These levels have been developed based on 20 years of experience in teaching Chinese as a foreign language and are specially designed for adults to learn Chinese.

 

Often students learning on their own online or in other courses – whether in Canada or China – put a lot of effort into memorizing vocabulary lists without having learned how to use it to make sentences properly. They are constantly translating in their heads, rather than simply speaking. They also worry about how to read and write characters.

But, because Chinese sentences are structured very differently from English ones, using Chinese means above all knowing how to use its language structures correctly. The proficiency levels we have designed help students get out of the habit of translating.

 

Our Beginner students quickly understand how to use Chinese language structures, and reinforce these skills by using the most practical vocabulary for work and life. How to read and write Chinese characters is introduced late in our Elementary level, once basic skills have been instilled. Students who reach our Proficient level are fully confident communicating in everyday life, giving workplace presentations, and more. They also have the foundation to guide their future learning in new areas.

 

There are seven different levels, each divided into sessions as follows:

Each session usually takes 9 hours to complete. It requires approximately 279 hours of lessons at Toronto Chinese Academy to reach the Proficient Level.