Advise needed: Language studies for a beginner in Zhuhai (珠海)

[CHN.Come.Back]

Hello all,

I need your advise regarding Chinese language studies.

I don't have any experience in Chinese, I traveled many provinces for a while (few months) and would like to settle down but first feel I need to get along with mandarin.

I'm looking for a place to study this seriously. I'm, still, not sure if to choose University/College or serious private school.

My important points are:

1. Location, I would like to study in Zhuhai city area. I plan to stay in the city instead of the dorms option.

2. Price, the institute need to have reasonable price, if university/college, with scholarships option.

3. Language program quality, I would like to study this seriously and not use this learning period for parties and time wasting. I need this institute to be professional, experienced, with good lecturers and organized syllabus.

4. I prefer a place with less foreigners for better (and maybe faster) study options.

Will I need to have full studies week (5 days when I need to study in this school) or can I choose 3-4 days a week?

How many month/semesters do you think one should have in order to have good knowledge in mandarin?

I intend to start my studies on late August/September, when is usually the registration deadline?

Thanks for you advise!

Ran

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Given what you have said, Zhuhai may not be the best choice for you. See this 2009 thread:

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/21618-studying-chinese-in-zhuhai/

I was in Zhuhai about a week ago and did not find that much had changed, even though it was not specifically a "looking for a place to study" trip. The main university campuses are way out on the north edge of the city. If you lived in "downtown Zhuhai," you would have a long daily commute.

Granted, Zhuhai is a beautiful place if you don't mind the hot, wet summers.

[CHN.Come.Back]

I don't mind taking the 45 min.-1 hour bus every day as I like this city.

I heard that Jilin, Jinan and Beijing normal universities have their own Zhuhai branches, do they offer Chinese language programs? What is your recommendation?

Maybe you know of a place (uni. / college) between Zhuhai and Guangzhou which can suit my needs?

Thanks.

[abcdefg]

I heard that Jilin, Jinan and Beijing normal universities have their own Zhuhai branches, do they offer Chinese language programs?

I think they do, but I'm not positive. I didn't attend university there; hired a tutor instead. Afraid I'm not qualified to advise you further, but good luck in your search.

Here's a list (with links) from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuhai

Colleges and universities

Zhuhai College of Jinan University

Zhuhai College of Beijing Normal University

Zhuhai College of Beijing Institute of Technology

Zhuhai Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University

Zhuhai College of Jilin University

United International College

[PanShiBo]

How many month/semesters do you think one should have in order to have good knowledge in mandarin?

You can easily estimate: knowing how to read and use 1,500 characters and 1,500 words will get you started. Chinese grammar is super easy, so most of the efforts is spent on the vocab: remember what you learned and maintain sustainable expansion. It's all memory. If you think you can maintain vocab expansion at 5 words, 5 characters every day for the next 10 month.. do the math.

[rezaf]

How many month/semesters do you think one should have in order to have good knowledge in mandarin?

Knowledge for what?

For traveling and doing daily stuff: 1 year

For doing business that doesn't need a high level of Chinese: 2~3 years

For actually starting to learn something serious at a Chinese university: 4~5 years(most students start with only 1~2 years of Chinese and then they realize that it's not enough)

All in all judging by the experience I have from myself and my friends I think if you study hard sometime after 3~5 years you will start to feel a big change in getting fluent and comfortable with this language.

Will I need to have full studies week (5 days when I need to study in this school) or can I choose 3-4 days a week?

Depends on your school. You might need to pay for the full course but if your school is not strict you can skip as many classes as you want. Anyway I remember I had a friend who had good relationships with the administration of his school. He would only pay for one class and the school would take care of his student visa. I actually don't know if it's common or not.

[CHN.Come.Back]

What about chance for getting a scholarship? is this any how possible for complete beginner as me?

If I would like to start Sep. semester, when is, usually, deadline for application and scholarship registration?

What other places in China can you recommend, as regarding my needs. I'm not looking for a main city, even deserted places should be fine for me. I'm not spoiled..

Please don't mention: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Harbin, Dalian, Kunming, Chengdu as those are places I already checked.

[CHN.Come.Back]

Can you recommend a school/s that can give student visa (1 year, multi) only for registering few hours a week or a minimum of weekly hours?

Thanks