Christopher Wilton-Steer

Christopher Wilton-Steer
I wanted to come to China and learn Chinese. As a student, the only way to do this was to go through the universities, and so I applied for a course at BLCU and got received my invitation to study in Beijing. So disillusioned was I with the teaching at the university – 25 to a class, monotonous repeating of vocabulary, bored teachers, out-dated words and sayings etc – that, before my course had ended, I was looking elsewhere for my linguistic education. It was at this point that I came across That's Mandarin (TM). Having explained why I was there I was offered a free 1hr lesson to introduce TM's teaching methods. After half an hour I cut my teacher short and asked where I could sign up. I immediately sensed how thorough and professional this school and these teachers where. In 30 minutes I had learnt more than a whole week at the university. This may sound an exaggeration by it isn't. For a start, the teaching at TM is 1-2-1 and so, far more personalized. The teachers there evaluate what you know and don't know, your strengths and weaknesses, and then work from there – something impossible in large classes. The technique they employ means you not only learn a great deal by you also retain a great deal. When you start a course, a story is devised. It is rigid in the sense that there is a beginning and an end but also flexible in that you can influence the story and thus be creative with your language – something incredibly important when learning any foreign language. Within a few weeks you are having conversations and discussions about things you imagined would be months away. One of the most important things, if not the most important thing, about learning any language is confidence. That's Mandarin gives you that “out of the classroom” confidence to go out and speak Chinese. Another thing that struck me as particularly impressive was the dedication of these teachers. Having missed a few lessons, admittedly out of sheer idleness, TM sent me an email saying how sorry they were that I hadn't come and that perhaps I should stop taking lessons because, “we don't want to waste your money and our time” and that, “if students don't attend lessons we see it as a problem with the teachers.” Of course, this wasn't the case. The dedication my teachers had in my Chinese language education dramatically increased my motivation to learn. You got the sense that they actually cared. For less than it would cost to go to one of the universities and endure the conditions mentioned above, at That's Mandarin you receive great service and an absorbing, creative and productive language education.

Clare Sierawski

Clare Sierawski
I was becoming increasingly frustrated and disillusioned after months of unproductive Chinese study, when a friend suggested I try That’s Mandarin. It’s now 10 months later and I still look forward to each lesson! The unique communicative teaching style, and the way in which classes are flexibly tailored to my needs, makes learning at this school both enjoyable and effective. Not only has my ability to understand Chinese steadily grown, but my confidence in using the language has also improved remarkably. At That’s Mandarin I learn the language as it’s really used in China today, and the consistent support and encouragement given in lessons makes all the difference! They are transforming this monoglot Brit into a confident Chinese speaker, and for that reason I wholeheartedly recommend That’s Mandarin!

Vyada Vongphachanh

Vyada Vongphachanh
The Search- After arriving here in Beijing , I wandered around aimlessly for a month testing out different language schools and different tutors. After a month of taking classes with other students I realized that I was wasting at least half of my time in class. The clock was ticking. I now only had three months left to pick up as much oral Chinese as possible before starting my job. All of a sudden the cheaper price of taking classes with other students became more expensive to me as I was only learning something new or relevant about 30-50% of class time. Finally I ran into ThatsMandarin's ad. After my first trial lesson with that's Mandarin's teacher, I realized that my vocabulary was embarrassingly limited or totally useless in everyday life. Immediately, I knew I had to focus on building up my vocabulary and my confidence. I now had a strategy and that's Mandarin was the best Chinese-language institute to help me reach my goals.
The Economics- As a business student, I'm always looking at economics and trade-offs of my decisions. With that's Mandarin, you will learn more per dollar or RMB spent. Don't be fooled by costs alone. Ask yourself what are you actually learning per hour spent in class and how much speaking time are you getting? Because the lessons are one on one, the focus is on you so you will be learning almost 100% of the time during the lessons. With their method you will soon learn to see what your weaknesses are and flush out any of your problem areas.
The Results- That's Mandarin's stories are interesting, fun to learn and recite. I'm amazed at the end of each lesson how many new vocabularies I have picked up. Now instead of taking my pocket Chinese dictionary with me around town, I grab my notebook from that's Mandarin's lessons because the new words are immediately applicable in everyday life. A few days ago my notebook came in handy as I flipped through the pages looking for the perfect words to spar with the cab driver. The cab driver got a kick out of my notebook and was amused that I had the right words to use. Moreover I was looking for a teacher that I could build a long term relationship with, who could continue to tailor lessons for my business needs after I leave Beijing . My time with their teachers is enjoyable. Their energy and passion makes me look forward to my lessons even though it's early in the morning. I still have a long ways to go before I can have a decent debate in Chinese. However within my short time frame in Beijing , I am happy with the results from that's Mandarin's lessons and it's my pleasure to recommend the services and teaching method of that's Mandarin.

