Find Mandarin tutors in Melbourne

Getting started with Mandarin in Melbourne

It's fair to say that in Melbourne, and really all across Australia, learning languages is not quite our forte. We all know the feeling of having studied a language for years at primary or high school, and still not knowing much more than the basic grammar and vocabulary, certainly not enough to have an in-depth conversation!

What's more, while most people can study languages like Italian, French or Japanese at high school, those who want to learn Mandarin (or any other Chinese language), generally study it at private schools outside of the Australian public system. These students often have Chinese heritage, and use the language to communicate with their family.

Of course, there is a thriving and fascinating Chinese diaspora in Australia, many of whom are native Mandarin speakers or have learned it to use as a lingua franca between dialects. Mandarin is actually the second most spoken language in Australia, after English of course. Without noticing, people probably come into contact with a native Mandarin speaker every day in Melbourne. This means that speaking Mandarin can allow you to experience the culture of people with Chinese heritage across Melbourne and even Victoria. You might even find some business opportunities with your new skills!

Why take a Mandarin course with a private tutor?

As we mentioned before, it's unlikely that students have the option to study this popular Chinese language as part of their normal school experience in Australia. Most people who are interested in lessons will need to look for either a private language school or a private tutor. There are a great range of benefits associated with learning languages in general, like increased confidence and creative thinking, and Mandarin is no different.

Let's look at how the different type of learning experience students can have:

Many children who have Chinese heritage begin lessons at a young age, in group lessons after school or on the weekend. Small group lessons can be a fun way to practice conversation, but young students might find they are little behind others in important areas like grammar and vocabulary.  Lessons with a private tutor could help students who feel they need to study a little more, or perhaps in a different way. A private teacher can create classes that fit best to each individual student, helping them work on weak points and build confidence. They also have the time to help their students put what they learn into practice, which is especially important for children who want to hold a conversation with members of their family.

Of course, there are many other reasons why a student may want to start studying Mandarin. Perhaps you need it as part of a school requirement, or it could be that you're interested in it for business reasons. Maybe you're just excited by the idea of learning to read and write new characters, and speak with a massive portion of the world's population. Whatever your reasons, a course with a private teacher will likely serve you more than any mainstream schooling in Australia.

The school system in Australia is, of course, very Westernised, and doesn't always go hand in hand with Eastern teaching methods and philosophies. This could mean that Australian teachers spend large portions of time on topics that might not be as vital as others, or miss certain nuances in the language, especially in higher-level grammar and vocabulary. This means students may be able to hold a conversation on certain topics but lack the depth to go any further. Large group classes also mean that students who have achieved a higher level may have to wait for others to catch up.

Now compare this with lessons with a private Chinese or Mandarin speaking tutor. They are able to put the language in context for students, and explain where certain pieces of vocabulary or grammar come from, and how they connect to Chinese culture, making lessons more fun, but also more useful. They can teach you tips and tricks they used themselves to memorise the system of Chinese characters and more. Being private lessons, they're also able to focus their attention on exactly what their individual student needs to help them achieve their education goals. Tutors are also often very flexible in terms of time and location. You could organise face to face lessons in Melbourne or Victoria, or online classes with a teacher from anywhere across Australia.

What you can achieve if you speak Mandarin fluently

People will find that the years spent in their Mandarin classes lead to interesting possibilities in a range of aspects of life. First, travelling in China becomes much easier if you can speak with the native people. You can get a much more in-depth understanding of the culture of different regions and cities, compared to a person who has never done any Chinese study.

Of course, we must also consider the amazing career and business opportunities that may come across your lap as a fluent Mandarin speaker. Given the large amount of trade between Australia and China, as well as our relatively close location, having high-level skills in Mandarin will have no small effect on your desirability as a candidate. This is true for almost any field, from fashion to mining, to IT.

If you're keen to use your language skills in a working role in Australia, then there's no limit to the career paths you could explore. With the right level, you could try your hand at translating, teaching in high school or primary school, working in the tourism industry, financial consultant, real estate agent and so, so much more. It's pretty clear to see that knowing Mandarin can greatly affect both your business and personal life.

If you're convinced that learning Chinese is a great move for you, you can start looking for the perfect tutor on Superprof. Our tutors have experience teaching anyone from adults to children, and basic to advanced level. You can organise online lessons, or face to face in a location that suits you both!

Start your search now for a great Mandarin tutor in Melbourne, Australia!