynchronous online course as a foundation paired with private tutoring sessions to address specific goals and practice speaking.

• Accessibility: ★★★★★
• Flexibility: ★★★★★
• Courses: ★★★
• Teacher Professionalism: ★★★★
• Pricing: ★
• Learning Atmosphere: ★

Real-time online Chinese group classes

Beyond that, there are also real-time online Chinese group classes. Generally speaking, these will cost less than private sessions but follow a more general curriculum. Some learners prefer group classes because having a scheduled class every week keeps them accountable. However, just like with local Chinese schools and the Confucius Institute, you’re at the mercy of their schedule. For example, small group classes with the well-known online teacher ShuoShuo Chinese are extremely popular because of their excellent curriculum and friendly learning environment, but if you live outside of her time zone, it’s possible that her classes take place in the middle of the night for you.

• Accessibility: ★★★
• Flexibility: ★★★★
• Courses: ★★★
• Teacher Professionalism: ★★★
• Pricing: ★
• Learning Atmosphere: ★★

Overall, online tutors and classes are best suited to students who live far away from major cities, are looking for a more personalized approach, or are looking to supplement other learning methods. The amount of online classes and tutors is so vast, it’s truly a build-your-own Chinese education model.

Where to go from here

There’s a lot of information to process here! Don’t worry, it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed. To help you find your footing and establish your next steps, here’s a simple exercise:

Grab a piece of paper (or your notes app on your phone) and write out a few points.

• Location
• Schedule
• Cost
• Curriculum
• Environment

And from there, rank them from most important to least important based on your personal needs and priorities. Looking at this list should give you an idea of which options on this list will work best for you. For example, if being in an immersive environment is high on your list, but your schedule is flexible, then seeking out a local school is probably a good idea. If having your own custom curriculum is more important to you than cost, you may choose to go the private tutoring route.

This guide is merely a starting point, and while we can provide our own insights and experience, you are a unique individual with unique needs and goals. We can’t prescribe a one-size-fits-all learning plan, and in fact, we’d like to hear from you too. What are your experiences with previous Chinese classes and tutors? Did you love some and hate others? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Chinese Classes Near Me: How to Find the Best Chinese Classes and Tutors appeared first on .

Among these courses is the AP Chinese Language and Culture course, a unique program that combines Chinese language skills with cultural understanding. This course not only aims to enhance students’ Chinese language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, but also immerses them in the cultural, social, and historical aspects of Chinese-speaking communities. The course aims to enhance language proficiency through a variety of authentic resources and real-world tasks. It’s an ideal choice for students interested in deepening their understanding of Chinese language and culture and gaining valuable skills for global communication, all while earning college credit.

• AP Chinese Course Objectives
• AP Chinese Course Content and Learning Resources
• AP Chinese Exam Format
• Preparing for the AP Chinese Course and Exam
  • Prerequisites for AP Chinese Course
  • Tips for Preparing for the AP Chinese Exam
  • Recommended platforms for AP Chinese exam preparation
  • Recommended books for AP Chinese exam preparation

AP Chinese Course Objectives

The AP Chinese Language and Culture course is designed with specific objectives to enhance students’ Mandarin Chinese proficiency and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture. The primary goal is to develop strong language skills across listening, speaking, reading, and writing, aiming to reach a high level of fluency.

AP Chinese’s Four Key Language Skills

In addition to the language skills, cultural understanding and communication goals are central. Students are immersed in learning about Chinese traditions, societal norms, and cultural practices, fostering an appreciation for cultural diversity and global perspectives. Furthermore, the course emphasizes the importance of effective and appropriate communication within Chinese-speaking environments. By engaging with various real-life contexts and interactive activities, students improve their ability to express themselves clearly in Mandarin. Preparing for the AP exam is also a key focus, as the course equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

AP Chinese Culture Goals

Through this comprehensive approach, the AP Chinese Language and Culture course aims to prepare students not only for academic success but also for meaningful engagement with the Chinese-speaking world.

AP Chinese Course Content and Learning Resources

A wide range of topics are covered in the AP Chinese Language and Culture course, each designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of various aspects of Chinese society and culture. Topics include contemporary life, where students explore current issues and trends in Chinese-speaking communities; families and communities, which explores family structures, social relationships, and community values; science and technology, focusing on advancements and their impact on society; and global challenges, where students discuss environmental, political, and social issues facing the world today.

In terms of materials, the course utilizes a diverse array of texts and resources to support learning. Students engage with authentic materials such as newspaper articles, literary works, and online media, providing a real-world context to their studies. Audio and video materials, including news broadcasts, films, and interviews, are also integral to the course, offering students exposure to various dialects and aspects of spoken Chinese.

Additionally, immersive activities and multimedia presentations are used to enhance language skills and cultural understanding. Interactive tools like language learning apps and online platforms play a significant role in enhancing listening and speaking skills. Websites offering Chinese news, cultural articles, and language exercises are commonly used for up-to-date and relevant content. For writing practice, students might use blogs or forums to engage in discussions in Chinese.

Online resources like Quizlet offer flashcards and study games for vocabulary building, while websites like MandarinBean.com, Du Chinese and BBC Chinese provide additional reading and listening practice.

These varied resources ensure that students not only learn the language but also gain a comprehensive insight into the Chinese-speaking world.

AP Chinese Exam Format

The AP Chinese Language and Culture exam is divided into two main sections: Multiple Choice and Free Response. Each section assesses listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. It is designed to assess students’ ability to understand and use Chinese in a range of contexts, mirroring the kind of proficiency expected in real-world situations.

Preparing for the AP Chinese Course and Exam

Prerequisites for AP Chinese Course

To better prepare for the challenges of the AP Chinese Language and Culture course, allowing students to fully engage with and benefit from the advanced material, some prerequisites are necessary.

1). Chinese language foundation

A solid foundation in Mandarin Chinese is essential. Students should have skills equivalent to at least two to three years of high school Chinese study. This includes a strong grasp of basic grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to comprehend and communicate simple ideas in Chinese.

As this course involves extensive reading and writing, at least 1,000 to 1,500 Chinese characters are required.

The course also includes audio materials in various dialects and accents. Therefore, students should also be able to engage in basic conversations and express their thoughts in spoken Chinese.

2). Cultural Understanding

A basic understanding of Chinese culture, traditions, and societal norms is beneficial. This knowledge supports the cultural components of the course and helps in understanding context.

3). Study Skills and Motivation

The AP Chinese course is rigorous. Students should have strong study habits, time management skills, and a high level of motivation to learn and excel in the course. Actually, this is not only a must for AP Chinese, but for all courses.

Tips for Preparing for the AP Chinese Exam

1). Practice regularly

Consistency is key in language learning. Dedicate time each day to practice various skills like listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

For vocabulary expansion, regularly learn new words and phrases, utilizing tools like flashcards, apps, or online platforms for effective memorization.

Listening skills can be sharpened by engaging with Chinese audio materials, starting with simpler, slower content and gradually progressing to more complex, faster-paced dialogues.

Speaking practice is equally important. Joining language exchange groups or conversation clubs can greatly improve fluency, as regular interaction with native speakers or fellow learners offers practical speaking experience.

2). Use authentic materials

Engage with materials used by native speakers, such as Chinese newspapers, films, TV shows, and podcasts. This exposure helps in understanding real-world language use and cultural nuances.

3). Do more mock exams

Take practice exams to familiarize yourself with the format and time constraints of the AP exam. This helps in identifying areas for improvement and easing your test anxiety.

4). Immerse yourself in Chinese culture

Learn more about Chinese culture, history, and current events, not only from textbooks, but more from media, podcasts, newspapers, movies, etc.

5). Use study guides

Utilize AP Chinese study guides and textbooks that specifically prepare students for the exam format and content.

6). Seek feedback

For a more structured approach, consider working with a professional Chinese tutor. Regularly ask Chinese teachers or native speakers for feedback on your language use, pronunciation, and grammar. This approach is equally effective when it comes to writing.

Recommended platforms for AP Chinese exam preparation

Many platforms provide a range of comprehensive resources and tools beneficial for students preparing for the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam.

• Albert

Albert’s AP Chinese Language exam prep focuses on developing an understanding of Chinese language, culture, and contemporary society. It’s a resource for practicing and enhancing language proficiency along with cultural understanding.

• Stanford Online High School

This site offers a variety of print and online text and audio-visual materials to examine aspects of both traditional and modern Chinese culture. It’s useful for students looking to acquire vocabulary and characters and to sharpen listening, speaking, and composition skills.

• CTY

This resource provides a college-level challenge, covering topics typically found in a university course. It’s geared towards students in Grade 9 and above, offering extensive preparation for the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam.

• Aralia

Aralia focuses on strategies and knowledge necessary to attain a target score on the AP exam. It aids in developing proficiency in reading, translating, speaking, and analyzing Chinese, as well as quickly comprehending and responding to questions.

Recommended books for AP Chinese exam preparation

These books provide comprehensive coverage of the AP curriculum with exercises tailored to exam preparation.

• Integrated Chinese

• Barron’s AP Chinese Language and Culture Premium

• 5 Steps to a 5: AP Chinese Language and Culture

• Strive for a 5: Preparing for the AP Chinese Language and Culture Examination

Final Remarks

The AP Chinese Language and Culture course offers significant value and importance for students. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to earn college credit and achieve advanced standing in universities, potentially saving time and money. Beyond academic benefits, the course significantly enhances language proficiency. Students develop comprehensive skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Mandarin Chinese, which is invaluable in an increasingly globalized world.

Furthermore, the course deepens students’ understanding of Chinese culture, history, and societal norms, enriching their cultural knowledge and global awareness. This cultural immersion aids in fostering better communication and understanding in diverse environments. Additionally, mastering Chinese through this course opens doors to various career opportunities in international business, diplomacy, and more, as China plays a pivotal role in global affairs. The AP Chinese course, therefore, not only prepares students academically but also equips them with vital skills and insights for personal and professional growth in a multicultural world.

The post AP Chinese: A Comprehensive Course and Exam Overview appeared first on .

In this article, we will present a handpicked selection of Mandarin Chinese phrasebooks, each carefully chosen to cater to different learning objectives and styles. From comprehensive guides for serious learners to colorful and interactive books for those seeking a more engaging learning experience, this list offers something for everyone. Our focus is not just on the breadth of phrases and vocabulary but also on the context and usage, ensuring that you can communicate effectively and authentically in various Mandarin-speaking settings.

Join us as we explore these varied phrasebooks, each a unique window into the world of Mandarin Chinese, and find the perfect fit for your Chinese learning journey.

• Chinese Phrasebooks for Travelers & Expats
• Chinese Phrasebooks for Beginners and Casual Chinese Learners
• Chinese Phrasebooks for Serious Chinese Learners
• Chinese Phrasebooks for Fun and Creative Chinese Learning

Chinese Phrasebooks for Travelers & Expats

Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook

This is a comprehensive guide designed to enrich cultural experiences for travelers in China. The book is widely acclaimed for its relevance and utility, offering a vast array of Mandarin phrases and vocabulary that cater to various travel needs. Users appreciate its practicality, noting how it helps in ordering authentic street food, engaging in local games like mah jong, and even bargaining in markets. Its popularity is underscored by its status as a product of the world’s leading travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet, renowned for its reliable and user-friendly travel resources.

One of the standout features of the phrasebook is its inclusion of cultural tips and etiquette advice. The book also contains a comprehensive food section, which is particularly beneficial for travelers looking to explore China’s rich culinary landscape.

It is also available in an auditory format with a CD. This is especially beneficial for mastering pronunciation and understanding the spoken language’s nuances. The audio components assist travelers in ordering dishes, asking for directions, and engaging in conversations with locals, thereby deepening their immersion into the Chinese culture and language.

