- Who is SpeakChineseInWeeks®?
- How does SpeakChineseInWeeks® differ from other Mandarin Chinese courses?
- What is PinYin?
But why should I study Chinese now (while I am still here in the US and not later in China)?
- How much is your training program?
- What if I am not happy with my purchase?
- How do I pay?
- How do I contact SpeakChineseInWeeks®?
- I don't speak a word of Chinese, can I still learn it?
- If I missed a class, what will you do to help me?
- Where is your class held?
- Am I eligible?
- Who will be my instructor?
- What materials do I need to prepare for the class?
- How should I dress for the class?
- What is your policy regarding privacy?
- What is your class schedule?
- Who is www.eastwestbridge.org?
Who is SpeakChineseInWeeks®?
SpeakChineseInWeek® helps people speak Chinese in just 10 weeks using methods based on neuroscience. We target adult learners. Our special training program is dynamic and interactive, filled with over 25 proven, field-tested methods to create a real language learning environment for you. Whether your goal is business or pleasure, or you simply need another challenge in your life, we promise -- your brain will love it!
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How does SpeakChineseInWeeks® differ from other Mandarin Chinese courses?
WARNING—
This is NOT A LECTURE COURSE. It is an intensive, hands-on, interactive program filled with practice sessions. We specialize in language learning that are enthusiastic, dynamic, energetic, and filled with fun and humor.
Consider us your laughter clinic.
Constantly eating just one type of food is disadvantageous to your health; likewise, using simply one method of learning can be detrimental to your progress. Other course offer you their one ultimate learning method, be it online learning, CDs, DVDs, tapes, or books. The ultimate language method does not exist. That’s not how your brain works. At SpeakChineseInWeeks®, you will be exposed to over 25 different language acquisition methods that your brain approves so you can have a more balanced, working knowledge of Chinese.
The drawback for many language courses is the lack of practice and the lack of interaction. Creating an interactive environment for students is particularly challenging because there is only one teacher~~and he is limited in giving one-on-one attention to you. At SpeakChineseInWeeks®, we have overcome this challenge. Come see for yourself how.
We offer the MOST hands on, practical, interactive course on the market. University courses do not provide this much variety in dynamic skills and methods. Many comment that they wish they had known about our course before becoming committed to another... it doesn't even compare.
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When there are so many books and CDs available to learn Chinese, why should I choose to learn with you?
First, the proof is in the pudding. In language terms, the proof is in your speaking. A diploma or certification doesn’t always equate to a person’s communication abilities. How clearly, correctly and fluently are you able to communicate in a variety of settings? Could you attain this simply from reading a book?
Second, the goal of real communication is more than just understanding the words coming out of your mouth--it's understanding what you mean. Typical tapes, books, and CDs are only one-way communication in a sterile environment that provides you no feedback. They are never substitutes for real human interactions. Our training exposes you to much more of the target language and you’ll also hear it used in a variety of ways.
Most important, what is the biggest challenge in studying a foreign language? What does this spell: M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N? You know how you’ll get~~it’s been a long, hard day at the office; you fought fires from morning ‘til dark and didn’t even get a chance to eat lunch. And now you are going to sit in that La-Z-Boy of yours and start a crash course of “Chinese On Tape”? Right! And I’ve got some ocean front properties in Arizona. Being in our class motivates you; it facilitates you to learn quickly, like no other media. You’ll be with others who will encourage you, to spur you on. At SpeakChineseInWeeks®, we call this “community conviction”.
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What is Mandarin?
The official language of China: the official language of the People's Republic of China and Taiwan (Republic of China), belonging to the Chinese branch of Sino-Tibetan languages derived from the dialect of Beijing.
Native speakers: over 900 million Chinese and Taiwanese people speak Mandarin. More and more Chinese people moving into North America speak Mandarin instead of the Cantonese dialect. Even though people living in Hong Kong mainly speak Cantonese, in Shanghai City, Sichuan Province, Hunan Province and also a few other major China cities and provinces speak a variety of different dialects, they almost all understand Mandarin and can reply back to you in Mandarin with certain degree of local accents. People live in Beijing, Central and West China usually speak pure and standard Mandarin. So, once you master Mandarin, you are able to communicate with over 80% of the Chinese people.
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What is PinYin?
