Why learn Mandarin?

Over a billion people speak Chinese, and Mandarin is the official and most spoken language of China. Learning Chinese opens the door to a thousand years of Chinese culture that has impacted cultures all over Asia.

Is it hard to learn Mandarin?

Mandarin has relatively simple grammar compared to some other Asian languages, but there are a few features that make it a challenge. Mandarin is a tonal language, which means that the pitch of each syllable carries meaning. Don’t let these challenges stand in your way. Our classes will have you start speaking right away!

Fun facts about Mandarin Chinese

• The name Chinese refers to several languages that share the same writing system. Mandarin and Cantonese are two of the most widely spoken varieties of Chinese language. 

• Mandarin is also referred to as Putonghua by its speakers. Putonghua literally means “common speech”. It is a standardized version of Mandarin based on Beijing pronunciation, and the official language of China. 

• The Chinese writing system is not an alphabet.  It is logographic, meaning that symbols are used to represent ideas. It may be a challenge to learn to read Chinese, but the logic to this system of writing makes it easier! Chinese characters are made of building blocks called radicals which contribute meaning or sound information and make it easier to learn! For example: In the character for 'feeling' 情, there are three radicals: 1) 忄 'heart’, 2) 丰 'plentiful' , and 3)月 'moon'.