About our Mandarin Interaction Program
1. How does your MandarinInteraction Program differ from the traditional part-time program?
Our Mandarin Interaction Program (MIP) is designed to enable you to communicate in Mandarin as
rapidly as possible. The program allows you to make yourself in real life experiences that require
you to utilize and develop your Mandarin communication skills through authentic daily practice and
activities.
Different from a traditional classroom course model, in our Mandarin Interaction Program you
learn to manage daily communication in Mandarin much as you would in the real world. You have the
great opportunity to discover the local Chinese people and Chinese culture during the learning
process. Instructors and staff from Future Mandarin are dedicated to supporting you through
the whole learning experience. We teach you to communicate comfortably in practical daily
interactions.
2. What is the time commitment involved?
We offer Interaction Program ranging from 10 days to 90 days. You need to check your own
schedule to decide how many days you can commit to. Of course the more days you participate, the
higher level you reach. Usually participants are occupied during regular business hours in a typical
Interaction day. Therefore your time commitment is crucial to this program.
3. What is a typical Immersion day like?
Here is a sample of a typical day in our Mandarin Interaction Program
9:30am - 10:30nn ● Pre-immersion warm up
10:30am - 12:30nn ● Interaction
12:30nn - 1:30pm ● Lunch with one of your instructors
1:30pm - 2:00pm ● Reflection time
2:00pm - 3:00pm ● Tutorial
3:00pm - 4:00pm ● interaction
4:00pm - 6:00pm ● Activities in the real world
Evening & weekend activities (optional) ● Chinese culture workshop, guided tours, excursion and other outing activities
4. To whom is your Mandarin Interaction Program designed for?
People like you! Our program is designed for anyone, at any level of proficiency, who is interested in
learning Mandarin. Our participants come from different countries, and all walks of life.
In addition to the public Interaction Program, we also provide exclusive Interaction Program for
corporate, families, and individuals. Our exclusive Interaction Program runs at an on-request basis
year round. Contact us and let us know your special needs, requirements, and preferred time. We
will then tailor made our program to you.
5. Do you offer Mandarin programs for specialized areas?
Yes, we can customize your course in your specific area of Mandarin such as in the areas of finance,
law, trade, logistics, etc. Contact us and let us know your special needs and requirements. We will
then tailor made our program to you.
6. How long does it take to learn to speak Mandarin?
There are many factors determining how long it takes one to learn to speak Mandarin, for example,
your current level, your motivation level, your past learning experience, the way your learn, the type
of course you choose, the commitment you have, so on and so forth. The more you study, the faster
you will learn.
Our participants often show remarkable results only after 10 days of Interaction study. Generally
speaking, participants who reach the level of Survival III (which generally takes 30 days to reach) will
be able to conduct general daily conversation without the help of an interpreter. Participants who
reach the level of Social III (which generally takes 60 days to reach) will be able to conduct
conversations in life and work comfortably. Participants who reach the level of Professional III (which
generally takes 90 days to reach) will be able to talk about specialized and complex topics with ease.
Below is a general description of the proficiency level achieved with days spend in our Interaction
Program. For an estimate of how long a course you should take based on your goals and specific
requirements please contact us.
7. Are there different proficiency levels in the program?
Yes. Our Interaction Program is divided into 9 proficiency levels. Survival Levels 1-3 are for
beginners. Social Levels 1-3 are for intermediate learners. Professional Levels 1-3 are for advanced
learners. Below is a general description of the proficiency level achieved with days spend in our
Interaction Program. For a detailed level description, please click here.
8. I have learned Mandarin before. How are you going to determine what level of the program
should I take?
It is a good idea to inform us whether you have learned Mandarin before, for how long, and
approximately how many Chinese characters you know. You will be given a pre-program
assessment prior to the start of your course to determine your Mandarin skills, in order to place you
in a proper level in our program. The assessment will include all the four language skills, namely,
listening, speaking, reading and writing.
9. How many participants are there in a class?
Our classes are small to ensure quality. The maximum number of participants in one class is 12
people. The majority of our programs offer group sizes of just four to six people per class. This small
class size allows for maximum student participation and learning.
10. What qualifications do the teachers have?
All teachers are native speakers, have university degrees, and have experience teaching Mandarin
to foreigners. More importantly, they have participated in our in-house Train The Trainer Program
(TTT) and got certified before starting to teach our program. In addition to their professional
credentials, they are all selected for their abilities to keep students entertained and interested during
the program.
11. When can I start my classes?
Small group Interaction Program starts on any Monday. Find a Monday that you can start the
program, and then send us your enrolment to reserve a place for you. Enrolment is accepted at a
first come, first served basis.
We also provide exclusive Interaction Program for corporate, families, and individuals. Our exclusive
Interaction Program runs at an on-request basis year round. Contact us and let us know your special
needs, requirements, and preferred time. We will then tailor made our program to you.
