Lessons are one and a half hours in length, individually tailored to your goals and pace. All levels of instruction are patiently and thoroughly brought to the student via conversation, reading and writing. Early classes are taught standard Mandarin (pǔtōng huà) pronunciation and details of Pinyin (alphabetical) and Hanzi (characters) reading and writing.

In addition to the textbook, the beginning student's experience of Chinese culture is broadened by the use of poetry, music, film, menus and newspapers, with the goal focused on the student's comprehension of the language. Some students are interested in a topical focus such as a business sector-specific vocabulary and situation conversations. Please ask about this or cultural interests, dining and traveling, business customs, and other concentrations that may be available.

Meeting times are flexible and adjusted to your requirements and my availability, from 7:30am to 7:30pm daily. Private students typically meet with me once a week. Fees have been reduced recently in response to the current economic situation; contact me for details.

Regardless of the schedule, goal or pace, I am intensely committed to the success and advancement of each and every student.

Classes meet once a week on Sunday for an hour and a half. Maximum enrollment per class is five students, minimum two. Classes are arranged into 'terms', generally comprising four consecutive meetings, one weekend off, then four more consecutive weekend meetings. Another weekend off precedes the next eight class term as we advance through approximately 26 lessons at each study level: beginning, intermediate and advanced. Accommodations are made for holidays, vacations and the like.

Beginning lessons focus on pronunciation, introductory conversations and simple character recognition and writing. In-class discussions, practice, review and homework are part of the curriculum. Fees have been reduced recently in response to the current economic situation. Contact me for details.

In-house training and tutoring, translations and interpretation arranged ad hoc. Contact me for more information.