request for advice on summer course

[Hein63]

In order to check on my progress sofar, I would like to do a (summer) course on Mandarin in PRChina in the Han-area. So, I had learned from this site that Xi'an Jiaotong University would be a good choice. Unfortunately, their course is in late Summer.

So I may request for suggestions for a good place to do a one-month rather beginner course, i.e. after completing NPCR1- in the Han speakink area in PRChina. May-June is the period I can make free. Should be home before the first of July.

Will very much appreciate your advice!

Hein

[anonymoose]

Han is an ethnic group, not a language.

[BeijingDaniel2011]

Almost everyone speaks Mandarin in China now so you don't have to worry too much about where you go. All the universities and schools teach Mandarin. But if you're concerned about going somewhere where they speak very 'standard' mandarin you're probably better off staying in the North/North-East somewhere- xian, Beijing, Tianjin, Haerbin, Dalian etc.

[Hein63]

Perhaps I should have said something like, "where standard Chinese is spoken on the street and at home".

I do not favour to go to Beijing. I would love to go to Xi'an.

Would you know by chance whether there are courses in May-June in Xi'an? Or do you know about courses in other cities in the 'North/North-East', which you would advice?

[Hein63]

Apologies. Confused by Hanyu.

Meant, area where Mandarin is spoken as first language.

[BeijingDaniel2011]

I work in Beijing so only know the schools here but most universities do some kind of summer program for students but I'm not sure if you'll have missed the deadlines now. Failing that there are all kinds of smaller private language schools in those cities. Might be best to get on some of the blogs catered to those cities and ask some people there.

[abcdefg]

The original poster sent me a private message requesting the same advice. I answered but said I would also post my reply here since it might be of use to others in the same situation. Here it is:

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Then, as now, I think the best bet for people like us (older and with specific time constraints) is a one-to-one course from a private school. These are the reasons:

1. You can start and stop when you wish. Don't have to try and hit to the semester or summer term starting points.

2. You can study what you want to study. For example you could tell your teacher you wanted to review the NPCR1 that you feel you only partly know at this point to solidify your comprehension.

3. You can go at a comfortable pace, speeding up when you find it easy and slowing down when you find it difficult.

4. You can get individualized help from your teacher about managing daily life issues in China as you proceed to study your chosen textbook.

5. You won't be assumed to have the same priorities as a class mostly composed of young university students who want to know how to say "campus life" things: "Where is the dormitory?” -- "How did you do on the exam?" -- "What is your major?" -- and so on.

As to deciding where to study, find a place you think you will like without worrying about dialects. Everywhere in China you will find that many people speak dialect at home and on the street with other natives of the place. But most can and will speak Putonghua with you. This is an over-rated issue in my opinion.

Since you are keen on Xi'An, see if you can locate a Mandarin school in there. I've never been there and have no leads. Failing that, you can just go and hire a tutor once you have arrived.

I've done that a couple places just by directly approaching university faculty members and asking them to tutor you after hours. I have even on occasion approached teachers of English at private schools who are native Mandarin speakers. Most welcome a bit of outside work if they know you are serious, and most can handle the requirements of teaching lower-level Mandarin.

Best wishes in your undertaking.

[BeijingDaniel2011]

I would back abcdefg here.

Although I would also say that you should be a little picky when it comes to teachers. There are hundreds of independent tutors out there, and whilst some are very good, others are not so. There are a lot of recent graduates, who having studied English believe that they can then teach Chinese to foreigners. Some may not be aware of how 'foreigners' prefer to study or how to explain certain Chinese grammar points or concepts satisfactorily. I would suggest making sure your tutor has a lot of experience and if possible some kind of training or certification regarding teaching Chinese to foreigners.