School review: V-Hunters in Beijing

[Scoobyqueen]

I have previously referenced the above school but I have had a change of mind. I can no longer recommend it.

I have been with V-Hunters for two years, undertaking four intensive courses with them. These have been very good and have been tailored to suit my needs.

On my last two courses there, I realised that the school was changing direction and had started focusing on what appeared to be more lucrative areas which meant that teaching Chinese had taken a backseat. For example during lessons, the teacher would take calls from business contacts. Other indicators included a frantic atmosphere in the common area, answering phone calls from "the more lucrative project". The teachers seemed to be working on two projects at once and in typical Chinese knee-jerking style they were trying to please everyone.

On my last course earlier this year, I had agreed with the school in advance that I needed lessons on 1st May as indeed I had done in the previous years. They promised that would not be a problem. However, two days before 1st of May they suddenly decided they could not offer me a teacher on this and the day after. No alternative was offered, despite the fact that my time in Beijing was short (I had taken part of the course as holiday from my full-time job) and my only reason for being in Beijing was to learn Chinese and they knew that. Then the next day they told me my teacher for the afternoon would not be able to teach me anymore. I found out they had fired him from one day to the next (very socialist!).

I used Chinese-Forums to find another school and chose BLI , a decision I am extremely pleased with. With hindsight, I should have changed schools earlier, not just because of this experience but basically because it can help you improve if you have a teacher with a different approach.

I am disappointed that after working with them for so long, including skype lessons in the intervening period between courses, the school let me down. Some of my Chinese friends tell me (as a possible reason) that getting too close with people can have disadvantages. Apparently you are allowed to cancel a meeting at short notice just because he is my friend and he will understand....

[abcdefg]

With hindsight, I should have changed schools earlier, not just because of this experience but basically because it can help you improve if you have a teacher with a different approach...Some of my Chinese friends tell me (as a possible reason) that getting too close with people can have disadvantages.

I've studied part time in China for several years, interspersing it with my career back home. I've come to similar conclusions. Most of my language learning experiences here have been pleasant and positive, but I've had to remain vigilant and nimble, always keeping "Plan B" ready "just in case." I've found it best not get overconfident that how things went yesterday will predict how they will go tomorrow.

Glad you landed on your feet.

Edited June 8, 2009 at 03:20 AM by abcdefg
typo

[Meng Lelan]

V-Hunters, what an odd name for a Chinese language teaching school. I'd never get that into my search engine looking for a Chinese school.