Award-Winning Mandarin Chinese Lessons in Chicago, IL

Chinese is regarded as one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to learn because of how different it is from English. As such, if you are interested in learning Chinese, it may be beneficial for you to contact Varsity Tutors so you can sign up for Chicago Chinese lessons. Whether you are just starting out with Chinese at an institution like Lincoln Park High School or Marist High School, you're taking more advanced courses at Northwestern or Wheaton College, or you're an adult who wants to learn Chinese either for your career or for travel, Chicago Chinese lessons could be helpful.

Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, with over a billion native speakers. Chinese actually consists of several different dialects, including Mandarin and Cantonese. Mandarin is the official language of the People's Republic of China, while many Chinese speakers in the United States speak Cantonese. With how globalized our world has become, learning a language like Chinese can be useful because of the sheer number of people who speak the language. It can be especially helpful if you are planning on entering into a career in international business or trade. Being bilingual may boost your chances of landing a job because it may set you apart from other candidates.

Learning Chinese could also be useful for individuals who are planning on traveling to or moving to a country with Chinese as an official language. If you are planning on traveling, learning how to speak and read the language could be valuable because it may make your trip less stressful and more enjoyable. You'll have an easier time getting around and communicating with the local people. If you are intending on moving to a Chinese speaking nation, it could be useful to also learn a bit about the culture rather than just focusing on the language. Whatever your reasons are for learning Chinese, signing up for Chicago Chinese lessons could be a worthwhile investment.

When you choose to sign up for Chicago Chinese lessons, you have a choice between two different types, including Chinese classes and Chinese tutoring. Chinese classes are designed to resemble a traditional classroom with an instructor and other students. Chinese tutoring involves studying with a private instructor. Each type has its own unique features and benefits. Whichever option you decide on, you can feel confident that you'll receive instruction that helps you work towards your goals.

What skills could an instructor in Chicago Chinese lessons go over?

There is a wide range of skills an instructor in Chicago Chinese lessons could go over during your study sessions. As mentioned previously, Chinese presents quite a challenge for English speakers because of how different it is. Chinese does not have an alphabet, but rather contains over 50,000 characters. Around 2,500 of these are used on an everyday basis, and the characters are based largely on ancient drawings. It is the only modern language that is pictographic, and the symbols that are used do not provide any clues when it comes to pronunciation.

Learning vocabulary and grammatical rules can be a daunting task. Each symbol has to be learned individually, which requires a considerable amount of practice. Students must also be aware that Chinese does not contain plurals or articles. Every word only has one grammatical form. For example, while English uses an -s to indicate a plural noun, this doesn't happen in Chinese because nouns retain their form whether they are singular or plural.

Working through a Chinese course can help you review these skills. Your instructor can go over these topics, and if you are having a difficult time understanding any of them, you have the option of meeting with your instructor on your own after class to receive further instruction. Practicing these skills could also be made easier by collaborating with your classmates. You can practice your skills by engaging in class activities and group discussions at various points throughout the class period.

Learning how to speak the language and understanding it when others speak can also seem overwhelming at times. Chinese is a tonal language, so the meaning of a word can change based on the tone of voice a person uses. Learning how to speak a new language involves consistent, dedicated practice. This can be difficult to achieve both on your own and in a traditional classroom setting. Depending on the level you're currently at, you may be able to have class sessions that are conducted entirely in Chinese. Immersing yourself in a new language is often one of the best ways of learning it.

Working with a Chicago Chinese tutor could also be useful when it comes to learning how to speak the language. You can converse with your Chicago Chinese tutor in Chinese about a variety of topics. You can talk about topics that are related to your hobbies or even topics that are related to your possible career path.

Studying with a Chicago Chinese tutor could also be valuable because you may have more control over which topics you cover and how much time you spend covering each topic. You can also have more control over the types of activities you engage in. You can certainly have a traditional study session with your private instructor. But you could also decide to go out somewhere and practice your language skills in a more practical setting as well.

How do the two types of Chicago Chinese lessons work?

Chinese classes are available entirely online. Thus, you never have to worry about how you're going to get to your class because you can just take it at your house or anywhere else you have an Internet connection. Additionally, as classes are offered at different points throughout the day, it's easy to find a class that fits into your busy schedule.

If you sign up for Chinese tutoring, you can choose between working with your private instructor either online or in person. Meeting your instructor in person offers more opportunities to engage in hands-on activities.

How do I get started with Chicago Chinese lessons?

Getting started with Chicago Chinese lessons is as easy as contacting Varsity Tutors and either signing up for a Chinese class or letting us help you connect with a private instructor.