How to Find the Best Chinese Classes in New York City?
Finding a good Chinese class in a mega city could be a daunting task but we’re here to help you.
Author: Sishu Mandarin
Where can I take Chinese Classes in New York City?
Living in New York City is a great advantage for learning Chinese. Many small cities in the US don’t even have a formal place to learn Chinese.
There are many places and options from which you can choose to take Chinese classes in New York City but only a few make sense. You can choose to learn with a friend, a private tutor, or join a college course. But, which one is the best option for a New Yorker? We’re here to compare the different choices for you.
Why is taking Chinese classes with a small local Chinese language school a better option than joining a college course?
American college is too expensive even for Chinese language classes.
First, a college Chinese course is pricey. Yes, Columbia, NYU, Pace and other New York based universities all offer Chinese classes but the cost of a college credit is expensive, and a Chinese language course might ask for multiple credits. Taking Chinese classes with a NYC located college is not financially sensible.
Second, now that you’ve paid thousands for a college course, you have to share the class with other people. Does it sound a good choice to you? If I were you, I would save the money for some other courses, and take Chinese classes elsewhere.
So, why not taking Chinese Classes with a large language school?
If you knew how large language schools work, you will know why you shouldn’t take classes with them.
A large language school always needs teachers. Their teachers are constantly alternating and hiring. Therefore it’s extremely difficult to maintain a united teaching team.
Most Chinese language teachers who work at a big language school in New York City are just part-timers. They’re not taking the teaching job very seriously. We can’t really blame them for this, but it is what it is.
Also, a big language school usually has a myriad of language courses and they usually don’t have a department director or supervisor for each language they have. Chinese usually isn’t one of their founding languages. Most big language schools based in New York started off with teaching Spanish or French. Chinese is not one of their expertise.
How do I find a good Chinese language class near me?
Google it. Yes, just Google. But avoid the first few results because they are all Ads.
Use Google Maps to find a local Chinese language school near you. Just type in Chinese Class, Chinese Course, or Mandarin Class Near Me.
Read school reviews on Google and Yelp. Listen to how other people think of their teachers and learning experiences.
Browse their website to see if they have up-to-date content and good learning resources.
Ask if they charge for matriculation or registration fees. Many schools will ask for it only after you decide to pay.
Check if they ask you to buy textbooks. It could be another big chunk of an expense. Be careful.
Ask about their class cancellation and rescheduling policy. Some school are very strict on this; others could be more generous. It could save you a lot of class time if you’re a busy working professional.
Take a trial Chinese lesson if it’s possible. Only the good Chinese language schools are confident to offer trial lessons to their students. Take advantage of it!
If you’re interested in an in-depth examination for all the options of learning Chinese, including study abroad and self-study, check out this article.