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Scott, an American in Tokyo is planning to move to Shanghai to study Chinese. He sent me the following questions:
Around this time next year, I'm planning to move to China to take intensive Mandarin courses for at least a year. I'm definitely a city person, and from my current perspective, Shanghai appeals to me most. However, I'm having second thoughts. I'm having a difficult time deciding which city to focus on--Shanghai, Beijing, or somewhere else. I was hoping you could help me with two questions:1. In your opinion, do you think Shanghai is still a viable option for studying (and learning) Mandarin considering the dialect spoken in Shanghai, plus the higher cost of living compared to other cities in China?
2. About how much money (in RBM or USD) would a student need to get through one year of studying at a university in Shanghai (including tuition, rent in an average part of town, food, drinking money, and some spending cash)?
Credit: Scott. Quoted with permission
Which City?
Regarding your question about which city to study, it is highly dependant on where do you plan to work and live after you learnt the language. If you choose to work in Shanghai (I recommend it), you'd better study there since it gives you plenty of time to get familiar with the city, settle down and for the job hunting.
The living cost is higher in Shanghai compared to that in Beijing. Shanghai is a modern city with good living facilities, so you will feel less culture shock. Check the 10 Things You Love/Hate About Shanghai.
Beijing is more like a typical Chinese city - long history, traditional architectures, slower pace of live, beautiful landscape. You can understand the Chinese culture better there. Although, the side effect is, the culture shock will be great for you. As you said you are a city person, Shanghai is a safer choice for you and Beijing is an exciting adventure.
Purely Learning Chinese
If you don't consider other aspects of moving, I would highly recommend you to go to Beijing to study Chinese. Beijing is the capital. It is the culture, art, architecture (traditional) central. There are very good universities there, like Beijing University and Tsinghua University. They offer very course - I heard some expat friends recommend them.
Regarding the dialect, Beijing also have a strong dialect, that is different than Putonghua (Mandarin). Personal, foreigners who can add some Beijing dialect appear to know the language better to me. Sometimes it is a hint to really know about the culture in China.
If you choose Beijing, Beijing University has better reputation on literature and language. So does the foreigner language education there.
In Shanghai, Fudan and Jiatong University are the options. Fudan has better Chinese language program while Jiaotong's Xuhui Campus is in the downtown.
Cost
I don't know the cost of Beijing. For Shanghai, here is the tuition and accommodation cost for Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU):
Tuition Fee:USD990/term or RMB8200/term
Accommodation:Single Room: 3300 RMB/month or 1200 USD/3 months double Room: 3600 RMB/month or 1300 USD/3 months
Course4 hours/day, Monday to Friday for 12 weeks
Schedule:April 7, 2003 - June 27, 2003 July 7, 2003 - September 26, 2003 September 8, 2003 - December 5, 2003 October 8, 2003 - December 19, 2003 January 5, 2004 - April 2, 2004
Source: Shanghai Jiaotong University Adult Education School Language Training Center For reference propose only.
The room on campus of 3300 RMB/month is very high. You can find apartment in nearby neighborhood with lower price - around 2000 RMB. For other cost, it is definitely cheaper than that in Tokyo or U.S. Food is cheap here but drinking (especially at bars) are expensive. The cost depends what you think is necessary for life.
John:
Fudan University's Chinese language program is TERRIBLE. All foreigners who have studied there agree on this. I know it's a famous university, but evidently they don't put much effort into developing a good Chinese language program.Have you studied in any Chinese Lanaguage Program in China? Please let the others know your experience by posting a comment on this page. You will find the comment form at the end of this page. In your comment, answer the following questions:
1) Which university did you go for the program?
2) Which program did you attended?
3) What is the length of your program?
4) What is your Chinese language level before attending the program?
5) Overall comments on the program?
6) Top three reasons why you are satisifed or dissatisified with the program?
7) What you'd like to say to those who are considering enrolling the program?
Posted by Jian Shuo Wang at December 25, 2003 8:46 PM
Copyright: You are free to redistribute this work, as long as you keep this disclaimer
and this link: http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/20031225_where_to_study_chinese_beijing_or_shanghai.htm
I work at Shanghai institute of Foreign trade and they also have a Mandarin program, but I'm not aware of the costs related. I do, however, find that if I didn't have to be in Shanghai (I'm here because my Martial Arts teacher lives here) I'd definately rather be in Beijing. The white people here can be unbearable and people speak shanghainese everywhere and their putonghua accents are terrible so learning it is really difficult. I'd definately recommend to anyone before coming here to get the Pimsleur language tapes and go through them. They have helped me immensly (but not enough!) and it'll save you alot of time on the schoolbench.
Posted by: Søren Frey on December 31, 2003 12:38 AMSmall correction:
Fudan University's Chinese language program is TERRIBLE. All foreigners who have studied there agree on this. I know it's a famous university, but evidently they don't put much effort into developing a good Chinese language program.
John, really? I though Fudan's program is better based on my readings in the Shanghaiexpat forum. Lot of people said it is better than the Jiaotong's
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on February 1, 2004 7:14 PMhello,Scott,( an American in Tokyo is planning to move to Shanghai to study Chinese.):why not study in Dalian,China.you can find some useful information on the tonygood.533.net .
Posted by: tony (external link) on March 5, 2004 4:01 PMI'm needing to know a few things about Shanghai.
1. What was the main dialect spoken in Shanghai in the 1930's
2. What was the history of servants within a Chinese home in the 1930's in Shanghai
thank you for any information you can send my way.
heyyy everyone!
believe me, i am so confused, i've studied in hongkong for a while, and then went to the UK to do my a-levels and obviously went to uni there. also, i went to summer school in harvard, so basically i've always been in places where there's an extremely good nightlife and many expats!!
i need to know which place has more foreigners and a better night life!!
pleaseeeee share ALL your oppinions!!
thanking u guys in advance
alessandra
ohh forgot to mention..when i was talking about which place is better, i mean .. shanghai or beijing?
waiting for all ure replies.
alessandra
Posted by: alessandra on June 13, 2004 3:10 PMI would recommend Shanghai, as you may expect. Disclaimer: I lived in Shanghai for 9 years and never really lived in Beijing. So my oppinion, as well as in this website, may not be netural. :-D
Shanghai has great night life.
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on June 13, 2004 8:49 PMI would recommend Shanghai, as you may expect. Disclaimer: I lived in Shanghai for 9 years and never really lived in Beijing. So my oppinion, as well as in this website, may not be netural. :-D
Shanghai has great night life.
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on June 13, 2004 8:50 PMhi, i'm considering moving to shanghai for 6 months to a year for the same reason (study chinese). i know a lot of questions and opinions have been expresed about beijing and shanghai but i would like to know if anyone could provide me a varied type of info.
i am from malaysia and of chinese origin. i speak cantonese, mandarin and hokkien/fujian. as a child i spent a few years in taiwan and picked up spoken mandarin from there. however, i cannot read chinese but have no problem understanding the different dialects and speaking mandarin in a standard putonghua accent. taking an intensive chinese course in china is just so i can begin to read and write the language i have been speaking for this long.
therefore, i'd like to know if studying in shanghai (where shangainese is prevalent) will pose a problem in terms of just reading and writing? (i don't suppose so?) also, in what way is the programme in Fudan Uni lousy? please advise. thank you.
Posted by: kathia on July 18, 2004 9:48 PMhi!
I'm a bulgarian girl, who has won a fulltime chinese government schoolarship (a bachelor programme in chinese language and literature) few months ago. I was almost sure that I would be sent to Beijing. But what a surprise yesterday when I received an admission notice from Tongji university, Shanghai. I searched it in the web and it's an economic university! I'm very confused and need to talk to someone who knows something more about that university and its programme for foreigners.
thank you!
Tongji is a university with deep German relationship and is strong in architect. It is generally regarded as the thrid best university in Shanghai, after Fudan and Jiao Tong University.
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on July 23, 2004 11:22 PMBTW, biliana, why you are so confused? Whether it is because you are admitted to Shanghai or the university?
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on July 23, 2004 11:23 PMHi, I just have a similar problem as alessandra who posted her problem here on 13 June. Where should I choose for an intensive Putonghua course? Shanghai? Bejing? or other places? I am a working adult at late 30s in HK. Just want to spend some time in learning Putonghua and Chinese culture. Have read so much about different programs of different universities. But can't find much about programs for people like my case. I speak Cantonese and English only. I got my first degree in USA. Feel very bad for not able to speak Putonghua as a Chinese. I can take time off for a maximum of 6-8 weeks between October and December 2004. Is Tonghji U. a good try in my case?Any specific program or university you would recommend for me? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Posted by: powerflo on July 24, 2004 9:00 PMi'm confused because of the university, because i'v never heard anyone talking about it. now i have found info but it's not like to talk to someone who knows personally what the university is like. if you have any personal experience related with it, please share it with me :)
Posted by: biliana on July 26, 2004 1:11 AMI study Chinese and was under the impression that Mandarin was created mostly after the Beijing dialect... am I wrong?
Posted by: t on July 26, 2004 9:46 PMI AM A NATIVE CHINESE ,LIVING IN BEIJING NOW.
TO STUDY MANDARINE(PUTONGHUA IN PINYIN) YOU SHOULD GO TO BEIJING ,IT IS THE RULED BY MANDARINE ETHNICS FOR 300YEARS.
