Our Chinese speakers, fully qualified to teach their native tongue, can train you and, if need be, the rest of your group at a time that is suitable to you, at your home or place of work. Sessions can take place on the day of your choosing - even weekends - and at the time you want: whether it be morning, afternoon or evening. If circumstances arise where your home or office is not convenient, the classes can be held at your trainer's office. Resources for the lesson are provided for you.
Chinese lessons of this type are broader and are aimed towards students with a variety of requirements. While all beginner level students will cover survival Chinese - needed for short visits to countries where English isn't widely spoken, or if you wish to 'go local'; those studying Chinese usually go in different directions at this point, depending on what they need. Those who have benefitted from these Chinese classes have been those investing in or buying property overseas, those married to overseas nationals, people setting off on a round-the-world trip, enthusiasts in Chinese culture, and those enthusiastic to pass a specific exam in Chinese.
Those who would benefit the most from these Chinese tutorials are those who feel they need to learn Chinese to help them out in their business lives. For starters, learning salutations and business etiquette is integral; once these have been practiced then reading and writing lessons can start. Typical studiers have been those involved in international import/export, negotiations and acquisitions, those in multinational companies requiring another language, and those working in any way with international governments and relevant administration. Just our simplest lesson for beginners will have students finishing the lessons with basic telephone and e-mail Chinese, as well as survival Chinese should a visit to the country be necessary.
Lessons in Chinese are also accessible for 2 or more studying in tandem (Two-to-One Chinese Lesson or Small Group In-Company Chinese Lesson). All those involved must have around the same experience of the language, similar needs of areas of proficiency, and must be able to work at the same time and place. Bookings must be made for all students at the same time. Listen & Learn do not advise classes of more than 6-8 people, although In-Company Taster Chinese sessions can be run with as many as 12 people.
Chinese is very reliant on the pitch and tone of the speaker - if a word is spoken with the wrong stress, it can have a very different meaning
Standard Chinese, or Standard Mandarin, is the national language of the People's Republic of China, Singapore and Taiwan
Mandarin' comes from the Portuguese word for 'minister'
Detroit
Did you know that the name Detroit comes from the Detroit River? Not that there's anything particularly remarkable or inspired about that. But the name of the river in French is L'étroit du Lac Erie ("The strait of Lake Erie"), and D'étroit means "At the strait." Well there you go. Detroit has gone a long way as a centre for international diversity and language learning since its founding in 1701 by the Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, yet Francophone traces are still evident today. Forget a study abroad program in Brussels; Detroit has the largest Belgian concentration outside of Belgium! Detroit abounds in Italian, Greek, German, Polish, and Arabic ethnic communities due to the twentieth century burgeoning of the automobile industry. Detroit's linguistic diversity gives the language learner the best opportunity for mother tongue tuition and everyday exposure to their language of choice.