Rough Guide Mandarin Chinese Phrasebook

This is a comprehensive phrasebook tailored for travelers in China. It stands out for its user-friendly approach, providing clear guidelines on Mandarin pronunciation and tones, crucial for effective communication. The book also explores cultural nuances, offering dos and don’ts that are invaluable for travelers navigating diverse social situations in China. This focus on etiquette and cultural tips makes it more than just a language guide; it’s a window into understanding Chinese culture.

Beyond the basics, it contains over 5,000 words, covering a wide array of scenarios that a traveler might encounter – from booking hotel rooms to interacting in local markets. The Rough Guide series is known for its quick key word referencing, making it easy for users to find the phrases they need swiftly. The inclusion of practical information on making phone calls, using ATMs, and other travel essentials further adds to its appeal for travelers looking to immerse themselves in Chinese life and language. The audio is also free for readers to download and use.

DK Eyewitness Travel Phrase Book Mandarin Chinese

This practical phrasebook is packed with common Mandarin phrases and essential vocabulary, tailored for both leisure and business trips. Its organization by subjects like transportation, dining, shopping, and healthcare makes it incredibly user-friendly, allowing quick access to the information needed in various situations.

What sets this book apart is its blend of utility and visual appeal. It not only provides essential phrases for scenarios ranging from hotel stays to restaurant visits but also enhances the learning experience with word lists and vivid photographs. This approach not only simplifies the process of learning basic Mandarin phrases but also makes it more enjoyable. It is a highly recommended resource for anyone planning to navigate Mandarin-speaking environments, be it for travel or general language acquisition.

Survival Chinese (phrasebook & dictionary)

Authored by Boye Lafayette De Mente and Jiageng Fan, this phrasebook has been well-received for its user-friendly format and effectiveness. It stands out for its straightforward approach, offering the essential vocabulary and phrases necessary for various situations. It is especially useful for travelers and beginners in Mandarin who need to communicate effectively without in-depth knowledge of the language.

The book is designed to alleviate the stress and fear often associated with language barriers. Overall, “Survival Chinese” is more than just a phrasebook; it’s a companion for anyone looking to overcome the challenges of communicating in Mandarin, offering a blend of practical language tools and cultural insights​.

Instant Chinese: How to Express 1,000 Different Ideas with Just 100 Key Words and Phrases!

This book’s central concept is straightforward yet effective: by mastering just 100 carefully selected words and phrases, a learner can express a vast array of ideas, essentially communicating 1,000 different things. It seems an innovative approach to learning Mandarin Chinese. This method, crafted by author Boye Lafayette De Mente, is particularly beneficial for beginners or travelers who need to quickly pick up essential Mandarin without the complexity of learning a vast vocabulary.

The author’s selection focuses on words that are frequently used in everyday conversation, ensuring that learners spend their time effectively by focusing on practical and commonly used language. This approach not only simplifies the learning process but also accelerates the learner’s ability to communicate in Mandarin. The book’s premise is grounded in the belief that a small, well-chosen vocabulary is the key to effective communication, especially in situations where learners need to speak Mandarin instantly and with confidence.

Chinese Phrasebooks for Beginners and Casual Chinese Learners

BBC Mandarin Chinese Phrasebook and Dictionary

This resource is part of the BBC’s renowned series of phrasebooks and is available in various formats, including a Kindle edition and paperback. Its straightforward presentation and organization make it easy for users to quickly find and learn the phrases they need.

The phrasebook’s coverage of basic Mandarin words and phrases for common situations is designed to be accessible and practical. With a focus on real-world application, the guide ensures that users can communicate effectively in Mandarin in a range of settings, from asking for directions to ordering food. The book includes a small but comprehensive two-way dictionary, a pronunciation guide, and a menu reader, enhancing its usefulness for non-native speakers.

Chinese Phrases For Dummies

This is an accessible and practical guide for anyone looking to quickly pick up essential Chinese phrases. It is an excellent addition to the “Chinese for Dummies” series by Dr. Wendy Abraham  but stands strong as an independent resource. It’s tailored to offer hundreds of useful phrases right at the reader’s fingertips, enabling them to speak Chinese instantly in various everyday situations. The approach is straightforward and user-friendly, catering particularly to beginners who need to communicate effectively in Mandarin without delving into complex grammar or extensive vocabulary.

The phrasebook is well-received by its readers, who appreciate its simplicity and direct approach to language learning. It’s formatted in a way that’s easy to navigate, making it a handy tool for quick reference.

Easy Chinese Phrase Book

The “Easy Chinese Phrase Book: Over 1500 Common Phrases for Everyday Use and Travel” by Lingo Mastery is recognized for its practicality and effectiveness. This book caters particularly to beginners and travelers. It compiles more than 1,500 common phrases that are essential for daily communication and travel situations, making it an ideal tool for those new to Mandarin or those who have previously found language learning to be challenging.

What sets this phrase book apart is its focus on phrases that are most relevant and useful in real-life scenarios. This makes it not just a learning tool but also a handy companion for communication with Chinese speakers in various contexts – whether it’s mingling with friends, interacting with colleagues, or dealing with clients. Lingo Mastery has designed the book with the goal of helping language learners find the best expressions for everyday use in China.

It is available in multiple formats, including an Audible audiobook, making it accessible for different types of learners.

Crash Course Chinese

“Crash Course Chinese: 500+ Survival Phrases to Talk Like a Local” is an essential guide for anyone looking to quickly grasp essential Mandarin phrases. Authored by Celine Li, the book focuses on providing over 500 survival phrases that enable learners to communicate effectively in Mandarin, as if they were locals. This approach is particularly beneficial for beginners who need to speak Chinese confidently in a short period. The book promises to teach the reader to speak Chinese in hours, using phrases taught by a native speaker.

The phrasebook has garnered positive reviews from users who appreciate its straightforward, practical approach. It is designed to simplify the learning process, making it accessible for people with little to no background in Mandarin. This makes “Crash Course Chinese” a valuable resource for rapid language acquisition, especially for those who aim to speak Mandarin fluently and naturally in everyday contexts​.

Chinese Phrasebooks for Serious Chinese Learners

2000 Most Common Chinese Words in Context

“2000 Most Common Chinese Words in Context: Get Fluent & Increase Your Chinese Vocabulary with 2000 Chinese Phrases” is a comprehensive Mandarin Chinese language learning tool that stands out for its practical approach to vocabulary acquisition. This book is centered around the idea that mastering the most frequently used 2000 words in a language can significantly enhance learners’ understanding of it. According to studies mentioned in the book, knowing these words allows learners to comprehend a vast majority of what is used in everyday speech, as well as in non-fiction and fiction literature.

The book is highly praised for its inclusion of examples and the use of Pinyin, making it easier for learners to grasp pronunciation and usage. With its focus on the most essential vocabulary, the book is designed to be an effective learning tool for beginners and intermediate students of Mandarin. By concentrating on the most critical words and phrases, it offers a practical and efficient path to language mastery​.

Essential Mandarin Chinese Phrasebook & Dictionary

This phrasebook and dictionary combo aims to boost the confidence of its users in speaking Mandarin by providing practical language tools. It includes a variety of significant sentences for common situations such as meeting people, starting conversations, and responding to questions, making it a resource for both beginners and intermediate learners.

The book also features a basic guide to Chinese grammar and pronunciation, which is instrumental for learners to start speaking Mandarin effectively. The inclusion of both phrases and a dictionary component ensures that users have a comprehensive resource at their fingertips for navigating various conversational scenarios. Overall, it stands out as an essential tool for anyone looking to communicate with confidence in Mandarin, offering a blend of practical phrases and foundational language knowledge.

Chinese Phrasebooks for Fun and Creative Chinese Learning

Making Out in Chinese (Revised Edition)

This is a dynamic and engaging phrasebook that offers a unique perspective on learning Mandarin Chinese. This book is part of the “Making Out” series, which is known for its fun and accessible approach to language learning, particularly focusing on how languages are spoken on the street. It is specifically designed for informal situations, such as bars, parties, or any setting where understanding and using slang is beneficial.
The phrasebook is an excellent guide to contemporary Chinese that  is actually spoken in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, and Singapore. It serves as a perfect introduction to everyday interactions in Chinese-speaking countries, encompassing not just standard phrases but also colorful slang that can enliven conversations and help learners sound more like a local. It is appreciated for its ability to make the learning process both enjoyable and comprehensive.

Dirty Chinese: Everyday Slang from “What’s Up?” to “F*%# Off!”

Authored by Matt Coleman, a University of Queensland Chinese Language graduate with six years of experience in China, this is a unique phrasebook that introduces the informal and street language of modern Chinese. It is tailored for those who wish to grasp the everyday slang that you wouldn’t typically learn in a formal language class. It covers a range of expressions from cool slang and funny insults to explicit terms and raw swear words, providing a real taste of how the language is used colloquially on the streets of China.

While the book is celebrated for its presentation of real-life slang usage in Mainland China and its effectiveness in enhancing communication in both professional and community settings, some readers have pointed out its structural shortcomings. The book is noted to provide words within sentences but lacks substantial context and a detailed explanation for each term, which some learners might find limiting in terms of gaining a deeper understanding of the language. It’s particularly useful for travelers, expatriates, or anyone interested in gaining a more holistic and street-level understanding of Mandarin Chinese.

Chinese Slanguage  / More Chinese Slanguage

“Chinese Slanguage: A Fun Visual Guide to Mandarin Terms and Phrases” by Mike Ellis is an innovative and engaging guide designed to make learning Mandarin Chinese fun and accessible. The book employs a unique method: it uses visual prompts and encourages readers to read English words aloud, which surprisingly transform into Mandarin phrases. This approach simplifies the language learning process and makes it more enjoyable, especially for casual learners.

This book goes beyond basic conversation to include phrases for medical or legal emergencies and terminology for hotels and airports. This wide range of content makes it a handy companion for travelers and anyone interested in getting a quick grasp of Mandarin for everyday situations.

But don’t take the pronunciation it presents seriously. If you really want to learn this language with a serious attitude, then choose formal resources that are  more reliable. Overall, this guide offers a fresh and enjoyable way to start speaking Mandarin, appealing to those who want to learn the language in a more relaxed and less formal manner​.

Chinese Picture Dictionary Coloring Book

This is a distinctive and engaging resource for learners of Mandarin, suitable for all ages. With over 1500 Chinese words and phrases, this book offers a creative and visual approach to language learning. The unique feature of this dictionary is its interactive design, combining language learning with coloring activities. As learners color the illustrations, they can simultaneously learn Mandarin words, presented in simplified Chinese characters and Pinyin, accompanied by English translations. This hands-on method is particularly appealing to visual learners and children, making language learning a more playful and enjoyable experience.

Users have appreciated the book’s ability to merge learning with an enjoyable activity, making it a fun way for both adults and children to learn Mandarin.

Mandarin Chinese Picture Dictionary: Learn 1,500 Key Chinese Words and Phrases

This is an innovative language learning tool that covers 1,500 of the most useful Mandarin Chinese words and sentences. Each entry is presented in Chinese characters, accompanied by Hanyu Pinyin pronunciation and English definitions, making it accessible for learners at all levels. The words are thoughtfully grouped into 38 different themes and topics, which help in contextual learning and make it easier for learners to remember and apply the vocabulary in relevant situations.

This resource is designed to make language learning more engaging than traditional phrasebooks. It is particularly suitable for beginners of all ages, including those preparing for AP and HSK exams, as the book includes online audio that complements the written material. The visual and auditory components combined make this picture dictionary a unique and effective tool for learning Mandarin Chinese. Its combination of visual illustrations, audio support, and thematic organization makes it a valuable tool for anyone interested in learning Mandarin, whether for academic purposes, personal interest, or practical use​.

