|
1. Exactly what is Mandarin?
Mandarin is a category
of Chinese dialect spoken across most of northern and southwestern China. The term "Mandarin" can also refer to Standard Mandarin,
which is based on the Mandarin dialect spoken in Beijing. Standard Mandarin is the official spoken language of the People's
Republic of China, the Republic of China, and one of the official spoken languages of Singapore. When taken as an independent
language, as is often done in academic literature,
more people speak Mandarin than any other language.
"Mandarin" usually refers to only standard Mandarin in everyday usage. The broad academic concept of "Mandarin" encompasses
a large number of mutually distinct dialects, and is very rarely used outside of academic circles. Instead, when asked to
describe the spoken form they are using, Mandarin speakers will describe the vernacular that they are speaking.For example
, Sichuan or Northeast China dialect, and may not recognize that it is in fact classified by linguists as a form of "Mandarin".
Nor is there a common "Mandarin" identity based on language, though there are strong regional identities centered around individual
Mandarin dialects.
Like all other varieties of Chinese, there are plenty disputes as to whether Mandarin is a language or a dialect.
What I teach "Pu Tong Hua" , China's official spoken language, which in Mandarin, is literarily meaning "the
common speech".
2. Do I really need a private tutor instead of free loose
language exchange?
I assume at least you're interested in seeking a private tutor by visiting my site. The
benefits you will receive from me are far more than casual language exchange if you seriously intend to learn Mandarin systematically.
I provide expert coaching, undivided attention, quality classes, professionally prepared lessons, guaranteed commitment, tailored
pace for each student.
Being completely bilingual, bicultural, and professionally trained, I'm able to explain (in detail and accurately) the
phonetics, grammar, rules, exceptions, and text in your own language. It is impractical to effectively learn a new language
from someone you have difficulty communicating with.
3. Are
you a native Mandarin speaker?
Yes, I'm a native Mandarin speaker. I am from Guangxi, China. I grew up, speaking
Mandarin.
4. What is your education background?
I was trained in marster degress program at Guangxi normal university and had professinal advance education
teacher's licence. I have Computer Science Marster degree (MSCS) and MBA from American university.I was a lectuer
at a university in China.
5. How long have you been teaching Mandarin?
I started teaching Mandarin professionally in 1996.
6.
What aspects of Mandarin do you teach?
I give all types of instructions - from beginning to advanced. I teach
the whole gamut of Mandarin including pinyin (the phonetic symbols like initials and finals), radicals (similar to English
word roots) and strokes, grammar, structure, writing, reading, conversation, and translation.
7. Do you teach traditional or simplified characters?
I teach both. Both
pronunciations are the same except that traditional radicals carry more meanings and strokes. Simplified characters are used
in Mainland China while its counterpart in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and some other regional areas.
However, I recommend learning simplified characters. This is the trend that eventually traditional ones will be phased
out because of the size and increasing power of Mainland China. The same reason why more people are studying American English
rather than British English.
8. What sort of materials do you use?
I use different
books for students of different levels, and I will always try to accommodate to your preference if you like to use your own
books. Besides, we can decide on a suitable book for you should my advice be needed after evaluation of your language skills.
9. Can we have an interview before I decide to study
with you?
Yes, we can. Indeed, prospective students are encourged to do so. It's all about your goals and
expectations, commitment, language proficiency, books to be used, schedules, etc. Besides, it's a perfect opportunity for
you to evaluate my teaching skills and capability. Therefore, to make sure you have got the best tutor, please feel free to
ask me any questions.
10. Does it help that I know other languages?
Any
knowledge of foreign languages helps to certain extent. But, please note that Mandarin is in the language family of Sino-Tibetan,
English in Indo-European, Japanese in Japanese and Korean belongs to Altaic family. Even though the mentioned Asian countries
are close geographically, and China had a tremendous influence over their languages in history, they are still not related
to each other. Furthermore, Mandarin like Vietnamese or Thai, is a tonal language, while Japanese and Korean are not. As a
matter of fact, knowledge of Mandarin indeed helps learning other languages.
Sure, your understanding of other character languages does facilitate you learning characters. In addition, if you're
a lucky one who is one in 10,000, born with a perfect pitch, it definitely helps you in mastering tones. Besides, recent scientific
study shows learning Mandarin makes a person more likely be a musical virtuoso.
11. How soon can I master Mandarin?
Learning any
language requires a long time commitment. It's not like learning driving wherein you are given a few lessons, practice a while,
and you are out on the highway all by yourself. It demands your constant input of time, effort and practice. Nevertheless,
the result is rewarding.
Generally, it takes about 6 to 12 months before you're able to read simple books or have basic talks.
12. Where do you teach? Can you travel?
I live in
east bay, right across the San Mateo Bridge. I teach at home, but can travel to the student's place within the entire bay
area. Occasionally, we study at a meeting room of a local library.
13. When are you available?
Although my schedule
is fairly full, I still have openings and there's also a possibility that I can change my schedule to serve your needs.
14. What are your rates?
My rates vary based on the
level of the classes. I generally charge traveling expense if classes aren't conducted at my place.
15. Do you offer discounts?
Yes. There's a group
discount and discount for purchasing blocks of time
|
 |
|