Glad to be here! I'm a shanghainese. Here are many foreigners... Night life here is really colorful.(Many bars and warmhearted people here)I'm a student of SISU (Shanghai International Studies University),major in English education and I'd like to make a foreign friend here to communicate. I can show you around my beautiful city and give you some help to live a easy life here:)
Teveas@sina.com(Email me if you are interested in moving to shanghai. I'd like to be your friend and introduce my lovely city to you!)
Posted by: Windy on August 18, 2004 12:30 PMHi,biliana!
I've receive you mail but I don't know why I cannot reply:(...I can not send mine to your adress...why?
Tongji is famous for architecture and also automobile major. One of the best univesities in Shanghai.
To be frank, I guess going to Tongji univesity to study Chinese will not be very wise for it may not his advantage ...My school will just be better(Shanghai international Studies university).Fudan will be even better.I'd like to be your friend and wish you could make a wise decision for youself:)
Since we may have difficulties talking in email...what about msn? justwannatofly@msn.com
Welcome to be my dear friend and I wish I could help you:)
I am a 31 years old engineer, a bit bohred of working in europe and really willing to learn mandarine, so I am thinking of Shanghai, go there learn the language and slowly start to work.
How long it will pass before I can get a decent job? And before speaking a basic chinese?
Ciao giuliot@gmail.com
Posted by: Giulio on September 27, 2004 6:49 PMI guess you can find a job before you learn Chinese. Of cause you need a working visa before you do this.
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on September 28, 2004 12:54 AMIm a peruvian 23 year old graduated from bussiness administration like 2 years ago in Universidad de Lima. I am going to Jiao Tong university in shanghai to study mandarin (im a begginer) so i can later establish a more solid bussiness relation with my suppliers there. I am going to stay there like 3 months. Then i want to travell around china for other 3 months. My question is: 3 months is enought to survive around china 3 more months?
Oh, other question, where can i find a good apartment in shanghai?
thanks
alex
Please answer me to amont@millicom.com.pe
hi everybody
we are currently travelling arround china and just fall in love with this country. for the time beeing we stay in tibet and will be already by next week be in shanghai. the reason for that will be to settle us down for approx. 2 month to study chiniese on a beginner level.
we know, that 2 month are very short, but nevertheless it will give us a first impression of this language.
What university, schools do you recommend - or do you know contact adresses of freelance chinese teachers, which could give us private lessons??
thanks for your reply in advance,
sina & marc
-> is shanghai really the right place to settle for two month?? or do you rather recommend kunming or e.g. chengdu (as we are coming from tibet).
mail to: sinamarc@gmx.net
Egochinese can help you study chinese.
http://www.itcooker.com/egochinese
I need a room in Beijing from 10 December until 10 January. Any ideas? Something intown and secure preferred.
Posted by: Bernard on October 16, 2004 7:10 AMI'm looking for a good Chinese-English interpretation and translation program - i know there's one in Beiwai in Beijing and one in Shanghai International studies university.
Does anyone know of other programs or courses in this field?
I'd love to hear also any bit of information you may know or heard of the 2 places i mentioned above!
thanks!
Netaly sr_yali@yahoo.com
Hello Everybody.
I am a Chinese. If you like to study Chinese, I suggest you go to Beijing to study it, becuse in Beijing you can study Standard Spoken Chinese (We call it "Putonghua").
If anybody need help, you can contract me. thomsonwu@tom.com
Hi all,
I plan to go to Beijing next year, but I'm very confused with which university I should take. Can someone help me pliz? I know that Beijing Language and Culture University is very famous for its good Chinese teaching, but I think the problem is that there are too many foreigners there and I heard that the opportunity to know chinese friends is a bit hard. Then, I also have done quite a lot research to other universities, but still I cant decide which uni to go to.
I'm considering Tsinghua University and Beijing Normal University. Any comments for these two universities? Or maybe someone would like to recommend me a better university to learn chinese?
Thanx a lot.
Can someone please give me some information on the international language program at Fudan(wich is not on the webpage). I have heard it is supposed to be really good, and I'm thinking of going next year. Thanks
Anders
Posted by: Anders on November 3, 2004 11:16 PMHi Netaly,
I am also looking for a good interpretation and translation program. I called the SH International studies college, not very helpful. Their program is a 2-yr course, you can find some on their website www.shisu.edu.cn
THe other short term course offered is a 2-mth business interpretation course starting 20th Nov. Its Sat full day.. and the lady who answered my question was discouraging me from attending! She said it would be inconvenient for me to spend my saturdays studying.
I am so disappointed, many of the colleges here dont seem to offer a variety of short to mid-term translation courses.
cheers
elsie
Hello, i am a 32 years old lawyer from Lima Peru.
I want to study mandarine in Beijing Language and Culture University in a full time programe for executives for at least 4 months.
I would like to be in contact with people who had these experience before in Beijing, to make some cuestions.
Please contact with me!!!!!
Alice Arribasplata
I'm an American from New York City looking to study Mandarin for a semester in Shanghai in the Spring next year. I have applied to both Fudan University and Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)-- At this point, I'm trying to decide which would have the best language program. Fudan is the more well-known of the two but I've seen some mixed reviews on its language program; SISU is a smaller school and more specialized, I'm assuming. I'd appreciate any thoughts and feedback to help me make my decision. THANKS!!!
Posted by: Genevieve on November 20, 2004 1:54 PMI don't have experience in any of the schools. Anyone can suggest?
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on November 20, 2004 10:32 PMhi guys
I will soon be done studying my business administration degree in UK. When I am done I want to move to Bejing to learn mandarin. I currently do not know any chinese.
1)Please recommend some universities in Bejing with good language courses
2)Where in Bejing should I live?
3)Has Bejing got a good night life?
Regards,
Arne
I'm interested in translation/interpretation schools in China. As an American, I'm typically interested in Chinese-English and vice versa. I've studied CHinese for 8 years and have a B.A. in East Asian Studies/Chinese. Any advice?
~M
Hello all,
I am also planning to learn Mandarin in 2005. I have the same questions as Arne
1)Please recommend some universities in Bejing with good language courses
2)Where in Bejing should I live?
3)Has Bejing got a good night life?
...and it is also important to me to have mostly contact to chinese people than to other expats.
It would be vey nice if you can e-mail me your answers. Thx in advance.
Posted by: Ertug Ekenler on December 6, 2004 3:42 AM
ooops... my e-mail is not on the message... so here it is...
ertugekenler@yahoo.com
Posted by: Ertug Ekenler on December 6, 2004 3:44 AMhi ,Arne,
I just e-mail Ertug who has the same questions with you .
about your questions ,my suggestions is Beijing Language and Culture University is very famous for its good Chinese teaching,but the tuition is more expensive than the other schools ,and I think the problem is that there are too many foreigners so you can't get more opportunity to practise your chinese and make chinese friends .so ,if you only want to learn mandarin ,I recommend some private language school which also has good teaching and cheaper tuition .I know some schools are almost in the center of Beijing,very convenience .
speak of where to live ,it depend on what kind of place do you like ,modern or traditional ?if you like modern ,there are a lot of place to choose .but if you like to know chinese culture ,I highly recommend you go into Hutong(Hutong is a kind of old street where people of Beijing love to live) ,which can give you culture shock,and there are a lot of Hutong not only has good apartments ,warmhearted chinese people .but also can give you quiet life during daytime and colorful night life.I recommended a British to live in Juer Hutong three months ago ,and now he tells me ,he likes there very much .so ,if you are willing to observe what Cinese do ,think and say ,go to live in Hutong is the best choice .I promise !
don't worry about night life ,there are lots of bars and performances,you will find what you want .
forgot to introduce myself ,my name is Rachel (my english teacher gave me the name )I am a Beijing girl .I graduated from normal university .if you still have some questions ,just E-mail me !
very glad if I can help you .
hi everybody.i m studying at jiaotong university@shanghai
i wanna move to an reasonable priced apartment and a job in shanghai.if u know some pls contact me.
buraksmail@yahoo.com
Posted by: burak on December 20, 2004 2:31 PMI'm on exchange at Tsinghua University in Beijing now, and know lots of people who are enrolled in the Language Programme for Foreigners. Also, Beijing University, BLCU and several other universities also offer language courses to foreigners. The courses are not bad, and Beijing mandarin is definitely closer to putonghua than Shanghainese. Shanghai is more cosmopolitan and expensive, but Beijing is certainly highly developed too with plenty of foreigners and the sort of comforts we're used to are available for a price. The nightlife is decent here, with a range of clubs, bars and lounges around. Paul van Dyk played in Tango recently. For convenience's sake, it's definitely better to stay close to campus- traffic jams can be absolutely horrid.
Posted by: LL on December 27, 2004 5:39 PMInteresting comments. I, too want to brush up my Chinese. I have not studied it since spending an intensive year in Taiwan in 1969! I am interested in taking a summer class, living with a Chinese family and doing research on folklore. I am a professional storyteller and would love to meet someone in China who tells traditional stories. Any suggestions?
the first step ,go to Beijing and live in Hutong ,the second step ,study chinese ,and then ,talk to old people .like my mom ......
Posted by: rachel on January 7, 2005 10:12 PMHi all. I'll go to study chinese at shanghai next month. At ECNU , so sorry that no one talk about this. I want to know that ECNU is the good place to study or not. I decide this U coz it was called "Garden School". I think it will the beautiful place in modern city. I think the Living cost in campus very expensive. I want to find other place. Please suggest if you know the convenient place in cheap price, Please recommend.
