I have been studying Chinese Mandarin for the ten years, and although, given the length of time I have invested in this endeavor, I was unsatisfied with my progress. Throughout Manhattan, and parts of New Jersey, I have enrolled in many Chinese Mandarin courses, hoping to find a course that could address my concerns.As a former educator, I have always regarded efficient and effective pedagogy with high esteem, and I was fortunate enough to have found these educational qualities at the Chinese Language Academy of New York. Furthermore, under the intensive and challenging guided instruction of Rebecca Wang, my speaking, listening and reading comprehension skills have surpassed my own expectations.During class, Rebecca engaged me in thought provoking discussions germane to the lesson’s topic. She introduced me to additional new vocabulary and idioms which helped me to have a greater appreciation for Chinese culture.I truly believe, my satisfactory personal growth as a student of theChinese Mandarin language and culture would not have been possible without Rebecca Wang ‘s patience, trenchant insights, and superb pedagogical skills. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to study with her at the Chinese Language Academy of New York.Barry

Im currently enrolled in CLAs beginner program, and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in starting to learn Chinese. The class is capped at 6 people, meaning you get plenty of individual attention and feedback on key early elements of learning the language, especially pronunciation and tones.Because of the pandemic, the class is currently taught virtually via Zoom, but I actually think I would prefer to continue taking classes via Zoom even after it is safe to be in-person again. Five years ago, I would have been hesitant to take any class 100% online, but the advancement of video conferencing tech has made it convenient and seamless. I work full-time, so its much easier for me to join virtually instead of commuting after work to class.My teacher, Rebecca, is excellent. She is organized, friendly, and engaging. Most importantly, she gives very precise, detailed feedback to each student during class. As an example: Ive noticed that, when one of us mispronounces a word, she is able to pause and precisely identify the incorrect tongue position or mouth shape that led to the error. She also does a great job of weaving in material from previous weeks and assigning activities to target individual students key areas for improvement.Obviously, I plan on continuing my classes with CLA after this program!

I recently completed the CLA 16 hour crash course. I had a great experience with Rebecca as my teacher. The class was structured in a way that I could quickly feel that I was learning how to talk about different things. Each week, we reviewed the previous and then moved into the new topic. Each class was very interactive which enabled me to learn more in a couple of hours (along with a bit of studying between) than I ever could have alone, because I had to focus quite intently on learning/practicing during each session. I definitely would recommend.

I recently completed the intermediate level course with CLA. Our teacher was Rebecca. Given the pandemic, the course was taught via Zoom but the instructions and lessons were engaging and effective. Rebecca was attentive to all students in the class and helped each student overcome their obstacles. I would recommend CLA to anyone with an interest in learning or improving their Mandarin!

I took the 16 hour crash course (just finished yesterday) and I highly recommend for any student who wants to learn Mandarin basics. Rebecca Chao Wang is a wonderful instructor - fun, skilled and patient all at the same time. You learn a lot in a very short amount of time; most importantly the pure basics of sound, grammar and syntax within the Chinese language. I highly recommend this class and do not hesitate to sign up! Do not expect to be learning how to read and write full-blown sentences, as again, this is a basics class that will give you most of what you need to know before you pursue further (beginner, intermediate, advanced). Go and sign up today!

I took the CLA 16 Crash Course with Rebecca and it was fantastic! It really sped up my learning. You get detailed explanations for the little pieces of word and characters which makes remembering them much easier. You also get analysis of grammar rules which free apps dont give you with the same depth. The homework is also great for continuing to learn at home. I wish there was more of it. The most outstanding part of the course is the personalized help over email. Outside of class, I can send questions and get helpful answers over email which is very convenient. Overall it is very worth the money. Ill definitely be signing up for the more advanced courses!

If you like small class structure and individual attention from the instructor, then you will really like CLAs Chinese language instruction programs. Ive taken three classes so far and signed up for a fourth. The pace is fast but reasonable and like any language, it takes time and effort to learn. But the instructors are excellent, the text books very good and class participation an important element in learning. Rebecca Chao Wang was my most recent instructor and will teach my next class. She does a terrific job working with students at different levels of capability within the class and in keeping the learning interesting, fun and relevant

I enrolled to this course not realizing that its a crush program (though it was obvious because there are only 16 hours). But I dont regret a minute that chose it! Every lesson was fascinating and we could learn a lot! My primary goal was to learn some Chinese characters, however, after these classes with the excellent teacher I feel like I can visit China right away and will be able to ask the direction, figure out prices and even more. 谢谢您！

Im amazed at how much I learned in such a short amount of time. The combination of language lessons, activities, and background information, give a great overall introduction to Mandarin. You will be speaking, reading, writing, and singing Mandarin. The class dynamic is supportive and great for group learning. The teacher is excellent and the lessons are fun, even the homework.

