"Renee, my Mandarin teacher, was very professional and enthousiast which I really liked. It was a great first session in general."
Jordan Lanoue
Mandarin Chinese course in Montreal.
Mandarin Chinese Lessons in New York
In the bustling streets of New York City, the USA’s most multicultural city, a cacophony of languages can be heard. Among them, one of the most commonly used, aside from English and Spanish, is Chinese. Spoken by more than 1 billion people worldwide, Chinese is a fascinating language that will completely change the way you experience the city. With around 486,000 speakers living in New York City, it’s the most common Asian language.
As you can imagine, by becoming a proficient speaker, you will not only be able to connect to some of the many local members of the Chinese community, and get to know their interesting customs and traditions, but you will also gain access to fantastic job opportunities and experiences that can change the trajectory of your life. If this wasn’t enough, learning a language that’s so different from English will help you discover new ways of thinking, as you come into contact with one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations.
Want to know more? Then keep scrolling, and discover some of the most important reasons why you should enroll in Chinese classes in New York City this year.
Why Study Mandarin Chinese in New York?
Learn Mandarin Chinese for Work and Travel
Becoming a fluent Chinese speaker is one of the smartest ways to boost your career prospects in New York City. As you may know, China is a major player in the global economy, and nowadays, there are plenty of important multinational companies located in the city that have ties to China, like Alibaba Group, Bank of China and Tencent. As you can imagine, being able to communicate fluently in Chinese can open many doors for you to either work for these companies, or do business with them, and take your career to the next level.
On the other hand, if you are looking for jobs in the city and haven’t had much luck so far, learning Chinese can really help you boost your CV and impress potential employers. Even if the job you’re applying for does not require you to be bilingual, being a proficient Chinese speaker will set you apart from other job candidates, as many companies or businesses in NYC have international clients and are always looking for employees with additional language skills.
Another reason why you should master Chinese this year is if you're planning to travel to China. Your trip will be much smoother if you can actually read signs or talk to shop owners and restaurant staff in their own language. On top of that, learning Chinese will allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture and connect with people in a way that most tourists can't. Moreover, if an expected situation or an emergency were to happen while you travel, having sharp language skills would make seeking help much easier for you and your loved ones.
Learn Mandarin Chinese for Social
Renowned for its diverse population, New York City is the place to be if you want to be in contact with Chinese art, culture and traditions without leaving the US. There are many great institutions around the city that offer a glimpse into the intricate tapestry of Chinese culture and provide a platform for cross-cultural exchange and learning. One of them is the China Institute, founded almost a century ago by American educators and Chinese diplomats. This non-profit organization, located at 40 Rector St, hosts regular events that showcase some of the best work of Chinese artists and thinkers, such as film screenings, and conversations with Chinese writers. On top of that, the China Institute features an impressive gallery where you can find first-class exhibitions of Chinese art that include both contemporary art and ancient pieces of ceramics, decorative art and calligraphy.
Another great place you should visit if you want to immerse yourself in Chinese culture is the Museum of Chinese in America. Located at 215 Centre St, this museum is a great place to learn about the story of Chinese American history, and also enjoy great performances by Chinese musicians and performers. In addition to music concerts, and talks, this institution hosts events like the Mid-Autumn Family Festival, where you’ll get to enjoy traditional Chinese food and listen to classic Chinese stories with your children.
Learn Mandarin Chinese for Culture
In addition to expanding your horizons, and boosting your career, learning Chinese can be a great way to expand your social circle in the city and meet fascinating new people. Once you learn how to do things like introduce yourself and ask basic questions, you’ll be able to attend some of the many language exchange events that are host every week in New York City. This can be incredibly stimulating, as you’ll be able to hear how the language is used in real life and discover different accents as you socialize with native speakers and meet fellow students. Some of the most popular language exchange events you should visit include the New York English and Mandarin Exchange, which takes place at the Bryant Park, and the International Language Exchange, which is held at different bars around the city.
Where to learn Mandarin Chinese in and around New York?
Are you interested in finding Chinese classes near you? Then you’re in luck, as there are many options available for local learners who want to boost their skills. If you’re a complete beginner, you can start by taking one of the free Chinese Conversation Classes at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, located at 455 5th Ave. On the other hand, if you’re an academic and want to study the language at university, you could explore the many courses taught at New York University.
However, if you’re committed to becoming the best Chinese speaker that you can be in the least amount of time, your best option is to study with us at Listen & Learn. We offer flexible face-to-face lessons that you can enjoy at the comfort of your home, taught by certified professionals with plenty of experience teaching the language. Our classes are completely personalized, so you can choose to focus on any aspect of the language that you want, like specific Chinese vocabulary for your job, or Chinese grammar to succeed at your exams. All you need to do is send us an inquiry today, and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible to help you find a Chinese course that meets all of your requirements.