A Final Word

The world of Mandarin Chinese is vast and diverse, just like the range of phrasebooks available to guide you through it. Each book in our list offers a unique approach to learning and using Mandarin, whether your goal is to navigate the streets of China with confidence, enrich your language skills for academic purposes, or simply enjoy the process of learning a new language in a creative and engaging way.

Remember, the key to mastering Mandarin, or any language, lies in finding resources that resonate with your personal learning style and objectives. By selecting a phrasebook that aligns with your needs, you’re setting yourself up for a more enjoyable and effective learning experience. So, whether you’re a visual learner drawn to picture dictionaries, a traveler in need of a practical guide, or a student preparing for a proficiency exam, there’s a phrasebook out there tailored just for you. Happy learning!

The post The Ultimate Mandarin Chinese Phrasebook Collection: From Basics to Slang appeared first on .

As you read this list, think about how you would feel in each learning environment and ask yourself a few questions:

• Do I like being in a big group class where I can practice and socialize with other students, or do I feel anxious or distracted when there are so many people?
• This class takes place at night. Do I really have energy for studying after spending the whole day at work? Is there a weekend option instead?
• Online classes seem really convenient, but will I find it easier to focus when I’m face-to-face with my teacher?
• I really like the idea of a personal tutor, do I have enough money to pay for a lesson each week? Can I do a lesson every two weeks instead?

When there are so many different factors to keep track of, think of the things that are going to have the highest impact on your learning experience. For example, if your budget is really limited, but your schedule is more flexible, then you can focus on the options that meet those requirements.

1. The Confucius Institute in Montreal

Named after the famous ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, this organization was set up by the Chinese government to promote the Chinese language and culture overseas. Its branches are usually connected to a university, in Montreal being Dawson College. However, because they are a part of the same organization, the curriculum and teaching style is rather uniform. Due to the rigid structure, I would recommend these classes for anyone wanting to see what it’s like learning the language or wanting to pick it up again. They also offer HSK preparation classes. The HSK exam is the official government-recognized Chinese proficiency test; it is highly recommended to take it if you want to work or study in China.

While the course descriptions and other information about the Institute is available on the Confucius Institute in Quebec website, the course schedule for each session will be posted on the continuing education section of the Dawson College website. With a price tag of $240 CAD per 30 hours of instruction each semester, these courses are quite budget friendly compared to the cost of private tutoring.

2. Local Montreal Chinese Schools

If you’re looking for a learning experience that goes beyond linguistic knowledge and helps you become more engaged with Chinese culture, look no further than Montreal’s own local Chinese schools. Here you’ll find a more immersive learning environment than anywhere else. Each school is like its own community, making it an ideal space for not only studying the language and culture but actually engaging with it as well. These schools are an excellent option for families as they have classes available for both children and adults. Thanks to the fact that these schools are non-profit, they are often more affordable than other options as well.

A) The Montreal Chinese School 蒙城中華語文學校

This non-profit school was established over 40 years ago, in 1983, with the aim of promoting overseas Chinese linguistic and cultural education. Located in Saint Laurent, it’s accessible via public transportation, but it is a far more convenient trip if you drive a car. All of their classes are held on Sundays, making them a practical option for adults with full-time work or studies as well as busy families. Classes are held for two hours each week, and you can expect to pay around $250-$300 CAD for each semester, making this one of the most cost-effective options on this list.

Their course offerings for children are very diverse, covering not only Chinese language and culture but also other school subjects including math, English, and French. One of the unique things about their Chinese classes for children is that there are classes intended for both native and non-native speakers, meaning that your child can come and learn even if they do not speak Mandarin at home already.

For adults, they offer conversational Chinese classes for both lower and upper levels. While they don’t offer the same variety of courses that they have for younger learners, the adult conversation courses are available both in the morning and afternoon, meaning that you can likely find a timeslot that works for your schedule. Plus, it can be a convenient opportunity for you to take classes at the same time as your children.

B) JiaoHua School 佳华学校

Located on the same campus as Dawson College, the JiaoHua School is another non-profit Chinese school offering a huge variety of courses for school-age children and a smaller selection of conversational classes for adults. What sets it apart from The Montreal Chinese school mentioned above is that they offer weekday evening classes and even online classes. The tuition cost can vary greatly, with adult classes starting at approximately $120 CAD and some weekday children’s programs costing around $360 CAD.

Their course offerings for children include Mandarin Chinese classes for both native and non-native speakers, other academic subjects, and fine arts. Their adult Chinese courses take place both in-person and online on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 11:20am. Bear in mind that registration for each school year begins well in advance, with in-person and online registration for the fall semester beginning as early as April. I would also recommend this school for parents who are looking to learn alongside their children or who may be looking for extracurricular activities for their children.

C) Learn Chinese with Anna

While formal Chinese schools and university programs offer a more structured learning experience, sometimes they can be too rigid in terms of both schedule and curriculum. This is where going with a personalized tutor may be more your speed. While hiring a tutor will generally cost more than the previously mentioned courses, you may see that you feel more engaged and progress faster when you can focus on the content that is most relevant to you. A one-on-one or small group approach will also ensure that you receive more individualized attention and feedback, which can be crucial for helping you reach your learning targets.

With an overflowing list of positive reviews and a history of collaboration with major Montreal organizations, including Desjardins and UQÀM, Anna has earned her stellar reputation. Her qualifications cannot be overstated: she has a master’s degree in second language education and over 20 years of teaching experience. What I find truly excellent is that your lessons with her can be whatever you need them to be. Anna offers one-on-one lessons, small group sessions, and large group classes. She is also ready to adapt to whatever your learning needs and goals are, including HSK preparation, business Chinese, daily conversation, and travel. She also nails the convenience factor because she holds her lesson in-person, online, and even by telephone if need be. When it comes to pricing, there is a high variability that depends on class size, lesson length, and other factors. Anna herself will provide you with an individualized quote when you get in contact. I think it’s pretty clear that Anna offers a true one-stop-shop for Chinese lessons, where she’ll act as your personal tailor.

3. Online Chinese Tutors

When learning a global language like Chinese, sometimes you need to consider that the best teacher for you may not currently be in Montreal. If you think that might be the case for you, no worries, we’ve still got you covered. Online tutors from all around the world can offer even more flexibility in terms of schedule and price point, but you may have to put in more research to find the right person to help you reach your learning goals.

A) iTalki

iTalki is an online foreign language tutoring platform that offers one-on-one sessions with thousands of tutors from all around the world, including over 1,300 tutors for Mandarin Chinese. The biggest selling point of this service is its level of flexibility: flexible schedule, pricing, and lesson types. As opposed to other tutoring services, you are not assigned a specific tutor. You’re in the driver’s seat and have complete control over which tutors you’d like to reach out to and try a lesson with. Many tutors on iTalki offer discounted trial lessons, which allows you to get a feel for their teaching style before committing to more classes.

       One downside to having so much control is that it can take a lot of time and effort to research tutors, checking their qualifications, reviews, availability, and prices. You can search for tutors based on specific criteria, such as teaching credentials and whether or not they’re a native speaker of Chinese. Another thing that can help you select a suitable tutor is through video introductions that you can find on each tutor’s profile. It’s amazing how quickly you can tell if someone is a good match just based on the vibes from their video clip.

B) Touch Chinese

Touch Chinese is a completely different experience from iTalki for a few reasons. Namely, Touch Chinese is exclusively focused on providing the best quality tutoring experience specifically for Mandarin Chinese. They very carefully vet all of their teachers to ensure that they have the necessary teaching experience and provide an engaging experience for students. You can read all of their teachers’ profiles and request a specific one, or you can allow them to match you with someone who fits your schedule and learning needs. They offer free trial classes to ensure that you’re paired with the teacher who is right for you.

While initially this may seem like a very formal approach, I’ve found that Touch Chinese’s tutors are always ready to adapt to my unique learning needs. They can offer more structured classes for HSK preparation and business Chinese, or they can provide conversation practice with specific feedback. While Touch Chinese’s services may cost a little more than independent tutors on iTalki, there’s a much higher standard of quality.

BONUS: Language Meetups in Montreal for Practicing Chinese

Just one of the many great things about living in Montreal is that it’s a lively city full of activity. As a global hotspot for linguists and polyglots, there are several free meetups all over the city where you can come and sharpen your language skills.

1) Mundo Lingo Montreal

Mundo Lingo is an event held in many different cities around the world, from Nanjing and Osaka to New York and even Montreal. Essentially, it’s a free meetup held once or twice a week in a bar where people gather to practice their various languages. Typically, everyone wears flag stickers to indicate which languages they speak to facilitate finding a partner.

Mundo Lingo Montreal posts updates on their Facebook group regularly. As of 2023, the event is held every Wednesday at 7pm at Clébard in the Plateau and every Friday at 7pm at Abreuvoir in the Quartier Latin. Keep in mind that these events are 18+, and since they are held in a bar, it is generally polite to order at least one drink or food item. In my own experience, it’s a very fun and lively atmosphere that allows you to get out of your comfort zone. If you’ve been studying Chinese for a while and want to practice speaking in a low-pressure environment, Mundo Lingo could be a good match for you.

2) Community Culture Exchange

If the party atmosphere of Mundo Lingo feels like a bit too much, Community Culture Exchange might be more your speed. Held every third Wednesday of the month at 1pm, this Chinese-English/French language exchange event welcomes learners of all levels and backgrounds. In small groups, participants play games and have friendly conversation first speaking only in Chinese and then speaking in only English or French. This event is held at Chez Alexandre downtown, making it extremely accessible. You can RSVP to this event in advance on their Meetup page.

That’s a lot of information! Where do I go from here?

With so many different learning formats and options available, it can be difficult to process and figure out how to proceed. Ultimately, you are the only person who is going to know what the best choice for YOU is. When you read this list, were there any options that really piqued your interest? Did you see anything that really excited you? That’s usually the best starting point.

An easy way to begin is to pick two options that interest you the most and take the time to personally look at their websites or reach out to them for more information. You may find that one of them simply works better for your needs. If you’re having trouble deciding, you may even want to consider a hybrid approach! For example, you can supplement in-person or online Chinese courses with one-on-one tutoring to help you progress even faster.

The path to learning Chinese is a long one, so taking the time to find an approach that makes you feel engaged and happy is extremely worthwhile.

If you’re based in Montreal yourself, have you checked out any of these options before? Are there any that we missed? Leave us a comment down below, and we’d love to what you have to say!

The post Learn Chinese in Montreal: Which Classes and Tutors are Right for You? appeared first on .

Equally important in this learning process is choosing the right learning material. A well-chosen book can significantly impact your learning progress. It’s essential to select a book that aligns with your learning objectives, whether it’s passing a Chinese proficiency exam, improving conversational skills, doing business with Chinese people, or understanding Chinese culture. The right book is often well-structured and systematic. It not only guides you through the complexities of the language but also keeps you engaged and motivated throughout your learning journey.

• Understanding Different Learning Levels
• Top Books for Beginner Chinese Learners
• Top Books for Intermediate Chinese Learners
• Top Books for Advanced Chinese Learners
• Specialized Chinese Learning Books for Different Needs
• Learning Strategies and Tips

Understanding Different Learning Levels

Usually, different levels of Chinese learners have distinct needs, and learning books cater to these varying requirements. But how do you choose the good ones?