Chinese characters are like many miniature symbols. Looking at them, nobody would know how to pronounce them. In order to make people learn Chinese, the Chinese government developed a pronunciation system by using the 26 Roman letters A - Z, combined with 4 to 5 Mandarin tones. As a beginner, to speak Mandarin, you absolutely do not need to master the Chinese characters but just master the PinYin system. The full name for PinYin is "HanYu PinYin", which means Han People's phonetics. Chinese people call themselves Han people as well. "Yu" means "language". That's why the Chinese language is also called "HanYu".
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Because nothing helps you understand the Chinese people more than speaking their language.
“The Need for Linguistic Proficiency in Global Business" stated: "Perhaps the most compelling reason for learning the language of one's international business partner is that it provides considerable insights into that culture.... Through its structure and vocabulary, it reveals the important values found in the culture; it gives insight into how directly or indirectly people in a particular culture communicate with one another; and it reflects social realities, such as status differences, within a culture."
The best way to truly understand another culture is to learn to speak the local language fluently. Culturally competent people are sought after in the business world. Effective communication is critical in business negotiations; your international experience will provide a valuable service to your company.
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But why should I study Chinese now (while I am still here in the US and not later in China)?
"Why are you wasting your time studying this? It's not like you can't find people who speak English over there." “Why do you want to go THERE?” “Ordering Mu-Gu-Gai-Pan is the extent of my Chinese.”
All of this points to a prevalent attitude in the U.S. that it is not necessary to experience other cultures up close.
How would you benefit from learning Chinese now? Since the very nature of one’s language engages one’s culture, you’ll be in a safe environment for you to learn (and thus question and protest) all the formalities (or insanities) about the Chinese culture before you have to come face to face with it. Especially if you are already conducting business in China, you may wish to increase your productivity, lessen the conflicts, promote better communication between your US and China operations, or simply open up more business opportunities. Understanding your business partner overseas translates into career advancements for yourself. We at SpeakChineseInWeeks® are locals, and we present the Chinese culture in a way that you could relate because we dream in English. We explain the underlying principles so you will build an appreciation (and not just have empty knowledge) of the culture. Our years of experience in corporate America (and not academia) means less grammar drills and more practical learning for you.
Studying now also gets you ahead of the game; it means no hotel stays away from your family, no foreign food with unpronunciational names, or that jet-lagging international travel and all the expenses involved. But once you have built your foundation, you will be ready for the real “language immersion experience” of being in China. Immersion experiences are more beneficial to the intermediate level speakers, since you would already have a framework of the language. You can then “plug and play” with new vocabularies and expressions.
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Will you cover lessons on Chinese culture?
When attending an event, what signifies to you that it’s now appropriate to partake? Since they are a means to feed you, how do the Chinese view the way you handle your chopsticks? What is the best way to accept a gift from the Chinese? What is the most important principle you need to know in order to grow your business? You’ll learn the mode of acceptable behavior, styles of communication, history, rules about body language and eye contact, especially business etiquettes. The very nature of language involves identity with a group of people and its culture.
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How much is your training program?
Introductory to Mandarin Chinese Course:
Total: $1,290.00
Registration Fee: $20.00.
Introduction to Mandarin Chinese 10 Weeks Course Tuition: $1,178.00.
Training Materials (Books and Audio CDs): $92.00.
Advanced Mandarin Chinese Course:
Total: $1,290.00
Registration Fee: $20.00.
Introduction to Mandarin Chinese 10 Weeks Course Tuition: $1,178.00.
Training Materials (Books and Audio CDs): $92.00.
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What if I am not happy with my purchase?
You get nothing to lose! You have the full right to ask for a refund after before attending your 3rd class. By that time, you would be able to judge whether our program works for you or not. Upon your refund request, you will receive the refund check within 5 business days. We will refund you 100% of all the registration fee, course tuition and undamaged and unmarked training materials. Or, you may instruct us to hold your payment and transfer your registration to any of our program within 2 years. After you have attended 3 classes, refund will not be available.
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How do I pay?
We accept:
- Credit Cards: Through PayPal. Pay to ICP PayPal Account: icpincusa@earthlink.net
(You do not need to have a PayPal account in order to use PayPal. This is the new feature of PayPal, one of the most secure credit card processing systems in the world.)- Company Checks
- Money Orders
- Cashier Checks
- Personal Checks
Please make your check or money order payable to: "ICP Inc.".
Mailing Address: PO Box 15, Alief, TX 77411-0015
Please do not mail cash.
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How do I contact ICP?
