Learn 3000 chinese characters

in 1 year

With the character analysis method. Taoyuan Chinese Online Language School

Check out our courses

The Taoyuan Chinese method

Being huge language enthusiasts, we started learning Mandarin Chinese so passionately; but soon the traditional methods of teaching left us feeling uninspired and disengaged.

We discovered that the majority of the teaching and learning methods out there are solely based on repetition, rote learning, memorization and drills.

Chinese language has a unique feature that is totally unexploited in the world of Chinese language education:

the characters.

Ironically, we often hear from our students that the very reason they started to learn Chinese is because the characters just mesmerized them. 

Daniel Horvath, the founder and developer of the Taoyuan Chinese method, dug deep in this area of Chinese language and culture and has been researching the characters for 6+ years.

 
We created the Taoyuan Chinese method based on character analysis to show language enthusiasts and culture lovers that there is a different way of learning Chinese language.

A way that involves a

  • deep understanding of the building blocks of Chinese culture (the characters),

 

  • a way that provides faster results and helps to retain knowledge longer,

 

  • and a way that is interesting and meaningful.
Book a free trial lesson

Our students said...

"Daniel's way of letting me observe, understand and remember the construction of the Chinese characters without endless copying gives me the feeling of succes on every class."
Zoltán Dévity - Choral conductor, Musical lecturer
"When getting introduced to a new character and its origin, Daniel also focuses on the cultural and the historical development of its meaning – and his method has allowed me to absorb so much in such a short time!"
Eszter Malna Kovacs - Journalist
"I learned more characters in 6 months than in many years with other methods. I also need much less time for revision because it's just easier to remember the characters. Taoyuan Chinese classes gave my motivation back because I learn so much not just about the language but about the history and culture as well. "
Andrea Nagy - Teacher
I want to book a free trial lesson

Courses

Simplified

Master all HSK 5 characters in as little time as 1 year and achieve Chinese fluency

Classes From $18 $12/60 mins

Learn more

Traditional

Master 3000 characters in as little time as 1 year and 2 months and achieve Chinese fluency

Classes From $18 $12/60 mins

Learn more

Simplified to traditional

This is a fast track course for students who already know some simplified characters and want to understand traditional texts quickly. Or vica versa.

learn More

Private classes

Do you want to do this on your own terms? Sign up for private classes!

Classes From $28 $20/60 mins

learn More

Why study with Taoyuan Chinese

benefit 1

A short description of the benefit.

benefit 2

A short description of the benefit.

benefit 3

A short description of the benefit.

benefit 4

A short description of the benefit.

Let's give it a try

FAQ

We conduct all our interactive classes ONLINE through Google Meets or Zoom. The teacher will use PPT (prepared in advance) to aid the classes. We encourage students to actively participate, so we will ask you to use your microphone when possible. No need to turn on your camera, unless you prefer it that way.  

We will distribute all learning materials online after each class. If you need to skip a class, we will provide a recording upon request.

Of course, learners of all levels are welcome! It is even better if you start learning Chinese with this concept in mind, it will make it easier and faster for you to learn from the very beginning .

No. Our courses are comprehensive, meaning that they also include grammar, speaking and all other essential parts of an excellent Chinese language course.

What sets the Taoyuan method apart from other methods is that the focus is on the characters because they are essential to understand first and to master for Chinese fluency. However, the courses include everything you need to learn Chinese fluently, no supplementation is needed.

Of course! Daniel Horvath, our founder and the developer of the Taoyuan Chinese method spent 6+ years researching the etimology of Chinese characters.

He has studied all research papers and all other available resourches on this topic. Then, he combined his background in education with this knowledge to create the Taoyuan Chinese method.

No, the Taoyuan Chinese method is definitely not a mnemonic system. 

Mnemonic devices use something made up to associate the information with.

In the character analysis method all information associated with the characters are based on the etimology of the characters, therefore it helps understanding the evolution of the language, opens a window onto 5000 years of Chinese culture and history AND it helps retain knowledge.  All of this with the benefit of learning the language faster.

You can combine the character analysis method with a spaced repetition system but those will not explain the structure of the characters and any of its parts, therefore you will forget them much faster.

Our character analysis method works simply because you remember something much easier and for a longer time, if you understand it first.

With the Taoyuan Chinese method you can learn about Chinese culture AND remember the characters for a much longer time as it helps retain information.

This is the most common misconception about Chinese characters and it is completely FALSE.
 
The characters evolved through thousands of years and they did not evolve in a linear manner. The cultural revolution, the time during which most characters were simplified, was only the last step in a chain of organic modifications. Many of the simplified characters are, in fact, based on an original, more simple version of the character that preceeded them. Therefore, one might say, the simplified characters are even ‘more traditional’ in a way. 
 
However, we also have a course dedicated to traditional characters, if you are more interested in those.
We have no idea! This is what we want to change. 
 
Generally speaking, the practices and methods foreign languages are taught with to non-native speakers are shockingly underdeveloped (except for English and some other European languages). The specific features of Chinese language, especially those that would make it much easier to learn and remember it, are seriously unexploited. This is what we want to change.
NO. The character analysis method is specific to learning Chinese language.
 
The method is based on understanding the components of Chinese characters and learning the culture and history behind them. The sound and meaning components are all intertvined and form a web, that makes retention much easier.
 
Due to the unique nature of Chinese characters with their specific components, meanings and sounds, this method was specifically developed for Chinese language and does not work with other languages (not even Japanese). The specific nature of the Taoyuan Chinese method is what sets it apart from other Chinese language courses.
 
I am interested

Discover Chinese culture through the meaning of Chinese characters

Truly understand the value with our no-risk, free trial lesson

Enhance your Chinese language learning today

Truly understand the value with our no-risk, free trial lesson

I want to book a free trial lesson

Any questions?

Contact Form Demo