For beginners, the foundation is always about understanding the basic knowledge of Mandarin Chinese, mastering pronunciation, and acquiring vocabulary. Beginners need books that introduce basic grammar and vocabulary in a simple, engaging way. Take pronunciation as an example, some books only include one lesson on it, if you don’t have a tutor to do more intensive extra practice, it’s definitely not enough. Usually, no matter if it’s for self-learning or learning with a teacher, a beginner’s book should include detailed pronunciation instructions and practice exercises. The content should present it in small, manageable sections to prevent overwhelming the learner.

For intermediate learners, vocabulary and grammar are the most vital parts. Make sure the grammar points are well explained and the vocabulary is truly at the intermediate level.  Some books might include many unnecessary advanced words. Books for intermediate learners should offer authentic texts, which introduce nuances of the language and encourage reading without Pinyin.

For advanced learners, reading and writing in paragraphs is highly valued. So the variety of topics and richness of the content should be considered carefully when choosing learning books. Advanced books often focus on specific aspects of the language, like formal writing or business communication. There’s less emphasis on language rules and more on usage, idioms, and style.

If there is a certain aspect you need to improve, such as speaking, writing, test preparation, or business conversations, then choose a book that focuses on that point. There are books that place emphasis on certain skills across all levels. For example, if you want to improve your reading level, then your target book should offer texts of increasing complexity, with exercises to improve comprehension. You can always find a book that caters to your needs.

Top Chinese Books for Beginners

For complete beginners, traditional textbooks are the most common pick because it offers the most structured and systematic approach. Books like “Integrated Chinese,” “HSK Standard Course,” and “New Practical Chinese Reader” are popular choices, each with their unique and effective approaches to teaching essential pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

HSK Standard Course Series

These books are tailored for learners preparing for the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) Chinese proficiency tests. They align closely with the HSK exam’s structure, covering the vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension required at each level. They offer systematic and in-depth training with exercises and mock tests that mimic the actual exam format, enabling learners to track and improve their proficiency. HSK Standard Course also progressively introduces Chinese characters, helping beginners transition from Pinyin to reading and writing characters.

Integrated Chinese

This series is known for its balanced approach to teaching speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. It introduces vocabulary and grammar in a contextual manner, focusing on language use in everyday situations. The lessons are structured to gradually build up language proficiency, starting from basic phrases and sentences to more complex structures. Integrated Chinese uses a mix of Pinyin and characters from the start, encouraging learners to familiarize themselves with Chinese script early on.

New Practical Chinese Reader

This series, which is designed to develop communicative competence, is often used in schools. It starts with basic vocabulary and grammar, presented through thematic lessons that reflect real-life situations. The New Practical Chinese Reader series includes cultural notes and background information to enhance students’ understanding. It uses a combination of Pinyin and characters, with a gradual shift towards more character-based content as the learner progresses. The books include a variety of exercises focusing on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

To complement this series, we’ve developed a video course tailored to the New Practical Chinese Reader textbooks, enhancing the learning experience.

Oxford Beginner’s Chinese Dictionary

This is a resource for those starting to learn Chinese. Designed for easy use, it features clear entries with Pinyin, essential vocabulary tailored for beginners, and practical grammar and usage tips. Unique to this dictionary are the cultural insights, enriching the learning experience by connecting language with its cultural context. Additionally, it often includes thematic word lists and may offer digital resources for an enhanced learning experience. This dictionary is more than just a language tool; it’s a comprehensive guide for beginners getting deeper into both the language and culture of China.

Top Books for Intermediate Chinese Learners

Developing Chinese

This series is comprehensive and is often used in academic settings. It systematically introduces vocabulary and grammar concepts, with each lesson building on the previous one. The books use real-life dialogues and texts to provide context for the language elements being taught. They emphasize practical usage and include a variety of exercises to reinforce learning. The series also integrates cultural elements, helping learners to not only prepare for the exams but also gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and its linguistic nuances, which is especially beneficial for intermediate learners. Alongside the comprehensive course, this series also includes listening, speaking, and writing courses at each level, which make it a one-stop-shop for Chinese learners.

Complete Mandarin Chinese

This is a comprehensive guide recommended for learners aiming to reach an intermediate level in Mandarin. This book stands out thanks to its thorough coverage of essential language skills, including advanced vocabulary, complex grammar structures, and practical conversation scenarios. It focuses on real-life language use, enabling learners to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in a balanced manner. With its clear explanations, varied exercises, and cultural notes, “Complete Mandarin Chinese” is an ideal resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of the language and progress beyond the basics.

Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar 

This book offers a clear and detailed overview of complex grammar structures in Mandarin. It is a comprehensive guide, blending traditional and function-based approaches to Mandarin Chinese grammar in one volume. The book is split into two parts: Part A focuses on grammar categories like phrase order and different usages, while Part B centers on language functions such as communication strategies and expressing regrets. Both parts are interlinked with detailed cross-references, enriching the understanding of grammatical patterns with a functional perspective. The grammar points are illustrated with examples emphasizing contemporary usage. Ideal for learners from beginners to intermediate, this book doesn’t require previous grammar knowledge. It includes a glossary of terms and pairs with a separate workbook for exercises. This makes it a comprehensive reference and learning tool for Mandarin Chinese.

A New China: An Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese

Now in a revised single-volume format, this book has established itself as a key textbook for intermediate Chinese language learning. This updated edition integrates the previous two-volume set, reflecting significant changes in China over the past decade. The book, written from the viewpoint of a foreign student newly arrived in China, offers contemporary lessons and materials on China’s evolving landscape. It starts with the student’s initial experiences in Beijing, covering everything from airport arrival to university dorm life. The new edition includes lessons on everyday activities like laundry and haircuts, along with cultural experiences at the zoo, night markets, and the Great Wall. Later sections address China’s current social and political topics, such as divorce and urban traffic challenges. “A New China” is comprehensive, with detailed grammar instructions, extensive vocabulary, and exercises. It also presents content in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters.

Top Books for Advanced Chinese Learners

Advanced Reader of Contemporary Chinese Short Stories: Reflections on Humanity

This collection of contemporary short stories is a great resource for advanced learners. It helps in understanding complex sentence structures, offers insights into Chinese society and culture, and introduces the advanced student to some of the most important Chinese writers. The stories are followed by detailed explanations of difficult phrases and comprehensive language activities. This book is suitable for learners at a high intermediate or advanced level who already have a good grasp of Chinese characters. However, if you find character recognition challenging, the vocabulary lists included will be particularly beneficial.

Eyes on China: An Intermediate-Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese

This is an ideal learning resource for intermediate to advanced Chinese language learners. This book offers a deep view into modern Chinese through a collection of compelling and contemporary readings. Covering a wide range of topics, from cultural trends to social issues, it provides learners with an authentic glimpse into China’s current affairs and everyday life. The book is designed to enhance language skills, particularly reading and comprehension, by presenting complex sentence structures and advanced vocabulary. Each article is accompanied by thorough explanations and vocabulary lists, making it an effective tool for improving both language proficiency and cultural understanding. “Eyes on China” is a valuable asset for learners aiming to achieve a higher level of fluency and a deeper insight into modern Chinese society.

All Things Considered: Revised Edition

This is a thoroughly revised textbook that effectively transitions learners from intermediate to advanced Chinese. Addressing contemporary and stimulating topics relevant to Chinese society, such as wealth disparity, environmental challenges, and evolving views on marriage and sex, the book fosters student engagement and discussion. The first twelve lessons are presented in dialogue form, while the rest feature articles from Chinese newspapers and magazines, exposing students to both spoken and written Chinese. This structure not only provides diverse content but also reinforces learning through repetition of topics in different formats. The new edition of “All Things Considered” presents an improved, user-friendly layout with text and vocabulary on adjacent pages and updated grammar explanations and exercises, making it an ideal resource for advanced Chinese language learners seeking a comprehensive and relevant learning experience.

Specialized Chinese Learning Books for Different Needs

Books to Help Improve Chinese Speaking Skills

New Target Chinese Spoken Language

This series is an innovative set of textbooks specifically designed for learners aiming to enhance their spoken Chinese skills. These books cater to a range of levels, from beginner to advanced, focusing on practical, everyday language use. The series adopts a conversational approach, with each book structured around real-life scenarios that learners are likely to encounter, from basic introductions to more complex social interactions. This method not only helps in building a robust vocabulary and understanding of grammar in a conversational context but also aids in developing listening and speaking skills. The lessons are complemented by cultural insights, making the learning process both comprehensive and engaging. This series is an excellent choice for learners who want to focus primarily on improving their oral communication skills in Mandarin Chinese.

Conversational Chinese 301

This is a widely acclaimed textbook designed for learners aiming to develop practical communication skills in Mandarin Chinese. Renowned for its focus on real-life conversational scenarios, the book comprises 40 lessons, each structured around common daily interactions and dialogues. This setup allows learners to quickly grasp essential vocabulary and sentence structures relevant to everyday situations. The fourth edition updates outdated texts to reflect current social life, adding terms like “high-speed rail,” “express delivery,” and “WeChat.” The lessons are concise yet comprehensive, making them ideal for both classroom use and self-study.

Resources to Help Improve Chinese Listening Skills

China Focus – 《中国微镜头：汉语视听说系列教材》

The “China Focus” series is a comprehensive set of language textbooks specifically designed for Chinese audio-visual courses. The series utilizes a wide array of audio-visual materials drawn from contemporary Chinese society, including documentaries, news, situational dramas, interviews, entertainment programs, short films, advertisements, and songs. It leverages an abundance of online video resources to create a classroom teaching environment based on natural language use. The series is categorized into six levels according to the difficulty of the audio-visual materials and covers various themes such as society, economy, culture, education, life, love, and art. Each theme is further divided into several topics, with each topic compiled into a separate volume. The language component of the series encompasses common communicative functions and scenarios across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, making it an ideal resource for learners seeking to enhance their listening skills in Mandarin.

Developing Chinese: Listening Course

• Elementary Listening Course 1
• Elementary Listening Course 2
• Intermediate Listening Course 1
• Intermediate Listening Course 2
• Advanced Listening Course 1
• Advanced Listening Course 2

This series is excellent for beginner to advanced learners, offering a range of listening exercises that cover various topics and situations. It’s designed to improve comprehensive listening skills and includes recordings of native speakers.

Resources to Improve Chinese Reading Skills

Chinese Breeze

“Chinese Breeze” is a well-regarded graded reader series designed to enhance the reading skills of Chinese language learners. Tailored for beginner and intermediate learners, the series offers a variety of engaging stories, each written using a limited number of unique Chinese characters. This controlled vocabulary approach makes the stories accessible and enjoyable for learners, helping them to build confidence and fluency in reading Chinese. The series covers a wide range of genres, from mystery to romance, providing cultural insights and language learning in an entertaining format.

Mandarin Companion

The “Mandarin Companion” series is a collection of graded readers specifically designed for Chinese language learners. This innovative series reimagines classic Western and Chinese stories, adapting them into simplified Chinese using a controlled vocabulary suitable for beginner and intermediate learners. The unique approach of the “Mandarin Companion” series makes reading in Chinese more accessible and enjoyable, helping learners to improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary in a context-rich environment. The series is acclaimed for its ability to seamlessly blend language learning with engaging storytelling, offering stories in various genres that captivate readers while simultaneously enhancing their Mandarin skills.

Bonus e-based reading resource

Mandarin Bean

Mandarin Bean’s graded reading content is an excellent resource for learners looking to improve their Chinese reading abilities. It offers a diverse selection of stories from ancient to modern China, suitable for learners of all levels. The website features Chinese folktales, idioms, news, jokes, stories from the Three Kingdoms period, and fun modern narratives, providing a rich and engaging learning experience. With Mandarin Bean, learners can build and expand their vocabulary, master Chinese sentence patterns, and immerse themselves in iconic parts of Chinese history and legends. Each article is structured to aid learning while being entertaining, featuring bilingual text in simplified Chinese, Pinyin, and English. A Chinese-only version for self-assessment, key vocabulary lists, sentence patterns with contextual examples, and engaging exercises are also available. The content is enhanced with learning tips and cultural insights and includes free audio recordings by native speakers to aid in listening and speaking practice. This approach makes Mandarin Bean’s graded reading content a valuable tool for learners exploring an exciting adventure in Chinese language learning.

