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Rocket Languages vs Preply

Tuesday, September 17th

2024 Chinese Lesson Reviews

Rocket Languages Review 5 Star Rating

Rocket Languages

5 Star Rating
  • Starts at $149.95, with packages for different learning levels
  • Approachable video lessons to simplify the Chinese writing system
  • Friendly audio lessons simulating casual conversations
  • Inclusion of cultural lessons for a deeper understanding of Chinese culture
  • Voice recognition tool, Rocket Record, for speaking practice
  • Hanzi Writing Tool for learning stroke order of Chinese characters
  • "Survival Kit Lessons" for relevant vocabulary in specific scenarios
  • Gamification with leaderboards for a fun, competitive learning experience
  • Community forums for asking questions and getting help
  • Audio lessons downloadable as MP3s for lifetime access
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Rocket Languages is a top-notch language learning tool to help you learn Chinese. You'll enjoy their easy-to-understand video lessons, friendly audio lessons, and their intuitive platform that lets you see your progress. Their program starts at $149.95 and has different levels which can be purchased a-la-carte to suit your needs. If you're not happy with your purchase, you can get a full refund within 60 days. There are tools to help you practice speaking and writing, lessons about Chinese culture, and a fantastic writing tool for learning character stroke order - because unlike some other platforms, each Rocket Languages course is designed to fit that language's unique features. You can compete against other Chinese learners on the Leaderboard for fun, and ask questions in their forums. Rocket Languages is our top choice for online Chinese lessons.

Preply Review 2 Star Rating

Preply

2 Star Rating
  • Affordable pricing with lessons ranging from $1 to $40
  • Over 2,500 Chinese tutors, including native speakers
  • Easy-to-use website
  • Tailored search results for specific language needs and schedules
  • Comprehensive tutor profiles with bios, credentials, and videos
  • Trial lessons available in 25- or 50-minute lengths
  • Specialized learning options for business Chinese, children, and HSK preparation

Preply is an online platform founded in 2012 to help people learn languages, including Chinese, by connecting them with tutors from around the globe. As a Chinese language learner on Preply, you have access to over 2,000 tutors who are either native speakers or highly proficient. You can pick a tutor based on what you want to achieve, their teaching style, and feedback from other students. Once you've chosen a tutor, you can schedule lessons at your convenience using Preply's virtual classroom for video calls, messaging, and sharing study materials. You'll start by telling Preply about your language goals, current level, and preferences, like wanting a tutor from a specific Chinese-speaking region. You can also set your lesson budget and schedule. Despite its benefits, Preply doesn't pay their tutors well and has a subscription model that could lead to customers feeling they've lost out due to unused credits or less-than-ideal experiences with scammers posing as tutors. Preply is not the best choice if you're looking for one-on-one Chinese tutoring.

Where Can You Get the Best Chinese Lessons Online?

The motivations for learning Chinese are as diverse and compelling as the language itself. Perhaps you're fascinated by the rich history and culture of China, eager to read its classical poetry or modern literature in its original form. Maybe you're looking to expand your business skills and communicate directly with the vast Chinese market. Or, you might dream of traveling through China, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes, all while engaging with locals in their native tongue.

Learning Chinese, however, presents a unique set of challenges unlike those found in learning languages like Spanish or French. For one, there's the intricate system of Chinese characters, each carrying its own meaning and pronunciation, which can seem daunting at first glance. Then, there's the tonal nature of Mandarin Chinese, where the meaning of a word can change dramatically with the pitch of your voice.

The Best Chinese Lessons Compare Chinese Lessons Compare Chinese Lesson Reviews What are the best Chinese Lessons Best Chinese Lesson Reviews