The type of courses we offer:
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General Mandarin Chinese
These Mandarin Chinese lessons fit a broader spectrum, and can be useful for those who need different things from the language. Most beginner students will have a handle of survival Mandarin Chinese by the end of their lesson, which will provide them with enough Mandarin Chinese to communicate at least at a basic level during short trips to the country, but those who require more would benefit greatly from these sessions. Typical students have been those eager to travel all over the world, those buying overseas property, those with foreign spouses, aficionados of Mandarin Chinese culture and those who just wish to pass a particular Mandarin Chinese exam. Inquire now about our Mandarin Chinese Courses or Take A Free Mandarin Chinese Level Test
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) Business Mandarin Chinese
These Mandarin Chinese lessons are driven towards people who have a requirement to learn Mandarin Chinese to bolster their work output. For novices, you will find it useful to learn basic greetings and business etiquette; and once you have become more proficient then reading and writing will come to the fore. Typical students include those concerned with import/export, those seeking work in multinational companies, international negotiations, and anyone working with international colleagues or administration. Even on our most rudimentary beginners lesson, students can expect to finish the lesson with decent telephone and e-mail Mandarin Chinese, as well as a good enough grip on the language for a short trip to the country. Inquire now about our Mandarin Chinese Courses or Take A Free Mandarin Chinese Level Test
Face-to-Face Closed (Private) Group General or Business Mandarin Chinese
The Mandarin Chinese lessons are also available for 2 or more people studying together (Two-to-One Mandarin Chinese Lesson or Small Group In-Company Mandarin Chinese Lesson). All participants must have the same level, the same business or general language needs and be able to study at the same time in the same location. The booking must be made for all participants at the same time. Listen & Learn do not recommend group classes of more than 6-8 people although In-Company Taster Mandarin Chinese Lessons can be run with up to 12 people. Inquire now about our Mandarin Chinese Courses or Take A Free Mandarin Chinese Level Test
Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online 1-to-1 (Individual) General or Business Mandarin Chinese
Our native-speaking qualified Mandarin Chinese teachers can guide you and your group at your work or at home, at a time convenient to you. Classes can take place on any day of the week - even weekends - morning, afternoon or evening. If needs be, if meeting at your office or home is not suitable, you can take your lessons at the trainer's office. Study materials are supplied for you. Inquire now about our Mandarin Chinese Courses or Take A Free Mandarin Chinese Level Test
Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online Group (Closed or Open) General or Business Mandarin Chinese
The Mandarin Chinese lessons are also available for 2 or more people studying together (Two-to-One Mandarin Chinese Lesson or Small Group In-Company Mandarin Chinese Lesson). All participants must have the same level, the same business or general language needs and be able to study at the same time in the same location. The booking must be made for all participants at the same time. Listen & Learn do not recommend group classes of more than 6-8 people although In-Company Taster Mandarin Chinese Lessons can be run with up to 12 people. Inquire now about our Mandarin Chinese Courses or Take A Free Mandarin Chinese Level Test
Top Tips For…
mandarin-chinese Songs
Stranger in the North- Wang Lee Hom
Are you looking to acquire some Mandarin Chinese vocabulary while enjoying some nice music? Then, you should give “Stranger in the North” a try. This is a pop and rap song that talks about a traveler who wants to get to know different places in the world and describes the beautiful landscapes he wants to visit. As it uses a lot of complex sentences and prepositions, it’s more suitable for Advanced students. Plus, the rap sections are fast-paced and include many colloquial expressions, so it may be hard for beginners to understand what the singer is saying.
Check out the song here!mandarin-chinese Songs
Light Years Away- 邓紫棋 (GEM)
Those who love pop ballads and would like to improve their Mandarin Chinese skills should listen to “Light Years Away” by GEM, a great track to start getting familiar with this tonal language. As you may know already, a word can have multiple meanings in Mandarin depending on the tone the speaker uses. In this song, you will find some examples of how this can occur (and you will notice them because it is a slow-paced piece), such as the word “ma,” which the singer pronounces with rising and falling tones.
Check out the song here!Playhouse- JiaJia
Learning Mandarin Chinese does not only entail memorizing words from a textbook: you can also improve your listening comprehension and learn new words by doing something enjoyable, such as listening to music. For example, “Playhouse” by JiaJia is an inspiring piece that talks about self-acceptance and love. It’s a great track for beginners, as it has a very slow pace and a lot of repetitions, while also using simple grammar and everyday vocabulary. For example, some of the most common words you will learn include love (ái), kiss (wen), hate (taoyán), and work (Gōngzuò).
Check out the song here!mandarin-chinese Apps
The Chairman’s Bao
If you are an advanced-level student of Mandarin Chinese, you should download The Chairman’s Bao app to your phone, available on both Android and iOS. This is an online newspaper that has been simplified, so that Mandarin learners can understand. Access the app and you will find thousands of articles about politics, travel, lifestyle, and more. The app includes an interactive dictionary, so when you are reading, you can tap on an unknown word and find out its meaning. Further, you can read in both simplified or traditional Chinese characters.
Check out the app here!mandarin-chinese Apps
Chinese Pod
Do you learn better by listening to podcasts? Then, ChinesePod is the app for you. It features hundreds of high-quality podcasts, categorized by level and topic, so it’s easy to find something that interests you. For example, you can learn traditional Chinese recipes or listen to businesspeople and entrepreneurs. Most of these materials include a transcript in Chinese (for the most advanced learners) and in English for those who are just starting their language journey. A big advantage over other apps is that you can download all the content and listen to the podcasts without an Internet connection.
Check out the app here!Memrise
Similar to Duolingo, Memrise is an app that offers bite-sized lessons in a great variety of languages, including Mandarin Chinese. You can find the lessons categorized by topic, such as family, food, jobs, and more. Some of the tasks include translation from Mandarin to English and vice versa, transcribing what you hear, joining two words that go together, and other interactive exercises that will help you remember vocabulary items and phrases in a fun way. And the best part is that you can use Memrise even if you only have 5 spare minutes a day.
Check out the app here!Testimonials
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Language learned: Spanish in Durham, NC.
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Language learned: Hindi in Washington, D.C.