Nice setting, small-size course and even though it may seem intensive, the crash course is all the way worth it. The teacher, Rebecca, is good, energetic and gives just as good explanations on the course contents to make things interesting. Speaking of which, the course content is designed to make you feel confortable enough in Chinese to sing it in just a month of time. If you are wondering about taking Chinese courses in NYC, this is definitely the place!

I attended the 16 hour Mandarin Crash course and highly recommend it! Rebcecca, my teacher, was extremely helpful. She tailored the class experience to the students and was always enthusiastic. At the end of the class, I feel like I have a firm foundation in the language and am ready to move onto more complex material.

I took the CLA 16 hour crash course in Mandarin. I learned so much in such a short period of time! Rebecca was an amazing and attentive instructor. She always made sure the class was fun, but also made sure that her students understood the core concepts of grammar and pronunciation. I loved the CLA crash course so I decided to continue on and take additional courses with to continue learning Mandarin. I definitely recommend everyone go through the CLA in NYC program if you are a beginner and are looking for a high quality class with an amazing instructor!

The class with Rebecca was great. She was very patient, kind, and able to keep the 4 hour class moving with plenty to do. She keeps everyone on track to cover the material but also provides a lot of interesting side notes and recommendations for tv shows, movies, apps and ways to practice by ourselves. This is a great and thorough introduction to what can seem like a very intimidating language. Highly recommended.

I took Chinese class with teacher Rebecca. It was great class. She is very nice and have great skill for teaching Chinese.

The small class size and 4 hr format allowed me learn a lot in a short period of time. The instructor, Rebecca, is enthusiastic and informative. Would highly recommend for anyone trying to learn Mandarin while on a busy work schedule.

The CLA 16 Level 1 course was an excellent introduction to learning Mandarin. The content was very useful, and Rebecca was very helpful - you can tell she enjoys teaching. She’s very patient and keeps the class moving. The activities and assignments were all very engaging. I learned a lot more than expected and am able to converse with native Mandarin speakers at a basic level. Additionally, the class is perfect for my schedule as it is only once a week, on weekends. I am very happy, and plan to sign up for the next level.

I just finished CLA 16 Crash Course Classes with a teacher, Rebecca. She is very friendly and helpful for a very beginner like me to learn Chinese. The group is small enough that we are able to practice with each other. I also enjoyed learning the cultural aspect of Chinese as well. I highly recommend!

The Chinese Language Academy (CLA) introduction course is both intense and well paced. If you’re lucky enough to get Rebecca Chao Wang as you’re instructor, you’re in for a real treat. She goes at the pace of her students while also offering an encouraging push. She is very patient and has found a wonderful balance of structure and fun! I cannot wait to continue my studies with this school. (additional:: CLA is doing a great job during COVID. I feel like I am just as well prepared to continue learning as I was during the live classes)

Let me start by saying I took the CLA 16 class - this is exactly what it advertises - a crash course. You cover a TON of material in 4-hour sessions over a 4 week period - and at the end, you wont be fluent, but youll have a strong working knowledge of mandarin, be able to have basic conversations, and have some ability to read and write in Mandarin - but be ready to commit to the class, and be ready to spend some time (30-60 minutes a day) studying and doing the homework.All of that said, I loved my experience. The course does immerse you quickly, and our instructor, Rebecca, was energetic, smart, and a great at explaining material, helping us practice, providing constructive feedback, and most importantly, patient as we stumbled through pronunciation and vocabulary.

Absolutely fantastic class! Rebecca is such a good, friendly, patient teacher. The classes are very well organized and I do feel a sense of progress at every session. Recommended.

