As you read this list, think about how you would feel in each learning environment and ask yourself a few questions:

• Do I like being in a big group class where I can practice and socialize with other students, or do I feel anxious or distracted when there are so many people?
• This class takes place at night. Do I really have energy for studying after spending the whole day at work? Is there a weekend option instead?
• Online classes seem really convenient, but will I find it easier to focus when I’m face-to-face with my teacher?
• I really like the idea of a personal tutor, do I have enough money to pay for a lesson each week? Can I do a lesson every two weeks instead?

When there are so many different factors to keep track of, think of the things that are going to have the highest impact on your learning experience. For example, if your budget is really limited, but your schedule is more flexible, then you can focus on the options that meet those requirements.

1. The Confucius Institute in Montreal

Named after the famous ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, this organization was set up by the Chinese government to promote the Chinese language and culture overseas. Its branches are usually connected to a university, in Montreal being Dawson College. However, because they are a part of the same organization, the curriculum and teaching style is rather uniform. Due to the rigid structure, I would recommend these classes for anyone wanting to see what it’s like learning the language or wanting to pick it up again. They also offer HSK preparation classes. The HSK exam is the official government-recognized Chinese proficiency test; it is highly recommended to take it if you want to work or study in China.

While the course descriptions and other information about the Institute is available on the Confucius Institute in Quebec website, the course schedule for each session will be posted on the continuing education section of the Dawson College website. With a price tag of $240 CAD per 30 hours of instruction each semester, these courses are quite budget friendly compared to the cost of private tutoring.

2. Local Montreal Chinese Schools

If you’re looking for a learning experience that goes beyond linguistic knowledge and helps you become more engaged with Chinese culture, look no further than Montreal’s own local Chinese schools. Here you’ll find a more immersive learning environment than anywhere else. Each school is like its own community, making it an ideal space for not only studying the language and culture but actually engaging with it as well. These schools are an excellent option for families as they have classes available for both children and adults. Thanks to the fact that these schools are non-profit, they are often more affordable than other options as well.

A) The Montreal Chinese School 蒙城中華語文學校

This non-profit school was established over 40 years ago, in 1983, with the aim of promoting overseas Chinese linguistic and cultural education. Located in Saint Laurent, it’s accessible via public transportation, but it is a far more convenient trip if you drive a car. All of their classes are held on Sundays, making them a practical option for adults with full-time work or studies as well as busy families. Classes are held for two hours each week, and you can expect to pay around $250-$300 CAD for each semester, making this one of the most cost-effective options on this list.

Their course offerings for children are very diverse, covering not only Chinese language and culture but also other school subjects including math, English, and French. One of the unique things about their Chinese classes for children is that there are classes intended for both native and non-native speakers, meaning that your child can come and learn even if they do not speak Mandarin at home already.

For adults, they offer conversational Chinese classes for both lower and upper levels. While they don’t offer the same variety of courses that they have for younger learners, the adult conversation courses are available both in the morning and afternoon, meaning that you can likely find a timeslot that works for your schedule. Plus, it can be a convenient opportunity for you to take classes at the same time as your children.

B) JiaoHua School 佳华学校

Located on the same campus as Dawson College, the JiaoHua School is another non-profit Chinese school offering a huge variety of courses for school-age children and a smaller selection of conversational classes for adults. What sets it apart from The Montreal Chinese school mentioned above is that they offer weekday evening classes and even online classes. The tuition cost can vary greatly, with adult classes starting at approximately $120 CAD and some weekday children’s programs costing around $360 CAD.

Their course offerings for children include Mandarin Chinese classes for both native and non-native speakers, other academic subjects, and fine arts. Their adult Chinese courses take place both in-person and online on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 11:20am. Bear in mind that registration for each school year begins well in advance, with in-person and online registration for the fall semester beginning as early as April. I would also recommend this school for parents who are looking to learn alongside their children or who may be looking for extracurricular activities for their children.

C) Learn Chinese with Anna

While formal Chinese schools and university programs offer a more structured learning experience, sometimes they can be too rigid in terms of both schedule and curriculum. This is where going with a personalized tutor may be more your speed. While hiring a tutor will generally cost more than the previously mentioned courses, you may see that you feel more engaged and progress faster when you can focus on the content that is most relevant to you. A one-on-one or small group approach will also ensure that you receive more individualized attention and feedback, which can be crucial for helping you reach your learning targets.

