Thinking of using this circuit breaker period to improve yourself? Why not pick up a new language like Mandarin Chinese? With plenty of online mandarin classes in Singapore, it has never been so easy to get access to learning materials and guidance to gain fluency in a new language. However, you might instead meet with a different kind of problem: Which course provider or course type should you choose? Well, there is no one right answer. It all depends on your goals and preferences! If you’re having some trouble deciding, here are

There are so many wonderful reasons to pick up a new language. Many people learn the Chinese language as a personal interest, to prepare for an overseas placement, or to just to add another skill to their resume. But one thing that many people face after learning Chinese for a while is this: How do you know if you are improving? Some people spend months learning the language, but it’s hard to gauge what level their Chinese fluency is at. Sometimes, it’s useful to have some methods to track your progress so

Learning a language is like learning to swim. You can’t master it just by reading about it. Instead, you need to actually try your hands at it. When learning language, it isn’t enough to know how to read and write. You also need to be able to speak and comprehend the spoken language. In fact, it is the latter two skills that comes in the most handy when you need to work and communicate with others in another language. Learning Mandarin Chinese is the same. For some, the biggest challenge lies

Just pick up a Chinese dictionary and you’ll almost definitely be overwhelmed by the number of words it has. Chinese has well over 10,000 characters in modern-day use, which can be combined to form countless words and compound expressions. It definitely sounds overwhelming, doesn’t it? No one said learning Chinese was going to be easy, but so many people have done it before! If you think about the sheer volume of the Chinese vocabulary, it is going to sound daunting. But if you take it step by step and find effective

Mandarin is considered a handy language to learn, not just because of its relevance in Singapore, but also its place in the global marketplace. Hence, it is no surprise that many parents sign their kids up for Mandarin classes – even those whose mother tongue is not Chinese! If you’ve enrolled your child in Mandarin classes, or are planning to in the near future, you might be concerned about how you can support your child in their learning. This is especially so if you are not a fluent Chinese speaker! Well, we’re

Just how much do you know about the Chinese language? Whether it’s a language you’ve been learning for a while, or a language that’s totally foreign to you, chances are, there are some fascinating things you still don’t know about the language! As what you would expect with a language with thousands of years of history behind it, the Chinese language is full of interesting stories. Find out more about some of these surprising facts! 1. Chinese is the only surviving logographic language today While most other languages make use of some form

What goes into the job of an interpreter? You may have seen interpreters at events like political meetings, sports games, or celebrity interviews. However, the job of an interpreter is not to simply translate. In fact, there is a difference between an interpreter’s job and a translator’s job. Translators usually translate text in written form, for example, for books, advertisements, or video subtitles. On the other hand, interpreters typically refer to those who do on-the-spot translation, which requires more speed, language expertise, and tact. The interpreter’s job is very important in this

“But I’m not talented enough to learn another language!” How many of you have let such an excuse deter you from learning the Chinese language? The truth is, while some people have a natural flair for learning languages, it doesn’t mean that everyone else won’t be able to successfully pick up a second or third language. Other factors like your motivation, method of learning, and prior knowledge of languages also play a part in determining whether or not you will be able to get a grasp of the new language quickly. Read

In this generation and the next, people will have increasingly more chances of working in international settings. That may mean having expats in one’s local office, or being deployed to overseas offices for work or training. Even if you work locally, you might get ample chances to work with overseas business partners and clients. These situations make it necessary for one to be equipped with the right set of skills to be able to navigate these international and intercultural circumstances. In today’s highly globalised world, being book-smart is no longer enough.

It is often said that a language cannot be separated from its culture. With a language like Chinese, thousands of years of history are inevitably embedded into its language. Phrases that are found in no other language can offer a peek into what Chinese people hold dear in their culture. Idioms also tell stories about their history and values. Thus, one of the best ways to learn about Chinese culture is to take a look at their language. If you want to delve deeper into the subject, taking up a Mandarin course