BLCU fall 2009 short program, anyone ?

[architect]

Hello every one.

I am new on this forums; I found it by chance and see a lot of useful information here. Everyone did a good job of contributing their ideas and experience.

I am planning to attend the 12 weeks intensive course in Sept. 09. Since I am no longer a student, it is a great investment for me to take leave from work and put up the expense to go to Beijing. That is mean I do not have income for the 3-4 months, especially on this economic environments. Someone told me is not worth it; it is too easy for me. Since I born in China and not speak the language make me feel guilty.

I left China at very young age and stay in Hong Kong for a while to pick up the Cantonese and traditional Chinese and spend most of the time in the United States. I am not able to communicate in mandarin. Traditional Chinese reading is not a problem for me but simplified may be comprehended at 90% level. There is no idea what level of Chinese words that put me in. It has a difficult to write Chinese because I did not use it for such a long time. If I have time to stay in China for one or two years I may be able to pick it up without going to school. However I cannot afford that. The intensive program may give me a kick start.

The 20 hours should work better for me than the 30 hours week. In this case I have more time to explode the city and inter act with the locals to learn the language. I also want to stay a few weeks longer after the program for the same purpose.

I appreciate any input on the experience of the intensive program or a study group in the fall. Is there anyone have Chinese background like me enroll in the program?

[Missy_C]

Hi there,

Like you I am also Chinese, I can handle a conversation in Cantonese, but not read or write any characters (well, just a little.. as good as none). I was born and raised in The Netherlands and I want to be able to communicate in Mandarin for the same reasons as you.

I am planning to follow the program in March though (taking time off from work).

Actually there is a program for people who come from Hong Kong in BLCU. Who are already able to read traditional Chinese. That might be a good option for you.

Other option: If I were you, I would consider studying in Taipei. As they also use traditional writings there, and they must have special programs for Cantonese speakers as Mandarin with Taiwanese accent is much more populair for Cantonese speakers, than the Beijing accent.

[architect]

Hi Missy C,

Thank you very much for your valuable input. I would appreciate your experience after the March session. The reason I choose the fall is I think the weather may be a little better. I got spoiled by the warm and dry California weather.

If there is a special program for the people from Hong Kong will be great. If you or others in this forum can provide a little detail, it must be an intensive one. Since Hong Kong return to China the younger generation are learning Mardarin in school now. Most job requirements are now required to know Cantonese, Mardarin and English. The older generation can pick up their Mardarin from watching TV soap opera and daily interaction with people from China mainland. Since the US will go for all digital TV broadcast in a few weeks. There are quite a few Mardarin program, I can pick up some by reading the Chinese subtitle.

Study in Taipei is a good option. However, I want to study in China because I want to understand more about the people and way of life in China. Simplified Chinese is the official language now and would to learn more. I learn most of them by self learning by reading and guessing. Taipei is too similar to Hong Kong. Actually one of my Taiwanese friends wanted to start an international business in China with me. We can cover both ends. International business is hard to bypass Hong Kong for connections. In this case I do not need to go to school, but the plan want south. My friend wanted to start a family instead.

When you are in China, you will find more interesting and historical places to go. It is a big county. Especially in the rural area, this is more difficult to get by with not speaking Mardarin. The only true experience of the area is by visiting in person which is I would like to do more.

[VitaTM]

Hi Architect

I'm also considering studying the 12week course at BLCU during the fall, however, I've not decided on the intensive or standard option. Like you, I'm deviating towards the 20hours standard option as I'd like to explore Beijing and it may also give me more opportunities, i.e. finding some local chinese students for language exchange or teaching English.

I'm still in the researching and planning stages. I'm currently looking at the schedules of other universities/locations to see if I can slot another destination into my learning programme, therefore I could explore more of China before moving to settle in HK (from UK).

My original plans to stay in Dorms is also changing after reading through some of the views on this forum.

Anyone know if it is too early to apply now for courses in the fall?

[architect]

Hello Vita TM,

If you do not mind I would give you some suggestion based on your situation. Since you are planed to settle in HK, you can play a different game. I would say HK is the only place has the most English speaking population in a given area in China. In other words they also had the biggest demand for English teacher. You can find an English teaching job easily and the students are usually has better English background. On your free time you can learn Chinese while there is a lot of opportunity. There also a lot of practice opportunity while you live there. I think this will save you a great amount of time and money and use it to explode more of China. You may also find some serious language exchange partner in HK. I am not quite sure about that in Beijing, it appears most of the language exchange classified are low key dating services.

http://www.thebeijinger.com/classifieds/general/Personals/Seeking-Language-Exchange

Traveling in and out of China from HK is a lot easier than from UK. The prices are very reasonable also. There are so many people in a small area; you can find a traveling partner at any time.