With an overflowing list of positive reviews and a history of collaboration with major Montreal organizations, including Desjardins and UQÀM, Anna has earned her stellar reputation. Her qualifications cannot be overstated: she has a master’s degree in second language education and over 20 years of teaching experience. What I find truly excellent is that your lessons with her can be whatever you need them to be. Anna offers one-on-one lessons, small group sessions, and large group classes. She is also ready to adapt to whatever your learning needs and goals are, including HSK preparation, business Chinese, daily conversation, and travel. She also nails the convenience factor because she holds her lesson in-person, online, and even by telephone if need be. When it comes to pricing, there is a high variability that depends on class size, lesson length, and other factors. Anna herself will provide you with an individualized quote when you get in contact. I think it’s pretty clear that Anna offers a true one-stop-shop for Chinese lessons, where she’ll act as your personal tailor.

3. Online Chinese Tutors

When learning a global language like Chinese, sometimes you need to consider that the best teacher for you may not currently be in Montreal. If you think that might be the case for you, no worries, we’ve still got you covered. Online tutors from all around the world can offer even more flexibility in terms of schedule and price point, but you may have to put in more research to find the right person to help you reach your learning goals.

A) iTalki

iTalki is an online foreign language tutoring platform that offers one-on-one sessions with thousands of tutors from all around the world, including over 1,300 tutors for Mandarin Chinese. The biggest selling point of this service is its level of flexibility: flexible schedule, pricing, and lesson types. As opposed to other tutoring services, you are not assigned a specific tutor. You’re in the driver’s seat and have complete control over which tutors you’d like to reach out to and try a lesson with. Many tutors on iTalki offer discounted trial lessons, which allows you to get a feel for their teaching style before committing to more classes.

       One downside to having so much control is that it can take a lot of time and effort to research tutors, checking their qualifications, reviews, availability, and prices. You can search for tutors based on specific criteria, such as teaching credentials and whether or not they’re a native speaker of Chinese. Another thing that can help you select a suitable tutor is through video introductions that you can find on each tutor’s profile. It’s amazing how quickly you can tell if someone is a good match just based on the vibes from their video clip.

B) Touch Chinese

Touch Chinese is a completely different experience from iTalki for a few reasons. Namely, Touch Chinese is exclusively focused on providing the best quality tutoring experience specifically for Mandarin Chinese. They very carefully vet all of their teachers to ensure that they have the necessary teaching experience and provide an engaging experience for students. You can read all of their teachers’ profiles and request a specific one, or you can allow them to match you with someone who fits your schedule and learning needs. They offer free trial classes to ensure that you’re paired with the teacher who is right for you.

While initially this may seem like a very formal approach, I’ve found that Touch Chinese’s tutors are always ready to adapt to my unique learning needs. They can offer more structured classes for HSK preparation and business Chinese, or they can provide conversation practice with specific feedback. While Touch Chinese’s services may cost a little more than independent tutors on iTalki, there’s a much higher standard of quality.

BONUS: Language Meetups in Montreal for Practicing Chinese

Just one of the many great things about living in Montreal is that it’s a lively city full of activity. As a global hotspot for linguists and polyglots, there are several free meetups all over the city where you can come and sharpen your language skills.

1) Mundo Lingo Montreal

Mundo Lingo is an event held in many different cities around the world, from Nanjing and Osaka to New York and even Montreal. Essentially, it’s a free meetup held once or twice a week in a bar where people gather to practice their various languages. Typically, everyone wears flag stickers to indicate which languages they speak to facilitate finding a partner.

Mundo Lingo Montreal posts updates on their Facebook group regularly. As of 2023, the event is held every Wednesday at 7pm at Clébard in the Plateau and every Friday at 7pm at Abreuvoir in the Quartier Latin. Keep in mind that these events are 18+, and since they are held in a bar, it is generally polite to order at least one drink or food item. In my own experience, it’s a very fun and lively atmosphere that allows you to get out of your comfort zone. If you’ve been studying Chinese for a while and want to practice speaking in a low-pressure environment, Mundo Lingo could be a good match for you.

2) Community Culture Exchange

If the party atmosphere of Mundo Lingo feels like a bit too much, Community Culture Exchange might be more your speed. Held every third Wednesday of the month at 1pm, this Chinese-English/French language exchange event welcomes learners of all levels and backgrounds. In small groups, participants play games and have friendly conversation first speaking only in Chinese and then speaking in only English or French. This event is held at Chez Alexandre downtown, making it extremely accessible. You can RSVP to this event in advance on their Meetup page.

