crjcrj Posted March 3, 2009 at 02:32 PM Report Posted March 3, 2009 at 02:32 PM I am currently studying at a private language school in Beijing. The school is great, I have fabulous teachers... but I have gotten into a bad habit of being quite lazy and chatting with other students in English, etc... and I wonder if a change of environment would be a good idea. Maybe just short term, and return to the school with a fresh attitude at a later date, maybe for longer term, currently thinking 3-6 months. I have heard that some of the universities offer 'executive' type courses either with just 2-3 students in the class. Obviously, this costs more than their standard larger class size offerings. Has anyone taken a course like this at a university in Beijing? If so, which one and what did you think? (the more details the better, books used, teaching methods, hours per day, approximate cost, etc...) How would it compare to a private language school course? I am at a beginner level, just about to finish NPCR 2. I live with my family in Beijing and have two small children, so I can't live with a host family or in a dorm. I currently study 4-5 hours a day at the private language school, and would be looking for 4-6 hours a day at a university program. Thanks so much. Quote
roddy Posted March 4, 2009 at 04:46 AM Report Posted March 4, 2009 at 04:46 AM The only university courses I can think of matching that description are the top-end stuff like IUP. Would be interesting to know if there's anything out there, but I think your best bet may still be the private schools - or just pretending you've forgotten your English . . . Quote
crjcrj Posted March 4, 2009 at 07:15 AM Author Report Posted March 4, 2009 at 07:15 AM Thanks Roddy... after may phone calls today, it seems you are right... I guess I just have to turn a new leaf by changing myself, not my environment! Quote
roddy Posted March 4, 2009 at 07:20 AM Report Posted March 4, 2009 at 07:20 AM Well, changing your environment is easier. Is there any reason you can't just switch to another private school, perhaps one with a mainly Korean / Japanese student body? Or just any other private school and start to be that one student who never speaks English? Quote
crjcrj Posted March 4, 2009 at 09:07 AM Author Report Posted March 4, 2009 at 09:07 AM English is just a 'symptom' of my recent rut... and have been feeling a bit down about going through one of those 'stagnant' times where I don't feel much progess... (my fault, not teachers) I know I need to get my act together again... after reviewing many private language schools, I truly believe mine is great, so wouldn't want to go to one of the others (and can't afford TLI or BLI)... So when I heard about those super small classes at universities, I hought it sounded like a great change for a few months... then I found the international prices and promptly changed my mind and amazingly am getting inspired to fix my problems where I am already settled haha Thanks Roddy! Quote
gato Posted March 4, 2009 at 10:56 AM Report Posted March 4, 2009 at 10:56 AM after reviewing many private language schools, I truly believe mine is great, so wouldn't want to go to one of the others (and can't afford TLI or BLI)... Which school are you going to? Maybe you can write a review here so others can check out this great school, too. Quote
crjcrj Posted March 4, 2009 at 01:31 PM Author Report Posted March 4, 2009 at 01:31 PM I did that in June 2008: http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/17670-language-schools-in-chaoyang-park-lido-cbd-share-information Quote
gato Posted March 4, 2009 at 02:52 PM Report Posted March 4, 2009 at 02:52 PM Ah, that was you. Which one of those schools did you go with? Quote
Meina Posted March 5, 2009 at 05:12 AM Report Posted March 5, 2009 at 05:12 AM I was in a similar situation as you and looking for a change in environment. I started classes at Diqiucun in Wangjing recently and have been very happy with the class sizes and teaching. The classes are quite small (3-5 people) and the teaching is excellent. The best part is that we all communicate only in Chinese (in and out of class). The class I am taking is High Intermediate and the teacher uses only Chinese to explain. You may want to try a class there. Quote
crjcrj Posted March 7, 2009 at 10:33 PM Author Report Posted March 7, 2009 at 10:33 PM Thanks Meina. I have read on other threads on this forum that Diqiucun is good for intermediate and above level classes, but I also heard for my beginner level (I'm just finishing NPCR 2) that it is not as good. But I have it in the back of my head to go there for a few months once my level is higher (also because it is much cheaper than other schools, and they have loads of course times so it is flexible). It's great to hear it is working for you!! Quote
mayta Posted September 1, 2009 at 05:43 AM Report Posted September 1, 2009 at 05:43 AM Hi i'm also looking for some school/university. I live in Wangjing and have 1 kid, so I really would like to study somewhere near home (wangjing - lido area) for couple of hours a day or maybe part time (2-3 days a week, 4 hours or something like that). I went to Diqiucun Wangjing for a while, but i'm not really happy with the classes (not the teacher, i mean with the choices) they never have class for my level (i'm intermediate) adding to that the office staff is always impolite, i know is not a big deal but i think they should be nice to potential students... crjcrj, can i ask you were do you study? I like NPCR books. thanks! Quote
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