Click here for a link to information on our December Workshops
Our adult classes address all aspects of Chinese language learning, with a strong emphasis on providing students with efficient acquisition of oral communicative proficiency. Regardless of ability level, all HC adult classes are shaped by two primary objectives. The first is to educate students in a way that is theoretically informed from a linguistic perspective. This means teaching enjoyable, engaging classes that allow students to use Chinese in a meaningful way. Because of the regrettable gap between the best practices in second language education -- as advocated by academics and top-quality language programs -- and the provision of second language education as it often occurs in practice, many would-be language learners turn away from Chinese language learning on the assumption they will be exposed to extensive pronunciation practice, rote memorization, and grammar drills. In contrast, HC employs The Communicative Approach which allows students to use spoken Chinese in meaningful and interesting ways from the very start.
The second primary objective of our program is to supply students with a clear road map identifying both their ultimate goals for Chinese learning in concrete, accessible terms, and what they can expect to achieve after any given amount of study with us. HC believes this step is key in creating motivated students who are confident regarding what they can achieve and when they can achieve it.
Group Classes
Our classes take place on the weekends and evenings and are comprised of 33 class hours over an eleven week period. We have five levels, the content and goals of which are outlined below. You are not expected to do work outside of class, but we do make resources available to students who would like to progress more quickly. At the end of level five, we will consult with each student to devise an individualized learning road-map, based upon that student’s learning goals, and the time he/she is willing to commit to Chinese study. Such a roadmap may utilize such resources as a conversational partner (in person or on-line), private tutoring, private study, or an advanced conversation class. For advanced students (those whose skills would make a level five class redundant), we also offer a multi-level advanced conversation class. Click here for a full listing of locations, times, prices, and registration or, click here to contact us for more information. Click here for a full description of the content and goals of the five adult levels we offer.
Private/Small Group Tutoring
For those students without the time or flexibility to attend one of our classes, we also offer private/small group tutoring. The educational principles on which these offerings are built are the same as those of our group classes. The content however, will be tailored to the specific goals and needs of the student(s). We also make private tutoring available for students who would like a tailored course of study to supplement Chinese classes provided through their school, or for students preparing for a Chinese exam (SAT II, HSK, etc). Click here for private/small group tutoring pricing information, or, click here to contact us for more information.