I took the 16 hour class. Its 4x 4hr sessions but it requires significant hours(figure a minimum of 4, 6-8 is best) outside of class in order to achieve adequate benefit. Rebecca does a very good job creating an atmosphere where students are comfortable making the inevitable pronunciation mistakes while also keeping the pressure on for everyone to keep up and not procrastinate learning this very useful and interesting language.I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants a jump start to their Chinese language skills without going through the hassle and cost of a college course. I would be very inclined to equate the quality of instruction with what id expect at a university, there are no gimmicks here, be prepared to work hard, and dont worry about passing.-Isaac

I am finishing up my CLA crash course next week and it has been amazing! You learn so much and the time is spent productively. Rebecca, my teacher, is a very talented and encouraging teacher. She makes learning fun! I definitely recommend taking this course!!!!

Im very glad I decided to take their 16 hr Mandarine Chinese crash course.The instructors were dedicated and patient and the material was good. I was afraid it might turn into a chit chat cultural learning class, but oh boy! they really make you study!! I attempted to learn Chinese on my own before, but never successful, and now I know why. They really emphasize the importance of pin yin and tones. If you are serious about learning Chinese, this is the course for you! I highly recommend it. Im very motivated after this course. Lastly I have to thank Rebecca, our instructor for her patience and dedication.謝謝

The CLA 16 crash course is an excellent introduction to Mandarin and Chinese culture for those who are new to the language or who have had limited prior exposure.Key topics covered (not exhaustive): Pinyin (Chinese phonetic alphabet), Mandarin tones, grammar structure, Chinese characters, Chinese culture/customs, and essential words/sentences for everyday topics like introducing and describing yourself, asking for food/directions, travel, time, and numbers.I took CLA 16 with Rebecca, who is a skilled, friendly, and patient instructor. She used a variety of fun teaching methods to keep each 4-hour session interesting, and she challenges students without putting too much pressure on them. The homework assignments were helpful and varied: Some are rote practice and repetition while others involve listening to and translating a song or watching a brief video and identifying Chinese characters.I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in starting their journey to learn Mandarin. You certainly wont be fluent by the time the course ends, but you will gain the essential building blocks for deeper learning of Mandarin.

CLA 16 with Teacher Rebecca was amazing! I learned so much because the class was a perfect balance between disciplined, informative, structured material (weekly homework, textbook review, vocab memorization, character writing exercises) and fun, cultural, contextual material (Chinese songs, finding personal examples, applying what we learned).CLA 16 moves fast because its meant to be a crash course introduction to Mandarin, but they also offer longer semester long class that go more in depth with each material.Overall, I really liked the small class sizes and our passionate teacher, which made learning more engaging and relevant.

Excellent beginner’s class, my teacher Rebecca Chao Wang was very responsive and supportive! I found her to be very competent and encouraging. The classes were at a convenient time for someone with a busy work schedule. Can’t wait for the next level!

I took 3 tutoring sessions from Rebecca Chao Wang, and I loved it. The sessions were an introduction to Mandarin, and Rebecca quickly and adeptly corrected my pronunciation and tone errors and got me constructing and understanding simple sentences quickly. She is the perfect mix of supportive and direct, and she came up with many excellent examples during our time together to keep the sessions productive and fun. I really enjoyed these sessions and would have gladly taken more if I werent leaving town!

I have taken both the beginner and the elementary level 1 course with CLA. I chose the intensive weekend option, so the course is long and fast-paced--and AMAZING. My teacher is Rebecca, and she is one of the best language instructors I have ever had, especially considering Chinese is a difficult second language. Rebecca is patient and encouraging, with many clever tricks to remember certain points, and has helped keep me motivated in learning Chinese.The pacing of the course is perfect if you are serious about learning Chinese and have limited time during the week to practice. I work a demanding, full-time job and am still happy to attend my Saturday morning classes, and am able to balance the class and work. The content of the course is also a nice balance between speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar. Instead of memorizing meaningless vocabulary lists, you learn and build your language skills with in-context development. I also really like my classmates and the class environment. The class size is small (around 6-8), which allows for individualized attention and nice friendships between the students. Lastly, the classroom is in a beautiful building in a nice office space on Wall Street, so it is a beautiful learning environment.

Great classroom and fun environment. Rebecca did a great job involving everyone in class and making sure we learned what interested us besides the core curriculum.

I just took first level of Chinese Mandarin class at CLA. It was the best decision I made couple months ago. After long research, I was so lucky to find CLA. My instructor Rebecca was so professional and her passion for teaching was keep me engaging and looking forward to the next class. I will come back for next level session!