Posted by: Pinny on January 9, 2005 11:27 AMHi everyone, I am currently living in Shanghai and have just finished one term of full-time Putongua program at Shanghai Jiaotong. I don't know if my comments will help anyone in particular but here they are :
Where to study?: Putonghua is putonghua after all. It is spoken by everyone in China. Only the accent in which it is spoken will be different (although quite a few "putonghua-nized" regional words do crop up where it is spoken). Certainly, the Beijing Putonghua is considered the standard, but they tend to add a strong "R" suffix/ending to many words which, for example, many Shanghainese consider distasteful and often associate it with being a country bumpkin. You have to realize that Shanghainese consider themselves to be the most cosmopolitan in China and, from my experience, rightfully so. They are the trendsetters of China.
So, basically, it really should depend on what you are going to do or want to do after you have studied the language. For example, as a person with extensive financial background, my rationale for choosing Shanghai was that I believe Shanghai will be the commercial and financial capital of China and, perhaps, will surpass Tokyo as the financial center of Asia within 5 years. I think Shanghai will be like what New York City is to the US. (Beijing will be what Washington D.C. is to the US - i.e. a major political center.)
If you are going back to your home country and deal mostly with companies or government agencies in Beijing, then you should go to Beijing to study. You should also go to Beijing to study if you plan to live and work there after language training. If your interest lies in the fields of finance (banking, insurance, etc.) or commerce (trading, manufacturing, marketing, etc.) and eventually wish to work in those fields in China or with China, then Shanghai will be a better bet.
In either case, you will learn not only the language but also the "environment" of each respective city. When you meet in your home country a business prospect from, say, Shanghai, it would be a plus to be able to say that you studied at Jiatong (or Tongji or Fudan or whatever) and that you lived on Huai Hai Lu or in Pudong near the Carrefour supermarket. It personalizes the situation and should help to build rapport with that prospect. I hope I am getting my point across here.
Which school to study at?: Since I live in Shanghai, I can only comment about my experience in Shanghai. As I mentioned, I just finished one term (elementary level) at Jiatong. I was not happy with it. I thought the program was not coordinated. Let me explain. There are three elements to the program: Jingdu (reading comprehension/ grammar), Tingli (listening) and Kouyu (speaking). Ideally, the three elements should be coordinated so that the new words, expressions and grammar learned in the Jingdu class (the backbone class) are listened to in "actual action" in the Tingli class and, then, their use practiced in the Kouyu class. The best approach in any language acquisition is to learn the pattern of usage and then reinforce it by constant repetition. You heard of "practice makes perfect," right?
At Jiaotong, each part had a separate textbook taught by a separate teacher that/who did not coordinate with each other. Therefore, it was difficult to get reinforcement of what we learned in the Jingdu class in terms of listening and speaking. Oftentimes, we would come across grammar or usage in the Kouyu class that we had not learned in the Jingdu class. The problem is that since the Kouyu class focuses on speaking, the instructor did not explain the grammar or the usage in detail. For me, this was not acceptable. I made my feelings known to two instructors, who promised they will talk to the program supervisor. To date, I have not heard anything from the program supervisor.
To me, language instruction, or for that matter education, is a business. I am therefore the consumer of the university's product. If a customer files a legitimate complaint and the product offeror does not respond to that, then, to me, it is a sign of very poor customer service. I have to conclude that customer satisfaction is very low on their priority list. My guess is that Jiatong may be more interested in making money than providing a quality language training program. It is really too bad because they are considered to be the second best university (not in language training but overall) in Shanghai after Fudan U.
Because of all this, I am now considering the Putonghua program at Tongji U's International School JBC. They seem to have smaller classes (6-10) compared to Jiaotong's. In my class there were 15 although towards the end only about 8 showed up for classes. Does it say anything about the class itself, I wonder?
One other point about the class itself. I don't know whether it is important for folks out there considering Chinese classes, but please bear in mind that up to 65% of the students in your class will be Koreans and up to 30% will be Japanese. The remainder are the students from other countries, including Europe, the USA, and the other Asian countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, India, etc.) For example, I was the only non-Asian in my class of 15. Granted, Jiaotong did have a class comprising Europeans and Americans only, but the unfortunate thing about this class was that everything was taught using pinyin only and not Chinese characters. So, many of you from Europe or the US should be prepared for a heavy dose of Korean and Japanese being spoken at the school. Hopefully, you will be able to find a few from your respective countries so that you will not feel too homesick.
The factor of commuting: One other factor that was important to me was commuting. I originally thought of going to Fudan U., but decided not to because of its location. It was very inconvenient to go to from where I lived (I would have had to take a bus which I didn't want to) and I did not particularly like the dreary environment around the school. I chose Jiatong because I could hop on the great subway system here and get there very smoothly. Also, the Xujiahui area in which Jiatong is located is quite nice. It has 4 department stores, lots of restaurants of all types, and even the ubiquitous Starbucks, near the campus.
Althoug the main campus of Tongji U is located nearer to Fudan and also somewhat inconvenient to get to, Tongji's JBC is located nearer to Jiaotong and more convenient to commute to via the subway system. Also, the nice drinking holes on Hengshan Lu are very near Jiaotong and Tongji's JBC for those who like to go pubbing.
I don't know whether my comments were helpful, but I would like all of you who are considering to learn Putonghua, whether in Beijing or Shanghai or somewhere else here, to look at all angles, present and future, to make your final decision.
Shanghai Richard
Posted by: Richard on January 14, 2005 9:52 AMHi "Shanghai Richard",
I found your comments most helpful - thank you.
Could you tell me anything else about Tongji U's International school mandarin program? i.e. reputation, structure of the course, number of foreigners in the course, hours, any rumours/opinions, etc you have heard about the teachers and the curriculum there...
Thanks in advance.
Aussie Mandarin Enthusiast
Posted by: Jennifer on January 27, 2005 8:55 AMi'm a beijinger . if you want to study chinese language
I suggested you'd better to go to beijing. becouse the beijinger speak the standard chinese language. but the shanghaiese, their dialect which the chinese of other place can hardly understand. so beijing provide a good eviormental to study standard chinese language.
Hi everybody !
I m from france and i m going to Beijing the 3/03 to study chinese at the Central university of finance and economy (CUFE) in Haidian district. I go there with an association in fact...
is anybody know this university ?
I m looking for an appartment too and I don t know wich place can I choose
I saw that hutong is a nice place but is it far from haidian ?
Thanks in advance
hi everybody,
my name is jacy. I want to study in international university in Shanghai but I want to study in English.please help me to find a good university of BBA,let me know about tuition and apartment cost....thank you so much!
Hey folks
I plan on going to shanghai to study chinese in the summer of 2005. however i am not sure what university i should attend. I have been thinking about Shanghai University for Finance and Economics and Shanghai Second Medical School as possible choices. Can anyone comment on these and their Programs? Also anyone have any info in what part of town these Institutions are located? ( nice area? Downtown district? suburbs?)
Any info would be appreciated!!
Rob
hi, Marco1763,
In my opinion, CUFE is a level two university in Beijing, I think you can try other universities else, and the fee is not expensive. for example: Peking university, tinghua university etc.
about the apartment closed with CUFE, maybe about 2000RMB per month, include bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and living room.
HuTong just means a building style, and also Beijing didn't bequeath so many HuTong, I think if you have chance you just can visit it, it's a tourist attraction now, almost nobody lives in it.
any questions you can ask me directly.
my email:ddvbb@163.com
MSN:ddvbb@hotmail.com
Hello,Everybody,this is Christine from Harbin, mainland of China,I am living in Tokyo now,I am a Chinese(mandarin) teacher now to Japanese and foreigngers in Tokyo area. I tought Chinese to foreigners for five years before I came Japan,If somebody wants learn Mardarin. please do not hesitate contact with me ,I promise you will get a good result in a short time. the great textbook from Beijing culture and language university that the most famous Chinese learning school in China. I also offer consulting for your studying in China and help our arrangement for studying in China.
for more information please go to my website
www.geocities.com/liugao992003
>
> Email: kcp_china@hotmail.com
>
> Also I would like make friends here!
>
> Thank you everybody
>
>
>
Hello,Everybody,this is Christine from Harbin, mainland of China,I am living in Tokyo now,I am a Chinese(mandarin) teacher now to Japanese and foreigngers in Tokyo area. I tought Chinese to foreigners for five years before I came Japan,If somebody wants learn Mardarin. please do not hesitate contact with me ,I promise you will get a good result in a short time. the great textbook from Beijing culture and language university that the most famous Chinese learning school in China. I also offer consulting for your studying in China and help our arrangement for studying in China.
for more information please go to my website
www.geocities.com/liugao992003
>
> Email: kcp_china@hotmail.com
>
> Also I would like make friends here!
>
> Thank you everybody
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Hey guys,
Its great everyone is showing so much interest in moving to China for chinese language learning and the possibility to work there. I was in China during the summer of 2004 for 3 months in Guangzhou. I enjoyed it very much, I actually loved it and miss it. I never felt afraid, people were very friend and nightlife was very good and not very pricey perfect actually. This year after I graduate from my undergraduate studies in the UK I plan on moving to China for Chinese language learning and to eventually work and do business in China.
