You may have noticed a new link on the task-bar today - the ‘Tutors’ link. This links you to the ChinesePod Tutors’ network - a place where you can connect with teachers of Mandarin.
Last week we ran our first training session for Mandarin teachers in how to use ChinesePod. We had 24 very keen participants. The session offered a basic certification to show that participants were familiar with the workings of ChinesePod. The names that appear in the Tutors’ Network were the people who took that training.
If you are searching for a Mandarin teacher with whom to practice, feel free to contact them. The details are in the list.
We hope over time to expand this network and build the best possible teacher training resources. We are also negotiating with some of the most prestigious teacher training organizations in China to pursue a collaboration to enhance our all of this. More on that in the coming weeks.
This is a great idea and something that I have been waiting for! Now, is there a way to practice with a tutor over a distance, since it is rather unconvenient for me to come to Shanghai? Ken, are you planning to set up a “Chinesepod Europe” in Ireland?
Tapio,
The idea is to make a resource that anyone anywhere in the world can access. We want to broaden the database of teachers to any place in the world where they might be located. This should enable face-to-face classes for learners who wish to find teachers in their city.
If face-to-face is not always possible, there’s always Skype lessons. We’l lhave much to say about this in the coming months. For now I’d like to concentrate on building up the database, so if you know of any Mandarin teahcers who might wish to subscribe to our fledgling database please refer them to us.
As for a ChinesePod Europe, I think it is entirely possible that we might build some ‘Pod Centers’ in various parts of the world where demand for Mandarin might exist. It’s all part of the master plan!
Hope it takes off - and lists tutors in other parts of the world too. It would be nice to see some kind of user feedback eventually - not reviews (you know how catty some of us can be); but an ebay-style 5-people-have-used this-tutor,-4-ranked-he/she-positive type thing…
I would like to hire a Shanghai tutor to read and correct my messages written in Chinese characters or Pinyin. Do you know how much they might charge for correcting a page of Chinese? Would I be able to pay them through your paypal account? Where can I find a list of terms in Chinese that refer to the internet? Words like email and email address, URL, website, blog and blogger, modem, WiFi, wide-band, etc. My dictionary does not include these terms. Does Chinese Pod have a dictionary of all the terms used in all the lessons? If so, can you tell me how to access it?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me on these issues.
Grant Callaghan
Grant,
So far the plan for the Tutors section is that they are all independant and we just help connect you with them. You can work out a price and payment method for what you need with them directly. We do have a dictionary with most of the words from the lessons (some are missing, but will be added soo). We call it the Glossery, and you can get to it via the top right tab. It’s a premium feature, and is tied in with the Vocab builder and flashcards. We will pass on the idea to do an internet lesson as well.
I am a native Chinese speaking bilinguish located in Shanghai. I prefer to teach Foreigners Chinese language with charge. But how can we sides contacte? My Email is guilinroad@hotmail.com.
Carotene,
Jut go here http://www.chinesepod.com/teachers/
and if you have time, here http://www.chinesepod.com/teachers/blog/
Ken