Attending lesser known universities

[valikor]

Hi folks,

I'm living in Beijing and thinking about enrolling in a university, either for a semester (I know my time is running out here, and it might already be too late at most places), or for a 3-ish month training program. Really I'm interested in whatever I can find.

An American I met recently suggested (he told me not to laugh) the Beijing Capital Institute of Physical Education (CIPE). He attends there, and his reasoning was that their mandarin program is (obviously) overlooked, so it is very small and allows lots of individual attention and speaking time in class. He said his current class has only 2 other people. As a beginner, he said there were about 5 other people.

I also spoke with a native Beijinger who knows many foreigners, and she recommended the Beijing Central Drama Institute.. it was also based on anecdotal evidence, but she said that the fastest Mandarin learner she ever met attended this university, and reached a very high level in a very short time.

On the other hand, I have heard bad things about BCLU.

Anyone have any suggestions? It looks like a lot of the stickies with information about universities are very dated...

Thanks!

David

[AxelManbow]

I don't know about Beijing, but I do know about Dalian.

In Dalian non of the programs are very big - no university has more than 1000 foreign students studying Chinese language (though some top this when accounting for foreign undergraduate, postgraduate and/or exchange students).

What you describe sounds like the kind of service offered by private language schools - small tailored programs.

I generally recommend people to avoid the very small university programs here in the Northeast, but if they want a small program there are options either in a small language school or a specialist university program. That's because universities with the smaller numbers of foreign students tend to get the bulk of the students they do have from co-operative agreements with a university or high school outside China. For example, someone in their mid 20s would probably not have much fun or progress studying with a class full of 17 year olds from Vladivostok who didn't want to study Chinese anyway.

If you can make sure a small college allow a tailored program and have halfway decent teachers though, you could be on to a winner.

It is not too late to apply. Many courses start on the 8th, and allow applications starting after that date.

[yonitabonita]

To me it sounds like a gutsy move. The deep end approach is an excellent one if you're after a bit of a challenge. You're just about guaranteed for total immersion which can only help rather than hinder. While perhaps overwhelming at first, you'll acclimatise and most likely come out better off than you would at the BLCU. Go the longer semester option, in fact, the longer the better.

I'm assuming you're talking about enrolling in a university course in history or literature or anatomy rather than a course in Chinese language for foreigners.

I did the same in Japan many moons ago. Went to a school where there wasn't a single foreigner and just spent a year there sinking in vocabulary. Needless to say, my language skills improved dramatically.

Come to think of it, at the law firm I used to work at, there was a trainee from England who got a law degree in the UK, and then went to a university in Inner Mongolia to do another law degree in Chinese - her goal was to pick up sufficient Chinese to work as a lawyer in China and she did it. Her reading, writing, speaking and comprehension were fantastic. She was also very efficient at legal research in Chinese. Now, I couldn't of course compare her to a graduate of a 3 year degree in Chinese from the BLCU not having any facts in front of me - but at a guess, I'd dare say she's got better Chinese than an 'average' BLCU grad.

Now, I know that people who are driven to learn will learn no matter the environment. And lazy folks will be lazy folks wherever they are.

But assuming:

- attitude and motivation and all those other factors are healthy, and

- your sole goal is to learn as much Chinese as possible

I think taking yourself out of the foreigner scene and placing yourself into situations where interactions with Chinese people are a daily necessity is the way to go.

Rant summary: big thumbs up to total immersion in little universities.

Y

[Baggerking]

I am currently studying Chinese in a small university in Jinan. In fact, when I first started, it was a vocational college, and just a month ago turned into a University. Last semester I studied with two other Spanish students and my Chinese level went up dramatically. I had four different teachers, and the difference between them and the "language exchange" partners was overwhelming. This semester the Spanish students left and now I am the ONLY student. Of course, my class room hours went down but I get one on one classes paced to my learning level. I think small universities are intensely useful especially if you are a bit lazy like me and won't be taking up every opportunity to speak. And of course, having Chinese friends who speak almost no English also helps, not for learning so much but for practice.

I say go for it. Most smaller universities will also give you a Certificate after you attend so many classes. I think a 300 hour certificate can knock a year off of some bigger universities with some placement testing, so it's not like if you decide to go the full route it would hurt you in any way. You'd just have to ask the right questions.

[zerolife]

Since you are already in BJ, wouldn't you be able to sit in one or two of their classes? Take a look whether you are satisfied with the teaching style and the students their. As AxelManbow mentioned, I would avoid schools that are crowded with studyabroad or high school exchange students. Also, I think location is a factor. You don't want to go somewhere too far out in BJ. Studying is good but you also want to enjoy what BJ has to offer.

[AbuSun]

Hi Valikor,

I think a small language school might really be a option for you. I am currently working in one in Beijing and as I am also attending their classes, I can tell you that they dont take more than 6 students per class (at least this school here). As you already are in Beijing, you definitly wont need all the "cool entertaining stuff" language schools often offer, so the price for the courses might also be better than subscribing in a university.

[bunny87]

what sort of "cool entertaining stuff" might language schools offer? Can you name an example or two?

[AbuSun]

Haha, "cool entertaining stuff" like guided tours in Beijing, tea ceremonys sport activities and so on. Ok, maybe its not that cool and entertaining, but you know what I mean:D. And if you already know Beijing, you mostly dont need these activities.