Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🌆 How to learn Chinese in East Lansing, MI and what does it take in terms of commitment?
Besides self-study using mobile applications, you have 4 key choices for learning Chinese interactively in East Lansing, MI. First, universities and community colleges are an especially good idea for in-state residents. Also, ask about the centers for continuing education and professional studies (they are a little more affordable.) Your other spource can be local private language academies that cost less and flexible in schedule and requirements. Third, government-supported learning centers usually offer cheaper group and more expensive in-person courses. Fourth, you can look for a private Chinese tutor in East Lansing, MI. If flexibility is key, you can compare local East Lansing, MI and online Chinese tutors.
🎟 Is it cheap to learn Chinese and what do Chinese tutors charge?
For university and college courses you can estimate Chinese course cost by dividing annual tuition by ten (one course is usually 3 out of 30 credit hours offered) to get the cost of about 50 instruction hours each semester. Language centers and private Chinese tutors charge $30-55 per hourly group lesson, with private classes starting around $50 or more. Some of the more affordable Chinese tutors can be found online, with costs on Preply averaging 13 and tutor rates varying widely based on tutor country of residence, availability and popularity. Average student satisfaction for Chinese lessons on Preply is 4.94 out of 5 stars.
📚 What are the requirements for Chinese language skill level to sign up for a course?
When considering college and learning center classes be prepared to show a language test profeciency score or take an entrance test to determine your level. All classes vary widely in terms of textbook quality, homework commitment and exams, so research all such requirements in advance. With personal Chinese tutors you can find out in advance for whom the tutor is effective with and which other add-ons they make available (like classes for students of A, B, or C leves, etc.) For best flexibility, choose a tutor from a wide selection of those teaching online.
🔥 Why is Chinese so hard and are there ways to learn it faster?
Standardized language instruction practiced in schools is not the most effective way to learn Chinese. According to experts, you can gain basic Chinese fluency in 300 hours from zero knowledge. Studying and getting feedback five hours a week you will be able to understand many sentences, have simple conversations, shop and place orders in about a year. Physical language immersion is not a practical option for everyone, so online classes are a rapid and fun way of acquiring the basic knowledge of Chinese. After mastering basic skills, online marketplaces like Preply have Chinese tutors who specialize in intensive classes for intermediate and advanced students.
🤷 How long does it take to learn Chinese?
Some people seem to have a natural ability and learn languages quickly, but for most to go beyond the basics and gain working fluency in Chinese will demand at least 600 hours of active use. The required duration of time can differ quite a bit depending on your available level of Chinese or knowledge of other languages in the same group. After alphabet and basic reading it is a good idea to use the language as often as possible: watch TV, try typing using your new language skills, find native speakers to speak with, try additional ways to think and speak in Chinese out loud. If this is a greater challenge than you had anticipated you can also take conversational Chinese classes online.
🤳 What are my options when choosing the Chinese tutor?
In colleges and universities, there's a chance you can choose your own tutor (from up to a dozen teachers). Online, of course! The largest selection of approved Chinese tutors with extensive profiles and comprehensive reviews is available on online language learning platforms like Preply.
🗓 What's the lesson schedule like?
Colleges structure classes two times weekly over a semester (15-week period). Language schools as a rule give shorter, 8-week, 12-week, and 16-week course sessions. Online, you can take as few as one lesson a year, as many as several a day - and as many (or as few) as you want during any time of day, on weekdays and/or weekends.