Chinese History and Culture: Idioms, Legends, and Literature

Chinese Stories for Language Learners

This is a great resource for passionate Mandarin learners at an intermediate level, who are looking to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Chinese stories. This bilingual book offers a rich selection of 31 stories, ranging from ancient folktales and proverbs to tales of historical figures and modern narratives. It’s a comprehensive tool for expanding essential vocabulary and mastering over 60 Chinese sentence patterns, all contextualized within engaging stories. The book provides a unique insight into iconic Chinese history, legends, and wisdom, including witty idioms and proverbs with their original stories, enhancing cultural knowledge. Each story is presented in simplified Chinese, Pinyin, and English, with a Chinese-only version for self-assessment. Key vocabulary lists, sentence patterns with contextual examples, engaging activities, and learning tips ensure a well-rounded educational experience. “Chinese Stories for Language Learners” is more than just a learning resource; it’s a companion for an enjoyable and insightful journey into Chinese language and culture.

Chinese Stories for Language Learners: A Treasury of Proverbs and Folktales in Bilingual Chinese and English

This is a captivating book that presents 22 classic Chinese proverbs and the traditional tales behind them, ideal for intermediate and advanced Mandarin learners. Each story is bilingual, with Chinese and English text on facing pages, accompanied by explanations of the proverbs’ current usage, cultural notes, vocabulary, and discussion questions. The book includes audio recordings by native speakers, enhancing pronunciation and comprehension skills. The book features proverbs like “画龙点睛” “守株待兔” and “水至清则无鱼,” explaining their rich cultural and historical contexts. These stories offer insights into ancient Chinese wisdom and its relevance today. This collection serves as both an educational tool and an engaging way to expand vocabulary and deepen understanding of the Chinese language, whether in a classroom setting or for self-study.

Dream of the Red Chamber – 《红楼梦》

For those interested in classical Chinese literature, this novel is a treasure trove of advanced vocabulary and classical sentence structures. It’s both challenging and rewarding for advanced learners, offering a deep dive into the richness of the Chinese language and its literary heritage.

Learning Strategies and Tips

To make the most out of Chinese learning books and enhance your learning experience, consider incorporating these strategies.

1.   Learn actively and regularly

Engage actively with your learning materials. Reading is not enough. Pick up your pencil and try to write down new Chinese characters and phrases, create your own sentences, then use them in context. This active engagement helps reinforce what you’ve learned.

Consistent practice is vital in language learning. Dedicate a regular time for practice every day, even if it’s just for a short duration. This strategy will make you digest the knowledge more effectively

2.   Repetition

Many learners love to learn new knowledge and are eager to progress very fast. Never forget to repeat the content you’ve learned previously. It’s not a fun process, but very helpful. There is always something new you can find and understand in the second or third time you review the content.

3.   Build your learning net

Sometimes you may find that memorizing a single character or grammar pattern is very challenging. That’s because you don’t have a large learning net. Always put the words and patterns in context. This would involve associating characters or patterns with usages and meanings, which is much easier for you to remember and understand.

You may also find that a word or grammar point may have different meanings or uses, but at different levels. You should learn each meaning one at a time, as they come up for you. You will get a clearer understanding of each unique use. There are numerous grammar collections or word usage summaries you can read. We will put a reference at the end of this article for you.  

4.   Seek feedback

Most learners hate tests, but it’s actually a really important part of the learning process. Think of it not as seeking insult but knowing your learning status. You can have your writing checked by a teacher or a native speaker. Or have a quiz after each learning stage or lesson. It’s an easy way to know the areas you need to improve and understand your mistakes.

5.   Incorporate different skills

A holistic approach to Chinese learning can significantly enhance your overall proficiency. You can integrate various language skills, including reading, speaking, listening and writing, into your study routine. For example, if you’re learning Chinese writing, you could read Chinese newspapers or books to see how words are used in context, engage in conversations with native speakers to improve your fluency and pronunciation, and listen to Chinese podcasts or songs to enhance your comprehension and listening skills. Each skill complements and reinforces the others, leading to a more comprehensive and effective learning experience.

Conclusion

Choosing books that align with your learning style and objectives is crucial, as the right resources can significantly enhance your understanding and retention of the language. Alongside this, embracing diverse and effective learning strategies—such as incorporating various language skills, utilizing spaced repetition, and engaging with native content—will exponentially boost your language proficiency. With the right learning materials and a committed approach, the journey of learning Chinese can be as rewarding as it is transformative.

Reading References

• A Collection of Resources for Learning Chinese Characters– Books, Videos, Courses, Apps, Tools
• Recommended Chinese Textbooks
• Recommended Business Chinese Textbooks For Different Levels
• Where To Find the Best Chinese Graded Readers
• Chinese: Sentence Structures & Exceptions
• Chinese Speaking Practice Guide for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced learners
• Chinese Listening Practice Guide for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Learners
• Chinese Reading Practice: A Guide for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced learners
• The Most Recommended Online Chinese Courses
• Most Recommended Resources
• Specialized Textbooks Geared Toward K12 Students
• Amazing Books for Kids Learning Chinese
• The Best Chinese Picture Books for your Kids

The post A Comprehensive Guide to Chinese Learning Books appeared first on .

If you find yourself in London and are uncertain about where to start with Chinese classes, consider the following list of recommended schools in various parts of the city.

• Confucius Institutes in London
• Local Chinese Schools in London
• Online Chinese Tutoring for London-Based Learners

Confucius Institutes in London

Named after the famous ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, this organization was set up by the Chinese government to promote the Chinese language and culture overseas. Its branches are usually connected to a university. However, because they are a part of the same organization, the curriculum and teaching style is rather uniform. Due to the rigid structure, I would recommend these classes for anyone wanting to see what it’s like learning the language or wanting to pick it up again. They also offer HSK preparation classes. The HSK exam is the official government-recognized Chinese proficiency test; it is highly recommended to take it if you want to work or study in China.

Here are three recommendations:

• The Open University-  They proudly offer the first fully online Confucius Institute, expanding accessibility to learners from diverse backgrounds and locations. According to their website, this approach allows them to reach learners who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn Chinese and explore Chinese civilization and culture.

• London South Bank University- This branch specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This means that in addition to providing classes to prepare for the HSK exams, LSBU also offers classes teaching different types of TCM including acupuncture and therapeutic massage. They also offer a variety of art courses including martial arts and music. Furthermore, they are also an official registered HSK test center.

• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)- While attached to a major university, this Confucius Institute in London focuses on teaching Chinese for business purposes. Consequently, their courses are more concentrated and may include one-on-one and tailored group classes. They also offer resources such as talks on conducting business in China and networking events.

Local Chinese Schools in London

Local language schools are spread throughout the city, providing convenience and face-to-face interaction with instructors and fellow students. This in-person experience can be highly beneficial for those who prefer real-life social interactions and seek a more immersive learning context. It allows you to share experiences and study tips with classmates at a similar level of Chinese. Here are some options:

• The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) – Instead of partnering with a Confucious institute, SOAS in London has designed their own set of curriculums for Chinese courses. They cater to all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes after the beginner level are taught online. SOAS also offers specially tailored courses that can either be one-on-one or in small groups. On their website, SOAS not only highlights the course’s aim but also outlines their method of teaching and what each class covers. They also mention the textbook material the course uses. I like that they were able to take advantage of their university resources and develop shorter courses for non-university students to experience the SOAS teaching style.

• The Chinese School– Based in London, they offer two beginner lessons free of charge. According to their website, these sessions are “designed and taught to the same standard with our fee-paying courses.” The school outlines what will be taught in the free lessons, including learning basic pinyin and tones, starting on basic Chinese characters, greeting people and introducing yourself. I like that within this deal, they also provide a crucial introduction to Chinese culture, providing context for the characters. The school also offers exam preparation for HSK levels 5 and 6. In addition, they offer extensive classes for young learners from Beginner all the way to Advanced. The Chinese School offers structured trips and classes in China. Also, to help further reinforce the learning content, they regularly publish content on their blog about how language and culture interact.

• China Unbound-  Also based in London, this school highlights their teaching as the “personable way.” I like that they offer a variety of class options. Classes include corporate training on how to understand Chinese business practices better, three levels of group classes and one-on-one sessions. The school also offers Cantonese classes. You can book a trial session on their website. According to their website, “we have developed a distinctive teaching approach that works, try it before you decide.” In the free trial, I like that China Unbound also offers to create a customised learning plan, showing the potential learner what they could study with them. The school also offers the free trial in-person or online to suit the needs of the prospective learner in question.

• Mandarin Manhattan- Originally established in the United States, this school has opened a branch across the pond, specifically for adult learners in London. One selling point I thought was very useful is tutors who are experienced in teaching the curriculum for the Chinese GCSE. In addition, the school provides a free trial, in which the student is paired with the teacher most suitable to their background and goals. The school also provides both the textbook and workbook, as well as any other supplementary material. Mandarin Manhattan also provides trips to the local Chinatown, providing more cultural background.

• Julie Private Mandarin Tutor– Julie is a tutor based in North London. Specializing in tutoring children, her teaching method focuses on learning vocabulary through activities and games. On Julie’s website, there is a gallery showing past sessions. However, for older students, not only does she offer tutoring for Chinese GCSE exams, but she also offers teaching up to A-level. Even though there isn’t a free trial available, on the homepage of her website there is a link to inquire about getting a quote, customized to your needs as well as being able to see testimonials of past customers.

• Lingo Class- A school based in central London, they offer classes for not just Mandarin but also Korean, Japanese and Cantonese. I like that on their website, Lingo Class offers additional online free resources. On the Mandarin resources page, they have free quizzes, such as one to find out your HSK level, or you can even take a mock HSK test. With their private tutoring, they offer both in-person or online sessions. According to their website, it is their most flexible option. The private classes also include a customized lesson plan. “These lessons are designed around your individual language goals, whether it be to pass language examinations, find work abroad or simply take up a new hobby.”

• Practical Mandarin- A school based in London, which also offers an impressive online option. They provide three different options to suit your level: Online Booster, Fluency Top up and Make it Regular. All three options are different prices and have different durations. On their website, Practical Mandarin highlights the fact that they have adapted their content with their new e-learning platform. As a result, it is available to teach to students who prefer having an online interface. Their claims are backed it up with testimonials from past students who were taught with their online sessions.

• City Lit- A charity based in central London, they provide tutoring for adults. One way they cater to adult learners is by creating flexible options, such as developing more online classes than in-person options. According to their website, City Lit “ [offers] a range of Chinese (Mandarin) courses at various levels to take you from a complete beginner to a confident speaker of the language.” Most of their classes are on weekday evenings. I like that they have a personal touch, posting a video of each of their teachers introducing themselves and showing their teaching style.

Online Chinese Tutoring for London-Based Learners

Whether you’re a busy professional or a student swamped with exams, if you desire a more customized learning experience with increased flexibility, a private one-on-one tutor might be an ideal choice for you. You can learn Chinese wherever and whenever you want.