12. What other activities are there in addition to learning in class?
Regular evening and weekend activities are organized in order to develop learners fluency in
Mandarin communication as well as to learn about the Chinese culture. This may include, for
example, cultural workshop, which provides a great opportunity for your appreciation and personal
experience of the Chinese culture, such as Chinese massage, Chinese Kungfu, Chinese calligraphy,
Chinese movie, Chinese songs, etc. Guided tours or excursions are organized over weekend for half
day or full day. Participants will have an opportunity to either do shopping in a typical Chinese market
and enjoy the bargaining process in Mandarin, or visit scenic spots or others places of interest in the
city. Weekend excursions are not included in the program fees, but the cost for participation is quite
low.
13. I have learned at a Future Mandarin center before. Can I enjoy a special price for this
Interaction Program?
Yes, we want you to come back! We offer all of our returning students a 10% discount on their
Interaction Programs. Simply mention your name, which center and when you have learned with us
before you enrol in an Interaction Program.
14. Where is your Mandarin Interaction Program offered?
The Mandarin Interaction Program is offered in Hangzhou China, the most beautiful city in China and the best tourist city in the world
To know more about this city, click here.
About Program Requirements
15. What are your admission requirements?
● Our Mandarin Interaction Program is open to individuals, families, professionals, and executives
from all walks of life and industry worldwide.
● Preferably the applicants can speak survival level of English.
● You need to have a Passport and a valid Visa into China.
● Insurance is not included in this program. However, we do require that you have medical and
accidental insurance coverage while you are in China.
● You must be in good health.
16. I am an absolute beginner in Chinese; am I eligible to apply for your program?
Yes. Our Mandarin Interaction Program is open for people at all levels and no minimum language
ability required.
A majority of our applicants are beginners in Chinese. In fact we encourage beginners to join our
program, since the Interaction way is a great opportunity to be introduced a new language and allows
you to see remarkable results in just a few weeks!
About Visa & Insurance
17. Will I need a visa to get into China?
If you are currently residing in Mainland China already, please make sure that your visa and passport
are current and up-to-date.
If you are NOT currently residing in Mainland China, a one-time entry tourist visa will be sufficient for
the duration of the program. Most nationalities can obtain a tourist visa for a small fee at the entry
ports of Hangzhou , for a maximum of 90 days.
18. What Kind of Visa do I need in order to attend the course?
Business Visa (F) or Tourist Visa (L).
19. How can I get a visa?
You are encouraged to get your visa at the consulate in your country. We recommend you check
online, or with the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate for the visa requirements. However if you
decide to get it at the border into China, you may do so. However, bear in mind that citizens of some
countries cannot get a Visa at the boarder. You should therefore check with your local Chinese
Consulate to determine what the requirements are for you.
For a more detailed explanation on how to get a Chinese Visa, please click the link below.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa.htm#important
20.How long does it take to get a Visa ?
Although processing times can vary from country to country, you should allow ample time to obtain
your China Visa . Please check with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate nearest you.
If you decide to get your visa at the border into China, the process time is about 1 hour. However,
bear in mind that citizens of some countries cannot get a Visa at the boarder.
21.What if I still don't get my Visa at the time that my program starts?
If you do not get your Visa in time for your program, you may defer to the next program or a program
time as agreed with our Interaction Center staff. But you MUST inform us in writing explaining the
delay in getting your visa.
22. Will I need medical insurance?
Yes. We do require that you purchase medical and accidental insurance coverage for your stay in
China. Insurance is not included in our Mandarin Interaction program. Future Mandarin
Limited will not be responsible for any injury or loss whatsoever occurred to you during your stay in
China.
23. How do I enrol?
The following are the steps that you need to take in order to enrol into our Mandarin Interaction
Program.
1. Application
Fill out the enrolment form online, or download the form and fax/send us a completed and
signed copy.
2. Confirmation
We will email or fax to confirm your place in the program.
3. Deposit payment (RMB1000 per person)
Program deposit is non-refundable. Check the various payment method here.
4. Program starts with remaining payment
Pay the remaining of your program fee prior to the start of your program.
24.How early should I enrol?
We suggest you enrol as early as possible as our Program is offered on a first come, first served
basis. Enrolment is closed one week prior to the start of each program. Early enrolment will also
allow you enough time to make the necessary arrangements to come and study in China (e.g. visas).
It is recommended that you check first with your nearest Chinese Consulate about visa requirements
to make sure you can obtain your visa in time.
25.How should I pay for my courses?
We request payment in advance by cash, check, bank transfer, or credit card. For detailed
information about how to pay, click here.
26.Is it safe for me to pay online through Future Mandarin?
All payment initiated from www.futuremandarin.net will be handled by our payment service
provider, www.paydollar.com. Paydollar will take care of all the security issues necessary for online
payment.
27.My credit card is not in RAM, can I still pay online?
Yes, you can. FM accepts international credit cards too! All transactions initiated within www.
futuremandarin.net will be settled using RMB. We offer reference
exchange rates in USD, Korean WON, Japan Yen, Euro, and Australian dollars in the product list.
