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Joseph Pellicano
I thought that motivating myself to study Chinese would be a great deal of work, and I feel like if I were in a generic university program, it would have been. However at That's Mandarin it's not the case at all. Every class is fresh and engaging, and each class builds on the foundation of the last. I've NEVER had a boring class.
I arrived in China with plans already made to study at one of Beijing's well-known universities for at least two semesters. I arrived early to become more accustomed with Beijing before classes began. After meeting people who had studied at this particular university, and learning more about the programs that they offered, it started to appeal to me less and less. The environment at the university did not sound as conducive to effectively learning Chinese as I had previously imagined. Having invested a substantial amount of time and money in coming to China, I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision on where I chose to study.
With less than five days before my program's start, I started to search for other options. I found That's Mandarin while searching online, and I immediately got the impression of a professional atmosphere with a different approach to learning Chinese than I had ever been exposed to. I took a trial lesson with Xiao Chao, and knew that the school was right for me. I signed up for a full semester immediately.
One month in, I was amazed at how quickly my ability to communicate grew. It felt great to see my comprehension and understanding of the language improve with every class. I went from being afraid to speak Chinese in the first class to conversing with my professors and others in Chinese outside of class in an unbelievably short amount of time. Recently I have even succeeded in surprising both my native Chinese and foreign friends (those who speak Chinese) with how well I am able to converse.
I have the teachers at That's Mandarin to thank for my rapid improvement. I truly enjoy studying Chinese and look forward to my classes there everyday. The teachers at That's Mandarin have created one of the best learning environments I have ever had the privilege to learn in.Read more testimonials...
Native Chinese Fluency
No teacher, however good, can be an expert in everything. So what happens when you reach a certain level where the Chinese language, grammar or topics you need to discuss can only be taught by an expert in your field? Whether it is law, economics, literature, diplomacy, science or any other topic – if you find yourself unable to advance further, turn to our professional courses to build up native Chinese fluency in your field.
There is a strict Chinese language requirement you must satisfy before enrolling in this course (assessed with respect to your career goals). For those who do not pass, we recommend taking one of our 1-on-1 intensive Chinese courses to build up your Chinese first.
Methodology
Our professional classes are taught by members of our full-time staff with an advanced knowledge of your subject matter. After an initial consultation, if we don’t have anyone on staff who is a good match, we track down a specialist from your chosen field to serve as a professional mentor and instructor over the next few months. The structure of the classes will vary depending on the subject matter and the instructor, but in all cases, you will meet for four hours a day, five days a week. Your teacher will know the subject matter of your field in great detail, and will be uniquely positioned to not only help you better use technical language, but also to offer invaluable advice about working and/or conducting research in China. An academic researcher may prioritize close reading skills, while someone more business-oriented may be more concerned with helping you build first-rate presentation skills and the ability to scan many documents quickly to extract the most important and relevant facts. Your mentor will work with you to develop a detailed study plan and to secure professional materials to target your individual goals from Day 1.
Progress
At the end of your course, we can provide a detailed account of the content of the courses you studied, your mentor’s evaluation, as well as an official certification.
Class Schedule and Price
That’s Mandarin will negotiate a convenient class schedule with each mentor, following an initial consultation with each student. Where possible, we will try to offer a variety of class time options. 4 hours/day for nine weeks= 27,800 RMB
Housing
While accommodation fees are not included in our price estimate, we are happy to help you secure safe, comfortable housing close to the campus you choose to study at.
Weekend Excursions
Depending on demand, we’ll also organize weekend trips to Beijing’s best-known tourist sites, including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Summer Palace. Apply Online Now!