That’s a lot of information! Where do I go from here?

With so many different learning formats and options available, it can be difficult to process and figure out how to proceed. Ultimately, you are the only person who is going to know what the best choice for YOU is. When you read this list, were there any options that really piqued your interest? Did you see anything that really excited you? That’s usually the best starting point.

An easy way to begin is to pick two options that interest you the most and take the time to personally look at their websites or reach out to them for more information. You may find that one of them simply works better for your needs. If you’re having trouble deciding, you may even want to consider a hybrid approach! For example, you can supplement in-person or online Chinese courses with one-on-one tutoring to help you progress even faster.

The path to learning Chinese is a long one, so taking the time to find an approach that makes you feel engaged and happy is extremely worthwhile.

If you’re based in Montreal yourself, have you checked out any of these options before? Are there any that we missed? Leave us a comment down below, and we’d love to what you have to say!

The post Learn Chinese in Montreal: Which Classes and Tutors are Right for You? appeared first on .

If you find yourself in London and are uncertain about where to start with Chinese classes, consider the following list of recommended schools in various parts of the city.

• Confucius Institutes in London
• Local Chinese Schools in London
• Online Chinese Tutoring for London-Based Learners

Confucius Institutes in London

Named after the famous ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, this organization was set up by the Chinese government to promote the Chinese language and culture overseas. Its branches are usually connected to a university. However, because they are a part of the same organization, the curriculum and teaching style is rather uniform. Due to the rigid structure, I would recommend these classes for anyone wanting to see what it’s like learning the language or wanting to pick it up again. They also offer HSK preparation classes. The HSK exam is the official government-recognized Chinese proficiency test; it is highly recommended to take it if you want to work or study in China.

Here are three recommendations:

• The Open University-  They proudly offer the first fully online Confucius Institute, expanding accessibility to learners from diverse backgrounds and locations. According to their website, this approach allows them to reach learners who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn Chinese and explore Chinese civilization and culture.

• London South Bank University- This branch specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This means that in addition to providing classes to prepare for the HSK exams, LSBU also offers classes teaching different types of TCM including acupuncture and therapeutic massage. They also offer a variety of art courses including martial arts and music. Furthermore, they are also an official registered HSK test center.

• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)- While attached to a major university, this Confucius Institute in London focuses on teaching Chinese for business purposes. Consequently, their courses are more concentrated and may include one-on-one and tailored group classes. They also offer resources such as talks on conducting business in China and networking events.

Local Chinese Schools in London

Local language schools are spread throughout the city, providing convenience and face-to-face interaction with instructors and fellow students. This in-person experience can be highly beneficial for those who prefer real-life social interactions and seek a more immersive learning context. It allows you to share experiences and study tips with classmates at a similar level of Chinese. Here are some options:

• The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) – Instead of partnering with a Confucious institute, SOAS in London has designed their own set of curriculums for Chinese courses. They cater to all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes after the beginner level are taught online. SOAS also offers specially tailored courses that can either be one-on-one or in small groups. On their website, SOAS not only highlights the course’s aim but also outlines their method of teaching and what each class covers. They also mention the textbook material the course uses. I like that they were able to take advantage of their university resources and develop shorter courses for non-university students to experience the SOAS teaching style.

• The Chinese School– Based in London, they offer two beginner lessons free of charge. According to their website, these sessions are “designed and taught to the same standard with our fee-paying courses.” The school outlines what will be taught in the free lessons, including learning basic pinyin and tones, starting on basic Chinese characters, greeting people and introducing yourself. I like that within this deal, they also provide a crucial introduction to Chinese culture, providing context for the characters. The school also offers exam preparation for HSK levels 5 and 6. In addition, they offer extensive classes for young learners from Beginner all the way to Advanced. The Chinese School offers structured trips and classes in China. Also, to help further reinforce the learning content, they regularly publish content on their blog about how language and culture interact.

• China Unbound-  Also based in London, this school highlights their teaching as the “personable way.” I like that they offer a variety of class options. Classes include corporate training on how to understand Chinese business practices better, three levels of group classes and one-on-one sessions. The school also offers Cantonese classes. You can book a trial session on their website. According to their website, “we have developed a distinctive teaching approach that works, try it before you decide.” In the free trial, I like that China Unbound also offers to create a customised learning plan, showing the potential learner what they could study with them. The school also offers the free trial in-person or online to suit the needs of the prospective learner in question.