I am not discouraging you to enroll in BLCU or others in Beijing. However, it will be easier to learn Mandarin in Beijing than HK. You can enjoy the different living experiences.

The deadline for applying fall in BLCU is July, the March session even not started yet. I just submitted my leave request at work. I may submit my application in May or June if my leave is approved. I am afraid if I submit too early the paper work may get lost in a deep hole based on this forum.

[VitaTM]

Architect

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm quite familiar with HK as I am actually HK chinese ^_^ ... but lack the reading and writing skills.

I'm just doing things in a peculiar way *^_^* ... I'm graduating in July and just wanted to travel a bit before job hunting and Mandarin seems a useful language to acquire. You probably know .. it's difficult to get lengthy holidays in HK even if you do have the allowance. I know someone who has 180 days of holidays!

I believe I would experience more of the culture in China by spending time living there rather than brief trips over now and again.

Also Teaching English isn't my first job preference, it's just a fall-back option. Like you mentioned, there is a big demand for English Tutors in HK. My sister moved back in Sept and tutored whilst she looked for her accounting job and she doesn't even have a TEFL cert and I plan to obtain one before leaving UK. I will be graduating with a Architectural Design and Technology Degree. I'm assuming you're an Architect from your log-in name so you will be familiar with the industry .. the Architectural Technologist profession is new and not widely recognised internationally. There are only offices in UK, Ireland and HK, but even in HK the Architects I've spoken to haven't even heard of this profession and I'd rather be an English Tutor than a CAD Monkey :s

Hmmm .. so it sounds like I've got plenty of time to plan my trip to China. That's good!! I knew the deadline was July for Sept starts, but a lot of websites I've seen said to apply early ... so I was going to apply in April ^_^ I'm guessing that's a bit too enthusiastic huh?! ^_^ keke

Thanks again for the advice and also the link. Hope your application gets approved and I'll see you in Beijing ^_^

[peekay]

For what it's worth, I have several Cantonese-speaking friends who moved to HK to find jobs and pick up Mandarin & reading+writing. Not one of them have actually followed through and learned Mandarin (or reading+writing.) Not one!

They so easily get by with just spoken Cantonese and English, especially since they work for multinational companies. Sometimes they get into an awkward situation going to a restaurant and not being able to read the menu, but not enough to motivate them to learn characters. And even if they eventually pick up some reading to get by, I doubt they'll ever learn Mandarin!

Anyway it seems unless you have awesome self-discipline (or enroll in a formal language course), for Cantonese speakers going to HK to learn Mandarin is a sure way to fail.

[architect]

Hi Vita TM

It is true I am an architect. I am a key person in the office that is why I may have a hard time to take a few months leave. Even they approved my leave if some complicated project come up they may still stop me going.

Sorry to say you graduating in the wrong time in this global financial crisis. Look at the bright side you can take the opportunity to pick up Mandarin and do some traveling. China is very interesting in the rural area for artistic value. It will be harder to do after enter the job market like me. You can go there early, if you get used to the HK summer, the China summer should not bother you much. I could not stand it.

I am not all agree with Peekay. It depends on a person’s background and wills. Landing a job in HK just knowing Cantonese and English nowadays is a rarity. Most HK native picked up Mandarin one way or others as I stated in previous post. Jobs in HK require applicant to know written English and Chinese, spoken English, Cantonese and Mandarin. You can check the job listing.

http://www.jobsdb.com/Hong_Kong/default.htm

I was trained in the US. I am not sure what Architectural Technologist is. I assumed is some kind of combination of architecture and engineering/construction. There are many side branches of architecture degrees in the US but still around the architecture practice. Many architecture graduates can not get a job in architecture and than get into video games design and movie set design because they trained in 3D visualization/modeling. I can get on and on about this professional but it is not the subject of this forum. However, one of the student interns from HK can speak Mandarin in our office (most architecture degree require internship before graduation) get a job in an American architectural firm. The job is as a coordinator between the Chinese and American design team. You may find something similar in China; they may pay you little or nothing at all. It is a good way to learn Mandarin and gains some architecture experience. Like killing two birds with one stone. China is a great market for architecture work, but they only let the foreign firms go as far as schematic design. Shanghai Xintiandi is designed by an American architect and he settled down in Shanghai and has his own firm there. HK is too small for the variety of projects.

Glad to hear you want to start the application early, see how well it will go. The TT money transfer itself looks so complicated. I think they should use paypal instead.