Is Mandarin that difficult to learn?Absolutely not if you have Ysabella and Rebecca from CLA as teachers!They reinforce this thought that I created in my mind after many years of experience learning new languages:“Anyone can improvise himself teacher but not everyone has the talent to make you learn”.It’s an intensive Mandarin program offered by the Chinese Language Academy with organized, talented, dedicated teachers who don’t only teach you Chinese, they do more than that!Through an effective methodology, they show you how to access this language for making it easier to apprehend and to understand.They show you how to learn, memorize and master Mandarin!

Really enjoyed the CLA 16 Hour Crash course. The course itself is relatively intense, with four 4 hour sessions spread over a month, with an hour or so of homework each week. The course was a great introduction to Mandarin. Our instructor Rebecca was a fantastic instructor, keeping our small class engaged and challenged. The classes were very interactive and fun, as well as reasonably priced. I had to miss a class and Rebecca was very flexible in organizing a make up class. I really enjoyed my overall experience and plan to continue my Mandarin education with CLA in the future...

I am really enjoying Mandarin classes at CLA. Rebecca is a wonderful instructor and I would highly recommend this program to others interested in learning Chinese!

CLA proficiency astonished me. Not only did I learned far more than expected in the introductory-level course, but had an amazing experience on getting plugged to Chinese culture through its language. The course instructor, Rebecca, was really sharp and knowledgeable, and help me jump from speaking cero Mandarin to constructing paragraphs and personal introductions in just a month (i.e. only 16 hours).

I highly recommend the CLA 16 hour crash course and Rebecca (our super king!) as an instructor. Rebecca is a great teacher and works hard to keep the class interactive, which can be especially tough on the weekend track of this class as it is four hours on a single day each weekend. As kind and funny as she is though, make no mistake: shes a strict teacher, and she ensures you learn the material and practice speaking as pronunciation is integral to communicating in Mandarin. Vocal inflection changes the meaning of the word you use so she appropriately spent a lot of time correcting our pronunciation and teaching us to hear hers.What I didnt expect, but was excited to discover, was that Rebecca incorporated Chinese history and culture into the class as she taught us the language. I took the class out of intellectual curiosity but there were many in the class who got enough out of it for business purposes, personal travel, etc.

I took the Crash Course (16h) and learned a massive amount! I had Rebecca Chao Wang as my teacher and was very satisfied. In this course I learned enough of the basics to have a basic conversation, write a small essay, and much more. Rebecca presented everything in a very clear way.

I began courses with Chinese Language Academy for the Mandarin Crash Course, and I have been very pleased with the program. Our instructor, Ysabella, goes great lengths to ensure that the class understands the language as well as Chinese culture. Ysabella does this by creating and assigning helpful and meaningful homework assignments, which include learning about Chinese history, memorizing and learning Chinese characters, and listening to pronunciations. Ysabella does a great job breaking down the language for an English speaker, and I have been extremely pleased with the course!

Truly as good as it gets! I completed the 16 hour beginners intensive program last week and I must say the outcome exceeded my expectations..About a year ago - being bored to death at my then job - I took my first steps with mandarin on my own. Thank God I soon changed job, so no time for mandarin. A couple months later I took classes for a month which Id say were pretty much disappointing: the teacher hardly spoke english, there was to system or organization, so I damped the dream of mandarin..However, last month - thank God - I decided to give it a shot with CLA. Bingo! For the first time I started feeling I understand the framework of this very different language. The teacher, Wangqi, is amazing: organized, supporting and incredibly responsible and serious on her mission: if it was solely up to her we would never take breaks ;-)The academic material is very well selected and diverse (listening, writing, playing, songs, good books, smart additional material, video recommendation), the size of the groups ensures everyone has enough time to participate and work on the language and I loved the follow up emails after each session!I definitely didnt expect after 4 session to be in the position to conduct basic dialogues, to recognize - even write certain characters - and actually be past my 4 tones initial terror.I highly recommend CLA and I sincerely congratulate them.Of course Ill start the next course in a week ;-)PS. The most magical thing is that during the program although the information is vast and completely new to the non speaker, it works in a way that you end up familiarizing yourself at the same time with the pronunciation, the characters, penyin, grammar and even texting to your Chinese friends!