GoEast Mandarin

What is GoEast Mandarin Chinese?

GoEast Mandarin is an online one-to-one Chinese language tutoring service. It teaches Mandarin through stories and activities to children aged 3 to 12.

What we love about GoEast Mandarin Chinese:

GoEast Mandarin allows children to interact with expert Chinese tutors and work through guided lessons, practicing all elements of their Chinese. It is tailored to your child and can be scheduled at a time that suits you. 

Lessons are structured so children work through activities that give them the opportunity to speak and listen, as well as practice reading and writing Pinyin and characters.

What skills does it improve?

Although GoEast Mandarin Chinese covers all aspects of the Chinese language, it is the structure of the lesson and the level of feedback that allows children to make rapid progress as tutors are constantly feeding back on all elements of children’s learning. The curriculum is based on the internationally recognised YCT (Youth Chinese Test) and HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) tests, however skills can be further customised if needed. The structure is based less on grammar and more on conversations, games, puzzles and activities, with the aim of helping children develop an intuitive feeling for the Mandarin language, and to ultimately become conversational.

What age is it appropriate for?

There are two levels of Chinese: Fun Chinese, for children aged 3-6 which comprise of 25 minute lessons, and Fantasy Chinese, for children aged 6-12 which are 50 minutes long.

Is GoEast Mandarin Chinese easy to use?

Mandarin Chinese is easy to use.

How will students benefit?

GoEast Mandarin emphasises “education through personal interaction”. It is this level of service which stands out from typical apps. As well as following a structured curriculum where new learning is introduced at an appropriate pace, tutors are also able to personalise learning; correct misconceptions and minor errors consistently throughout the lesson.

How will teachers benefit?

Teachers could use the platform to support struggling children or to challenge gifted children.

How will parents benefit?

Unlike typical apps where parental support is often required throughout, working with a tutor does not require this constant parental need. Perhaps some initial support depending o the child's age. Parents can also specify a focus area for children, for example if Chinese is spoken at home, but children are not familiar with characters, the focus of every lessons could be character recognition.

What can GoEast Mandarin Chinese improve on?

It would be nice to see some of the sample lesson materials so parents can understand the quality and thought within lessons. Similarly, a clearer pricing system available online would be useful.

How much does app cost?

Pricing is listed as between 120 RMB and 240 RMB and trials are available on request. At the time of writing this is roughly between £15 and £30 per session.

What is included with the free version vs. paid?

Trials are free; so are resources such as printables and YouTube lessons. Paid services are tailored to the children’s needs.

Is GoEast Mandarin Chinese safe to use?

GoEast Mandarin Chinese seems safe to use. However, as a general disclaimer, please be aware that every country has different minimum standards for working with children. In the UK, tutors should hold a valid DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service), however this is not a legal requirement in every country.

Overall rating of the app.

Overall, an engaging online service where children can receive tailored lessons and prompt personalised feedback. Worthy of its four-star rating. 

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