• Mandarin Manhattan- Originally established in the United States, this school has opened a branch across the pond, specifically for adult learners in London. One selling point I thought was very useful is tutors who are experienced in teaching the curriculum for the Chinese GCSE. In addition, the school provides a free trial, in which the student is paired with the teacher most suitable to their background and goals. The school also provides both the textbook and workbook, as well as any other supplementary material. Mandarin Manhattan also provides trips to the local Chinatown, providing more cultural background.

• Julie Private Mandarin Tutor– Julie is a tutor based in North London. Specializing in tutoring children, her teaching method focuses on learning vocabulary through activities and games. On Julie’s website, there is a gallery showing past sessions. However, for older students, not only does she offer tutoring for Chinese GCSE exams, but she also offers teaching up to A-level. Even though there isn’t a free trial available, on the homepage of her website there is a link to inquire about getting a quote, customized to your needs as well as being able to see testimonials of past customers.

• Lingo Class- A school based in central London, they offer classes for not just Mandarin but also Korean, Japanese and Cantonese. I like that on their website, Lingo Class offers additional online free resources. On the Mandarin resources page, they have free quizzes, such as one to find out your HSK level, or you can even take a mock HSK test. With their private tutoring, they offer both in-person or online sessions. According to their website, it is their most flexible option. The private classes also include a customized lesson plan. “These lessons are designed around your individual language goals, whether it be to pass language examinations, find work abroad or simply take up a new hobby.”

• Practical Mandarin- A school based in London, which also offers an impressive online option. They provide three different options to suit your level: Online Booster, Fluency Top up and Make it Regular. All three options are different prices and have different durations. On their website, Practical Mandarin highlights the fact that they have adapted their content with their new e-learning platform. As a result, it is available to teach to students who prefer having an online interface. Their claims are backed it up with testimonials from past students who were taught with their online sessions.

• City Lit- A charity based in central London, they provide tutoring for adults. One way they cater to adult learners is by creating flexible options, such as developing more online classes than in-person options. According to their website, City Lit “ [offers] a range of Chinese (Mandarin) courses at various levels to take you from a complete beginner to a confident speaker of the language.” Most of their classes are on weekday evenings. I like that they have a personal touch, posting a video of each of their teachers introducing themselves and showing their teaching style.

Online Chinese Tutoring for London-Based Learners

Whether you’re a busy professional or a student swamped with exams, if you desire a more customized learning experience with increased flexibility, a private one-on-one tutor might be an ideal choice for you. You can learn Chinese wherever and whenever you want.

• Preply-  Preply is completely online. The website offers a large variety of languages. After you’ve chosen your target language, Preply asks a few short questions to help find the most suitable selection of tutors, for example reason for learning, level of Chinese and budget. I like that there are additional filters to help narrow down your search. For example, if the tutor knows any other languages, what your availability is or if they specialize in a certain area such as preparing for the HSK exam. I like that each teacher has a very detailed profile. This includes how many hours of lessons they’ve done and a rating out of five stars from past students. In addition, each teacher has an introductory video, with a link to view their schedule if you scroll over their profile.
• Touch Chinese – In contrast to general online language learning platforms that encompass Chinese among many languages, opting for a dedicated online Chinese school can offer in-depth and specialized instruction in this target language. There are numerous online Chinese schools to choose from. Take Touch Chinese, for example, where all their teachers are professionals in Chinese language acquisition with years of experience. Whether you want to enhance your speaking skills or prepare for exams, this school can help match you with a suitable tutor. You won’t need to spend time researching the tutors’ qualifications or stability because their course consultants will handle all of that. Moreover, they offer free trial classes, allowing you to determine if the tutor meets your needs. Even if the teacher doesn’t meet your expectations after the trial, you can always request a replacement.

Final Words

From the multitude of Confucius Institutes and associated universities to local specialized Chinese schools and qualified online tutors, there is a variety of structured courses and custom learning plans available both in the capital of London and across the country. The numerous options to choose from make it more possible than ever to find the right school and right teacher to nurture your interest and enhance your Chinese proficiency. If you’re unsure where to start, pick a couple of resources from this article that interest you the most, research their course offerings and arrange a trial class. It could be the first step of a long-lasting relationship both with that school and with the Chinese language and culture.

The post Best Chinese Classes in London: A Review of Schools, Tutors, and Online Options appeared first on .

