Studying chinese in China for chinese-educated Malaysian: Suggestions?

[Amy （亞美）]

Hey people,

I am planning to have a short 3 months course in China, and I need suggestions on the best course/ institution complying to my needs below. Been Googling around and most of the results are from CUCAS

1. My background?

- I studied chinese intensively for 6 years during elementary school and studied scarcely during middle and high school (the syllabus concentrated a lot on classical chinese e.g 文言文, I can remember nothing of it).

- Thus, I can still speak chinese (very broken LOL with a very Malaysian-Taiwan esque accent) and am able to read newspapers in both 简体 and 繁体 - but the speed is very slow and I do have problems reading serious stuff.

- I think my HSK level is somewhat around level 4-5.

- My aim: I wanted to revise my chinese to a very very fluent level (right now it's somewhat 生锈 LOL), read chinese 'serious' stuff smoothly and enjoy China during summer break.

2. My budget?

- As low as possible LOL, something like USD1,000 for a short 2-3 months course.

- The budget is inclusive accommodation and visa.

- If you guys think the budget is still too small, please advise.

3. Accommodation?

- Cheapest room with a private toilet. I don't mind the AC, so long they have fans.

4. City?

- I want to study in Xi'an, and various areas in the northwest with high Muslim population. I am a Muslim and our eating arrangement can be troublesome - and I wear headscarves. I really don't want extra attention from that LOL.

Really appreciate your help

[lanzhoumian]

I do not know about Xian, but when I studied at LTL in Beijing I think they did special program for heritage speakers and I met several Malaysians and Singaporeans there who were fluent already and studied there to make it to business level. Might be worth asking them if they still do that.

Price wise, I think your budget is not very realistic though. Xian might be cheaper than Beijing, but even a cheap room with private bathroom would probably cost you at least 1000 USD for 3 months (in bigger cities like Shanghai or Beijing definitely more), never mind tuition and other expenses. Maybe consider a shorter & more intensive course, to keep the accommodation costs down?