Lessons via Skype

[Chris1a]

Howdy!

Since this is my first post, let me extend my regards to everyone in this interesting forum.

I'm looking for a one-on-one Skype teacher but feel confused with the amount of vendors.

My Chinese is still more on a beginners level (passed HSK2) and I don't get enough opportunity to actually speak. What I need is as teacher that keeps the lessons in Chinese as much as possible and can help me with my pronounciation.

Ichineselearning looks decent but seems somewhat secretive with the pricing policy.

From echineselarning I heard they try to sell huge packages, which isn't for me at this point.

Mandarinchineseschool is open with the pricing, but offers little other information.

As I couldn't find much info, I'd like to know what experience you've had and what you can recommend.

THX

Chris

[Shelley]

Try this http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/46693-any-experience-with-tprs/

 

I have had some taster sessions with Eszter and it was very good. Really concentrates on speaking and it is almost all Chinese.

 

You can talk to her here on the forum and find out all the details.

 

 

[James3]

Have you checked out iTalki.com?

[Flickserve]

Speakmandarin.com are transparent about their pricing policy and descriptions of lessons.

I won't recommend anybody. Teachers come with various strengths in their own areas. Most are pretty nice people. I can imagine some switch schools. But it takes time to build a rapport with a teacher - for them to learn about you and you about them. So, it is highly individualised. Some people prefer to stick to only a couple of people, some would like the input of many. The more you do, the clearer it becomes.

I found I could not learn good pronunciation on a normal lesson with vocabulary. I had to work specifically on tones and pronunciation in dedicated classes. Found an absolutely amazing guy who gives me a military style pinyin pronunciation lessons. Absolutely exhausted by the end of the session but really satisfied by it.

And I had to start off my skype lessons using English. It just worked for me better. I am just like "huh" if a teacher explains something in Mandarin. It was the same when I learnt Cantonese; lots of "huhs". Note, I can't do video skype (low bandwidth), so I can't pick up visual clues.

[Chris1a]

@shelly, I'll take a closer look at that

@James3, I did come accross that site, do you have any experience with them?

@ flichserve, great feedback, many thx.

Anyone else gained similar experience?

[James3]

@Chris1a I've not used it personally, but I've read of others on here who spoke highly of it here. If you check it out, and try it, hope your experience is as good as theirs.