I have never been to Shanghai. I would like to get advise as to which city it would be better for me to move to. Would Shanghai only be better if I want to go into the Finance sector? Cause Guangzhou seems to have everything for trading and manufacturer sector.
I would like advise on this from someone with experience.
Could someone tell me why it would be more advantageous for me to move to Shanghai instead of Guangzhou?
Posted by: Nikolas on March 26, 2005 2:15 PMAlso does anyone know about the chinese language program at Zhongshan Univeristy in Guangzhou? Has anyone had experience with it? Any advise.
Posted by: Nikolas on March 26, 2005 2:17 PMhey,everyone!
I am a student in Tongji University in Shanghai,native Chinese,Tongji is a excellent place to study in and I think Shanghai is better for living and working.
If u got questions of study in Tongji University,email me...
ifwonderland@yahoo.com.cn
or icq:320313806
I'm Indonesian-Chinese who just finished my undergrad education in US. I can speak and understand mandarin but I need to learn how to write and read. I've been thinking of going to China to learn Mandarin but can't decide if I should go to Shanghai or Guangzhou. Which place would be better for learning? I know Guangzhou is definitely cheaper in many aspects as compared to Shanghai but what I heard from my Chinese friends, hygiene is a lot worse in Guangzhou than Shanghai. Is that true? I'm really picky about cleanliness and would very much like a nice, clean place to spend a year in. Also, what I understand is that because Guangzhou is very close to Hongkong, the main language that people use is mostly Cantonese, so would it be very hard for someone who doesn't have any knowledge in Cantonese to survive there? Or Mandarin is equally important there too?
Posted by: marist on April 1, 2005 7:43 AMOh, and one more thing. I have a bachelor degree in graphic design and what I heard from many of my Chinese friends, Shanghai and Hongkong are going to be the "design capital" of the east. Would it be possible for me to find design jobs in these places while studying chinese, considering I don't have a strong grasp for Mandarin? Or would English be enough?
Posted by: marist on April 1, 2005 7:47 AMTo give you guys more choice of experiencing a broader China, I inject a note of diversity to this blog.
My suggestion is Guangzhou, where I was born and bred.
Guangzhou is less famous than Shanghai and Beijing internationally, but really a good alternative. Originally viewed as the most international city when Hong Kong is tucked in remote tucked in remote islands, the city is now regaining its international status with increasingly sofisticated culture activities scattered around.
Known as a shopping paradise and a melting port of various cultures, Guangzhou is famous for its openess to newcomers, though i have to admit that rising crime rate, littering, harrassive panhandling, and overloading of basic infrastructure (mainly public transportation, schools) associated with the rise of these migrant populations have been generating some extent of ill will and xenophobia from the local Cantonese.
Zhongshan University, the best university in town, where I took my college schooling, is the one of the best maderin education provider in China.
By the way, it is really value added to take a course in Guangzhou, where u may learn the most original Cantonese as well, which is most widely used Chinese dialect worldwide.
So why not put Guangzhou into your choice list?
Posted by: Guangzhou on April 11, 2005 3:05 AMHi,
I am going to Shanghai to do an anthropological fieldwork. However, I would like to learn some language before starting. What would be the best choice in Shanghai - university or other language schools? And anybody knows approximately how much a term at a Shanghai University or language school would cost?
Furthermore, as I will need an interpreter for interviews, I am wondering if anybody knows a (cheap) interpreter?
Also, if anybody has some good suggestions for a cheap room or appartment, or how to arrange accomodation, please contact me.
- Henrik.
hkm@mailme.dk
I dont not understand why all the media is so hyped about SHANGHAI ONLY? What about GUANGZHOU! Has it been forget? I dont not understand????? Someone please explain.
Posted by: Nikolas on April 17, 2005 5:13 AMGuys I cant form an opinion which is a better place to be, Guangzhou or Shanghai! Sucks really.
Posted by: Nikolas on April 17, 2005 5:32 AMI looked up some American design/advertising companies that have branches in Shanghai and Guangzhou and they look promising. I'm actually thinking of going to China to work and learn how to read and write chinese (I can speak and understand enough for basic survival). So, my question for you guys in China, is it possible for me to get a professional job, preferrably in Shanghai, without much knowledge about the Chinese language. I get my bachelors' degree in graphic design in the US so English is no problem. Please help, I really want to experience new environment..and Shanghai/Guangzhou seems appealing..
my email is: stellamarisa@hotmail.com
Thanks.
Posted by: marist on April 29, 2005 8:54 AMHi,
I am planning to go to Beijing to study Mandarin for a year starting in Fall. I was wondering if it is cheaper to stay in the dorms or an apartment or even a hotel. Could someone help me?
Also which University do you recommend in Beijing? I do not know if Peking Univ. offers a language program since I have not been able to reach their website. Do you believe Tsinghua has a better program?
During my stay in Beijing I would also like to intern in a company/law firm/ etc. (I am currently a college student). Does anyone know where I can possibly intern? I barely have beginner's level of mandarin so I'm guessing it would be very difficult for me to obtain a position. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!
Studying in Beijing, i am looking for another university for this summer (2 months of studies), and how much it would ost?
moreover i am loking for an appartement; do you know any website for renting a room in an appartement (to share with other people already living in it .?), in beijng as well as in shanghai ???
thanks !
hey, dear all
I am a chinese mandarin tutor in beijing, if anyone who want a personally designed independent mandarin tutoring. please feel free to contact me at xiaopanli@hotmail.com.
time and charge are negotiable.
best regard.
Posted by: li xiaopan on May 12, 2005 11:26 AMdee,
I strongly recommend beijing language and culture university to you for your chinese study. here is the website: http://www.blcu.edu.cn/english/index.asp . For sure, to live in campus will be economical a lot.
Posted by: li xiaopan on May 12, 2005 11:38 AMI am planning on working in Shanghai, but I'd also like to take chinese classes. I have looked into Jiaotong, Fudan and SISU, but they only seem to have classes during the day. Does anyone know where I can take night or weekend classes at any school in Shanghai? If not, it seems like Jiaotong and SISU offer the best program for chinese language. Is this true? Also, I'd like to focus on business chinese, so any comment on what the best place to study would be very helpful.
Thanks
jc,
FESCO shanghai (Shanghai Foreign Service Co., Ltd) provide language training service. It is the biggest foreign service company in china and their language courses are pretty good, very practical and suitable for foreigners who works in china. Besides the in-school class, they also provide personally designed course. Students make reservation with teacher in advance, and teacher go to student's company to give class.
http://www.efesco.com/eng/wf/services/Education&Training.htm#1
xiaopan
Posted by: li xiaopan on May 16, 2005 12:09 PMThanks xiaopan. I'll look into FESCO. Is this a service that you have used? If so what did you think of it in terms of the teaching quality? How much does it cost?
actually, I am a chinese teacher of FESCO beijing. the chinese course from university is more emphasized on theoretics. so it fit for those who want to study and research it as a second language. but the chinese course from FESCO emphasized on communication and real talking. That's why Fesco has a very good reputation among the foreigners who work in china.
the drop in one to one course is around 100RMB/hr.( 12US$/hr). most companies will pay the tuition fee for their foreign employees. the group study or in-school class will be cheap a lot, you'd better ask in person the details.
I think that both Beijing and Shanghai are good to study Chinese, Shanghai is a bit more exciting though, check out WLS on www.WorldwideLanguageStudy.com
they have great programs in both cities and offer a very good service.
Success !
I studied at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) for a 5 week program in 2003. It was an AWESOME experience, I just fell in love with the city! Being an Aussie girl (Melbourne), I've always preferred cities that are more laidback, rather than the hustle and bustle that characterizes places like Shanghai and Hong Kong. That being said, Shanghai and HK are still unbelievable fun for short term stays =)
What i want to know, though, is whether anyone has been through the Chinese program at Tsinghua? What is it like? I am going to study Chinese in Beijing for a full year in 2006 and my choice lies between BLCU and Tsinghua. Would anybody recommend one university over the other? The only negative aspect I found with BLCU was that the foreign population was far too dominating for a truly immersive 'China' experience. Quite difficult to make local friends.
The actual Chinese program at BLCU is great though, the teachers are really dedicated and everyone is there to learn and have a good time. I hope to find the same quality of teaching at Tsinghua.
Oh, by the way if anyone is interested, BLCU is in a fairly good location, close to a supermarket, train station, Chinese cinema, the all important Maccas (good old hash browns for breakfast!!!) and yummmmy Chinese restaurants -- all of which are incredibly cheap! The on-campus facilities are also in great shape i.e. sports centre which includes swimming pool, courts, gym etc.
Anyways, hope you guys can post up some comments to help me with my decision =) Thanks all, dudes!
Posted by: kayelle on June 4, 2005 10:57 PMI'm asian girl and would like to study chinese language in shanghai for a year while doing some part-time job there. Is it possible ? After fluent in chinese, then I'd try to get some job since I have IT application experienced for 5 years. I can speak simple chinese, but not enough confident to get a job in shanghai now. Is it a good plan ?
Posted by: in on June 6, 2005 12:39 PM I'm chinese in shanghai! i'd like to teach chinese !!I know a little engilsh, we can teach with each other .it's totally free.pelease contact me.email:tomeok2005@yahoo.com.cn
HI I AM EXPERIENCED IN CANTON FAIR ，HK FAIR ，DUBAI FAIR AS AN INTERPRETER ，（ENGLISH OR ITALIAN） THIS IS MY CELL PHONE 13527808198
BEIBEI IN GUANGZHOU
Hi! This is a very helpful messageboard... I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments.