[caffeineaddict]

Hi everyone,

I'm also considering enrolling in the BCLU fall programme. I'm also an overseas Chinese hoping to eventually qualify into Law in the UK or HK. For personal and professional reasons I'm committed to starting an intensive year-long course this fall - just haven't decided which one yet!

To the OP - > could I ask why in particular you decided to choose BCLU over the other universities?

Also I can speak Mandarin relatively fluently....i.e. regular conversation is fine but find it hard to discuss business/international relations/finance etc issues without resorting to technical terms in English. Are there people like me on the programme or is it 100% non-speakers?

Hope we can keep in contact.

[architect]

I choose the BLCU because its short term program. You may do more research to find one fit your need for a longer term. BLCU may not be the place to learn on the technicall languages.

Others has been in the BLCU may fill in more regarding this. May some intern program work out better since you can carry out a normal conversation.

[caffeineaddict]

architect, thank you for the response. I am looking for a longer program so considering Peking/Tsinghua.

[peekay]

BLCU actually has several separate colleges teaching Chinese:

1. College of Intensive Chinese Studies

Like the name says, this college focuses on intensive Chinese instruction, from complete beginners to advanced. Their core program consists of a series of semester-long courses, graded into five levels (A through F, roughly one level per semester.) Many students take these courses back-to-back and thus stay for years. The college also offers short-term programs, from 4 to 12 weeks in length.

2. College of Advanced Chinese Training

This college is specifically geared for teaching overseas Chinese. For example, they offer preparatory programs for overseas students planning to enroll into Chinese universities, and also have Mandarin training courses for Chinese speakers who are fluent in other dialects. I believe their courses are organized into semesters.

3. College of Chinese Studies

This college offers full degree programs for students majoring in Chinese language or literature. They accept both domestic and foreign students. They have 2-year certificate programs, a 4-year Bachelor in Arts degree, plus M.A. and Ph.D. programs.

All three colleges are roughly the same size (about 100 teaching faculty members each, about half of them are professors.)

[troysmith]

"2. College of Advanced Chinese Training

This college is specifically geared for teaching overseas Chinese. For example, they offer preparatory programs for overseas students planning to enroll into Chinese universities, and also have Mandarin training courses for Chinese speakers who are fluent in other dialects. I believe their courses are organized into semesters."

Can you please elaborate on the prepatory programs? Thanks!

[peekay]

There's extensive info from:

http://www.blcu.edu.cn/jxxy/course_en.htm

See the left nav-bar for the different programs they have. The university-prep program is called "Pre-education in Chinese". They also have a 2-year vocational program (for Trade and Business, etc.)

[jordanlee]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to pop in here and introduce myself. I'm an American-born, Canadian-raised, Chinese with virtually zero Mandarin. Everything I've picked up has been through random words thrown around at home or at me from ex-gf's.

I'm about to apply for the Fall 2009 12-week intensive program. Still very much in the research phase but hope to have the application off by next week.

Currently living in Boston finishing up my MBA and have some time to learn Chinese before starting work in the New Year.

Nice to meet you guys!

Best,

Jordan

[architect]

Anyone had submitted the application for the Fall 2009 program yet ? I got my leave approved from work finally and submitted the application. The instruction for payment on the application kind of complicated. There are too many SWIFT numbers. My bank told me just wire direct to Hua Xia Bank. I hope it work out. It cost me $35 to wire $75, hard to believe. It will make live easier if BLCU take Pay-pal. I stat the process earlier to have more time for air reservation.

[bilagaste]

Hi,

I also consider to take the BLCU twelve-week program. I've learnt some at University but can't speak fluent Chinese.

Where are you going to stay? BLCU dorms?

Regards, Laura.

[architect]

I keep the housing option open att his time. I really want to rent a room with a local Chinese family if possible. This will have the max. opportunity to learn the Chinese.

Stay in a dorm is convience but may speak too much English in lieu of Chinese. I will do like most people in this forum, go a little early and look for housing on location.

[gubokai]

hi all

what are the advantages/disadvantages of studying short term vs. long term at BLCU? Overall i'd like to study for 1 year but if i go for the long term study program does that lock me into a certain class/teacher?

i've heard that doing the short term program gives you more flexibility to choose your courses. is that true?

[joycetan26]

Hello, I'm a Malaysian-born Chinese who speaks very little Mandarin. I can speak Cantonese though but I can't read and write Chinese except for my own name.

I'll be going to BLCU for the 12 weeks intensive course in Sept. I've just got the Admission Notice. Oh, the excitement! But I got to settle the housing before I book my flight ticket. I'm just so worried that I have no where to stay when I get there.