General Mandarin Chinese
From your first tones to confident, everyday conversation. A speaking-first course in small groups of 8 — on campus in Santa Monica or live online.
Speak from lesson one
Our General Mandarin course is built around one idea: you learn a language by using it. From the very first lesson you speak, react and think in Chinese — pinyin, tones and characters are the tools, not the goal. Every group is capped at 8 students, so you are never a spectator.
A free placement test maps you to the right HSK band, and your teacher gives you written progress feedback every week. Most students move up a band in 10–12 weeks.
← Part of our Mandarin language program
By the end of your band, you will be able to:
- Hold natural conversations on everyday and work topics
- Pronounce the four tones clearly and consistently
- Read and type common Chinese characters with confidence
- Use grammar patterns accurately without translating in your head
- Feel confident — not anxious — when you speak
- 2 lessons per week
- On campus or online
- Materials included
- Weekly progress feedback
Where will you start?
A free placement test finds your exact band — no guessing.
HSK 1 · 2 — Foundations
Master pinyin and tones, greet people, shop and travel, and handle everyday phrases with about 300 core words.
HSK 3 · 4 — Independence
Discuss work, study and opinions, follow everyday conversations, and read and type hundreds of characters with ease.
HSK 5 · 6 — Mastery
Express nuance, follow films and news, and approach near-native fluency for study, business or exams.
Good to know
Try a Lesson — On Us
Take a free placement test and a trial lesson. Ask the assistant for a slot.
Book Free Trial Lesson →This is a fictional demonstration page created by SLAtech to showcase the SLAtech Education AI assistant. “Lingua Nova” is not a real academy; course details, levels and prices are illustrative only.