I want to study intensive basic chinese from October to December. I have not decided on a city, but I think I would prefer Shanghai or Nanjing.
I will be in Shanghai (and the general area) for the month of September on a tourist visa. Before July 15, I plan to apply to East China Normal University, Fudan University, Nanjing University... and maybe Tongji since it was recommended here. then I will go look at the schools in September when I am there. Does anyone know if I will be able to decide in September, register for classes, and apply for my student visa while in Shanghai? Or do I have to decide before I go, so that I can apply for my visa from the US?
Also, I have not yet decided on Shanghai either. I have heard wonderful things about Nanjing. Does anyone have experience with Nanjing University chinese language programs? I would like the program to be intensive, so that I can make the most of my time, but I have no Chinese background and am a bit scared!
I live in New York, currently, and I am familiar with living in a fast-paced city, but I am hoping to stay in a city where I can find parks and a bit of nature, and where it is easy to get out of the city for travel on weekends. I would also like to be able to afford a nice apartment while I am there.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I would also love to have a contact in Shanghai to show me around, help me find a place to stay, etc... and I would be happy to help you practice English! I will be arriving with another English-speaking friend on September 4, by train, from Beijing.
Thanks,
Daria
Hi , Im planning to study Chinese at Tongji University in Shanghai. My classes starts on 8º of August and will be an intensive course of Mandarin. I want to know if anyone went to this university , and if there is any good or bad comment
Posted by: Daniel on June 25, 2005 2:16 AMI'm in a similar situation to Daria in that I am considering going over to Shanghai on a tourist visa then signing up for a language course in person. Would anyone be able to advise as to whether it is possible to change visa types in China without going home and returning?
Posted by: James on June 27, 2005 10:38 PMDear Wang Jian Shuo, Just got onto to your blog, hope you can help, my cousin wants to study Chinese in Beijing/Shanghai. We are from Malaysia. She has alot of queries that the university/language centres in Beijing have not been forth coming. You mentioned that you will not be answering emails but posting it on your web/blog, do let us know whether you are receiving this query.
Thanks alot in advance! Best Wishes, Ei-Leen
i believe that nanjing is better than shang .shanghainese have the strong dialect but nanjingese may speake Chinese more clearly.
Posted by: lily on July 31, 2005 11:04 PMHi, if you want to have a good comment for choosing shanghai or beijing as the place to study Chinese,You can call me please,I will give you a help.By the way, I am a Chinese teacher for foreigner.
13245890849 Lily in nanjing
Hi, if you want to have a good comment for choosing shanghai or beijing as the place to study Chinese,You can call me please,I will give you a help.By the way, I am a Chinese teacher for foreigner.
13245890849 Lily in nanjing
email:first_love123001@yahoo.com.cn
Hi All,
I am currently working in Guangzhou and does anyone knows a good university in Guangzhou for weekend chinese classes? If so please let me know.
Thank you
sudehi
Posted by: sudehi on August 2, 2005 1:26 PMHi,this is Zhou, a native chinese speaker.I am living in Beijing. Have you found your mandarin tutor yet? I am a very experienced and qualified teacher. I used to teach a Japanese student successfully. Students from different countries usually have diversified problems when learing chinese ,and I know how to help students with their specific problems .
The tuition fee is 50 yuan per hour.
Relax, and please feel free to contact me.
Zhou(yinghan24@sohu.com)
It so happened that I came over this website when doing my research on Fudan university. I guess to compare Fudan and Jiaotong, it is as good as comparing Havard and Yale. Guess more importantly, it is the culture that matters if you guys were to decide the cities. I have been some famous cities in China; Shanghai folks tend to speak in Shanghaiese when they are in a restaurant or at a gathering so as a foreigner will have less chance to pick up Pu Tong Hua (Mandarin) by listening to the conversation. As for Beijing, the accent is rather heavy when the Pekingese speak in Mandarin.
One of the place, I will recommand will be Suzhou or Hangzhou. Although they are smaller and quieter cities, the local speaks in very clear accent. Also, Suzhou is known for her scholars in literature historically. The modern Suzhou is an industrial park which holds some MNCs.
If you were to look at the map, Suzhou and Hangzhou are located in the middle of China where you won't get too heavy accent from the Northern Chinese and too much dialects from the Southern Chinese.
Guess, it is always good to call up the uni and ask what they got to offer.
Posted by: victor on August 12, 2005 1:52 AMI've just arrived in Shanghai and am in the process of researching the chinese language programs of the many universities here. It's getting a bit confusing as it's very difficult to judge the quality of each. Many people mention Fudan as the best overall uni, but is it the best for Mandarin study? If you've studied Mandarin at any of these schools please respond with your experiences, good or bad. Any input would be much appreciated!
Fudan University
Shanghai International Study University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
East China Normal University
Shanghai University
Or any other recommendations?
Posted by: Lelio on August 13, 2005 9:36 AMI am a citizen of Nepal. By profession I am a civil engineer. I have also MA degree in Anthropology. I want to learn Chinese language with a native chinese teacher for at least 4-6 months in Beijing or Shanghai. If someone wants to provide services in a friendly environmnet at an affordable cost, please kindly send email at: My purpose of studying Chinese is to find a well paid job in Chinese Companies.
Posted by: Thakur Prasad Pandit on August 13, 2005 6:09 PMI like the description of Tongji JBC (closer in than Fudan and some of those in the north) Any more description of quality or other info on that school or China East Normal? I'm living here for six months and hoping to change university for more flexible program.
Thanks,
Frances
Posted by: Frances on August 19, 2005 5:16 PMAs someone mentioned above, does anyone have any experience with ECNU? Where is it located relative to the night life in Shanghai and how convenient is the campus as far as commuting is concerned? Like many of you, I am looking to move to Shanghai for some time (a few years) to learn how to read and write Mandarin Chinese (my speaking ability is intermediate at best). Thank you in advance.
Posted by: Kai on August 20, 2005 4:38 PMI am chinesse indoensian and currently living in singapore. I also plan to go to Shanghai to study intensive mandarin for 3 month from Oct - Dec. i speak chinesse dialect so it makes it so much easier for me to pick up chinesee..but i just want to learn mmore structure writing and reading. I did tried to study in shanghai for 1 week when I went to shanghai last year..at iMandarin..it's only 2 people in the class..but i have to say the teacher are pretty good and the syllabus is very well prepared. But for the long term..I prefer to choose a place / university like Tongji uni or Tongji JBC. I visit Fudan and Jiatong as well at that time. But I found Fudan and Tongji main campus just too much hassle to access...so I narrow my choice to Jiaotong and Tongji JBC. After listen to Richard's comment..i think i'd rather choose Tongji JBC then. And also the customer service there is much much better. They are very helpful and responsive to my email. They charge USD 1,115 for 3 months (Oct 10 - Dec 30 ' 05).
I have checked all the uni, so far the best service I got is from Tongji JBC..they really take care of my needs, and the price is not much different from any other uni.
I do agree with Richard comment that location is so important in shanghai. i went to shanghai last year..and was soo stress up if I have to take the bus there..Location is so important in shanghai.
I also choose Shanghai cos I have so many Singaporean, malaysian and Chinesse friends in Shanghai. Which provide me a lot of pool to practice my chinesse...I feel more comfortable to have this gang of familiar friends to hang around..but they speak chinesse..so I can practice my chinesse as well.
Do contact me at anna_kpmg@hotmail.com if you also plan to go to Shanghai at that time..we can do gathering and spent our time to practice our chinesse together.
I have been reading more and more and discovering things about China. There are definitely too many different dialects there to make living adjustment relatively easy. The people in Beijing speak differently than the people in Shanghai who use the Shanghainese dialect. it is not like this traveling around the United States where almost everyone speaks, reads, writes and understands English (except for some illegal aliens etc)
look at what Kathia wrote about the different dialects:
"hi, i'm considering moving to shanghai for 6 months to a year for the same reason (study chinese). i know a lot of questions and opinions have been expresed about beijing and shanghai but i would like to know if anyone could provide me a varied type of info.
i am from malaysia and of chinese origin. i speak cantonese, mandarin and hokkien/fujian. as a child i spent a few years in taiwan and picked up spoken mandarin from there. however, i cannot read chinese but have no problem understanding the different dialects and speaking mandarin in a standard putonghua accent. taking an intensive chinese course in china is just so i can begin to read and write the language i have been speaking for this long.
therefore, i'd like to know if studying in shanghai (where shangainese is prevalent) will pose a problem in terms of just reading and writing? (i don't suppose so?) also, in what way is the programme in Fudan Uni lousy? please advise. thank you.
Posted by: kathia on July 18, 2004 09:48 PM "
I think China needs to do something to make a uniform national language a reality throughout all of China. I know that Mandarin technically is the national language but the Shangahinese still prefer to use and speak in their own local 'Shanghainese dialect. why should I spend time and money taking a Chinese speaking course in Mandarin over here just to travel to Shanghai and get hit with a strange dialect I can't speak and understand????? Learning French is not like this--French is French all over France. Learning German is the same way in Germany.