• Preply-  Preply is completely online. The website offers a large variety of languages. After you’ve chosen your target language, Preply asks a few short questions to help find the most suitable selection of tutors, for example reason for learning, level of Chinese and budget. I like that there are additional filters to help narrow down your search. For example, if the tutor knows any other languages, what your availability is or if they specialize in a certain area such as preparing for the HSK exam. I like that each teacher has a very detailed profile. This includes how many hours of lessons they’ve done and a rating out of five stars from past students. In addition, each teacher has an introductory video, with a link to view their schedule if you scroll over their profile.
• Touch Chinese – In contrast to general online language learning platforms that encompass Chinese among many languages, opting for a dedicated online Chinese school can offer in-depth and specialized instruction in this target language. There are numerous online Chinese schools to choose from. Take Touch Chinese, for example, where all their teachers are professionals in Chinese language acquisition with years of experience. Whether you want to enhance your speaking skills or prepare for exams, this school can help match you with a suitable tutor. You won’t need to spend time researching the tutors’ qualifications or stability because their course consultants will handle all of that. Moreover, they offer free trial classes, allowing you to determine if the tutor meets your needs. Even if the teacher doesn’t meet your expectations after the trial, you can always request a replacement.

Final Words

From the multitude of Confucius Institutes and associated universities to local specialized Chinese schools and qualified online tutors, there is a variety of structured courses and custom learning plans available both in the capital of London and across the country. The numerous options to choose from make it more possible than ever to find the right school and right teacher to nurture your interest and enhance your Chinese proficiency. If you’re unsure where to start, pick a couple of resources from this article that interest you the most, research their course offerings and arrange a trial class. It could be the first step of a long-lasting relationship both with that school and with the Chinese language and culture.

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Introduction

Why has tutoring shifted to online in recent years?

During the past three years, due to the effects of Covid, lots of language learners have switched from offline to online schooling. Yet, along with the easing of various restrictions in most areas, some learners have gone back to offline learning again, but most of them have decided to remain online. The same is true for Chinese language learning.

It’s easy to understand why an adult learner would choose online learning now. It’s more convenient and flexible. Learners can have their Chinese class out of town, even in other countries. It’s up to the learners to decide when to hold the class, such as during their lunch or early coffee break. And, especially for Chinese, there are few choices for parents and children to learn offline in their own town. If they want professional Chinese tutoring, they would prefer a native professional tutor. Online tutors come into their sights.

What are parent’s concerns with online tutoring?

But many parents are still worried if online tutoring is effective or sufficient for their children.

Children have their own needs and learning paces. Especially for younger kids, it’s a little hard to keep them facing a screen for a long time. After half an hour, they easily lose focus. And many parents don’t want their kids to have so much screen time in a day. No wonder why so many parents have concerns about online tutoring.

Actually, it depends on which subject they are taking. If it’s sports or playground activities, it’s really hard to keep it online. But if we are talking about language learning, then online tutoring is quite a viable choice.

The pros and cons

The benefits of learning Chinese with an online tutor

1. Online class schedules are often much more flexible than offline. You can decide when to take the class and adjust the schedule as you need.
2. No matter where the students are, the class can still be held. Parents don’t need to bring their children to the classroom. It’s quite time-saving. Without the added time of dropping and picking up kids from a physical classroom, parents’ have more time on their hands.   
3. It’s more convenient and easier to find a native professional Chinese teacher online who suits your children’s needs.
4. Online Chinese classes are affordable. It’s often much cheaper than offline classes.
5. Audio and video content online can be very enjoyable.
6. It’s okay to record online classes. Children can review the class again or practice any time after class at home.
7. If parents want, they are free to observe and be around when children take online classes in case they get distracted. Parents can also monitor the lesson quality..
8. With private online tutors, the study plan can be very personalized. They can even help with school homework or other special Chinese language requirements.

Potential issues of learning Chinese with an online tutor

1. During school years, children need more interaction with peers. Classroom time can provide them with a neutral environment for social interaction and real communication. If the class goes online, then real-life interactions get harder.
2. Online language classes need a quiet place and a stable internet connection. If you can’t assure these basic requirements, then your children cannot learn as easily.
3. For younger kids, it’s easy to get bored or distracted if the online class is not very appealing to them. And sometimes the tutor can’t find out what they are thinking or doing immediately.
4. Too much screen time is not ideal or healthy for children.
5. Children have an easier time developing a relationship with offline tutors, which may help cultivate enthusiasm for learning. But online tutors it may take a long time and a lot of patience to get the same result.

What to pay attention to when choosing an online tutor or class

It truly depends on what your needs are and what circumstances you are in. For children, if you are able to keep learning in a classroom, that would be terrific. They need more interactions and lessons with language partners and tutors. In addition to social interaction skills such as cooperation, empathy, and leadership, if you focus more on the language learning itself, then here are some tips.

1. You need to verify the teacher’s credentials

What is the tutor’s teaching experience? How long have they been teaching Chinese? Have they taught children before? Is this tutor familiar with online teaching? Does this tutor have related Mandarin teaching degrees and certifications? Are they a native mandarin Chinese speaker?

Check out more detailed suggestions to help you find an excellent Chinese teacher: How to Find a Really Good Chinese Teacher to Guide Your Learning

2. Make sure your children are learning content that fits their language skills and level

If your children are beyond the current classroom level, then they might be very comfortable in the lessons, but the problem is that it’s hard to continue progressing and keep going. On the contrary, if your children are learning content beyond their own level, then it’s very easy to get tired of learning the language, and they may lack confidence. Private tutoring can help with this problem. No matter whether you want an online tutor or an offline tutor, the right teacher can make a very personalized study plan, which will help your children to progress at the right speed.    

3. The tutor’s ratings and reviews are very important

Ratings and reviews from other students and organizations are very important for you to consider. The tutor’s reliability, patience, clarity, and accuracy are the factors you should pay the most attention to.

Some online schools have their top recommended tutors. You can ask for their professional advice and tell them your biggest needs. These schools often have various tutors who have different strong points which could help them adapt to each child’s special requirements. 

If your friends have Chinese tutors for their children who have excellent feedback, then don’t hesitate to ask for their recommendation. Feel free to ask your friends about your concerns.  

4. An independent freelance teacher VS A teacher who works for a school

Thanks to the internet, there are countless options for you all around the world when you want something, and it’s the same with Chinese tutors. There are mainly two kinds of teachers online.

One is working as a freelancer who often posts themself on language exchange websites, such as italki, preply, verbalplanet, etc. Teaching Chinese is often their part-time job or hobby. Most of them are Chinese native speakers. Some of them also have professional Chinese language teaching certifications, some don’t. They are often quite flexible, but you need to book the class every single time. If you are looking for a spoken Chinese partner, then this is a good choice. You can communicate a different native speaker in every single class. And some of them are with quite low cost. If you have limited access to Chinese immersion, this can help teach more about Chinese people. 

The other is working for an online language school and is often a professional mandarin Chinese teacher with rich teaching experience. The schools often have free trial classes so that learners can find a good fit, but after that, you can’t only buy one class at a time. There are often different class packages, and you’ll need to ask for more details about the school’s class services. The advantages are obvious: parents don’t need to worry about the class plan, reliability, and consistency. It’s easy for parents to communicate with the teacher and administers and keep track of their children’s progress.

Learning Mandarin Online: Teacher Vs. School

5. Online live class VS Recorded video class

When choosing online tutoring, you may find that there are not only one-on-one live Chinese tutors, but also systematically recorded video classes. Generally speaking, recorded video classes can be a supplement for children. It’s okay for reviewing or practicing content after class. Live class tutors are more suitable for children since the real tutor can draw their attention instantly and have more interactions during the class. The tutor can adjust the lesson content and teaching style along with the children’s feedback. If there are any questions or problems that come up, the tutor can explain immediately.  

Chinese learning resources for kids

Amazing Books for Kids Learning Chinese

In addition to a Chinese tutor, Chinese learning materials are also very essential and necessary. For kids, learning materials need to meet higher requirements and different needs, for example if it’s informative, entertaining, appealing, suitable, etc. It has to guarantee that kids won’t be bored while acquiring the language knowledge.  

YCT (Youth Chinese Test)

YCT is the Youth Chinese Test, which was launched to encourage young second language learners to learn Chinese and test their current proficiency. You can find the corresponding test structure, learning books, vocabulary list, sample tests and other resources you may need here.  

GCSE / IGCSE Chinese

If you are based in the UK, Singapore, Canada, Australia, or India, then GCSE and IGCSE are there for your children to develop their Chinese skills and understand Chinese culture. There are more details about the assessment themes and intros here.  

Chinese Flashcards for kids

Chinese songs for kids

Chinese poems for kids

These Chinese word flashcards, songs, and poems are all supplemental learning materials for kids. These materials can be an introduction to the Chinese language, which might help motivate their passion for learning or broaden their understanding and interest in this language and culture.   

Parental Strategies in Supporting Their Children to Learn Chinese

You can never just leave the children to their tutors only. Parents are always the key to children’s studies. When it comes to learning the Chinese language, some parents feel lost and confused about tutoring and parenting. They have no idea where to start and how to deal with their studies. There are also some parental strategies for you to support your kids’ learning.

Conclusion

As with the world becomes more and more digitized, it’s inevitable to let internet-based learning step into your children’s study, no matter whether it’s the main method or just a supplement. For Chinese language learning, online tutoring is a great opportunity to meet professional native teachers from all around the world, which opens your choices widely. The variety of learning materials online can enrich their learning content and broaden their knowledge too. Learning with an online Chinese tutor is more effective and convenient than you may have thought. To cater to children’s learning needs and their special requirements, it’s best to use online and offline learning resources together.

Common online class expressions (PDF download)

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• What is the BCT?
• Why should I take the BCT?
• BCT levels and content
  • The BCT(A) structure
  • The BCT(B) structure
  • The BCT (Oral iBT) structure
  • BCT, HSK and YCT
• How to register for the BCT?
• BCT dates and registration deadlines
• BCT passing scores and report
• How to prepare for the BCT?
• Conclusion

What is the BCT?

The Business Chinese Test (BCT) is an internationally standardized test designed to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native Chinese speakers in business-related communications or working environments. The BCT focuses on real business settings, and its content pertains more to practical language use, rather than professional business knowledge.

Why should I take the BCT?

As a standardized test, the BCT can provide several intuitive benefits, as follows:

• Improving employment opportunities: If you plan to work in a Chinese-speaking business environment, taking the BCT can help you stand out as a qualified candidate. More and more companies and organizations require Chinese language proficiency and may prefer or require candidates with a BCT certificate.
• Demonstrating proficiency in Chinese and business communication: The BCT assesses practical language skills necessary for conducting business, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. By taking the test and achieving a high score, you can demonstrate both your language proficiency and your ability to communicate effectively in a business setting.
• Improving business relationships: In preparation for doing business with Chinese companies or clients, taking the BCT can help you better understand Chinese business practices, communication styles, and cultural norms. This can not only enhance your language skills and cultural awareness, but also help you more easily engage with Chinese people, ultimately building stronger relationships.

BCT levels and content

The BCT is made up of two independent parts: a writing test and a speaking test. The writing test is divided into two levels: the BCT (A) and the BCT (B).

 The BCT(A) Structure

The BCT (A) is conducted on paper or online. It includes three sections: listening, reading, and writing. The test consists of 70 questions in total and is based on a reference vocabulary of 600 words.

*The entire test will take approximately 70 minutes, including 5 minutes for filling out personal information.

Description:

• Listening：

Part 1: 10 questions. Each clip is played twice. Test takers should determine whether the words or phrases heard match the pictures provided.

Part 2: 10 questions. Each clip is played twice. Test takers will listen to a sentence and should then choose the corresponding picture from three options. Part 3: 10 questions. Each clip is played twice. Test takers will listen to a short dialogue and should then choose the corresponding answer from three options.