Exchange rates used in the currency converter are used for reference only. For the exact rate,
please refer to the Bank exchange rate on the date of the transaction.
28.I have learned at a Future Mandarin center before. Can I enjoy a special price for this
Interaction Program?
Yes, we want you to come back! We offer all of our returning students a 10% discount on their
Interaction Programs. Simply mention your name, which center and when you have learned with us
before you enrol in an Interaction Program.
29.What are other costs I should be aware of?
Our program fees already include the following:
● Tuition fees
● Course books and learning materials
● Pre-program assessment
● Airport/Ferry pick-up upon arrival
Please note that accommodation fees are not included in the above program fees. If you want to stay
at one of the hotels from our choice of hotels, you need to pay your own hotel accommodation.
Check the hotel fees here.
Evening/weekend activities are optional to all participants. You will need to pay a small fee for some
evening or weekend activities, for example, entrance fees to some places of interest etc.
You need some additional expenses for living and traveling in Hangzhou or China. For reference of
some typical expenses in Hangzhou, please click here.
30.How do I get to Hangzhou?
You may fly into Hangzhou airport directly, or you may fly into Shanghai and then transfer to
Hangzhou via speed ferry or fast train.
31.When should I arrive in Hangzhou for my Interaction Program?
Please plan to arrive at least on the day before your Program starts. Please fax or email us to advise
your arrival information, including date & time of arrival, airline, flight number, and place of departure,
so that we can arrange your airport/ferry pickup. Please give us this information at least 3 days
before your arrival.
You will also need to inform us whether you wish us to help you arrange your accommodation.
Please note you will be responsible for paying accommodation fees for the days of your program.
32.What if I arrive late for my program?
All participants are expected to be present for the first day of the program. Kindly make every effort
to arrive on time. If for some reason you cannot arrive for the first day, you MUST inform us in writing
before your Program starts. If you miss the first two days of the program, you may lose your place in
this program and a refund will not be provided. However, you may choose to attend the next program
as agreed with our Center staff.
33.When is the payment deadline?
The program fees are due when you enrol into a program.
34.What are your cancellation and refund policies?
For details of our refund policy, please refer to our Program Terms and Conditions here.
35.Any other things that I need to know before I enrol into your Program?
Please read our Program Terms and Conditions carefully before you send us the enrolment form.
About Accommodation
36.Where will I live while I am participating the Interaction Program?
Accommodation is arranged at well-furnished local hotels where you will have the opportunity to
interact with all kinds of local people. The hotels, Chinese families and youth hostels are all conveniently located near our Interaction center, either within walking distance or about 5 minutes by taxi. For choices and details of hotels,please click here. However, if you do not want to stay in our pre-arranged hotels, Chinese families and youth hostels, you may also choose to stay at a place that you choose, at your own arrangement.
37.Is accommodation fee included in my Interaction Program fees?
No. You will need to pay for your own accommodation. As our client, you will enjoy special corporate discount with these hotels.
38.How far will the hotels, home stay and youth hostel be away from your Immersion Center?
The hotels are all conveniently located near our Interaction center, either within walking distance or
about 5 minutes by taxi.we will provide a bike for u.
39.Is Internet access available in hotel rooms?
Broadband services for Internet access is provided without an extra charge in all hotel rooms. You
may also access the Internet at our Interaction Center during breaks.
40.Where can I do my laundry?
The hotels offer laundry services at reasonable prices. There are also Laundry stores conveniently
located near the hotels or our interaction center, providing laundering, ironing, mending, and dry
cleaning services.
41.Where do I have my meals?
During class days your lunch is included in your program. One of your instructors will take you to
lunch at a local restaurant where you need to say Mandarin. For breakfast and dinner, you can easily
find many local Chinese restaurants or Western restaurants near your hotel or our Interaction Center.
Hangzhou is definitely the best gourmet city in China. You can easily find all kinds of restaurants
offering delicious cuisines from different places.
About living in China and Hangzhou City
42. What do I need to bring with me?
The hotel rooms will provide all the bedding in your room, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues and
towels in the bathroom. You can bring additional items not mentioned. Please keep in mind that
today in Hangzhou you can easily get almost any product or brand that you would find at your home
country, at inexpensive prices.
We suggest you bring sufficient prescription medication or preferred over-the-counter medication (e.
g. cold & flu tablets, etc.) from your home country to last for the duration of your stay. You should
also plan to have money for your everyday expenses, including food, entertainment, transportation,
and so on.
To have a better idea about traveling to China, please click the link below:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/index.htm
43. What is the best way to bring money with me?
You can take a little cash or travelers cheques. You can also open an account in China and wire
transfer money from your home country.
44. What is the weather like in Hangzhou?
Hangzhou's annual average temperature is 18 C. Detailed information about the average,
maximum and minimum temperatures in Shenzhen year round is as below.
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