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Online Chinese Classes

To register for our Chinese group classes, please click below.

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Session
Session Dates
Holidays (No Class)
Holiday Make Up Classes
Spring
4/15 - 6/26
Monday, May 27th
Wednesday, June 19th
Monday, June 24th 
Wednesday, June 26th
Summer
7/8 - 9/16
Monday, September 2nd
Monday, September 16th
Fall
9/30 - 12/11
Monday, October 14th
Monday, November 11th
Thursday, November 28th
Monday, December 9th
Tuesday, December 10th
Wednesday, December 11th
Schedule
Time
Beginner I-III
Tue/Thu 6:00 – 7:40 pm
Intermediate I-III
Mon/Wed 6:00 – 7:40 pm
Contemporary Topics
Mon/Wed 6:00 - 7:40 PM ET

All times are listed in the Washington, DC Eastern Time Zone.

Program
Price
Tuition 10-week session
$450
Registration fee (per course)*
$25
Materials**
* Registration fee is non-refundable. ICLS reserves the right to cancel a class due to lack of enrollment. In the case of lack of enrollment, the registration fee will be refunded.

Student Learning Outcomes, Online Chinese Group Classes

Below is a course description for each level of ICLS’ Chinese Group Classes.
Beginner I

Designed for students with no prior knowledge of the language, this course teaches students how to communicate in simple everyday situations. While the emphasis of the course is on developing speaking proficiency, it also introduces basic grammar concepts and teaches beginning reading skills. Upon completion of the course students will be able to participate in simple and routine daily interactions such as greetings, introducing oneself, and setting plans with others.

 

Text used: Integrated Chinese, vol 1 [Amazon] [Publisher] [Digital textbook / app]

PrerequisiteNone

Beginner II

Designed for students with some prior knowledge of the language, this course builds on the topics and communication skills taught in Beginner I. While the emphasis of the course is on developing speaking proficiency, it continues to introduce basic grammar concepts (particles, adjectives as predicates, adverbs, descriptive complements, detachable compounds) and teaches beginning reading skills. Upon completion of the course students will be able to participate in very simple conversations such as being a guest/host, scheduling activities by phone, and describing one’s experience in different types of situations.  

 

Text used: Integrated Chinese, vol 1 [Amazon] [Publisher] [Digital textbook / app]

PrerequisiteBeginner I

Beginner III

Designed for students with a basic knowledge of the language, this course focuses on the development of fluency. Students will expand their ability to carry out simple conversations on a limited range of topics including shopping and transportation. Previous grammar concepts are reviewed (conjunctions, model verbs, measure words), and more complicated structures are introduced in context (verb phrases, indicating sequence, time-when expressions). Upon completion of the course, students will be able to narrate on one’s experience and daily activities, describe what one wants at a store and navigate through situations with transportation. 

 

Text used: Integrated Chinese, vol 1 [Amazon] [Publisher] [Digital textbook / app]

PrerequisiteBeginner II

Intermediate I

Designed for students with a solid knowledge of basic grammar concepts and the ability to conduct conversations on familiar topics. Students will be introduced to additional verb tenses and increasingly complex structures (resultative complements, adjective reduplication). Upon completion of the course, students will be able to comment on the weather, order food at a restaurant with great detail, give directions with accurate language, etc.

 

Text used: Integrated Chinese, vol 2 [Amazon] [Publisher] [Digital textbook / app]

PrerequisiteBeginner III

Intermediate II

This course is designed for students with a knowledge of basic grammar concepts and the ability to conduct conversations on familiar topics. Students will be introduced to more advanced adverbs, prepositions, and complex structures. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to navigate through conversations on certain social activities, expressing the reason for such activity, preparing the activity, and engaging in socially meaningful conversations during the activity. Students will also navigate through conversations with similar intensity in other settings such as a hospital setting, while describing one’s symptoms, possible causes, and understanding doctor’s recommendations. 

 

Text used: Integrated Chinese, vol 2 [Amazon] [Publisher] [Digital textbook / app]
Prerequisite
Intermediate I

Intermediate III

Intermediate III is designed for students who can apply their knowledge of grammar concepts to participate in simple conversations with reasonable accuracy. Students will be introduced to more advanced particles, sentences structures, as well as content. Students are expected to understand the gist of some cultural texts. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to engage in and sustain routine conversations which include details. Topics include asking someone on a date, renting an apartment and talking about sports, etc. Moreover, students will develop better understanding on Chinese culture and more advanced language forms such as simple idioms.

 

Text used: Integrated Chinese, vol 2 [Amazon] [Publisher] [Digital textbook / app]

Prerequisite: Intermediate II

Advanced Contemporary Topics for Chinese

The Contemporary Topics course is designed for students who speak Chinese at a High Intermediate to Mid Advanced level. Classes focus on improving fluency and conversational skills, expanding vocabulary on advanced topics, refining pronunciation, and fine-tuning grammar. Students will read authentic media and participate in discussions on topics related to current events and Chinese culture. Contemporary Topics courses are ideal language maintenance and can be taken multiple times as topics will change each session.

 

Text used: None
Prerequisite
Intermediate III or must speak the language an an Intermediate High to Advanced Mid level.

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Key Benefits

  • Small Group Classes

    Between 4-8 students on average. Maximum of 12.

  • Best Value In Washington, D.C.

    2 hours; 2 classes per week; 20 classes total; less than $12/hour.

  • Highly-Qualified Teachers

    Classes taught by experienced and trained teachers with native-level proficiency.

  • Emphasis on Speaking and Listening

    Lively, task-based exercises.

  • Four Sessions Per Year

    You can progress from beginner to intermediate in one year.

  • Over 50 Years' Experience

    Over 50 years' experience in providing engaging foreign language teaching. 

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"Chang Laoshi is the single most committed, passionate, and truly supportive educator that I have had the privilege to meet in my language learning journey. She has quite literally redefined how I learn the Chinese language. Any progress I have made it this course and be solely attributed to her tried and true methods, her incredible intelligence, and her obvious compassion for her students. There is quite simply no better language instructor than Chang Laoshi."

Beginner III Student

"I highly recommend Yu Laoshi to anyone interested in beginning to learn Chinese. She made each lesson interesting, fun, and engaging. I'm amazed at how much we learned in such a short time."

Beginner I student

"Elisabeth is a fantastic teacher. In every class she challenges me to use Chinese, to actively recall, not just passively understand."

Intermediate I Student

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