FAQ

Learn Chinese Online  

1.Is it difficult to learn Chinese?

Chinese and English are different languages. As different sorts of linguistic systems have different ways of studying and memorizing, you need to adapt to the different study methods when you learn Chinese. Our teachers are highly qualified and well trained to help students learn Chinese step-by-step using a variety of teaching methods, such as picture, video, flash, articles and so on. 

2.How do you learn Chinese Pinyin online? How long does it take to learn it well?

We offer specialized Pinyin courseware, including daily Chinese and special Pinyin exercises. We suggest that students practice Pinyin in daily communication. In general, it takes three classes to know and be able to recognize all the Pinyin. However, to be able to master and correctly use them will be a long process; it also needs a students’ constant exercise.

3.I feel Chinese characters are too hard to learn, do I have to learn them?

Chinese characters are a part of Chinese. It is necessary for students to know the characters if they want to go further, such as using formal written Chinese and business Chinese. However, if students just need oral communication, or need to learn Chinese in a very short time, learning characters is not necessary.

Actually, learning to write the characters is not that  difficult. We offer the specialized Chinese character courseware to help students learn characters, such as teaching how to write each stroke, and associate characters with interesting stories. Moreover, our virtual-classroom systems can vividly show and teach students how to write characters as well.

4.Are the teachers  trained or do they hold any certificates?

Yes, our teachers are well trained by China’s top universities such as Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Beijing Language and Culture University. All of them have obtained a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in teaching Mandarin Chinese as a second language, and hold the teaching credential for TCSL.

Learning Method at SpeakMandarin.com

1.How is a class at SpeakMandairn.com conducted?

Speakmandarin.com offers one-on-one Internet based Chinese language lessons with experienced native Mandarin speaking coaches. All Sessions are live and fully interactive with the support of our versatile, virtual classroom. Whether you are learning Chinese for the first time or using our service to supplement your Chinese studies, we will teach you what you are interested in, at the pace you are comfortable with.

2.What’s the learning plan？Is it customized for me?

You will get a free trial session first. During this session, your coach will evaluate your Chinese level and try to understand your learning objective. Then your coach will make a customized learning plan for you. You will start your session according to the plan. Every student will have his own learning consultant who will keep track of your studying progress, check the status of your learning, and adjust the learning plan in time, if needed.

3.Should I use the web camera when I have a session? I am used to have sessions without seeing the teacher.

We only use the camera with the students who are less than 10 years old. For the adults we try to concentrate on the voice only aspect. When you study in our virtual classroom, you will find there is no difference than in a face-to-face classroom, and it is even more effective.

4. Do I have homework and a quiz after each session?

If students request homework, our coaches may assign homework to students. Students should then send the homework to feedback@speakmandarin.com when it is done, our coaches will review and revise it for the students. After each unit, we will arrange one quiz for each student.

5.  How should I arrange my session time?

We strongly suggest that students  have more than five classes in a week with some before-class preview and after-class review. Students will master the Chinese they learned through constant repeat and memorization. At the same time, students also can talk to our counselors, and they will suggest a study plan accordingly.

6.I don’t speak English, but I’d like to learn Mandarin. Do you have any teachers that can teach me Mandarin in a language that is not English?

Some of our teachers can speak Japanese, Spanish and French, and can teach you Mandarin Chinese in those languages. However, to help students learn Mandarin better and faster, our coaches do their best to use Simple Mandarin as the instructing language. Don’t worry about how the language coach speaks during your session; they will adjust the language according to the different situation.

7. My 5 years old child wants to learn Mandarin Chinese at SpeakMandarin.com. Is there a suitable course for him?

Yes, we do have instructors who are specialized in teaching younger children. The major goal of the Chinese course for kids at this young age is to keep them exposed to the language, build up the vocabulary, and conduct simple conversations. The contents of the course are mainly their daily life related topics, such as greeting their friends in Chinese, telling people about their age, etc.  Our teachers will use pictures, gestures (through video camera), and games to deliver the course. And of course, teachers that are creative and fun always work well when teaching young kids!

The Price of the Courses to Learn Mandarin Chinese at SpeakMandarin.com

1.How do I pay my tuition fee?

You can pay for your tuition fee through paypal.com or just use a credit card. Please go to the Pricing page to check it out. Just follow the steps, or go to the Support Page where you can download the User-Guide. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

2.How much does SpeakMandarin.com charge for the sessions?

There are monthly subscription packages and normal sessions to choose from. Students need to purchase credits before they can have sessions: 100 credits for 50-min sessions and 50 credits for 25-min sessions. You can find more, detailed information from the pricing page.    

3.What is the monthly package and how much is it?

(1) Students can choose to take 1 session per day, or 3 sessions per day while taking a break other days, or any other way students would like to distribute their sessions. There are three kinds of monthly subscription packages to choose from-

A.  Students can take up to 30 sessions in a month through a monthly subscription package.
B.  Students can take up to 90 sessions in three months through a quarterly subscription package.
C. Students can take up to 180 sessions in six months through a semi-annual subscription package.

These packages are designed for the students who want to improve their Chinese level enormously in a short time. Please be aware that the subscription will be automatically effective at the beginning of each month/quarter/six month period unless you cancel the service. The unit price of each session is as low as $8!

（2）How do I cancel my monthly subscription?

