Hao Laoshi: Korean-Canadian Expat Raves About the Talented Instructors at That's Mandarin

As part of the Beijinger’s Mandarin Month series ahead of our June 25 Mandarin Mixer, we present Hao Laoshi, a series of Q&As with teachers and students at Mandarin learning centers across town. Today we're talking with Janie Kim-Beland, student at That's Mandarin.

Founded by former Chinese language teacher Guo Xiaoxhao, That's Mandarin prides itself on offering a more lively alternative to the traditional textbook methodwhile also cutting the time taken to learn and remember Chinese characters.

Some foreigners are content to spend their China stint in an expat bubble. But not Janie Kim-Beland. The Korean-Canadian expat, who is currently studying at That’s Mandarin, deems getting a handle on putonghua to be essential, even if she makes embarrassing pronunciation mistakes until the cows come home.

What first compelled you to learn Chinese?
I needed to learn Chinese in order to work in China. Since I'm a coordinator, I need to be able to communicate with a lot of people. Speaking Chinese is essential before I begin working here.

Why did you choose That's Mandarin?
They have real teachers working there, not people who are teaching part-time and not taking it seriously. That’s very important to me. I also like how their teachers adapt their lessons to your needs, and how they are so friendly and professional.

What was the funniest mistake that you made when you first began studying Mandarin?

I still mix up the word niú (cow) and nü (woman). So I often say "niú rén" and that always put a smile on my teacher’s face. Thankfully it's only in front of them that I make that mistake, and they are patiently helping me learn to avoid this mistake.

How has learning Mandarin been useful for you? 

I think that if you plan to live in China for more than a year, then learning Chinese is priority number one. After all, as soon as you go outside Sanlitun, the environment is nearly entirely Chinese. Knowing how to express yourself allows you to feel less vulnerable or helpless. I also think that it helps you make new friendships with locals, since they can see that you are interested in their culture.

Is it possible to have a job and successfully study Mandarin at the same time?
I study full-time, since being able to communicate with Chinese people is a must for me. But at school I know a lot of people that work and come to class whenever possible. I also think that might be good combination, since they can also practice what they have been learning at work with their Chinese colleagues.

That's Mandarin Founder would like to add that:

• "Students often get bored with the traditional textbook method" at most schools, so he wanted to offer them a more lively alternative.
• One of his chief goals at That's Mandarin has been to "streamline the learning process for students, by designing better teaching and learning methodologies" while also "cutting the time taken to learn and remember Chinese characters."

That's Mandarin is one of the many schools participating in our June 25 Mandarin Mixer at Home Plate BBQ. Come meet some That's Mandarin teachers and reps from a dozen other schools at our free event. Pre-registration is required, click here to do so, so that you can take advantage of free booze and other goodies.

In the meantime, be sure to follow our month-long Mandarin Month coverage here.

Mandarin Month is brought to you by Pleco, Project Pengyou, and Ninchanese.

Photos courtesy of Janie Kim-Beland