It is with the utmost pleasure that I write this recommendation based on my experience with TouchChinese. I came to Eric with a fairly good background in Chinese having studied at the Beijing Language Institute and living in China for nearly 7 years. In addition, my wife is Chinese and so for the last 10+ years I’ve had exposure to Chinese and do speak it daily.
However, what I always wanted was an opportunity to improve my skills to a more advanced level, gaining a deeper understanding of the culture and technical language points, and to improve my reading and writing. Some of you may wonder, why not have my wife teach me? Well for one, she is an accountant not a language teacher. Secondly. while there are some areas she can help with she does not possess the specialized training in teaching Chinese to foreigners. It would be like me teaching English to Chinese (which I have done and feel somewhat sorry for those that suffered through my classes) .
For years I researched my options:
- Private tutor/classes in the US – too expensive and lots of inconvenient travel time
- University classes – all during the day, not possible to attend with a full time job
- Community College classes – great price point, but not advanced enough for my needs
About two years ago I started to research the internet as online Chinese classes were become popular. I found one of the larger companies (that shall remain nameless) and from the advertisement it looked pretty good. After the free trial a sales person tried to “work me” into this very expensive plan with no flexibility and they wanted several thousand dollars upfront.
Last year during a business trip to China I stumbled across TouchChinese on an internet search. I was very skeptical but decided to give it a try. I had a trial lesson with Kitty, which went really well. Much to my surprise I was not hounded by a sales person to pay thousands of dollars afterwards. A few months later I discussed my personal plans with Eric and started formal lessons with Kitty.
I’ve been studying with Kitty at TouchChiense for a few months now and really love it! For me, with a hectic works schedule, 2 children, and international travel, flexibility was key and TouchChinese has been wonderful in this area. I am not forced to take lessons when its not convenient for me. I can take 1 a week or 3 a week and can schedule a lesson with about 24 hours notice.
Flexibility aside, the quality of instruction is superb, which was another concern. My instructor has her Masters in Chinese and knows the challenges that westerners face. She is able to pinpoint certain areas and explain them quite clearly. She also provides supplemental material that helps with the integration and understanding of my lessons. I look forward to each lesson as I know I will really get a lot out of it.
I am extremely pleased with my TouchChinese experience and plan on staying with them for quite a while. I told my teacher (Kitty) that I would continue to study Chinese until all areas (reading, writing, speaking and pronunciation) are the same as a native!
I was also fortunate enough to meet both Eric and Kitty during my last business trip to China and in addition to being very professional, they are really nice people too!
Thank you and keep up the great work!
James
- James, Seattle WA – US
My class times are flexible and can be done from my own home. I enjoy having private Chinese lessons from the friendly teachers at Touchchinese.com.
- Michael Walter, Vienna – Austria
I found the lessons really useful, and most of them are related to my professional attitude, how to communicate with clients.
- Elena Messes, United Kingdom, mobiles.co.uk
I think now I have the ability to talk in Chinese more easily, I become more organized, my pronunciation is better, and I have more confidence in my language.
- Linda Allah, Melbourne – Australia, Student
I think Touchchinese.com is an amazing and a right website to learn Chinese because of the flexibility of the time and the friendly and thoughtful teachers.
- Jasmine Amaa, US, University Instructor
I can have a flexible schedule for my lessons and the teacher is very committed to their students. Also I have the opportunity to have customized lessons according to my needs…After each lesson at Touchchinese I go one step further in my Chinese skills…The price is affordable and I can speak to a native teacher.
- Javor Lo, Brazil, Ph.D Researcher, Sao Paulo State University
I think I can talk about my self better, make up sentences more easier …etc…Thank you for every thing.
- Aseel Alturki, Riyadh – Saudi Arabia
The biggest advantage is surely the flexibility and the possibility to stay at home for the lesson. The time for going to any institute or education college is saved.
- Kevin Mindermann, Koblenz – Germany, Computer Engineer
I love the system of Touchchinese.com, where you can arrange the class at your own convenience. I save a lot of time having the classes in my house as I don’t have time to go to a proper school.
- E.S., Madrid – Spain, Filmmaking
It is very confortable to have lessons at home; It is also really useful to have particular classes with a lot of conversation!!
- Strick Alvarez, Spain
“Well, as a teacher myself, I just have to say that I’m impressed about the way you work and organise things, which is simple and very effective. I also love the platform you use for teaching, which I had never heard about (there’s so much to learn!). And so far the materials are appropriate, Alysia my teacher is very good. I’m just so thrilled about your method and its possibilities that I’m going to recommend your website to friends and former students.”
- Miguel Panisello, Canada, Teacher
I’m really happy with my teacher. It’s like talking to a friend and, meanwhile, she’s helping you to improve your Chinese.
- Metto Ceciliano, New York – US, Web Systems Architect
The potentiality to orientate the subject of the discussion. the ability to check Chinese translation in the frame of professional works. the professionalism of my teacher. Always ready to give me support, giving me tricks to be more efficient in my Chinese learning
-Jacques Genteur, Italy
Highly recommended for all those students who understand that the process of learning a foreign language is a path that never ends and that only practice makes perfect!
- Lucky Vlajkovic , France
Flexible schedule with reasonable price. – Native Chinese speaker as a teacher… Emails after lesson which tell words and sentences that I found difficulty help me to improve my Chinese.
- Kyoko Akano, Tokyo – Japan, Product Manager, Marketing
The Touchchinese helps a lot to improve my skill in Chinese. The teacher is wise and very patient.
- David Souza, Singapore, Freescale Semiconductor
