New Century Language & Culture Center
For ten years, New Century Language & Culture Center has specialized in helping students develop practical communication skills in Mandarin Chinese, with a focus on oral communication (speaking/listening). To a lesser degree, the skills of reading and recognizing/writing Chinese characters are also developed. Our teachers are trained to work with westerners, speak standard Chinese, and use encouraging teaching methods--all of which lead to a positive learning experience.
Our school is located in Tianjin, China, now only a half-hour train ride from Beijing. Tianjin provides a particularly good environment for learning Chinese. In many regions of China, the local residents speak with a far-from-standard accent, which wreaks havoc with what the student just practiced in the classroom. Most Tianjin-ren can speak standard Chinese-plus they are known throughout the country for their warmth and friendliness. The city is large, but has a smaller-city "feel" The pace of life is not as hectic as in Shanghai or Beijing, which means that local residents are more willing to chat with foreign students.
New Century Language & Culture Center can help a wide range of students reach their language goals, from the absolute beginner to those preparing for graduate school or work in China, from professionals only able to study an hour per week to full-time students.
Please look through the following Frequently Asked Questions for specific information that applies to your interest and situation. We are still in the process of developing our website, so please feel free to directly contact us with your questions.
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New Century is a language school passionate about equipping foreigners to effectively communicate in Chinese. New Century seeks to continuously improve our program for the mutual benefit of our students and teachers.
History: Since 2001, hundreds of students coming from more than fifteen countries have received our training. Graduates who still live in China are now involved in business or development projects, medical work, teacher training, graduate school, and so on.
Founders/Directors: New Century was founded in 2001 by two friends who share a passion for teaching Chinese language and culture. The Chinese director is Li Qunhu (Academic Director, Associated Colleges in China, 1996-2001) and the US Director is Charly Pine (MA, Chinese Language and Culture, Kansas University). Professor Li is an expert in both modern and classical Chinese with over twenty years of experience in teaching Chinese as a foreign language both in China and the U.S. Professor Pine’s own experience learning and teaching Chinese language and culture over the past seventeen years has given him valuable insights both from a learner’s and teacher’s perspective, helping others who are on this journey.
- We have taught hundreds of adults from over 15 countries to speak Chinese.
- We select and train our teachers with great care. Our curricula have proven effective, and can be modified to suit our students’ goals.
- Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including college students, professionals working in China and their spouses, and retirees. We fit our training to meet our students’ goals and abilities.
- Class size: Most of our classes are one-on-one (for more, see “What kind of class schedule can I choose from?); small group classes only have 3-6 students. Small class size or individual classes means lessons can be adapted to each student’s goals and learning approach.
- Teaching methods aretailored for learners from western countries, unlike Chinese universities and institutes. People from non-Asian countries need more time and support in learning Chinese characters, and do best with a more encouraging style of teaching. Passing a test is not our focus—our aim is to get students communicating well in Chinese, and understanding Chinese culture.
All of our teachers are university graduates who have received additional training in methods that suit western learners.
During the teacher selection process, our Chinese director (20+ years experience in teaching Chinese to foreigners in US, Beijing and Tianjin) evaluates their skills, ability and purity of accent. Many factors are taken into consideration.
Teachers are evaluated every semester by the Directors, Head Teachers and students, in order to steadily monitor and improve the quality of teaching.
Innovation and teacher training are high priorities at New Century.- Weekly class preparation meetings give teachers regular opportunities to share effective teaching methods and materials.
- Almost every summer, one or two teachers have the opportunity to teach overseas.
- Regular teacher evaluations also lead to innovations in teaching methods and consistent quality of teaching.
- For full-time students at our center, we offer one-on-one or small group (3-6 students) classes from 8:05 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday. Small group classes do not exceed 6 students.
- Intensive study is arranged for short-term students according to their specific goals and time-availability. Overseas students who come from the same school and have the same language level may wish to form a group class, but most intensive students still choose the one-on-one format to optimize the benefits of studying in China.
- Our part-time students have the most flexibility in scheduling. They submit monthly schedules, studying from 1 - 4 days weekly, for 1 to 3 hours per session. These students may choose to study at home, office or at our center. These classes are generally one-on-one.