• Reading:

Part 1: 10 questions. For the first 5 questions, test takers are provided with a few sentences or a short dialogue, and they should choose the correct answer to complete the sentence. For the remaining 5 questions, there are 5 blanks in a chart or short essay, and test takers should choose the correct options to fill them.

Part 2: 20 questions. Test takers will be provided with reading materials, such as pictures, charts, short paragraphs, or articles. Each example will have one to three corresponding questions. Each question will have three answer options to choose from.

• Writing:

10 questions. Test takers should write the correct Chinese characters based on the Pinyin provided in each sentence.

The BCT(B) structure

BCT (B) is conducted on paper or online. It includes three sections: listening, reading, and writing. It consists of 92 questions in total and is based on a reference vocabulary of 4,000 words.

* The entire test takes approximately 145 minutes, including 5 minutes for filling out personal information.

Description:

• Listening：

Part 1: 20 questions. Each question is based on a two-sentence dialogue, which is played once. Test takers should choose the correct answer from four options.

Part 2: 15 questions. Each question is based on a four-sentence dialogue, which is played once. Test takers should choose the correct answer from four options.

Part 3: 15 questions. There are five dialogues, each played once. After each dialogue, several questions will be provided, and test takers should choose the corresponding answer from four options.

• Reading:

Part 1: 20 questions. Test takers will be provided with reading material, such as  a picture, chart, paragraph, or article. Each example will have several questions. Test takers should choose the correct answer from four options for each question.

Part 2: 10 questions. This section contains two short articles with five blanks each. Test takers should choose the correct answers based on the context from seven sentences provided under each article.

Part 3: 10 questions. Four examples and several questions or sentences will be provided. Test takers should match the questions or sentences with the corresponding materials.

• Writing:

2 questions. In the first part, test takers must write a short article of at least 80 characters according to the provided materials and requirements. In the second part, test takers must write a short article of at least 150 characters based on the provided materials and requirements.

The BCT (Oral iBT) Structure

The BCT (Oral iBT) is a language proficiency test designed to evaluate the speaking ability of non-native speakers of Chinese. It is conducted entirely online and is based on a reference vocabulary of 4000 words.

Test takers are provided with a detailed report of their speaking proficiency, which can be used to assess their language skills for academic, professional, or personal purposes.

Description:

Part 1: 4 questions. Each clip can be heard once, with an additional opportunity to rehear. For each clip, there is a question and a corresponding picture. Test takers should answer the question based on the picture.

Part 2: 4 questions. Each clip can be heard once, with an additional opportunity to rehear. Test takers should answer each question according to the requirements of each clip.

Part 3: 3 questions. Each clipcan be heard once, with an additional opportunity to rehear. For each clip, there is a situational illustration and a requirement or question, along with a picture. Test takers should answer based on the picture.

Part 4: 3 questions. Each clip can be heard once, with an additional opportunity to rehear. For each clip, there is a background illustration and a requirement or question. Test takers should answer based on the requirements.

Part 5: 1 question. It can be heard once, with an additional opportunity to rehear. For this part, there is a background illustration and a requirement or question, along with four pictures. Test takers should answer based on these pictures.

BCT, HSK and YCT

This information is a helpful reference for individuals planning to take the BCT test. The BCT levels align with the HSK and YCT levels as follows:

* the BCT(A) is aimed at the elementary level, while the BCT(B) is oriented towards intermediate and advanced levels.

It is important to note that while there is some overlap in the vocabulary between the BCT and HSK/YCT, there are also business-related words that are unique to the BCT and do not appear in any other test.

How to register for the BCT?

Before registering for the BCT, it is important to know the test date and location. You can visit the official website to check the updated schedule and location of testing centers where the BCT will be conducted.

2024 BCT dates and registration deadlines

There are two ways to register:

• Register in a local test center according to its own requirements.
• Register online on the official website as follows:

Please note that:

• Online registration is managed by local test centers. In some cases, this function is not available and visiting the center in person to register is the only option
• The test fee varies in different locations
• Keep your registration ticket safe for future use
• Contact your local test center ahead of time to obtain precise details

BCT passing scores and report

There is no exact passing score for the BCT, but test takers will receive a report that shows their score for each skill and total score, along with a corresponding description of their capabilities. The score report is usually available within a month, although in some places it may take longer.

For the BCT(A) and BCT(B), the total maximum score is 300.

BCT(A) Score Structure

BCT(B) Score Structure

For the BCT (Oral iBT), the total maximum score is 500.

BCT (Oral iBT) Score Structure

Note that you can check your results on the official website’s homepage by entering your registration ticket number and name.

How to prepare for the BCT?

As the building blocks of language, words are crucial for success in an exam like the BCT. To prepare, you should first focus on mastering business-related vocabulary. However, with so many words to learn, it is important to quickly filter out words you already know and focus on unfamiliar words or those with multiple meanings.

To be successful, practice is essential. Once you have mastered the necessary vocabulary, you can try various methods to practice, such as watching Chinese dramas and videos related to business, practicing with Chinese-speaking colleagues, or taking BCT mock exams.

Watching dramas and videos is a particularly effective way to become familiar with Chinese business practices, communication styles, and cultural norms in an engaging and enjoyable way. For those taking the BCT(A) exam, dramas may be too challenging, but there are many short business-related videos online that can help you practice listening and speaking skills.

Here are some Chinse dramas and practice videos to get you started:

• 《理想之城》The Ideal City
• 《玫瑰之战》Rose War
• 《猎场》Game of Hunting
• 高级商务中文 Advanced Business Chinese
• Business Mandarin For Beginners 2019 Part 1
• Business Mandarin for Beginners 2019 Part 2

Since the BCT evaluates language ability in a business setting, practicing what you have learned while at work can be extremely helpful. By being immersed in a business context, you can receive real-time feedback when using new vocabulary and phrases, helping you correct mistakes and reinforcing your understanding of these terms until you have a good grasp of them.

Mock tests are crucial for any exam, as they not only help you become familiar with the structure, style, and question types in advance, but they also provide an opportunity to simulate the exam environment and time constraints. The more you know about BCT, the more comfortable you will be during the actual exam.

Here are two mock tests for the BCT:

• BCT(A) PDF with audio
• BCT(B) PDF with audio

In addition to studying independently, signing up for formal BCT lessons with a professional teacher can be highly beneficial. With an organized course and an experienced guide, you can focus on the areas where you need more help and receive precise feedback on your progress.

Here are some related Business Chinese culture and books for you to prepare:

• Recommended Business Chinese Textbooks For Different Levels
• Top 100 Common Business Chinese Phrases & Expressions
• 12 Tips for Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture
• 12 Essential Phrases to Speak Professional Business Chinese in a Social Setting
• Business Chinese: Essential Mandarin Expressions for Online Meetings

Conclusion

Now that you have all the information you need on the BCT, it’s up to you to choose an appropriate level and get started. If this is all new to you, don’t worry. Just get the ball rolling and keep practicing. Progress will come naturally. If you aim high and put in the work, you will become a Chinese-speaking business pro. Best of luck!

References：

1. 官网: 汉语考试服务网 (chinesetest.cn)
2. 商务汉语考试BCT(A)大纲
3. 商务汉语考试BCT(B)大纲
4. 商务汉语考试BCT(口语)大纲

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To test if these Chinese grammar checkers work well, first, we need to list a series of Chinese sentences with typical grammar errors. We have already introduced the Top 20 Common Mistakes Chinese Learners Make, and we selected 14 of them to form our test targets. Compared to paragraph errors, sentence grammar errors are much easier to identify and correct. No matter whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced learner, you need to deal with sentence errors.   

Here is a list of test sentences with common grammar errors:

1. 这个小狗是可爱。
2. 我想买一个电脑，一个书，一个衣服。
3. 下午二点，我们准备去图书馆两楼看二本书。
4. 他是不是美国人吗？
5. 我喜欢打篮球和我妹妹喜欢听音乐。我住在北京和我有一只狗。
6. 他以前常常在早上学了中文。
7. 这本书没好看。
8. 他结婚过两次，现在他想结婚和她。
9. 昨天的工作很多，我一直工作到晚上11点就做完。
10. 汉语课9点上课，他早上6点才到教室了。
11. 你会看见那边的那棵树吗?
12. 我吃面条在那个饭馆。
13. 他比我很高。
14. 一个女孩找你在办公室外面。

Can you correct all these sentences on your own? Give it a try and you can click here to check if your answers are correct.

The correct sentences:

1. 这只小狗很可爱。This puppy is very cute.
(Using “是” with adjectives inappropriately, Over-use of measure word “个”)

2. 我想买一台电脑，一本书，一件衣服。I want to buy a computer, a book, and a piece of clothing.
(Over-use of measure word “个”)

3. 下午两点，我们准备去图书馆二楼看两本书。At two o’clock in the afternoon, we are going to read two books on the second floor of the library.
(Misuse of “二” and “两”)

4. 他是不是美国人？ / 他是美国人吗？Is he American?
(Using “吗” for all Yes/No questions)

5. 我喜欢打篮球，我妹妹喜欢听音乐。我住在北京，我有一只狗。I like to play basketball, and my sister likes to listen to music. I live in Beijing, and I have a dog.
(Over-use of “和”)

6. 他以前常常在早上学中文。He used to study Chinese in the morning.
(Over-use of “了”)

7. 这本书不好看。This book is not good.
(Misuse of “不” and “没”)

8. 他结过两次婚，现在他想和她结婚。He was married twice and now he wants to marry her.
(Misuse of the separable words)

9. 昨天的工作很多，我一直工作到晚上11点才做完。I had a lot of work yesterday, and I didn’t finish my work until 11 o’clock in the evening.
(Confusing “就” with “才”)

10. 汉语课9点上课，他早上6点就到教室了。The Chinese class starts at 9:00, and he arrives at the classroom at 6:00 in the morning.
(Confusing “就” with “才”)

11. 你能看见那边的那棵树吗? Can you see that tree over there?
(Misuse of the modal verbs)

12. 我在那个饭馆吃面条。I eat noodles at that restaurant.
(Incorrect placement of adverbial phrases)

13. 他比我高。He is taller than me.  / 他比我高很多。He is much taller than me.
(Misuse of comparative sentences with “比”)

14. 办公室外面有个女孩找你。There is a girl looking for you outside the office.
(Unfamiliar with Existence sentence)

There are 20 errors and 14 types of common grammar mistakes in these test sentences. Let’s take a look at the performance of the following online Chinese grammar checkers.

A Review and Comparison of Online Chinese Grammar Checkers

Sapling

The original version:

The revised version:

Review:

There are 19 suggested edits, and among them, four of them are about punctuation, which is irrelevant. The use of an adjective as the predicate in sentence 1 was successfully corrected, which changes “是” to “很”. The second sentence about measure words was fully corrected. However, the incorrect measure word in the first sentence wasn’t detected. Although sometimes we hear “这个小狗” in spoken language, it should be more formal and accurate if it’s in written Chinese. In sentences 7, 12, and 14, the corrected sentences are correct in terms of grammar, but it changed the whole meaning. So, the corrections here are not ideal. Sentence 5 is interesting. Since there are two instances of over-use of “和”, but it just detected one. In sentences 4 and 6, the use of yes/no questions and the use of “了” were both corrected correctly. All other sentences and grammar issues were not corrected successfully. Five grammar error types were detected in total.

Text Gears

The original version:

The revised version:

Review:

There are four edits and two types of grammar errors detected. In sentence 1, the adjective acting as the predicate was corrected properly. However, it didn’t detect the measure word problem. In sentence 2, it detected the measure word errors successfully, but the revised version is still not acceptable. It doesn’t give the user a direct answer, which means you need to correct the suggested answer once again on your own. All other sentences and grammar errors were not detected. In total, there was only one error corrected successfully.

