Our Teaching Materials

The teaching materials which we are currently using can be divided into two categories. In the first category are materials written in Romanization. In the second category are textbooks written in Chinese characters with Mandarin phonetic symbols alongside.

Our aim here in using romanized texts is to minimize the difficulties inherent in study of an ideographic language such as Chinese by students whose native languages rely on romanized phonetic writing.

We also offer instruction with materials using Mandarin phonetic symbols as some students; particularly those interested in developing more than speaking skills, find the subsequent transition from these symbols to use of Chinese Characters in reading and writing smoother and less difficult.

Materials used for each student are selected following consultation with the student concerning his or her language acquisition goals. Materials are important, however we maintain that it is the skill and ability of the teacher which are of greatest importance to a motivated language learner.