Tom Philips

Tom Philips
I learned of that's Mandarin's course through their advertisement at the university where I've enrolled for a four-week intensive Mandarin course. I now realize how fortunate it was for me to have found that's Mandarin as the experience at the university proved to be very much like all the other Mandarin language programs into which that I've enrolled in the past. Outdated teaching materials, sentence structures that are not suited for modern every day use and numerous vocabularies that are unlikely to be used anywhere outside of the classroom.
I'm a working professional who's been repeatedly trying to learn Mandarin but have found the language difficult to grasp and use – especially in spoken form. Most of all, I'm looking for a program that will allow me to apply what I learned in the classroom to everyday situations.
I found the approach used by that's Mandarin to be fun, refreshing, but most importantly, effective. Having had experience with different Mandarin courses and teachers over the years, I would highly recommend that' Mandarin's course.
Their unique approach to teaching Mandarin focuses on vocabularies and sentence structures that are frequently used and applicable to every life situations. The result is a higher retention rate for new words for his course as compared to that for the university course that I'm also attending. In fact, over the weeks, I've been reducing the number of courses at the university as I found them to be much less effective and quite frustrating (and that includes having a tutor to help me with the university course materials). I've chosen instead to focus my remaining time in Beijing and effort on attending just that's Mandarin's course. 25-09-2006

Sibastian Malouf

Sibastian Malouf
When I went to China I had 5 weeks and 1 goal - to get a sound basis in the Mandarin language. I can say that without a doubt it was Xu laoshi's dynamic personality and inspired lessons that allowed me to surpass my goals. My only regret is that I did not stumble across Xu laoshi until my third week - I feel cheated that I wasted so much time with other tutors. Xu laoshi's teaching method is unique. Instead of a course book he uses a series of carefully selected stories which serve to introduce new vocabulary and recycle the old. He used his knowledge of both Mandarin and English, as well as his wit, to weave together a coherent and truly useful series of lessons that not only saw me learn many vocabulary items, but also be able to use them in different contexts. The greatest thing about lessons with Xu laoshi was that everything I learned became immediately accessible, and at least 80% of things I learnt I had actually used in real situations within 2-3 days. The amount of energy that Xu laoshi has and freely gives in his lessons was also inspiring. I left the classroom literally buzzing with excitement at what I could now do, and actively looking for opportunities to use it. She gave me enough confidence in my abilities to get out there and actually do it. Not only that, but I was absolutely confident that the language she had supplied me with was relevant, and importantly, colloquial - no pompous "How do you do?". In fact, she actively discouraged me from using some of the 'old-fashioned' language that I had been taught just 2 weeks previously. As a language teacher myself, it was truly inspiring to be taught be someone who not only obviously loves what she does, but is also very, very good at it. I can only hope that I am half as effective and imaginative a teacher as Xu laoshi. Sibastian Malouf

