What is the course schedule?
You will have 2 classes* a day, two days a week.
There are two options of the group schedule:
Option 1: Mon & Wed
Option 2: Tue & Thu
And two time slots to choose from:
Option 1: Morning classes 10:20 to 12:00
(with a 10-min break in between)
Option 2: Evening classes 19:00 to 20:40
(with a 10-min break in between)
*1 class = 45 minutes.
Who are the teachers?
All our teachers are native Chinese speakers, highly qualified and experienced in teaching Chinese to foreigners. They are university graduates with majors in Chinese language education or Chinese literature.
Before they join us, they have to obtain a Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL, or TCSOL) certificate, and successfully complete That’s Mandarin’s mandatory Teachers Training Course (TTC).
We have high requirements for our teachers, and only hire 5% of applicants.
What teaching methods do you use, and which learning platform?
We've developed our own teaching and learning methods. We use our own in-house Chinese learning platform NihaoCafe for all classes. You will be able to find all your class materials, read the teacher’s comments, review your lessons, and schedule your classes.
What materials are used during classes?
We use our own in-house learning platform NihaoCafe for online classes.
For HSK 1-3, the standard course is built around a TV series we filmed featuring 64 episodes, and the story set in modern China with over 70 characters in 45 locations. Students can watch the videos, read interactive dialogues, learn new words & grammar, and practice with exercises on the platform.
For HSK 4, more advanced learners can read articles on various topics: Chinese culture, modern China, China’s economy & job market, dialogues from daily life, and many more. This level has the same set of interactive exercises as the previous levels.
For HSK 5-6, our teachers customize the lessons completely based on student’s learning style and goals. They choose from an extensive pool of materials such as articles, videos, comic books, translation classes, HSK papers, and more.
Custom materials are available to students of all levels if they wish to customize their private classes.
If are interested in a specific field, you might choose a specialized course such as Chinese for Business, Diplomatic, Medical purposes etc.
Will the classes be taught in English?
All of our classes are taught in Chinese to give students a fully immersive Chinese experience. Even for absolute beginners, our teachers will only use limited English to help you understand them. Our teacher will use pictures, videos, signs, and gestures to help you learn.
As your Chinese level progresses, less and less English will be used in your classes and you will be able to understand more and more Chinese every day.
Will I have enough time to combine this course with my study/work?
Yes, you will. The classes are scheduled specifically for students who are busy with their work or study and can’t learn Chinese non-stop. We have options for you to have classes in the morning or in the evening, so you just need to choose the time that fits you better.
Will I be able to improve my Chinese with only 2 days of classes a week?
Sure! Our program is specifically made for students who don’t have enough free time to study non-stop, but still want to improve their Chinese skills. You will be surprised with great results and improvement of your Chinese by the end of the course.