I have been reading more and more and discovering things about China. There are definitely too many different dialects there to make living adjustment relatively easy. The people in Beijing speak differently than the people in Shanghai who use the Shanghainese dialect. it is not like this traveling around the United States where almost everyone speaks, reads, writes and understands English (except for some illegal aliens etc)
look at what Kathia wrote about the different dialects:
"hi, i'm considering moving to shanghai for 6 months to a year for the same reason (study chinese). i know a lot of questions and opinions have been expresed about beijing and shanghai but i would like to know if anyone could provide me a varied type of info.
i am from malaysia and of chinese origin. i speak cantonese, mandarin and hokkien/fujian. as a child i spent a few years in taiwan and picked up spoken mandarin from there. however, i cannot read chinese but have no problem understanding the different dialects and speaking mandarin in a standard putonghua accent. taking an intensive chinese course in china is just so i can begin to read and write the language i have been speaking for this long.
therefore, i'd like to know if studying in shanghai (where shangainese is prevalent) will pose a problem in terms of just reading and writing? (i don't suppose so?) also, in what way is the programme in Fudan Uni lousy? please advise. thank you.
Posted by: kathia on July 18, 2004 09:48 PM "
I think China needs to do something to make a uniform national language a reality throughout all of China. I know that Mandarin technically is the national language but the Shangahinese still prefer to use and speak in their own local 'Shanghainese dialect. why should I spend time and money taking a Chinese speaking course in Mandarin over here just to travel to Shanghai and get hit with a strange dialect I can't speak and understand????? Learning French is not like this--French is French all over France. Learning German is the same way in Germany.
Yes, we do speak Shanghai dialect here.
But young generation here almost forgets what Shanghai dialect is like. They prefer to say in Pu Tong Hua(mandarine) with their mates, and even family members.
As for me, I try every means possible to speak Shanghai dialect. I find it intolerable to speak mandarin with my family members.
But don't not worry so much. Most of us young people can speak perfect mandarin. Moreover, you will also find people in Hong Kong and Guang Dong also speak Cantonese, seldom using Pu Tong Hua.
Posted by: Fang Minjie on August 22, 2005 11:01 AMInvitation
Dear all,
We are a forwarding company based in Yang Pu District Shanghai. We welcome university students with good spoken English and fairly qualified Chinese to teach in our company after 6 on Fridays, helping my colleagues improve their oral English.
You may find it so interesting to interact with them who are eager to make progress in English. You will probably better yourself in your Chinese level through communication with my colleagues not older than 25 years old.
Pls do not hesitate to contact me through fangminjie1983211@126.com, if you do show any interest. We are looking for your reply.
Posted by: Fang Minjie on August 22, 2005 12:45 PMHi, all, I'm a Chinese boy, live in Shanghai and have been in the UK for some time, so I would like to make friends from EU and US, I can help you guys for everything. You guys can reach me at : pengdong113@yahoo.com (it's an MSN account).
Posted by: James Peng on September 5, 2005 4:38 PMDear all,
If you want to have a good comment for studying shanghai ,You can call me please,I will give you a help(including the method,visa problems and so on.
021-28842070(24hrs)
021-64482888
email:elva_126@126.com
Hi Wang Jianshou,
I would say Beijing, Beijing, Beijing!!
Even if Beijing has it's own Kouyin it is much much easier to practice with locals than in Shanghai. I studied WorldLink Education Chinese Language Program at BCLA and it was really great. I recommend it and if you would like to have direct feedback you are welcome to email me. adamgratton_85@hotmail.com
For WorldLink's Real Life China programs See www.worldlinkedu.com
Zaijian!
Adam
hey there,
yes...as most of people mentioned..beijing and shanghai are both super cities of china..but you definitely make sure what you are going to do or want to do after you have studied the mandarine... well...i would like recommend beijing for studying mandarine...as chinese started to learn english...apparently the right teacher and environment is quite important.....hmmmm...as a native beijingner. but i'm working in shanghai currently...do not choose shanghai for learning mandarine ...it would made u misunderstand mandarine with shanghai dialect ...well..i'm not offend shanghai here..anyway...if ur purpose of learning is not seriously..maybe just for fun..even for business work...maybe shanghai is right palce..well....most of my foreigner friends who had a huge difference not only on speaking mandarine accent but also the expression of chinese if they are studying in different places..
Hello, all. I think I can give some clear advice about where to learn Mandarin. If money is no option, then the ICLP program in Taipei is THE BEST, totally without peer. Even if you care more about learning simplified characters, it's still worth it to go there. I know over a dozen different people who came to Taiwan with no Chinese background and after studying there for one year all of them could read newspapers hardly using a dictionary, and could understand 95% of what's on TV here. It is expensive, though.
The second best option is the IUP, or the "Stanford Program" in Beijing. It is much like ICLP in teaching methods and price. Unfortunately, instructors usually only stay there for a couple of years, where as ICLP instructors often stay for a whole decade. As a result the quality of the instructors is slightly worse. This program is still far, far above anything else on the mainland, or even in elite western colleges.
Now, if you DON'T have tons of money to spend here's my advice: Don't waste your money on vastly over-priced low quality programs that basically rip off foreigners who can afford it. BCLU, Beida, Fudan,Shida (either Beijing or Taipei), Jiaotong and similar schools, almost NEVER get westerners up to a level where they can read the paper and understand TV within a year. And they charge you WAY more than Chinese students have to pay for real degree programs at the same schools. To top it off it's pretty hard to find Chinese people in Beijing, Shanghai, or god help you,Taipei, that will be willing to be your friends if you don't speak English with them.
I strongly recommend Harbin. First of all, people there speak about as standard of Chinese as you can find. Second, if you're white, people will think you're Russian and not necessarily always badger you with English. Third, room and board is only 500RMB (~62USD) per month. Also, after your Chinese studies have progressed far enough, you can enter the university and take the same classes for the same money that the Chinese students pay. To top it off Harbin is beautiful, very multicultural, and has great food!
Posted by: Mark on September 17, 2005 2:13 AMShanghai is a beautiful mordern city. i believe you must be inerested in it. maybe you're already in Shanghai and enjoy the life here, maybe you're planning to Shanghai to begin a whole new oriental life...anyway, if you want to know the city furtherly, i mean you'd like to study mandarin, you are interested in Chinese culture or you need a native traveling-mate, maybe i can offer help. i am a young teacher with 3 years' experiece of teaching foreigners chinese. through communicating with my foreign friends or students, i find sometimes it's a little difficult to adapt themselves to the life in shanghai because of the language, the culture shock, especially for those guys who first to China and without any relatives or friends in the local place. therefore, i want to say i really want to give a hand to those foreign friends.
Posted by: Christina on September 29, 2005 5:10 PMShanghai is a beautiful mordern city. i believe you must be inerested in it. maybe you're already in Shanghai and enjoy the life here, maybe you're planning to Shanghai to begin a whole new oriental life...anyway, if you my foreign friends want to know the city furtherly, i mean you'd like to study mandarin, you are interested in Chinese culture or you need a native traveling-mate, maybe i can offer help. i am a young teacher with 3 years' experiece of teaching foreigners chinese. through communicating with my foreign friends or students, i find sometimes it's a little difficult to adapt themselves to the life in shanghai because the language, the culture shock, especially for those guys who first to China and without any relatives or friends in the local place. therefore, i want to say i really want to give a hand to those foreign friends . plz email me by binyan0030@hotmail.com
Posted by: christina on September 29, 2005 5:13 PMMark -
Thanks for the post on the ICLP program in Taipei and the IUP program in Beijing, really helpfull stuff. You seem to know a good amount about this and I actually have a couple questions I would really like to ask you if you wouldnt mind. My email is williamtbaldwin@yahoo.com, if you could shoot me an email so I could contact you I would greatly appreciate it.
Hi anyone there!
I will be located in Kunshan and I like to study chinese. Is there any language schools or universities in this place? In case there's no school there, what would be the best option, the nearest school in shanghai to my location? How long do I need to commute to shanghai?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Wewe on October 26, 2005 10:12 PMHello Shanghai folks,
I work for an international language training company in Dallas, Texas, USA. One of our clients who just moved to Shanghai (a U.S. American) needs a Mandarin teacher beginning the week of Nov. 13. The teacher needs to speak very good English and will need to go to the client's office near People's Square. We pay $25-$30 an hour based on experience and I will need to conduct a phone interview.
If you or someone you know of is interested, please let me know. This client works for a big company and is very professional. So this means you or someone you know will also need to be professional and flexible with the client.
Due to the time difference between Shanghai and Dallas, it will be easiest to communicate over email first. Then I can set up a time to talk over the phone.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Mindy
Posted by: Mindy on November 4, 2005 6:01 AMNot so many people mentioned about the chinese program at SISU ( Shanghai International Studies University ), is it not good ?
Posted by: Lheela on November 8, 2005 10:01 PMHey there - this blog has been a great find. Loads of really helpful information.
I'm in a bit of a dilema. I've got gap year in which I want to live in a foreign country and learn a new language - the problem is I don't know which one.
Part of me wants to learn Mandarin in Beijing/Shanghai because I'm interested in the culture, career-wise it will be good for me and I'm from that part of the world ethnically. I'm hesitant, however, because I fear that I'll spend 6 months out there and come home with only a basic grasp of the language. How true is this? Is Mandarin really as difficult as it seems?
The other part of me wants to learn Spanish in Beunos Airies because it's an easier language and South America interests me as well. My only hesitation with this option is that Spanish will not be as useful to me in the long-run as Mandarin; although I can expect to gain a better command of it.
