IUP and BLI effectiveness

[ss2261]

Would like to hear from those who took intensive one-on-one programs like IUP and BLI on how effective it is.

I am planning to take intensive course (20 classes a week) at BLI in Beijing from next Jan.

I consider myself intermediate in speaking/listening (can carry basic conversations with little accents, understand good part of Taiwanese soap drama), but forgot most of reading/writing (probably only knows 200+ words).

With these intense programs, how good do you think I will be after 6 months or 1 year? If I want business level fluency (e.g. can conduct business presentation in Chinese, understand company annual reports, etc.), do you think I need up to or over a year?

I need to budget time appropriately since I asked my company for a leave to take the lessons.

Thanks so much in advanced!

[gato]

I consider myself intermediate in speaking/listening (can carry basic conversations with little accents, understand good part of Taiwanese soap drama), but forgot most of reading/writing (probably only knows 200+ words).

With these intense programs, how good do you think I will be after 6 months or 1 year? If I want business level fluency (e.g. can conduct business presentation in Chinese, understand company annual reports, etc.), do you think I need up to or over a year?

You sound like you are an overseas Chinese, as you can understand soap operas but can read only 200 words. In your case, the key will be work with flashcards of the most commonly used characters to get your reading level to where your speaking/listening level is. With two hours of flashcard work per day, it might only take you a month to improve your reading ability to that level. After that, you just have to do a lot of reading and vocabulary acquisition. In terms of essay writing, you might want to write on the computer and work with your teachers on the style and grammar. Memorizing how to write characters is a long-term effort that again requires rote repetition, and you may not necessarily need it. It's more important that you can write using proper grammar, as it will affect your speech, as well.

BLI's teachers have good reputation, but how much progress you make will really be up to you. If you are really motivated, you should be able to make a lot of progress back home, studying on your own. Being in China makes the biggest difference to those who want to improve their speaking/listening abilities. And writing certainly, it certainly helps to have someone guide and correct you. Reading is pretty much an individual effort.

[ss2261]

Thanks for the tips!

Yes, I am an overseas Chinese, but my Mandarin is much worse than an average overseas Chinese. I am definitely motivated and have started doing ~1 hr work a day to prepare before I get to BJ next Jan. I am transferring to my company's BJ office, but want to be fluent before I move there to be effective. They have given me 9 months to a year off.

Did anybody have an experience at an intensive program IUP or BLI like program and went from basic/intermediate Mandarin to become fluent or near fluent? How long did you take?

Any experience sharing would be very helpful.

Cheers

[Mulletious]

I am bumping this thread because I am also interested in the effectiveness of BLI. The reviews I have read through this site are good, but they are also from 2 years ago.

My questions are similar to the original posters, but I am at a much lower level of Mandarin and was wondering how effective BLI at teaching beginners for an academic year program. Any information is appreciated. Thanks..