Learn yourself or attend a class?

Question

I'm planning to learn speaking chinese (mandarin) because I need to visit China soon for business purposes. Am I better off learning it myself by buying videos on the Internet or attend a class?

Does anyone know where I can take a class to learn mandarin in nyc?

Answer 1

better is it to attend a class, i think.
language teachers will let you know many basic knowledge, neccesary for new learners. But videos tell you no flexible information.
just my humble opinion.

Answer 2

None of those! Conversation is a two-way street; hence, you must learn it from another native speaker and not from a TV. The quickest and best way to learn any language is to immerse yourself in it. Surround yourself with Mandarin speakers and you'll pick it up in no time. That's how everyone learns their native language. Or just hire a Chinese student from Beijing to practice with you day in a day out. One tip that will help you learn ANY language is to make sure you exaggerate the mouth and tongue movements. It's a stretching exercise and work those muscles around the mouth that have not be used much. If the shape of your mouth and the placement of your tongue is correct, you're 95% there.

Answer 3

It is better to learn from videos on the internet. But to practise, you should speak in chinese. This is possible if u interact with people who speak chinese in a Chinese Class.

Answer 4

Better in class for correct accent and intonation.

Answer 5

you should attend the class because it would give you more about the culture and the language.The tapes may not give you information of the background/culture.