- Skype classes are available for those who live outside Tianjin—or outside China. Lessons with experienced teachers covering the same materials that make us so effective in China help overseas students progress steadily in learning practical Chinese.
We use an integrated teaching approach, naturally combining grammar, vocabulary-building, speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in each lesson. Textbooks come with CDs. Classes may include powerpoint presentations and a variety of extra materials.
Beginners: Chinese Language Foundations is our own system for teaching the sounds of Chinese and pinyin (romanization of pronunciation). From the first class, students start building vocabulary at the same time as learning to hear and produce the sounds of Chinese.
Elementary and Intermediate: After laying this foundation, students transition to appropriate textbook and CD sets. Guidance is offered to help students clarify their language-learning goals. Students choose from two tracks; both tracks prioritize oral communication however one adds more emphasis to learning Chinese characters.
Advanced: Students can choose from a variety of study materials and subjects, such as:
- Social Issues
- Learning Chinese through Movies
- Business Chinese
- Medical language
- Counseling language
- Relief and development-related topics
- Other subjects may also be available, as requested
New Century believes that significant learning happens outside the classroom. During the regular semester we offer weekly extra-curricular learning events, such as Chinese Table, Language Activity Field Trips, culture lectures and travel to other parts of China. Part-time intensive students join these activities, or if they come during our semester breaks, we arrange a partner to accompany them in exploring the city.
Home-stays can be arranged for up to one month. Living with a Chinese family gives students invaluable insights into “real” Chinese life.
Tuition varies with the student’s situation, i.e. whether full-time or part time, studying on site or off, during regular hours or after-hours. Other fees may also apply; please contact New Century office for details about your particular situation.office@newcenturychinese.com. Tuition is calculated either by the semester or hourly, depending primarily on the student’s schedule.
Download our application application form-new.xls, fill it in on your computer, save and email back to us at office@newcenturychinese.com Please note there are two pages—see tabs at bottom. Applications are due 1-2 months before study starts, depending on whether you will need a student visa. Please contact our office staff for details.
Visa requirements vary.We can answer your visa questions, and walk you through the extra paperwork once you are in China.
- Full-time students come to China on Student Visa. Contact New Century office for details about this process.
- Short-term Intensive students come to China on Tourist visa.
- Part-time students carry either Work, F, or accompanying-spouse Tourist visas.
Most of our full-time students are adults planning to live and work in China long-term. Student age ranges from college-age to retirees. Most full-time students are in the 30-50 yr-old age range; most short-term intensive students are college-age.
Several foreign organizations and companies recommend their personnel come to our center over going to universities, because of our track record. We provide language training for various businesses, including Airbus/Tianjin (mostly engineers, coming from Germany, England and France).
English teachers in China find that investing time in learning Chinese can make their time here more enjoyable and productive.
Non-working spouses can enrich their experience in China by learning to speak Chinese, meeting fellow-students, and attending our other activities.
Our beginning students start learning useful language right from the start. After completing Chinese Language Foundations, you can ask for directions, buy things in market, order food and more—not perfectly, but you are off to a good start. Of course, the more time you have for study the faster you will learn, but even once a week for one-two hours will get you moving toward your goals
We welcome questions! Please feel free to contact our Student Services Coordinator by email at office@newcenturychinese.com, or by phone at +86 22 2301 2820.
“Here in XiNing I have heard it observed more than once: “If you come from New Century in faraway Tianjin, we have no worries about your ability to communicate in Chinese. It’s true across the board…you must have received top-notch language instruction.”
“What I liked about NC was the Western teaching methods, more gradual introduction to characters than most other Chinese language schools, and language instruction tailored to the individual. Teaching was done by competent, patient, and enthusiastic Chinese instructors. Opportunities to learn more about China’s rich culture and history were invaluable. Not to forget the warm atmosphere – somewhat of a home away from home! Yet the administration was nonetheless constantly looking for innovative ways to improve the quality of its instruction.
“Whether you are younger, older, gifted in language learning or not – I recommend NC for best results!"