You may contact us via these 3 ways:
- By Phone: 713.598.5560 or 713.598.5250
- By Email: charles@speakchineseinweeks.com or rosa@speakchineseinweeks.com
- By Mail: P.O. Box 15, Alief, TX 77411-0015
Your email is normally replied within 24 hours.
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I don't speak a word of Chinese, can I still learn it?
Absolutely "YES"! Some of our teaching methods are neuroscience based, which has helped people who had strokes or lost speech due to head injury of car accidents. For normal people, regardless your age, you absolutely can learn. And with our help, you will learn Mandarin amazingly fast. We have taught some Americans who are in their early 70s and they are now happily speaking Mandarin in their particular fields of interest.
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If I missed a class, what will you do to help me?
- You will not miss our classes, period. Because you are welcomed to attend the session you missed with another group at no cost to you.
- We also provide you the Audio CD (sometimes even Video CD) of the class you missed. You can do self learning with the CD.
- Depends on our availability, with $40 per hour rate, you might contact us to have Private Coaching Session if you missed the class. This can be done face to face or by using MSN Messenger / Yahoo Messenger webcam. You must have your own computer and webcam already setup youself.
- Even though you missed one session, you will be able to study the next session without problem because we've designed your classes modularly. Sessions are independent from one another. But if you consecutively missed more than two sessions, it might be difficult to get the most effective results. In this case, we highly recommend you to take the Private Coaching in order to catch up.
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The classes will be held in a hotel conference room or the Texas Training and Conference Centers. This is to be determined depending on the size of class after registration process. We always choose hotels which is right next to Houston main freeway exit. This will help you to easily find it and quickly drive to the classes after work.
Texas Training and Conference Centers
11200 Richmond Ave, Suite# 100, Houston, TX 77082
Tel: 281.589.1400
http://www.texas-tacc.comUpon receipt of your registration, we will notify you the exact class room number.
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YES – This course is open to anyone who would like to learn the latest methods of learning to speak Chinese fast, whether it’s or personal or business use. If you are enthusiastic, we welcome you!
According to statistics, adults make up about 40% of the learning population. The key to adult learning is each adult brings his experience and have already acquired knowledge in to the classroom with him. Everything at SpeakChineseInWeeks® is linked to your own experience. Humans want things quick. They want it now. At SpeakChineseInWeeks®, you’ll practice and use what you learn right away.
Can’t teach an old dog Chinese? Think again. H. H. Stern, a renowned figure in the field of language acquisition made this conclusion: “Language learning may occur at different maturity levels from the early years into adult life. No age stands out as optimal or critical for all aspects of second language learning.” Children have some exclusive advantages, but so do adult learners. Our students range from high school students and retirees wanting to travel and volunteer, to those looking for a new direction or career change. Believe me, you have plenty of room left in your brain to start learning.
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Please click here to see who your instructor will be.
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What materials do I need to prepare for the class?
Just your own pen and notebook. You are allowed to bring your own small audio tape recorder but not any video recording equipment.
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You will be doing a lot of moving around and getting in and out of your seat. Please dress comfortably and casually.
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What is your policy regarding privacy?
Privacy Policy: All information collected by SpeaksChineseInWeeks® will be kept confidential within our organization and will only be used for completing your registration or program. You may receive an occasional future email regarding additional SpeaksChineseInWeeks® courses or material when and if they become available.
Photos and Video Clips: During the classes, from time to time, we will take pictures of the class scenes and also video recording the classes. These media materials might be put on this website in future time. Registering with us and joining in this class prove that you agree with us that we have the full rights to place pictures or video clips online, which might include your face and body. If you disagree with this policy, please formally inform us with written notice and we will remove pictures with your images.
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Please click here to see the available Class Schedules.
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Who is www.eastwestbridge.org?
www.eastwestbridge.org is an organization in Shanghai, which provides Mandarin learning, Chinese martial art learning, as well as home stay opportunities, etc. Currently www.speakchineseinweeks.com (International Channel Partners, Inc.) and www.eastwestbridge.org are not business partners, but we motivate each other in business ventures. We have met Mr. Frank Wu of the East West Bridge and discussed business ideas and future cooperation possibilities. Through our meeting, we think Mr. Frank Wu is a trustworthy person to help you set your feet in China if you are interested in going to Shanghai. When you deal with this organization, please use your own judgment and discretion. International Channel Partners, Inc. is not liable for any consequences of your dealing with www.eastwestbridge.org. We simply wish you will have the same pleasant experience as we had with www.eastwestbridge.org.
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