The Singapore PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) Chinese Oral Examination makes up 25% of the PSLE Chinese Examination score (100%). There are two parts of the Oral Exam: Passage reading and Conversation.

How is the PSLE Oral Examination conducted?

Since 2017, the Singapore PSLE Mother Tongue Examinations use an E-oral exam format.

Before stepping into the examination room, students are given 10 minutes to read the passage and prepare for their conversation, which is based on a 1-minute video, at a preparation station with a laptop. During those 10 minutes, students may pause, fast-forward, or rewind the video.

After 10 minutes, students will then proceed to the examination room. They will read the passage to the examiners first and then watch the video from start to finish once again before doing the conversation portion.

1. Passage reading

Examiners give scores based on “accuracy” and “fluency”. Chinese characters used in the passage are all from Singapore Primary School textbooks.

2. Conversation

Examiners ask questions based on the video topic and the video itself, and students express their views and opinions accordingly. Examiners give scores based on the content. pronunciation, grammar, and fluency.

What questions will the examiners ask (during the conversation)?

To secure a high mark on the oral exam, students need to know what types of questions the examiners would like to ask. With this in the mind, students will be able to use their 10-min preparation time more effectively and then have better conversations with the examiners later.

Type 1: Video-related questions

Most of the time, the examiners ask questions regarding the video first. They would like to know how much of the video you understoond,  including what happened in the video and what you think about it.

For example:

Tell me about an event related to “being friendly” that you saw in the video.

Do you think the boy in the video is doing the right thing, why?

For this type of question, students could use the 5W1H（What, When, Where, Who, Why, How）technique to help them plan what they are going to say.

Example：

Type 2: Personal experience

The examiners also ask students to talk about relevant personal experiences. It’s better if the experience that the student shares is not the same as what was shown in the video. Other than sharing a story, students need to make some comments including what they learned from that experience.

For example:

Have you ever been friendly to someone?

Have you ever encountered someone being very friendly to you?

For this type of question, students can also use the 5W1H technic to help them plan what they are going to say.

Example：

Type 3: Suggestions

Sometimes, the examiners are interested in knowing how you could further expand on the topic/theme of the video by talking about society (school / family / community).

For example:

Is there anything that parents/the school can do to encourage their kids/students to show friendliness to others?

Based on previous exams, examiners ask students to give suggestions from the school’s perspective more often.

Example：

Other tips:

Many students find it difficult to provide rich content while doing their conversations. Using the “ACT” technique might help you:

Know more about the E-oral examination, look at SEAB 1 and SEAB 2. For more professional one-on-one training on Chinese language, you can consult TouchChinese for more information. 

The post Things that you should know about the Singapore PSLE Chinese Oral Exam appeared first on .

It wasn’t until I realized that we would be staying in Shanghai much longer than the ‘6 months or so’ my mother originally told me, that I figured it was time to start paying attention. I eventually picked up the language with ease and spent 6 years in Shanghai before returning home.”

All of this was back in 2000 when life was simple, the air was clean, taxis were few and far between, there were barely any metro lines, and if you told someone you lived in China they would look at you as if you just popped out of an episode of The X Files.

Fast-forward to 2017 and things are very different. Since opening its doors, the process of coming to China has been constantly changing as their relationships with different nations develop. For example, some countries that may have needed a tourist visa in previous years may now have a visa-free agreement. On the other hand, if you plan to study short or long term in China, the process has always been quite clear and simple, and your university should have bilingual staff that are there to help you and provide the most up to date information. Don’t be afraid to send them numerous emails or calls as this can save you a lot of stress in the end. When in doubt I would also suggest contacting your local Chinese Embassy or Consulate for the latest information and requirements.

It’s not as scary as it seems. Here is you will find the tips on how to study in China.

1. What to prepare

When preparing to apply to university in China you need to prepare a bit of everything. It might sound daunting, but it’s not very hard to get. Unlike applying for university in the USA or UK, your foreign certificates in most cases do not need to be verified, notarized or apostilled in order to be accepted at your university. However, depending on the university, any documents that are not in Chinese or English do need to be translated into one of these languages. For most language programs, meaning short term, long-term, intensive, summer etc. usually only the following are needed:

• Passport copy
• Application form
• Application fee

However for degree seeking programs such as bachelors, masters, PhD or credit earning exchange programs, the documents often needed are:

