Studying Mandarin

encAbroad classes are held at Beijing Language and Culture University. With over 45 years of experience, BLCU is rated as the #1 school for foreign students. All encAbroad instructors speak fluent English to facilitate interaction with the students and to provide a comfortable atmosphere.  Aside from being proficient in Chinese, instructors have several years of experience teaching foreign students, particularly Americans, and understand the students’ unique needs, the various difficulties each student might encounter, and how to best assist them.   encAbroad instructors are knowledgeable and friendly and will provide an amiable and encouraging learning environment. At the end of the second week students are invited to dinner with their instructors for a personal and informal evaluation.
 
With small private classes of no more than 15 students, encAbroad classes are ideal for students with little or no background in learning Chinese. Students will receive the personal attention necessary to achieve their goals. Classes are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Each class lasts 50 minutes with a 10 minute break between classes. If necessary, due to travel arrangements, classes may occasionally start at 1:00 p.m.

Each student is placed in one of three groups, depending on language proficiency.  Students who have studied Chinese for one year or more are required to speak only in Mandarin.  Students with minimal experience are allowed to speak minimal English. And for students with 6 months to 2 years of experience, the majority of the language instruction will be in Mandarin. No matter what your level, our instructors will give you the necessary attention to make your language progress as fast as possible.

Classes will focus on four points of learning: listening skills, writing skills, reading skills, and speaking skills. To be fluent in any language, a person must master all four skills, but the emphasis with beginners is on listening and speaking.  The encAbroad curriculum, designed to improve oral communication skills, provides our students a strong foundation on which to build reading and writing skills as the student becomes more proficient.

Each student will be provided with both a private Chinese tutor and a language partner to facilitate the four necessary skills of learning Mandarin. Your private tutor will meet with you for two sessions each week. Tutors are graduate students majoring in Chinese who have met our high standards of quality in Mandarin instruction.  Working with a language partner enables you to accelerate the learning progress, while interacting with the local students gives you the opportunity to build friendships that can last a lifetime.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLASSES

In addition to Chinese language instruction, encAbroad also provides extracurricular activities in the areas of martial arts, cooking, and calligraphy. These additional classes enable students to increase their overall knowledge of Chinese culture.

encAbroad also offers a course in Chinese Business for students interested in learning the nuances involved in doing business in China, since understanding the important cultural differences can be the key to a successful business venture in China. Students must have a minimum of six months Mandarin studies to participate in this class.