Nationality: American
Occupation: Graduate, Brown University

Jessica's Experience

As a recent college graduate who didn't know a word of Mandarin before arriving in Beijing, I sought a program that would create almost immediate and steady progress--and to my surprise, 1MonthMandarin provided this type of program. The people were really supportive and nice--the ease of living in Beijing increased exponentially after just a few days in the program. Suddenly, I had significantly improved in directing taxi drivers and ordering food, a feat that the teachers made so simple.

I met other people studying Mandarin at larger universities in Beijing, but their progress was stilted and slower due to their large classes and outdated learning techniques. In my program, I had personal attention, small classes and a personal tutor who tailored our sessions to my teaching needs. The heavy emphasis on correct pronunciation places students of this program at a great advantage--students in other programs rarely get the opportunity to have a tutor help them so thoroughly.

The teachers were professional, friendly and genuinely cared about our progress. I never dreaded going to class--it was an opportunity to learn in a comfortable atmosphere. As soon as I walked outside, I could immediately practice my new words on the streets of Beijing.

People consistently are surprised that I knew so many words although I only studied for one month. I began another Mandarin program and was placed on the same level as a student who had been studying for six months--in fact, I would say we are pretty equally matched conversationally, although I may actually know more words. Also, Matthew has done extensive research on ways to improve your Mandarin after the program ends. He provides several software programs that he has personally tested.

I definitely recommend the program for anyone who wants to dive in and learn intensely for a month so they can get the speaking basics down. It's perfect to take the edge off of the intimidation Mandarin usually provokes in people and provides a solid base for speaking.

Nationality: American
Occupation: Harvard student

Philip's Experience

There was never a period more special than the time I spent in Beijing, and as I grow older and look back, I will always know that definitively, it was the best month of my life. And it is safe to say that my trip would not be nearly as satisfying if it weren't for my program with One-Month Chinese. As a tutoring/learning center alone One-Month Chinese offered me high quality services such as: one on one tutoring with teachers, a comprehensive lesson plan which included vocabulary, character writing, grammar, phonetics and listening, a flexible schedule to suit my own activities, and most importantly teaching which accommodated my own specific level of progress in Chinese. One-Month Chinese is also so much more than just an instructional program though. For many Western people, arriving in China for the first time can be a startling change, and many might find themselves lost in all the culture shock. One-Month Chinese really helps to assuage this. They are always within easy contact, will take you out to phenomenal dining experiences, and even include showing you China's amazing sights on weekends. They will pretty much take care of any problem you come across during your stay. Most importantly, is their excellent service in providing a concierge (Wendy in my case) to spend time with you in showing you around and getting you acquainted with the surroundings. This helped me a great deal, and having someone with you to always speak Chinese with is the best way to learn. Really, the people at One-Month Chinese become your friends rather than your teachers, and this is evident in that the program is a small, warm and intimate group, at your service, rather than a large, distant tutoring corporation. You will remember the employees of One-Month Chinese; they become the people you know in China, who you see and talk to nearly everyday and by the time you have to leave, you will miss them greatly. I know some people choose to stay a year a more in Beijing learning Chinese; and I cannot think of a better program to use. I recommend all people who are thinking about coming to China to come, to step outside their comfort zone, experience a greatly different city and culture, and to see things one might never see elsewhere in life. I know I did, and would like to thank the people at One-Month Chinese for all their tremendous efforts. My time in Beijing would not have been the same without them, and I am still waiting for the day I get to return.

Nationality: American
Occupation: Banking and Finance Executive

Andrew 's Experience

I studied Chinese in Beijing with East-West Connection for eight weeks during December 2009 and January 2010.  Their team delivered a top notch teaching and cultural experience.  My Chinese skills improved dramatically and I feel that the program delivered a high level of value for the fee that I paid.  I would recommend this program with a high level of enthusiasm to anyone who is looking to quickly improve their Chinese language skills while having the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and explore Beijing. 

Nationality: Australian
Occupation: OT

Geraldine's Experience

My visit to Beijing was made most memorable and meaningful through the assistance of the people of East West Connection. My main priorities for the visit included: to learn the basics of the Chinese language on a conversational level and to have exposure to other cultural aspects such as the local food, arts, and sights around Beijing. A quick search on the internet soon took me to their website, an informative and instructive first point of contact which brought me confidence to progress closer to my goals.

Being the first time to travel on my own to any foreign country for an extended period meant that I was entrusting my valuable time and resources into the hands of what I hope were people who both valued the provision of high, personable service in their language study program as well as being able to utilise the benefits of our rich technological advances to cater to an adult style learning needs.

True to their highlighted mission, everything from timely and efficient email communication, airport pickup and drop off through to the dedicated care and concern shown to me throughout my stay has most definitely resulted in a lasting, positive impression on every aspect of my stay. Whether it was to go to the hospital, the pharmacist, bank, or the church… I knew that my needs were their top interest. I attest that the professional quality of the teaching with use of various language softwares, the coordination of my accommodation at a university campus with other foreign students, daily wushu classes, orientation to the public utilities, and the weekend tours is worthy of anyone’s recommendation… to name a few.

I have gained much since and am still amazed at just how much more I’ve come away with aside from fulfilling my initial goals. Those were fond memories, warm friendships, and most definitely a month well spent! The smooth transitioning and ease in finding my way around Beijing within the first week and a half allowed for an immersion into the local way of life on a level made more possible than any tour guide alone could orchestrate. There were nights spent where I alone meandered through the night markets and alley ways and many streets well travelled throughout the days… haha, these were interspersed with a plethora of food and shopping stalls galore amidst an ever bustling hive of activity, smells, and sounds. It was more than can be asked for by a foreigner. The encouragement and the progress made in my Mandarin throughout the month (and its day to day application by the first lesson) is a sure testament to all who were a part of East West Connection. Duo xie ni!!

Nationality: American
Occupation: Editor, Major North American Magazine

Elizabeth's Experience

What appealed to me most about One Month Mandarin was the eclectic approach, integrating the best of many different programs. I also liked the emphasis on spoken Chinese and the way they utilized technology through computer programs and the Palm. The excursions were also fun, and very useful for trying out Chinese in real-life situations. But the best aspect was the way that both Matt, who runs the program, and Kat, my teacher, customized the lessons for me, adapting to my language level and to my unpredictable schedule. They anticipated my needs and were just terrific all around. I would highly recommend the program to anyone who wants to get comfortable speaking Mandarin fast.