Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🌆 How to learn Chinese in Santa Barbara, CA and what does it take in terms of commitment?
Besides self-study with special programs, you have several key opportunities for learning Chinese interactively in Santa Barbara, CA. First, universities and community colleges are an especially good idea for in-state residents. Also, ask about the centers for continuing education and professional studies (they are cheaper.) Your other spource can be local commercial language academies that cost less and flexible in schedule and requirements. Third, not-for-profit learning centers usually offer cheaper group and more expensive in-person courses. Fourth, you can find a private Chinese tutor in Santa Barbara, CA. If flexibility is key, you can compare local Santa Barbara, CA and online Chinese tutors.
🎟 Is it expensive to learn Chinese and what do Chinese tutors charge?
For university and college courses you can estimate Chinese course cost as one-tenth of the yearly tuition (one course is usually 3 out of 30 credit hours offered) to get the price of 45-48 instruction hours each semester. Language centers and individual Chinese tutors charge $30-55 per hourly group lesson, with private classes starting from $50 or more. Some of the more affordable Chinese tutors can be found online, with prices on Preply averaging 14 and tutor rates varying widely based on tutor hometown, positive reviews and popularity. Customer review average for Chinese lessons on Preply is 4.95 out of 5 stars.
📚 What level of Chinese do I need to sign up for a course?
When considering college and learning center classes be prepared pass a few pre-requisites. 'Canned' classes vary widely in terms of textbook quality, homework level and graded tasks, so research all such requirements in advance. With personal Chinese tutors you can read reviews and get a good idea for whom the tutor is effective with and which other expertise they make available (like intermediate level practice, advanced students etc.) For more flexibility, choose a tutor from a wide selection of those teaching online.
🔥 Why is Chinese so challenging and are there ways to learn it the easy way?
Standardized language instruction practiced in schools is not the most effective way to learn Chinese. As proven by others before, you can gain basic Chinese fluency in 300 hours from zero knowledge. Studying and getting feedback 5 hours a week you will be able to understand most words, have simple conversations, do most everyday tasks in about a year. Offline interaction is not a practical option for everyone, so online classes are a fast and affordable way of acquiring the basic knowledge of Chinese. After acquiring 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 have a natural ability and learn languages quickly, but for most to go beyond the basics and gain working fluency in Chinese will take at least 600 hours of dedication. The required duration of time can differ by a lot depending on your available level of Chinese or knowledge of other languages in the same group. As soon as you've learned the basics it is a good idea to use the language as often as possible: watch television, try typing using your new language skills, look for native speakers to speak with, try as many as possible ways to think and speak in Chinese out loud. If it's more difficult than you had imagined you can also take conversational Chinese classes online.
🤳 How many possibilities do I choose among when I select the right Chinese tutor?
In language centers, it's possible that you can choose your own tutor (from up to a dozen teachers). Online, of course! The largest selection of tested Chinese tutors with video profiles and real student reviews is available on online language learning platforms like Preply.
🗓 What's the lesson schedule like?
Colleges offer classes twice a week over a semester (15-week period). Language schools usually have 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.