Now enrolling Summer classes

We have lots of options this Summer ...

Mandarin Level 1 - Mon and Thur 6PM-7:30, starts June 17. $160, 2 nights/wk, 10 weeks
Mandarin Level 2 - Wed 7PM to 8:30, starts June 17. $100, 10 weeks
Mandarin Level 3 - Tue 7PM-8:30, starts June 18. $100, 10 weeks
Mandarin Level 6 - Tue 5:30-7PM, starts June 18. $100, 10 weeks
Reading and Conversation - Wed 5:30-7PM, starts June 19 $100, 10 weeks
Intermediate 3 - Thu 6PM-7:30, starts  June 20 $100, 10 weeks

Mandarin Level 1-3. This series will introduce you to Mandarin Chinese. We start with the basics of pronunciation, pinyin and grammar. Language is all about communication and these classes are designed for participation. Our custom designed materials are web accessible and free to students (spiral bound printed version included in price of the class). By the end of this sequence you will have a firm grasp of pronuncation and basic grammar, as well as a substantial vocabulary of practical words used in China today. Taught by Jiang Laoshi

Mandarin Level 4-6. This series continues our tradition of highly interactive class sessions and introduces Chinese characters using the "Conversational Chinese 301" textbooks. Led by Lin Laoshi

Chinese TV: Jia You Er Nu. Get in touch with modern Chinese culture and language through a Chinese TV series. Not only is the program funny and engaging, but the language very practical.  Chinese characters are not required. The class is a balance between structured learning and natural conversation. Each week we parse out the meaning of these colloqial expressions and use them in our discussions. Led by Ann Zhu.

Intermediate Level 2. This class uses a textbook that is mostly Chinese characters and contains a lot of useful grammar and vocabulary.  Class time will be spent practicing the sentences in teacher led dialog.  It is challenging and fun. Led by Ann Zhu.

Reading and Conversation: Each quarter we read a short book, all in Chinese with no pinyin.  Each book is chosen from the "Chinese Breeze" series.  These books do a great job of using simple Chinese to tell an interesting and engaging story.  This is a good choice for students who are intersted in pushing the reading and speaking skill. This quarter we are reading "Wrong, wrong, wrong".

Spring Classes

We have lots of options for you this Spring ...
Mandarin Level 1 - Mon and Wed 6:30-8PM, starts April 1. $150, 2 nights per week, 10 weeks
Mandarin Level 2 - Tue 6:30-8PM, starts April 2. $100, 10 weeks
Mandarin Level 3 - Mon 6:30-8PM, starts April 1. $100, 10 weeks
Mandarin Level 4 - Thursdays 6:30-8PM, starts  April 4 . $100, 10 weeks
Mandarin Level 5 - Tuesdays 6PM-7:30, starts  April 2. $100, 10 weeks
Reading and Conversation - Wednesdays 5:30-7PM, starts  April 3  $100, 10 weeks
Intermediate 3 - Thursdays 6PM-7:30, starts  April 4 . $100, 10 weeks
Chinese TV - Thursdays 7:30-9PM, starts  April 4 . $100, 10 weeks

Mandarin Tutoring Available

We now have several teachers available for tutoring online and offline most hours of the day. The basic cost of tutoring is $25 per hour, and costs do increase if there is travel involved. We apply the same principals to tutoring that we use in the classroom: Make it easy, make it memorable and make it fun :o)

We can also bring the class to your school or business.

Send us an email describing what you are looking for and your time constraints. We will be happy to work with you to find the optimal arrangement.

New Methods for Learning Mandarin Chinese

Effective Chinese is committed to making it easier for you to learn Chinese. We do this by offering you a well designed course, with lots of activities in class and lots of materials to use outside of class.

We feature:
- Experienced instructors, enthusiastic about your success
- Evening classes, downtown Portland, Oregon
- Clear, well planned language instruction
- Online materials that reinforce and expand on the classroom activities

Our approach to learning is simple. We introduce the language incrementally in a way that will allow you to learn without being overwhelmed. We introduce limited number of words per week and always review and reuse previous vocabulary as we move forward. Each week you use the language in the class room in activities designed to make the language unforgettable. And between classes you can reveiw and preview the notes on our wikispace site, where you will find audio materials, fash cards, homework exercises.

This program is for people who need to use their time effectively. We make the most out of classroom time by engaging in activities that you can not do elsewhere. And providing you with a rich online experience to use between classes.

We constantly evaluate new materials and technologies for inclusion, so you can be sure you are getting the best learning environment available.