# Conversational language classes

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversational-language-classes/521372>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 15, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversational-language-classes/521372 "2009-12-15T17:11:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![fandango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5ac83/32.png) [@fandango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fandango)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversational-language-classes/521372/1 "2009-12-15T17:11:00Z")

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Hi all,

I took a year of Mandarin back in college about a decade ago, and want to brush up on it. My options seem to be either a “Conversational Chinese” course at the local community college or a private tutor or learning on my own–the last is not a good option because I want to be conversant. I’ve seen these “Conversational” language classes (for Chinese and other languages) offered before and know that they don’t provide transferable credits, but\*\* how do they differ from normal classroom instruction?\*\* Would they be a good choice for someone who doesn’t need to discuss the intricasies of Chinese opera, but just wants to be able to strike up a conversation with a Beijing local?