This purchase should be renewed automatically at the end of each period; corresponding credits will be added then. However, you can cancel the subscription for the upcoming period at any time before it starts. Please follow these steps -
- Log in your account at SpeakMandairn.com
- Click on “Pricing and Monthly Subscription”
- Click on the “Unsubscribe” button
- Log in to your PayPal account and cancel the monthly subscription

（3）Can I pay the tuition fee for a monthly subscription package by credit card?

（4）Can I negotiate the price of the monthly subscription package?
Sorry, the monthly subscription is the lowest pricing for a  one-on-one online, live Chinese course we can supply.  

4.Can I cancel my booked session? Is there any cancelation fee?

Yes, you can cancel your booked session.
There will be no extra charge for cancellations of 12 or more hours prior to the scheduled session time; however, a cancellation that is made less than 12 hours prior to the scheduled session time will incur a cancellation fee of 100 SpeakMandarin.com credits.

5. Is there any way for me to track my credit spending history?

Yes, you can find your credit spending history under “My Credits.” It will automatically record all of the changes of your credits, categorized by events, including purchases, spending, bonuses, and refunds. You can log in to your personal account and then click on “My credits” to check them.

6. Is there any discount for the courses?

We will provide different discounts at different times. It will be very cost-efficient if you buy our sessions during the time a discount is offered. If you are a registered user, you will receive our newsletters, which will send out discount information from time to time.

7.Which kind of course is the best deal for me?

For students who wish to take a class every day, we recommend that you choose the monthly subscription; for students who don’t have a fixed learning schedule, we recommend you choose the ordinary 25 to 50 minutes sessions .Of course,  the more classes you book, the lower price you get.

8.If I introduce my friends to your company, do I receive a  discount?

We greatly appreciate the fact that you would like to share our website with your friends. We will provide you some free trial sessions according to the amount your friends purchase, or you can choose to receive a discount on you next purchase.

How to Schedule a Session

1. Are the times displayed on the clock at the SpeakMandarin.com website and the “Schedule Column” my local time?

Yes, our system is able to detect your local time zone, as shown in your PC, automatically. Therefore, the time you see in the “Schedule Column” and the clock on our website should be the same as your PC.

2. Can I take a trial session?

Yes. After registration, you can try one Free Trial session with no further purchase obligation. If you have any questions, please contact us by Live Chat.

3. How should I book a session?

Booking sessions are very simple and can be done through our Scheduling, or you can choose the day you want from the calendar on the left hand column, look over all of the available slots and choose one that fits your schedule. Once a session is booked, all you need is an internet connection and a headset with a microphone to take your lesson. Log in to SpeakMandarin.com ten minutes before your scheduled time and your coach will be waiting.

4. How do I book a session with a specific coach?

Go to www.speakmandarin.com, sign in and click on " Schedule" .On the next page, please click on “View Time Slots By Coach;” click the coach’s name to find their “Available Time,” and then book the session matching both her/his schedule and your schedule.

5.How far in advance do I need to book a session and how long is one session?

Sessions have to be booked at least 12 hours ahead of the coaching time. Each 50-minute standard session lasts 50 minutes; each 25-minute session and free trial session lasts 25 minutes.

How to Start a Normal Session

1.How should I begin my session?

Once a session is booked, all you need is an internet connection and a headset with a microphone. Make sure you have downloaded a flash player and installed everything that is needed to enter the classroom. Log in to SpeakMandarin.com ten minutes before your scheduled time and your coach will be waiting. Go to our Demo  where you will find a guide for how to take a session. Just follow the steps, or go to Support where you can download the User-Guide.

2.What should I do if there is no response when I click on "Enter the Classroom" and "Skype?"

Your system has been set up to block pop-ups. If your PC is Apple-Mac, please open Safari -> Preference -> Security and uncheck "Block Pop-Up Windows" under "Web Content.“ If you have another system, please click on Tools-> Pop-up blocker-> and Turn off Pop-Up-Blocker.

Please add www.SpeakMandarin.com as a trusted site as followed by IE browsers, click “Tools” -> Choose “Internet Options” -> Click “Security” -> Click “Trusted sites” -> Click on “Sites” -> Input www.SpeakMandarin.com and https://speakmandarin.webex.com-> Click "Add" and> Click “OK” to finish.

3. Can I track my learning progress?

Yes. After each session, your coach will provide you with session notes in the feedback of your account at SpeakMandarin.com. It will cover what you have learned in that session. You’ll also receive a notes document in your registered email box to review.

4. Can these sessions prepare me for a certification exam?

Yes, they can. The only simplified Chinese exam with international recognition in China is the HSK, which is the “Chinese Level Exam.” We can make a customized study plan and all of your sessions will be relative to the HSK test to help you to pass it. Moreover, we can also help users to prepare for other examinations like SAP, AT or BCT and so on.

Courses

1.What courses can I use for my Chinese Learning?

We supply many varieties of courses, such as Basic Chinese Conversation, Business Chinese, Chinese for Kids, Chinese for Travelers, Academic Tutoring and so on, to adapting to the different demands of students. Please click on Courses to find them by the course map. All of the resources here are free of charge for you to view or download.

2.How do I use “My Package” in my account?

There are two parts of “My Package.” The first one is “Recommendation.” It is used to view the courseware that a learning consultant has customized for each student, adapting to his own Chinese level and learning interest. The second one is “My favorites.” It is a way for users to explore our library of courses and pick the ones they like most. If users would like to review one or several of the courseware in “My Favorites” during their upcoming session, simply select and add to the note area when booking sessions.