Virtual SessionsMandarin language is the most widely spoken form of Chinese. Mandarin Chinese is spoken in all of China north of the Yangtze River and in much of the rest of the country and is the native language of two-thirds of the population.
Mandarin Chinese is often divided into four subgroups: Northern Mandarin, centering on Beijing and spoken in northern China and the Northeast provinces (Manchuria); Northwestern Mandarin, extending northward from the city of Baoji and through most of northwestern China; Southwestern Mandarin, centering on the area around Chongqing and spoken in Sichuan and adjoining parts of southwestern China; and Southern, or Lower Yangtze, Mandarin, in an area centered on Nanjing.
Mandarin is by far the largest of the seven or ten Chinese dialect groups; it is spoken by 70 percent of all Chinese speakers over a large geographical area that stretches from Yunnan in the southwest to Xinjiang in the northwest and Heilongjiang in the northeast. This is generally attributed to the greater ease of travel and communication in the North China Plain compared to the more mountainous south, combined with the relatively recent spread of Mandarin to frontier areas. In everyday English, "Mandarin" refers to Standard Chinese, which is often called simply "Chinese". It is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, under the name "Chinese". As it becomes easier to communicate, travel and do business across country borders, having a second, third or even fourth language under your belt can undeniably give you an edge in your work life and open new doors in your personal life. Even if you never step foot into a Chinese-speaking country, learning Mandarin has a surprising number of benefits. Whether it be new friends, opportunities or careers, the positive effects of learning Mandarin will be felt across all areas of your life.
Reasons to Learn Chinese
1. With over 1 billion speakers - Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world, you are guaranteed to meet native Chinese speakers all over the world. Every interaction we have is an opportunity to make new connections and experience a new culture firsthand.
2. The Chinese language is a portal into an amazing culture. Speaking Chinese opens the gateway to a deeper understanding of 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture.
3. China's economy has developed so much over the 40 years that it is now the world's largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). Chinese proficiency creates countless economic opportunities There are now countless professional opportunities - and increasingly so - for those interested in working in China. Proficiency in the Chinese language puts you several steps ahead of the rest of the workforce. Don't forget that China is a wonderful country in which to teach English while developing your language and cultural skills. Teaching English in China is lifetime experience.
4. Traveling in China without speaking the language can be quite challenging. Other than in major international cities like Shanghai, speaking Chinese is an essential part of daily life as many locals do not speak English. Master the Chinese language and gain unique access to the countless amazing wonders China has to offer.
5. Learning Mandarin is easier than you think. You do not have to worry about verbs! There are no verbs, no plurals, no tenses, no subject-verb agreement, and no conjugations. There are over 80,000 Chinese characters but generally only 3,500 are used in conversation. In fact, it could be regarded as a more logical language.
