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Study Chinese in China : Information & Tips

More and more foreigners are showing interest in learning Chinese as China increases exchanges with the outside world. More than 9,600 foreign students from 113 countries came to Shanghai to learn Chinese in 2004. It is estimated that the number of foreigners coming to China to learn the language over the last few years has maintained an average annual growth rate of 35 percent.

When you're not in China, and even if you are, it is sometimes difficult to find the information you are looking for. Digging up the different options of where you can study Chinese is pretty difficult when you are hundreds of miles away.

Universities welcome Western students for the extra revenue they bring. Courses usually cost about US$1000 a semester. Accommodation costs around US$10 a day.

In Shanghai, there are more than 10 universities offering Chinese language courses. So, the problem for many foreigners is to select one between all these universities.

Students are usually given a placement test before the course starts and administered an HSK upon completing the course. Classes are generally in the morning Monday through Friday, 8:30-12:30. Intensive classes have an additional 2 hours a day from 2-4. Optional classes are available, including tai-chi, calligraphy, HSK　prep, etc.

Students are predominantly Korean (60-85%), Japanese (15-35%), Thai or Indonesian. Westerners are a definite minority. There is no official interaction or activities between short term students and chinese students on campus.

Where to Study Chinese

There are 3 different ways to learn the language:

University

Pros

Best way to socialise with others foreign or Chinese students and experience the student life and know more of the Chinese culture.

Solid and experienced teaching (most of the time).

A more structured environment (with tests), official Certificates, diplomas after completing a course.

Cons

Expensive (compared to private schools)

Large numbers of students per class (from 20-25 per class)

Private School

Pros

Cheaper than university (in most cases).

Flexible - for a short period (as short as two weeks), variable hours as little as one class a day (or as much as you want).

Cons

Teaching quality - some say it's inferior, you better check classrooms and teaching methods before enrolling.

Environment is isolated.

Minimal contact with local Chinese.

Private Teacher

Pros

Many chinese students willing to teach the language or even do some language exchange with foreigners.

Even cheaper than private schools, from 30rmb / hour.

Very flexible, can teach you Chinese during your spare time at home or wherever you like

Cons

It's just a matter of finding the best one and most suitable for you.

No contact with others students.

Source : Emoo

twilightprincesse · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:38 pm Post subject:

Nice

Manlin · Gender: Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 90 Home Country: uk

I've been in China since 1998 and based in Beijing for the last four years. I know many of the Beijing Chinese language schools and will be happy to provide my own personal subjective views about a number of them.

There is also a listing of some of the better schools on this site: http://www.china-expert.org/Chinese-Speak-it-like-a-native

moondollars · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject: Chinese Lessons

Can you let me know which universities you have attended in China and your experience with them? Please include websites if you could as well.

Also, if you could, let me know which universities have well-known graphic design or design programs. Is China a good place to learn design or graphic design?

Thanks!

- moondollars
Faithvine

Manlin · Gender: Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 90 Home Country: uk

I have not studied at a Chinese University.

I have friends who studied Chinese at BLCU and were very happy with the course and with the results - ie they can speak the language.

jpandriesse · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:53 pm Post subject:

Within a few months I will be placed in Jiangmen (Guang Dong Province) for my company.
before my departure I would like to do some Chinese courses to get some of the basics of the language (And will continue studying when living there). My question is, which type of Chinese should I choose.
Mandarin is the most spoken one, but the region where I will be going is Cantonese. Should I better choose for Cantonese?

With kind regards,

Joris Andriesse