Ian McGraw

Ian McGraw
I came to Beijing in the year between my undergraduate education at Stanford University and my Ph.D. at MIT. My purpose in being in China: to get a solid foundation in the Chinese language. I thought that I was capable of teaching myself Chinese as I had done with other subjects in the past. I even had the advantage of having quite a few bilingual friends who were willing to help me out. After two months of self-study, however, I realized my progress was depressingly slow. I decided I needed help. Thus, I contacted That’s Mandarin. This is the best decision I have made to date with respect to my Chinese language education. Their methods are truly innovative. I can still remember the first lesson when Guo laoshi explained to me the beauty of the Chinese language by constructing a vocabulary list of interconnected words. For example, if I were given the word wai4guo2ren2 (meaning foreigner), he would also explain the meanings of wai4bian1 (outside), guo2jia1 (country), ren2 (person). It doesn't stop there, however. They created a web of interrelated words to study, making learning quicker and memorization easier. As my Chinese improved, That’s Mandarin 's methods adapted. After four months my vocabulary was over three thousand words and I was able to improvise full stories during class. Outside of the classroom I found myself able to hold steady conversations and follow much of the rapid-fire dialog of a Chinese television show. I also began to break free of the canned-examples of the text books and started reading characters in the form of signs, subtitles, and even comic books. From the very first day I met them, I knew they were the right teachers for me. Their energy matched my enthusiasm for learning, and Their methods are created from the very core of what makes Chinese such a wonderful language. Thus, if you are a serious student of Chinese or would like to become one, I whole heartedly recommend you learn with That’s Mandarin

Henrick Hassel

Henrick Hassel
Ms. Zhong Chong Yuan has been my Chinese teacher over the last six months, and during this time she has helped me tremendously with speeding up the progress of my Chinese language studies.
She is extremely dedicated to what she does, she teaches with great passion and she is very well structured in her work. Her enthusiasm makes every class a great experience.
I believe Ms. Zhong has, by applying modern and more effective teaching methods, found an outstanding alternative to the more traditional methods used by most schools teaching foreigners Chinese. Her methods are, in my opinion, a lot more effective (especially for western students) than the more traditional approach of just repeating and memorizing.
When studying a language, a culture and a society so different from the one I grew up with it has been invaluable to have a mentor explaining all the things that can not be learned by studying textbooks or listening to language tapes.
By introducing me to and explaining cultural and social issues in modern China Ms. Zhong has helped me gain a deeper insight into 21st century China and many of the aspects of Chinese society I would never learn in a traditional university environment.
I feel that I am now experiencing new progress with my studies - I have been shown what I believe is for me the best pathway to achieve a higher level of proficiency in the Chinese language, and, at the same time, gain a better understanding of both Chinese culture and society.
I give Ms. Zhong Chong Yuan my very sincere recommendations.

Nick Clarke

Nick Clarke
What That's Mandarin lacks in veneer more than makes up with second to none teaching, a passion to progress your language ability and a stimulating syllabus. Forget about boring and repetitive grammar drills; instead look forward to cautionary tales that captivate your imagination whilst making this seemingly impossible language conquerable. After studying Chinese at a nearby University for a semester, and doing so like a geek, I wasn't happy with my progress – especially speaking – the most important aspect. I can't thank the teachers and staff (freshly made coffee every time I walk in the door, if you don't mind umpire) enough for literally flipping me around from almost throwing in the towel. Great place to learn. The stigma attached to a private school that says private schools aren't recognized like a famous university is nonsensical. Go to a big fancy University and get a certificate. Go to That's Mandarin and get another language. Then just go to a University for the HSK certificate! Don't go anywhere else.

Gregory Guest

Gregory Guest
After studying at a famous Chinese university for three semesters, you may think that my Mandarin was pretty good. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Then, in the spring of 2002 during my fourth semester of study, I met Xiaochao. Wow, what a difference that made!!!
Xiaochao is not just a fudao, but rather he is an innovator when it comes to knowing how to connect with his students and ensuring the rapid progression of their Chinese language skills. After accumulating many years of teaching experience with hundreds of students from all over the world, Xiaochao has developed his own line of learning materials that really hone in the key vocabulary and sentence structures that are needed to be successful in communicating modern Chinese. If you have ever studied by university textbooks, I am sure you relate with my frustration about how `academic` and often completely useless they can be. Not to mention what a waste of time it is to be in a classroom surrounded by 10 to 25 other foreign students which has the amazing effect of completely confusing you while simultaneously ruining your ability to develop an ear for discerning correct, standard pronunciation.
Today, Xiaochao is a very close, personal friend of mine. But thanks to his instruction and devotion to my success four years ago, I was able to attain a level of fluency that helped me get a dream job at home in South Carolina that allows me to gain close contact with Chinese leaders, diplomats, and business executives. Xiaochao helped build my ability to impress famous Chinese CEOs, government officials and most recently one of China 's vice premiers.