Chinese Lesson FAQ

With China being the most populated country in the world, it will come as no surprise that an estimated 1.31 billion people speak Chinese - approximately 16% of everyone on the planet! And, that only includes those whose first or native language is Chinese, not those who are learning it as a second (or third!) language.
There are seven primary dialect groups in Chinese: Mandarin, Yue (or Cantonese), Min, Kejia, Gan, Xiang and Wu. Mandarin is the most widely used and is the dialect you'll most likely use if you travel to Taiwan, Singapore, or China, particularly in the northern regions. Most Chinese lessons are based on Mandarin.
Chinese is one of four languages ranked as a Category IV by the State Department's Foreign Service Institute: a designation that means that, for native English speakers, Chinese is "exceptionally difficult” (along with Arabic, Japanese, and Korean). However, if you're patient and hard-working, you can learn to speak and write in Chinese!
Many experts recommend focusing first on learning how to speak Chinese. The written language is extremely complex, because it's based on pictographs and not a phonetic alphabet, and most learners have a bigger need to communicate orally than in writing. Chinese is a tonal language, where shifting the "shape” of one's voice can change a syllable into a different word. (In Mandarin, for example, the syllable "ma” can mean everything from "mother” to "horse” and even "to scold” depending on the tone!) That can be very tricky for non-Asian learners to master, making it a great place to start.
There's no way to study Chinese that's more convenient than online lessons. You don't have to worry about making it to class on time, being able to register for a course, or turning in homework! Studying Chinese online is also much more affordable, and it lets you take things at your own pace.
Depending on whether you're using a Mac or PC (or an iPhone or Android), there are different steps you can take to enable a Chinese keyboard. Your best bet is to do a search based on the operating system you've got and follow the steps to turn on the Chinese language functionality.
No! You can choose classes with one-time fees for a complete course or a monthly subscription for continuous access, but both types of Chinese lessons are very affordable. For example, one popular program has a 12-month membership for just $16.66 per month, and another offers two levels of Chinese lessons for $249.90. You'll have a hard time finding an in-person class for less than that!
Sometimes. If you've subscribed to a monthly plan, you'll probably be able to cancel future recurring payments. If you've paid for a package of Chinese lessons, some platforms will allow you to request a refund within the first 30-60 days of use. However, your best option is to use any free lessons or resources that the language program offers prior to purchase: many sites have partial or full lessons you can try before you buy, or a 7-day trial you can use before your payments kick in. That's a great way to find out if the Chinese lessons you're considering are a good match for how you learn and what you want to get out of your studies.
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But don't let these hurdles deter you. With commitment and the right resources, you're on your way to fluency. Mastering Chinese opens up a universe of cultural, professional, and social opportunities, allowing you to connect with over a billion speakers worldwide.

Online Chinese lessons offer a variety of approaches to suit different learning preferences. For auditory learners, there are programs focused on immersive listening practices, helping you attune your ear to the nuances of the language. If you're game for a challenge, gamified learning platforms make acquiring new vocabulary and grammar points engaging, rewarding your progress with points and badges.

For those who prefer a more structured learning path, comprehensive courses provide a blend of video lessons, interactive quizzes, and writing exercises, ensuring you develop a well-rounded skill set, from character recognition and writing to speaking and listening.

And if personal interaction is what drives your learning, tutoring services connect you with native Chinese speakers for real-time conversation and cultural exchange, enriching your study with authentic experiences.

Feeling overwhelmed by the options? Here's what to consider as you begin your journey to learn Chinese:

  • Current fluency level. Assess whether you're starting from scratch or if you have some knowledge of Chinese. Choose lessons that align with your starting point.
  • Learning medium. Determine whether you prefer app-based lessons, audio files, desktop platforms, or another format that fits your lifestyle and learning habits.
  • Skill focus. Decide if you want to concentrate on listening and speaking, reading and writing, or a combination. Remember, Chinese characters are essential for reading and writing, and tone practice is critical for understanding and being understood.
  • Pinyin vs. characters. Consider if the app emphasizes learning through pinyin (the Romanization of Chinese sounds) or focuses more on teaching Chinese characters. Some learners may prefer starting with pinyin to master pronunciation before moving on to characters, while others might want to dive directly into character recognition and writing.
  • Cost. Evaluate whether the lessons are priced as a one-time payment or require a subscription. Consider the value of free options and the benefits of paid upgrades.
  • Learner reviews. Look for feedback from other learners. Their experiences can provide insight into the effectiveness of the platform and the time it may take to see progress.

To guide you to the best Chinese lessons for your goals and preferred learning style, our team at Top Consumer Reviews has tested today's leading options and provided honest feedback on what each one offers. So, what are you waiting for? Embark on your Chinese learning adventure today!

The Best Reviews of Chinese Lessons