If anyone has any advice for me, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jack
Posted by: Jack on November 9, 2005 6:27 AMIm planning to study in shanghai for 6 months this coming spring semester. I have zero knowledge of the mandarin language. With all the comments above , im getting very confused opf which school to choose. I want to learn mandarin and have a convinient location in the city. Im planning to work afterwards in the architectural industry. So which ciy Beijing ? shanghai? which school? tongji? Jiao tong? blcu?
Posted by: c on November 11, 2005 9:02 AMI got admission in North
China Institute of science and Technology,Yanjiao,
Beijing East and my first semester will be over in Feb
06.Though, i found this institute the most economical
one,and goof in teaching as well, but am facing
following problem:-
1. All my class mates (25 in numbers) are
teenagers..from Vietnam and am not adjusted with
them,,being the only person from other country i.e
Pakistan. They have thier own interest, language and
cullture,,so cant be friendly with me,,it gives
me,,feeling of loneliness,,,
2. Teachers here normally handle these teenagers and
have same policies,,so i have to follow thier
policies,,strict timings of classes.. long
schedule,,from 0800 to 1800 hrs,,,. That much burden
may be fine with the student yet to start thier
professional studies,,but not for me,, who is in job
since 8 years and completd PhD,,,. They sometimes dont
realise that I am also a professor from One of
University in Pakistan..and a Muture lady...and treat
me also as teenagers...
3. State of accomodation is not good,,, like heating
is not fine,,one has to have its own heater and it
costs u additional electricity bill. Lot of noises in
floor,,one cant go to sleep,, as u can hear a foot
step of a person,,, walking out side,,far off,,,. And
no electricity after 2300 hrs till morning 0600
hrs...so students must go to sleep,,,a policy for
teenagers,,but am the suferers,,,
4. In begining, Managment had many promises,, and now
,,when i ask them and hint about some problem,,they
refer me,,to some other,,department saying its not
thie Job,,,
Thuogh,i have paid them,,for a whole years,,,but even
then,,have dicided to change intitute,, and
asking u to guide me where to study,,,in economical way in Beijing.
please send ur comments on my email
monakhalid2002@yahoo.co.in
dr.mona.aeysha.khalid@gmail.com
Thanks
Hi there,
I'm gonna do the language course at SISU for the upcomming spring semester. I'm really looking forward to it, I just got the message they have accepted my subscription. I choose this university because I heard from someone I know, who also did the language course, that it was good there. So in February I can find that out for myself! If somebody wants to know anything about it or also will be there next semester you can contact me! My e-mail address is tsjubbie83@hotmail.com
Grtz.
Noor
Mandarin(Chinese) is one of unique languages that have tones. But in terms of the logic of the language, Mandarin is the most striking one as a result of its evolution of thousand years. Mandarin (Chinese ) is also a language tied richly with Chinese Culture.
Foreigners could expect a quick and efficient learning of this language if they use a correct solution.
www.redcarpetmandarin.com is a site for effective learning of Chinese
mandarintoday is the good chinese languages school in Shanghai.
www.mandarintoday.com
Posted by: Tibet dog on December 12, 2005 2:44 PMI was wondering if anybody is familiar with the Mandarin Times program in Shanghai... I would like to know if this program is reputable and good for a beginner without any knowledge of mandarin.... I would like to learn to not only speak but read and write as well... I am a working professional in New York City and I am planning to spend about 4 months to learn mandarin.
Also any recommendations on where to live in shanghai. I would like to live in a studio apartment with TV/internet/maid service/gym in a nice neighborhood. any recommendations on neighborhood? how is near Nanjing xilu?
Thank you in advance.
Hello John !
The real good place to study chinese is Beijing.
People speak mandarin chinese in the street.
Daily life budget about 5 US$, accommodaton single room university about 12-15 US$.
Monthly budget for fun : 75-100 US$ if you stay at least an academic semester
If you are looking for professionnal vocational training in mandarin chinese look at http://www.sinolingua.org
Enjoy discover China !
Friendly Toto
Posted by: Toto on January 3, 2006 10:37 AMHi, I'm a girl from Hangzhou. How about coming to Hangzhou to study chinese? The city is beautiful, green, safe and has culture and history. I know two places you can study chinese. One is a language school called Manda http://www.mandacenter.com
Another is Zhejiang University.
welcame to hangzhou!
Jenny Chen
MARK! I highly doubt you are still looking at this blog, but if you do, I want to study in Harbin! What school do you recommend? thanks...zhongting7@yahoo.com
Sam
Posted by: Sam on March 1, 2006 10:35 PMHi Everybody,
Have you noticed that most of people from Beijing say that Beijing is the best place to study and live, and people from Shanghai say the same about their city!!!
I think that there is not perfect place at all. All of them have advantages and disadvantages. Its up to you, if you want to be closer to western style (but also living the taste of China) then go to Shanghai. If you want to be closer to Chinese culture then you should go to Beijing. It depends more on the personality.
Cities like Hangzhou are nice. Hangzhou is close to Shanghai, some parts are beautiful (some others are also busy and crowded) but in general is much more quiet and calm. Some people love it, for me Shanghai is much better.
I have lived in Beijing, Hanzgzhou and Shanghai, and I have studied Chinese in Hanzhou and Shanghai.
II's true that in Beijing people speak almost the Standard Chinese, but if you move to another city in China you still will have problems to understand their accents. On the other hand if you get used to the accent in Shanghai (for example) you will find very easy to understand people in Beijing.
I think that most of universities still have to improve a lot their teaching methos, if not all of them.
I think the key point is that everything depends on the student. Some people have the ability to learn faster. Some people learn very fast the speaking part and some others the writing.
You can find everywhere people who have studied in the same university, one can speak fluently after one year while the other one can't. Because the teaching is not good enough (in most of universities) and also Chinese is a hard language to learn then you have to dedicate a lot of time to it. The more you dedicate to learn and practice then more you will speak, no matter in what university you are.
Charlie, well said. No one has the perfect answer for all. It all depends on what you want. You may want to learn the Chinese culture, but this may not always mean "comfort" for you as the culture shock may be big that you are not always comfort with... It is all about choice, and balance.
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on March 12, 2006 7:42 PMOne more thing i would like to say would be, I can be a Chinese tutor if you want to know more about China or Chinese culture, I can speak Standard Mandarin, in case you are interested, i can teach you both in Shanghai or Suzhou, both places are fine for me, you may email me at: katherinelee4444@yahoo.com
Posted by: Katherinelee4444@yahoo.com on March 14, 2006 2:54 PMsince havent heard anyone talk about Guangzhou, what do u guys think about study chinese there? Since i m thinking of getting job there.
Posted by: nas on March 23, 2006 10:49 AM25years old ,boy.in shanghai, chinaese ,not very good in english ,but want look for a people who learn each other ,you can help me english or other language,i can teach you chinaese or shanghaiese.
my hotmail is breakgun@msn.com
if you have any questions in shanghai,you also can give me a message or email.do my best to hlep you . hotmail breakgun@msn.com
Posted by: stone on April 1, 2006 5:56 PMHi,
I'd appreciate any more information anyone has about the quality of teaching at Manda school in Hangzhou.
Thanks,
Jane
USA
Hi,
I'd appreciate any information about the quality of teaching at Beijing Radio and Television University (BTVU) in Beijing.
I intend to go to Beijing for vacation and will like to have a short term course (4 weeks) prior to my vacation in July 2006.
Thanks
Bernard
To Bernard:
I am a lecture who teach foreigners chinese, one of my students who come from Korea has been learned chinese there.But because of big class, the speaking skills improved so slowly.
To Mona:
I know many chinese language schools around east of Beijing. I am a lecture who teach chinese in COCI chinese language training center, which is located just opposite the World Trade Center in Beijing. We can arrange one-to-one class based on your demands,welcome you for consulting, Tel: (010) 58692858
Hi there....
I'm a Chinese Indonesian and planning to study mandarin in Shanghai on Autumn Semester. Right now I need information about Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) because I really interested in this university. I wanna know about their language program, the campus life,dormitory,their facilities,etc.I have seen their website and brochures, but if any SISU student (or Shanghainese) can give me further information, I really appreciate that.
Looking forward to hear from you,guys!!!!
Thanx
Hi guys,
I like to study mandarin chinese in shanghai in one year duration. I like to come to china with in 2 or 3 months. I found few institution at shangahi through net but didn't get any of one year course length.
Please do help me precisely by giving information with (average or below average)tution (name the university or institution), transport,food, accomodation.
Thanx in advace for helping me with informations.
My email is chess_bd@yahoo.com
age: 33
regards,
sharif
This is Delia zhang, an experienced native Mandarin Chinese teacher to foreigners. Can speak English reasonably well. Well to know and use official pinyin and dialect, good ability to create a basic curriculum for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. based in Shanghai, but not have any Shanghainese accent, like to be your Mandarin teacher. Tel: 021-29707606 Mobile: 13661649396 Email: vastchina@126.com MSN: zhynet7777@sina.com.cn web: www.vastitude-china.com
Posted by: Delia on May 14, 2006 10:34 PMHi!
I'm so glad that some foreign friends ask me some questions about shanghai by email:) Thank you for your trust although it's quite a long time that I haven't been here.
