How to Find the Best Online Chinese Language Learning Program
Plan to study the Chinese language online? Fantastic! There are lots of wonderful products to select from. Unfortunately, many not so terrific programs have also been tossed into the mix. You’ll also find products that could be good for some but not so good for others, including you. So, how can you weave your way through the mess and discover the program that’s right in your case? Ask the 3 questions below and you will find the Chinese language learning program this is ideal for you.
Question 1: Does it Offer a Free Trial?
This is pretty uncomplicated, yet it is very important. Never purchase a course that does not provide a free trial. All good programs have them. In addition, to discover the details I am about to describe down the page, you’ll want to get inside the actual application.
Question 2: Does it Teach the 4 Core Language Learning Components?
A good Chinese language learning course will teach each one of the 4 core language learning components, which are reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Even if your primary goal is to speak Chinese, you should not ignore the other three components. Why? Because jointly they drastically improve the quality of your learning. For example, it would be quite challenging to sit and learn the way to pronounce Chinese tones if you failed to first learn how to read pinyin.
Learning how to write? That’s a good way to master Chinese grammar, which is one thing you’ll want to fully grasp in order to converse in a fluent and natural way. Perhaps most importantly, the human brain learns in various ways, and if you stick to only one learning style, you’ll become fatigued and bored. Should you mix things up, on the other hand, you will stay fresh, and you will retain information and facts far better, when compared to focusing on just one core learning component.
Why have I discussed this? Because I’ve seen, lately, a lot of new web-based products that focus, almost exclusively, on audio programs. It’s Podcast this and Podcast that all over the place! Don’t get me wrong. The audio component of any web-based Chinese language learning system is the bread and butter of the program, so it’s fine that companies give attention to it. Prior to placing your hard-earned dollars on the table, though, ensure that you are buying a complete program, one that provides reading, writing, listening, and speaking guidance, not just a bunch of MP3 audio recordings.
Question 3: What exactly is the Price Structure
There is something that drives me completely nuts, and it will probably drive you crazy too–tiered pricing. I uncovered a program like this just yesterday. It was a subscription-based program that was only a few us dollars per month. Very fair, it seemed. But then I logged into the class and found that I could access only the mp3 programs. I was blocked whenever i tried to download and read the dialogues. I was denied when I attempted to view the learning games. The door was slammed in my face when I tried to enter the forums.
Those things were reserved for “Premium Subscribers.” Well, some of those things, anyway. Other things were available only to “Gold Members.” To access the complete course, I found out, you needed to pay $25 each month, or $400 per annum (if you did not pay annually the fee was higher). That’s ludicrous! The very best Chinese language learning software systems on the market can be purchased outright for about a hundred bucks.
Am I saying to avoid all subscription-based services that have tiered rates? No, but here is what I am saying. When looking at these types of services, look only at the most expensive option. Without a doubt, that is only one you can use. All the other alternatives are just teasers.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right Chinese language learning program is important. Pick out a good one and you will have a successful learning experience. Select a lousy one and you’ll end up lost and annoyed. To make sure that you end up picking a good one, make the most of free trials, use applications that cover the four core language components, and be suspicious of tiered pricing schemes.
Read my Rocket Chinese review now….before investing in any other software!
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