Short-term courses during the winter?

[Katja_84]

Hello,

I wonder if anyone knows of any universities that do short-term courses (1-5 months) in Chinese (intermediate learner) during the winter months (October - March)? I would like to study in China for some time but will miss the September start and I cannot stay for the full spring term.

If anyone knows of any good, reliable, reasonably priced language schools I would appreciate advice on that too, but I tend to be sceptical towards private schools...

Thank you,

Katja

[SkyFitsHeaven]

Your skeptical of private language schools? Why? Because Chinese universities are so good?

I'd recommend hiring a private tutor.

[Katja_84]

"Your skeptical of private language schools? Why? Because Chinese universities are so good? I'd recommend hiring a private tutor."

I tend to learn more from my classmates than my teacher so a private tutor would not do. I tend to trust universities in China more than private schools (at least for English teachers 99% of private schools in China tend to be horrid whereas universities tend to be adequate). That aside, it is also easier to get to know Chinese students if you are based at a university rather than a private language school.

But if the only option is a private school and anyone knows of any reliable, reasonably cheap ones please let me know!

[SkyFitsHeaven]

I find that people from outside China tend to trust universities because in their home countries universities are top tier. It's basically the exact opposite in China. It's one of the reasons why Chinese students always want to study overseas. Chinese people feel that their K-12 education is stronger, but admit that Chinese universities are basically cash cows - especially for Mandarin programs.

I recommend the Taiwan Language Institute. They have a few locations in the Mainland (Beijing, Dalian, etc.). They also have group classes.

[Katja_84]

Thanks for the tip - have you got a web address for them (google didn't find it?)

As for private vs public: Seeing what disasters many private English language mills are in China, I'm simply assuming that many Mandarin language mills are equally unaccountable - at least the universities where I have taught/studied have been decent. Plus I am not sure it is fair to say that public is worse than private on the basis that Chinese students want to study abroad - of course they do, but most students in China who choose to study at private universities do so because they cannot get a place at the better public ones.

[mmmarius]

Hey Katja,

are you by any chance from Germany?

I am looking to go to china during that period (winter 2009-2010) too, although I do not have a prior knowledge of the Chinese language.

Have you found something in the meantime?

Cheers

[XiaoBin]

BLCU usually allows ppl to start late into the course. One of my friends is starting 2 weeks late. But I'm sure that october will be no problem. You will be placed in a class, but you'll have to catch up on what you missed. You will have to pay the full fee tho.

In general, not many universities will refuse money. My suggestion would be to call a couple universities you're interested in. Explain your situation to them and ask if you can join the fall program late.

I can only speak for BLCU, haven't studied at any other universities.