I lost the code of my old msn, so I'm sorry for the old friends.If you can read this please contact me :
Msn:teveas@yahoo.com.cn
teveas@sina.com for email is still O.K.
I'm glad to know you and I will try my best to help you if you decide to study or vist Shanghai, my lovely home town:)
i am interested to study in shanghai. i would like to ask some information about tongji university, shangwai universuity,shanghai university,and shanghai normal university.
thanks
e-mail:jarabee_1984@hotmail.com
I am planning (maybe) on coming to Shanghai to go to Fudan Uni, to do an 8 week summer short Mandarin course. I read earlier in these posts, their language course is not good? Any further comments re: Fudan Mandarin summer/winter short course.
For all the other folks who want to know about Shanghai or /vs. Beijing: Beijing is more militant and will be more intensive as far as culture/language; Shanghai will be easier to adapt to and more pleasurable in the long term. The end results will be the same, perhaps more opportunities for work in Shanghai.
My 3 cents..
Brent_m_98@yahoo.com
hello everybody i am looking to study chinese in shanghai for 8 months so far i have narrowed down my choices to
1. shanghai international studies university
2. Jiaotong univ
3. east china normal univsersity
I am looking for a really intensive mandarin course as i have studed chinese for 1 yr at taipei already. What would be everybody reccomendation. Small class size is the biggest factor for me
Thnxs,
Elliott
Elliott, I cannot give personal advice to you, since I don't know more on these mandarin education than you. However, I would suggest Shanghai Jiaotong University, since it has better location of campus, and the university is better in terms of reputation than others. You may consider these to factors..
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on June 10, 2006 2:46 AMexperienced native Mandarin Chinese teacher to foreigners. Can speak English reasonably well. Well to know and use official pinyin and dialect, good ability to create a basic curriculum for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. based in Shanghai, but not have any Shanghainese accent, like to be your Mandarin teacher and your friend in Shanghai.
Class 1: > Pinyin and basic conversation for begainers
14:00pm-16:00pm (Monday) 15:00pm-17:00pm (Thursday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 48yuan/hour/person
Class 2: > the learner should know Pingyin
14:00pm-16:00pm (Tuesday) 15:00pm-17:00pm (Friday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 58yuan/hour/person
Class 4: >
the learner should have a command of about 500 basic words, 100 sentence patterns. 14:00pm-16:00pm (Wednesday) 15:00pm-17:00pm (Sunday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 58yuan/hour/person
Class 5: >
the learner should have a command of about100 basic words, 200 sentence patterns. 18:30pm-20:30pm (Tuesday) 18:30pm-20:30pm (Thursday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 68yuan/hour/person
Class 6： > The course includes over 3,000 commonly uesd sentences, which will enable him to survive in his daily business communications
18:30pm-20:30pm (Wednesday) 18:30pm-20:30pm (Sunday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 68yuan/hour/person
Class 7: One to one class 88yuan/hour
Delia zhang
Mobile: 0086-13661649396 (shanghai)
Email: vastchina@126.com
MSN: zhynet7777@sina.com.cn
web: www.vastitude-china.com
Address: Room 2105, 22floor, No.973 Yan'an Road West, Shanghai Zip: 200050
Professional Mandarin Teacher
Hi,friends,I am a 25 years female from Shanghai.
I graduated from Shanghai International Studies University.
Teaching mandarin is my full time job.
I speak Mandarin perfectly and I aslo can speak English and Japanese.
Now I have more than 10 students.(from U.S., France, Belgium, Netherlands， India,czech, New Zealand etc.)
I use self-prepared materials,not a book.
Class is usualy one by one,but also can more students.
aslo I can come to your place for lessons.
If you are interested,please send email to:
xiaoguai39@hotmail.com
Hi, I am a Chinese-American and just graduated with a business administration degree from the University of Washington. I can't speak or read Chinese b/c my parents speak different dialects, so I grew up speaking English at home.
I want to study Chinese Mandarin for a school year. Haven't decided on Beijing or Shanghai yet, but am leaning towards Shanghai. I have already applied to Tsinghua University (Beijing) and Fudan (Shanghai).
I want to apply to another school in Shanghai and from reading the previous comments, I'm trying to decide between Tongji, East China Normal University, and Shanghai International Studies University. Does anyone know which one is better, or just know things about one of them?
Thanks.
Posted by: Gabe on June 17, 2006 10:40 AMHello Everybody :
I am glad to so many guys want to learn mandarin. I am boy , 27 years old . My pudonghua( the mandarin ) is standard without shanghainese accent . I will glad to advise you some informations freely, eg. School selection , tuition ,transport, expending . And i aslo be pleased to chat with you . but in exachange , ha ha , i hope you can talk with me in english to improve my spoken english. I will be kind guy. Wish to be your good friend.
msn : qianliang@sina.com
Posted by: Ely on June 22, 2006 1:55 PMstudy with Korean/ Spanish/ Germany
This is Delia zhang, an experienced native Mandarin Chinese teacher to foreigners. like to be your Mandarin teacher and your friend in Shanghai.
Class 1: > Pinyin and basic conversation for begainers
19:30pm-21:30pm (Monday/Wednesday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 68yuan/hour/person
Class 5： > The course includes over 3,000 commonly uesd sentences, which will enable him to survive in his daily business communications
18:30am-20:30am (Thursday) 18:30pm-20:30pm (Sunday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 68yuan/hour/person
Class 6: One to one class 88yuan/hour
Delia zhang
Mobile: 0086-13661649396 (shanghai)
Email: vastchina@126.com
MSN: zhynet7777@sina.com.cn
web: www.vastitude-china.com
Address: Room 2105, 22floor, No.973 Yan'an Road West, Shanghai Zip: 200050
Hi, I am going to Zhejiang University by september.... to learn Chinese and depending on that to go for a Master's.. can anyone tell me about the living facilities and all that there? Anybody from Hangzhou?
Posted by: Jaime on June 28, 2006 4:08 AMHello there,
I would like to learn to speak Chinese, so all girls who can teach me please contact me.
My mail is banitokralj@hotmail.com
See you
greetz
Branko
would you like to study with Korea. Germany and Spanish classmates in Shanghai. The new opening course will start in July!
This is Delia zhang, an experienced native Mandarin Chinese teacher to foreigners. like to be your Mandarin teacher and your friend in Shanghai.
Class 1: <> Pinyin and basic conversation for begainers
19:30pm-21:30pm (Monday/ Wednesday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 68yuan/hour/person
Class 5： <> The course includes over 3,000 commonly uesd sentences, which will enable him to survive in his daily business communications
18:30am-20:30am (Thursday) 18:30pm-20:30pm (Sunday)
0ne teacher to two or three students 68yuan/hour/person
Class 6: One to one class 88yuan/hour
Delia zhang
Mobile: 0086-13661649396 (shanghai)
Email: vastchina@126.com
MSN: zhynet7777@sina.com.cn
web: www.vastitude-china.com
Address: Room 2105, 22floor, No.973 Yan'an Road West, Shanghai Zip: 200050
hello,Gabe
I think Fudan (Shanghai) is good school.
I am glad to so many people want to learn mandarin. My pudonghua( the mandarin ) is standard .
if you feel free time, you can e-mail to me.
shirley@it-cgroup.com
shirley
Posted by: shirley on July 7, 2006 6:37 PMHi all,
I will be studying Chinese in Shanghai Jiaotong this September. Anyone there can help me? I need to know how much single apartment will cost, and anything about Jiaotong will be appreciated. You can reach me by e-mail, thanks all.
Kilin
kilinw@yahoo.com
Hi there,
I've come across this blog about studying mandarin Chinese in China, especially in Hangzhou. Guess some of you will find it very interesting.
http://annatam.com/category/study-chinese-in-china/
Michl
Posted by: Michl on July 9, 2006 10:36 PMAnyone have info about studying Mandarin in Shenzhen?
I'm 23 years old girl from Indonesia, i have bachelor degree in International Relations Studies, and been studying Mandarin for 2 years or so, but it's really rusty now.
I plan to go to SZ via HK soon (maybe this weekend, i'm going to spend a few months there) and plan to look 4 a mandarin course there.
If anyone have info pls e mail me at
bikka.mitya@gmail.com
or via this blog, thx.
Btw, Jian Shuo Wang... Thx 4 having a helpful blog :)
-Bikka-
Posted by: bikka on July 10, 2006 5:05 PMI'm also interested in studying at the Manda School in Hangzhou in December (winter!) so if anyone has any info on the quality of teaching that would be great!
Posted by: Serena on July 14, 2006 10:28 AMHello:
i tink study Chinese in Beijing where is the better place. Because most of people in beijing all say Mandarin. You can heard the formal tone
Hi,
I'm an aussie going to live in Shanghai from October onwards. Could someone suggest a good language school? Feel free to email me missdkielenniva@yahoo.com.sg
Thanks in advance.
KAYELLE: "What is it like? I am going to study Chinese in Beijing for a full year in 2006 and my choice lies between BLCU and Tsinghua."
I don't have any answers to that question I'm afraid - I'm actually considering that same option myself. Did you manage to find any info? (this is a long shot given that the post is from last year but I hope you read it..)
From reading a lot of messages from different forums, seems that BLCU has more "progressive" teaching while Tsinghua apparently focusses more on rote learning. Whether this counts in favour of BLCU depends on whether you can rote learn in the classroom and will practise outside; the problem with BLCU seems to be that with so m