Taking a year out to study Chinese

[Friedrich]

hello,

ok, this question has obviously been posted in some other varations on this forum and I did read the other posts on it, but was wondering if someone could give me some advice for my personal situation.

I graduated from University two years ago and am stuck with a job and line of work that I do not very much enjoy. I have been to China (Shanghai) for an internship while at uni and had a great time. I also met some people who had managed to learn Chinese, who obviously had an even better time, as they could actually speak with the locals.

After that, I thought studying Chinese would be a very interesing thing to do, but never thought I would get around to do it. Well and now I am looking for some kind of career change and am thinking, well why not learn Chinese.

I tried back then and it is obviously not easy, so I thought about taking a year out and only focusing on studying (money might become an issue sooner or later though). So I have a few questions:

1) which province/city is best for studying (I heard in Shanghai they speak with their own accent, so maybe thats not so ideal)? I was told Beijing is the place to get "a proper accent" (and a bit cheaper), is this correct?

2) what kind of school to go to? I knew ppl who studied at university/private schools and had different things to say about them (study methods, class size, teachers, books etc.). What are your opinions?

3) any suggestions for specific schools/universities?

4) well, anything else?

[abcdefg]

Well and now I am looking for some kind of career change and am thinking, well why not learn Chinese.

Not sure that's much of a plan. Knowing a year's worth of Chinese won't give you a new career.

[mpallard]

You're looking at a minium of three years hard continuous study (in China) before you'll reach a level where you could begin to consider using Chinese in a work environment.

Obviously, this is only my opinion

[chrix]

isn't that what basically Obama's brother did? The one who got married to a Chinese woman ? Wanted to change careers and went to China...

[abcdefg]

isn't that what basically Obama's brother did? The one who got married to a Chinese woman ? Wanted to change careers and went to China...

Yes, but he could play the piano.

[jbradfor]

Well and now I am looking for some kind of career change and am thinking, well why not learn Chinese.

Are you looking to learn Chinese well enough to make it your career, or just learn a bit of Chinese language and culture to help you get a new, English-based job?

isn't that what basically Obama's brother did?

Half-brother, strictly speaking.

[chrix]

Half-brother, strictly speaking.

I know, but we're in the age of the patchwork family after all

[parmarossa]

1) which province/city is best for studying (I heard in Shanghai they speak with their own accent, so maybe thats not so ideal)? I was told Beijing is the place to get "a proper accent" (and a bit cheaper), is this correct?

Certainly Beijing and the North of China have more standard Mandarin, but it doesn't mean you can't learn Chinese in other parts of the country. I personally studied at Fudan and learnt alot there. Shanghainese can be a bit of a pain - but it really depends on who you spend your time with (Chinese or Western friends), and those who speak Shanghainese also can speak Mandarin - it is just the listening side that is not ideal as you hear alot of Shanghainese downtown.

So, to summarize, if you are looking to choose a place, you can learn in Shanghai or any other part of the country, but Beijing or the North of China maybe better.

2) what kind of school to go to? I knew ppl who studied at university/private schools and had different things to say about them (study methods, class size, teachers, books etc.). What are your opinions?

University is good, and gives you a good base and you can practice with other non-English speaking counties (Korea, Japan). But the books can be outdated, and they teach you a lot of unpractical stuff.

Private schools are good, as they can customize the teaching a little more to what you need (i.e. if you don't want to focus on writing, you don't have to). However, you may be in class with other English speakers and you obviously miss out on the student vibe (if that is important to you).

Both have their strengths and weaknesses - it depends on the environment in which you want to study.

3) any suggestions for specific schools/universities?

There are of course the top schools in the country, like Beida, Fudan, Jiaotong - but being top doesn't necessarily mean their Chinese courses are top. You might find some recommendations on this site.

For schools, there are plenty to choose from and range from city to city (i.e. Shanghai - iMandarin is a well known school, as is Miracle Mandarin etc..).

In short, you will probably decide the school based on which city you go to, rather than the other way around, because it is hard to say which school is good or bad --- a lot is down to the teacher and your personal taste.

4) well, anything else?

To make this decision is tricky and there is a lot to consider. People study in Beijing, Taiwan, Shanghai, Yunnan and all seem to do fine.

Best of luck with your research and decision:D

[taylor04]

Honestly it depends on your teacher. If you have a good teacher at a university, your studies will be better. If you have a good teacher at a private school, your studies will be better. I studied at Zhejiang university and had one of the best teachers I've ever met... and one of the worst.

[longpeng]

Northern cities are better for learning as it will be easier for you to understand the locals. To get decent at the language expect to spend at min 2 years at 4 hours a day of class and a couple hours a day studying.

Also there is difference between chatting with the locals and being good enough to work using it.

[Meng Lelan]

Well, Obama's half brother made his niche there so I guess the OP can too.

Yes, but he could play the piano.

And he helped with special needs children there too.

Hey, I can play the piano, speak Chinese, and am certified to teach the deaf, blind, and deaf-blind. Presto, a job for me in China...!

[Friedrich]

well, I realise that Chinese will not completely change your career, but it will open a lot of doors that otherwise would not have been open. In China there are quite a few non-Chinese people who speak Mandarin, but rest assured there are not many of those around in Europe, so competition for jobs where you need Mandarin is not that intense ;)

I learned how to play the Piano, but based on my teachers comments, it would not be wise to make a career out of it:D

[knadolny]

I realise that Chinese will not completely change your career

If this is something that you want to do then I am sure it will be more than worth it especially if you don't like your current job situation. Learning Chinese has certainly enriched my life immensely and I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't go to China to "take a year off".

My dad was against me going to China at the time. I just graduated college and didn't find a job. Instead I had been saving my money, bought my own ticket to China, and enrolled myself. I had about 10 grand saved up and that lasted a year. I studied at BLCU in Beijing. Anywhere in northern China speaks proper Mandarin. In Shanghai you'll learn some Shanghainese in the process and your accent might be a little off. That probably is a bigger deal for someone just started to learn Mandarin and you might be better off in the northern parts of China.

I wouldn't say that Beijing is necessarily that much chepaer. I could be wrong, but Beijing prices have been moving up as well although probably not as much as Shanghai. A second tier city will be cheaper and you'll still be able to find good schools. Try looking at Dalian near Korea (they speak standard Chinese and lots of cute models come from there), Tianjin (which is close to Beijing, but definitely cheaper), or Qingdao (which is famous for their beer. You can buy fresh beer there all over the city and they'll serve you in plastic bags. Seems like a good place to me).

Who knows what will happen to you. But you do know what will happen if you stay where you are at. And that might be enough reason to take a risk and try something new.

Life is too short to not go out and enjoy yourself.

My two cents at least.

Cheers.