Class time: Zhang Laoshi teaches pronunciation

Chinese calligraphy takes practice, but so does the pronunciation.  Most have heard that Mandarin words differ by "tone", sounds not native to English speakers.  Since nuances in tone make a difference in meaning, pronunciation is very important.  Here our teacher, Zhang Laoshi (literally, Teacher Zhang, since in Mandarin the last, or family name, comes first) works with one of our students on pronunciation.  


Check out the homework on the blackboard in the background.  See the cool stuff you get to talk about in class when you're learning a language:


星巴克  --  Starbucks


麦当劳  --  McDonald's