One good point is that the surface of the checker is quite clear. You can see which part you need to improve, including grammar, spelling, style, punctuation, and structure. It even gives you metrics on the readability of your content. If this checker worked correctly, it would be very helpful.

Sentence Checker

The original version:

The revised version:

Review:

Sentence Checker detected four grammar errors, which are also presented on the surface. As the other checkers did, this one only corrected sentence 1 for the adjective functioning as the predicate, but the measure word problem remained. It did correct the measure words in sentence 2. All other grammar problems were not detected. In total, there are two types of grammar errors that were corrected.

This Sentence Checker seems like the same tool as Grammar Checker. There are also other language checkers. You can try and see if they work better than the Chinese one. 

Language Tool

The original version:

The revised version:

Review:

It surprised me that I finally found a checker that could detect the “二” and “两” problem in sentence 3; although only one of them is corrected. There are actually three problems in that sentence, and all of them are about the use of “二” and “两”. Maybe “两本书” is stored in their database, but the general language grammar rules are not. The measure words in sentence 2 and the predicate in sentence 1 were corrected, as other checkers did. All other grammar problems were not detected.

Conclusion:

Even though I was profoundly impressed by many online English grammar checkers with their strong and intelligent functions, the Chinese grammar checkers shocked me a little because they are basically useless. At least the checkers I tested above didn’t perform well enough. Most of the common mistakes that second language learners might make were not corrected or even detected. Not to mention untypical mistakes and more complex grammar error types. Maybe there are still some truly useful grammar checkers that I don’t know about yet. So, if you know one, share it with us! I’m eager to see and use it.

The post A Review of the Best Online Chinese Grammar Checkers appeared first on .

So, in total, you need to master 3000 Chinese characters. In other words, with these characters, you will be able to understand all words and sentences in daily life and even academic life. It requires you not only to be able to recognize them but also write them with the correct stroke order. Besides the definitions and pronunciation, writing speed is also something you need to pay attention to.

To help you better deal with this new challenge, we have collected some helpful resources to assist with learning and practicing Chinese characters, including books, videos, courses, apps, and tools.

Books for learning Chinese characters

《汉字有意思》 Hanzi Alive！

• Target audience: Adults; Children ages 3-6
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Purchase here: 汉字有意思 Hanzi Alive！

Review:

The authors of this book are Liu Yong and his son and daughter. Liu Yong is a very famous writer, artist, and educator in China. His teaching methodology is known for being very successful. So, he gathered the essence of his enlightening Chinese character teaching methodology in this book.

Each of the selected Chinese characters in this book includes a vivid hand-painted picture, a black and white silhouette, the evolvement from ancient versions to the present simplified and traditional versions, as well as a real-life photo game. There are also illustrative texts both in Chinese and English, so that learners from different language backgrounds can easily understand. With the hardback edition, there are also matching notebooks included for learners to imitate and practice. In general, it’s a very good and enlightening book for all beginners and kids. 

《神奇的汉字——汉字启蒙互动立体书》Magic Chinese Characters

• Target audience: 3-8 year-old Chinese kids; 3-15 year-old foreign learners with help from parents or tutors
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Purchase here: 神奇的汉字

Review:

This series of books is designed for kids who need to learn and inspire their interest in and passion for Chinese characters. There are around 650 characters that were selected because of their strong connection. The key feature of this series is that it makes good use of the inner connection between similarly constructed Chinese characters. As we all know, pictographs are the base in the construction of Chinese characters. Here in this series of books, the 3D movable design for each character can be very interesting. It not only presents the Chinese pictographs, but also the process of combining them with radicals. The learning by playing method can easily draw kids’ attention. With the illustrations and corresponding activities, learners can acquire more characters and easily distinguish similar characters.   The shortcoming is that it only has written explanations in Chinese. So, it’s better to have a tutor with a background in Chinese so that the learners can understand it.

More books: Recommended Chinese Characters Books

Videos for learning Chinese characters

三十六个字 36 Chinese characters

• Target audience: Adults, Kids
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Watch here: 三十六个字

Review:

This is an ink animation made in 1984, a very typical Chinese-style cartoon. The pictures may seem a bit old, but the content is still very appealing and educational now. Within 11 minutes, it tells the story of how Chinese characters were created by illustrating 36 Chinese pictographs.

If you look closely at these characters, you may find that most of them are the characters that beginners need to learn in their very first few Chinese character lessons. It’s quite a good introductory video for all Chinese beginners.

The 36 Chinese characters are 日，山，水，鸟，象，森，林，草，夫，马，竹，田，刀，舟，鱼，网，燕，云，雨，伞，石，火，龟，虎，鹿，豕，叟，弓，舍，羊，花，门，犬，子，女，月。

字从遇见你 (zì cóng yùjiàn nǐ)

• Target audience: Adults, Kids
• Learning stage: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced
• Watch here: 字从遇见你

Review:

This is an official educational documentary that introduces 25 Chinese characters, including each one’s origin and evolution, as well as corresponding Chinese culture. Each episode is around 5 minutes. Learners can not only learn more about the character, but its culture and uses. Since the content is so rich and dense, you might need to watch it over and over again to digest it. The whole evolution process covers from thousands of years ago to modern China. So only if you have more previous background knowledge, can you fully understand it. Still, it’s quite high-quality introductory content for Chinese characters. 

The characters include: 舟，车，行，中，鼎，卜，天，福，犬，虎，马，牛，象，文，郭，陶，教，丝，甑，贝，走，图，典，册，笔

神奇的汉字故事

• Target audience: 3-12 year-old kids who are able to listen to Mandarin
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Watch here: 神奇的汉字故事

Review:

There are 20 episodes in total. Each episode introduces where a character came from, what it means, and its evolution process. Then there is a short story about the character so that it can be made more interesting, while still educational. However, the problem is that there are no English subtitles; it’s all in Chinese. So, it’s better if the kids are able to understand spoken Mandarin.  

一起画汉字

• Target audience: 3-12 year-old kids who need to learn writing
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Watch here: 一起画汉字

Review:

Writing Chinese characters is always a tough task for all learners. Especially kids, who are more impatient to practice. Based on kids’ aptitudes and the features of Chinese characters, 一起画汉字  eases the difficulty. It creates a lovely, simple painting based on each character’s shape. In this case, learners can memorize characters more easily by painting. But note that it’s not the real origin of each character. It’s just a method to help memorize and write them.

Courses for learning Chinese characters

Comprehensive Guide to Chinese Characters

• Target audience: People who are new to learning Chinese；People who want to learn the basics of Chinese Characters
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Learn here: Character Course A

Review:

Apart from the tons of introductory content we’ve presented so far, here are courses for learners who are ready to learn Chinese characters properly and in an organized way.

Course A is a comprehensive guide to Chinese characters, which helps you understand the rules and theories. From basic strokes to character construction, you can find everything you need to know before you dive into the sea of Chinese characters. It not only illustrates the basic information about and logic behind characters, but also the fundamental rules and methods. Good preparation brings you halfway to mastery. Then, this is the course for those who have just gotten started with learning Chinese characters.  

Building-up from zero to hundreds Chinese Characters

• Target audience: Elementary level learners who are interested in learning more Chinese characters.
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Learn here: Character Course B

Review:

Course B is a build-up from zero characters to hundreds. You can learn about 250 Chinese characters in this course. They are categorized by topic, ranging from weather to plants. Each video lesson consists of a breakdown of the characters, their origin, commonly used grammar patterns, and then a stroke-by-stroke writing tutorial of the character.

In addition to the tutorial content, there are also supplementary quizzes and exercises to do. After watching each lesson, you can practice with their writing sheets to strengthen your knowledge.

Apps for learning Chinese characters

Chineasy

• Target audience: Adults, Kids
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Download here: iOS
• Price: Partly free

Review:

Dig Mandarin has introduced Chineasy and its founder Shao Lan years ago. Now not only is there the book, but they also used their advantage to create a Chinese character learning app. With its featured vivid illustrations, it divides thousands of Chinese characters into hundreds of short lessons. You can choose either the simplified or traditional version. After learning the basic characters, there is a follow-up lesson to make these characters into daily words. The quizzes contain tests for pinyin, listening, character shape, and meaning. If you would like to get more functions, you can pay to learn characters by HSK level and practice writing them. For elementary learners, this is a method you should definitely try.

Skritter: Write Chinese

• Target audience: Adults, Kids 6 years old and above
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Download here: Skritter
• Price: Partly free; 1 month $14.99, 6 months $59.99, 1 year $99.99

Review:

Unlike many apps’ fancy interfaces, Skritter is designed to be very direct and simple. For learners who are strongly self-driven, it can be quite efficient. There are vocabulary lists for hundreds of Chinese books, and you can choose any one of them as your target book. For those who already have a particular textbook, this app can be very useful as your character review helper. Its quiz part also contains various elements. Apart from the definition, pronunciation, tone, and example sentences, it also strengthens stroke order. You can learn to write and memorize characters with it.

Zizzle

• Target audience: Adults, Kids
• Learning stage: Beginning, Intermediate
• Download here: Zizzle  
• Price: Partly free; Use the promo code “DIGMANDARIN10” to save 10% on all three-month and annual subscriptions, as well as packs.

Review:

Zizzle has already collected over 850 key Chinese characters from the HSK basic and intermediate levels. Zizzle has created a very different character memorizing method from other apps. Each character has a particularly ridiculous short story to help you learn the pronunciation as well as the meaning. It also uses pictograph characters to make pictures that will help you better memorize the shape of the character. They basically put everything together in a short story. No matter whether you are an adult or a child, you will have fun in the learning process.   

悟空识字

• Target audience: 4-8 year-old kids who are able to listen to Mandarin
• Learning stage: Beginning
• Download here: iOS, Android
• Price: 198 yuan

Review:

Sun Wukong is a very well-known monkey character in Chinese culture. All Chinese kids know him. This app is designed based on Wukong’s little stories. Each lesson is a story-based game that helps teach several characters. There is also a distinguishing part for learning characters, which is quite helpful for memorizing them. This app contains 1200 Chinese characters in all lessons. A lesson per day for 10 minutes sounds reasonable for kids. Plus, cute stories can be very interesting for kids.

Tools for learning Chinese characters

Meaningfully learning Chinese characters

• Target audience: Adults, Kids
• Learning stage: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced
• Use it here: Meaningfully learning Chinese characters

Review:

This is a kind of Chinese character dictionary. Besides Pinyin, there are also etymological explanations in Chinese, English, and French. It also shows you the ancient versions of each character. The fun part is that it generates a graph with branches of related characters. You might find several other related characters to learn and distinguish between.

汉典网 (hàn diǎn wǎng)

• Target audience: Adults and kids who are beyond the basic level
• Learning stage: Intermediate, Advanced
• Use it here: 汉典网

Review:

This online dictionary is not only for Chinese learners but also for native Chinese speakers. It lists all pronunciations, simple explanations, detailed explanations, and character origins. The stroke order of each character is also represented. Sometimes it might be too comprehensive and thorough to quickly locate the item you need to know. And it’s mainly explained in Chinese with very simple English definitions. So using this website is already a sign that your level is intermediate or advanced.

Writing sheet generating tool

• Target audience: Adults, Kids
• Learning stage: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced
• Use it here: 字帖生成器

Review:

If you’ve ever learned writing Chinese characters, you are definitely familiar with character writing sheets. It’s either with a 田 square (田字格) or a 米square（米字格）so that you can write each character in the right place properly. With this tool, you can generate your own practice sheets. Input the target character, and it can even show you its stroke order so that you can better practice and imitate.

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