Ever tried this online tutoring site??

[stoney]

http://www.learnchineseonline.org/

I want to give online tutoring a try. I'm at beginner intermediate level. I've tried online language exchange but I want something more structured and focused.

Because the Chinese based companies seem to be relatively inexpensive, I can afford this option. This site http://www.learnchineseonline.org/ seems to be strait forward and around $10.00 an hour. I haven't tried the trial lesson yet. The minimum purchase is 10 lessons.

Has anyone here ever tried this site (or similar sites)?

Were they reliable, sincere, flexible, etc?

[Meng Lelan]

stoney you might want to look at this thread

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/26-traditional-vs-simplified-characters755

I assume you are using a live private tutoring service, right?

[stoney]

Thanks Meng Lelan

Yes I am considering the option of using a live online tutor.

I have seen the thread you are talking about, but want some specific info on the site I mentioned and also stirring the pot again.

I'm very surprised these web sites are not more popular. Maybe they are not so great???

[so.many.words]

maybe of interest ,,,yang6007 a language professor in Guangdong is listed on ebay.

Item number: 170293527052 @US$15 p.Hour

[mirgcire]

Hi Stoney,

Why don't do the free trial and report back? Here are some things I would be thinking about when doing a trial lesson.

1) Do they try to assess your level? Do they get it right?

2) How did the class fit your level? If you are confused, then they overshot. If you are bored, then they undershot. A lot depends on the instructors ability to keep it at your level.

3) How much of the lesson is spent using Chinese? I would be unhappy with anything less then 50%, but maybe thats just me.

4) What is the teaching style? Does the teacher teach you a new word, one example and then move on? Or does the teacher teach you something and then keep returning to it to make sure you will retain it?

5) Does the teacher use pictures or anything creative to reinforce the new material?

6) What sort of material do they use? Is it online material, a book you need to purchase, or ...? Is it structured enough that you can prepare for the next session?

Your experience will depend on how well they meet your own goals.

Do you know what you want out of the lessons?

-Review the material from a class you are currently taking?

-Help improve your vocabulary in a certain area?

-Help you with grammar patterns?

-Improve your listening skills?

-Improve you speaking skills?

Other people probably have more/better suggestions.

I look forward to hearing how it goes.

[wenhailin]

Haven't tried that site, but here is another one you could try.

http://imandarinpod.com does mainly podcasts for intermediate to advanced learners, and the lessons have to do with Chinese culture. They are based in Tianjin so their putonghua is pretty standard. I think they are offering free trials of their tutoring service at the moment so could be worth checking out.