How Does It Work
This Intensive Program includes three key components: targeted drills, core lessons and supplementary class activities, as shown in the following table:
Each lesson starts with a targeted drill, focusing on a specific area of difficulties, such as differentiating some of the confusing sounds in Mandarin, practicing tones, or training muscle memories of writing Chinese characters. This drill is short and prepares students, both mentally and physically, for the core Mandarin lessons of the day.
The core lessons include the content of two Mandarin Chinese courses, Mandarin Express Intro Level A and Chinese Reading and Writing 1, which students learn on alternative days. These two courses have different focuses, and are inter-related. Lacing them up will create a nice re-enforcing structure and bring out the best learning result in a very short time.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, students take Mandarin Express Intro Level A core lessons, which focus on listening and speaking, teaching students the uniqueness of Mandarin pronunciations and helping them develop conversational abilities around ten fundamental topics. There are many interesting, fun and interactive class activities, providing opportunities for students to speak Mandarin as much as possible. Adequate listening exercises are included for students to train their listening skills.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students take Chinese Reading and Writing 1 core lessons, which teach students strokes and stroke orders and how to read and write Chinese texts with 70 Chinese characters. The objective of the reading and writing lessons is to develop students’ abilities in reading and writing short Chinese texts.
Following the core lessons and a brief break, a supplementary section is arranged with various class activities of cultural interests. Students sing popular songs, or read some nice articles on Chinese culture.
Audio and video lessons allow students to learn ahead and to have a better control over their study time. Chinese Learning Pen is an audio equipment that plays any part of texts in Chinese Reading and Writing 1.
This is a 4-week half-day program, and will leave students sufficient time for revision and rest.