• Passport copy
• Application form
• Application fee
• High school certificate (or highest degree of education)
• CV
• HSK certificate (if the program is taught in Chinese)
• Recommendation letter(s)
• List of published articles/ sample of artwork
• Statement of interest
• Others (depending on the program and university)

Helpful tips:

1) Most Chinese taught degree seeking programs require HSK 4 or above. (Get help with HSK)

2) There may be entrance examinations

3) You may need to provide proof of your English language abilities if your program is taught in English and you are not from a China recognized English speaking country (US, CAN, UK, AUS, NZ, SA, IRE)

• Visa & Resident permit

You will also need a recent medical exam, to supplement your residence permit application. This can either be done in your home country or upon entry to China before starting your program. In my personal experience at Donghua University in Shanghai, I entered China on a student visa and at orientation all new students were told to meet with their documents in a certain room on a certain day, officials from the Entry-Exit Bureau then came to the campus to check and approve all residence permit applications. There were also buses that transported us to the medical check center and back to campus, so we didn’t have to worry about figuring it out ourselves.

Let me be clear on this, the student visa and residence permit are different things. The visa allows you to enter the country and lets immigration know that you are entering for the purpose of studying, the residence permit however always states a purpose and allows you to reside in China for that purpose. So if you are a student your purpose is to study, if you’re working, it’s to work, and so on.

• Program & Scholarships

The Internet is always a good place to start for resources if you’re serious about your desire to study abroad, whether study in China or elsewhere. Look for blogs, Facebook pages, or your university’s website to request a brochure. However, do not be surprised if the English version of the site is not up to date, lacks information, or simply gives an Error 404 with every link, although unprofessional, it is quite common that the site is not maintained very well. The best bet is to find the contact information for the university’s international student department and contact them directly via phone or email. I would also recommend websites such as Study in China to find programs and scholarships.

If you’re hoping to receive financial assistance you will be happy to learn that there are numerous scholarships out there, some are even targeted for specific countries such as the British Council China Scholarship for British passport holders, (and Irish passport holders for Northern Ireland domiciled). There are also various scholarships established by Chinese government, Chinese local governments, Confucius Institute, foreign governments, Chinese universities, and corporations, all dedicated to encouraging educational exchange. I would advise you to pay close attention to the application deadline, submission location, and what the scholarship entails (full/partial). For example, the Chinese Government Scholarship must be submitted in your home country to the entity responsible for applications, which is usually the Ministry of Education or a similar government agency, or the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in your country of citizenship/residency.

2. What to Expect

Studying in China is no different than studying anywhere else, you are expected to attended classes, perform well, complete assignments, obey the rules and regulations of your university, and follow the laws of P. R. China. Illegal scooters, overstaying visas, working illegally, and recreational use of drugs are offences punishable by law and can lead to cancelled visas and/or scholarships, deportation, or even detainment or arrest. One main difference I would say is that students are often treated like high school children. The university where I completed my bachelor`s degree enforced ‘physical education’ for the first 2 years. This meant that we were forced to take a PE class every semester (I personally took yoga, dance, taekwondo and aerobics). We also were required to complete the ‘morning run’, which consisted of running around the campus with other Chinese students, swiping our student cards at both the start and finish line to record our attendance. If you missed too many runs then your overall PE grade would be affected. Absolutely ridiculous, right? Yes, I agree, that’s why I never did it. However, my university said this was their way of ensuring students stayed mentally and physically fit and well rounded, as the majority of them were away from home for the first time in their lives, which I guess makes sense.

Another difference is that we attended classes as a class, rather than selecting courses you were interested in (that also fulfilled your requirements) and meeting other students. Students in my major all took the same classes together, so there was none of that ‘Oh you’re in my Introduction to Criminal Law 101 class right?’ experience, but at least you have about 20+ students you can easily contact to ask for notes instead of trying to make a friend in each course. Also, teachers took attendance; I did say it was like high school did I not? Imagine being in a lecture hall with 40+ students (my major was separated into two groups, class 1 and class 2 with a total of about 45) and you have to sit there waiting for everyone’s name to be called. Miss too many classes and the class monitor would have to report you to the academic advisor who would contact you for a stern talking to. Sometimes being an international student can help because they don’t really bother once you’re well behaved and passing the class, but I know of students that have been placed on probation or lost their scholarships because of low or nonexistent class attendance.

Something notable as well, at least at my university, was that the final exam was everything. There was no extra credit, mid term exam/project, group assignment etc. to help you pull up your struggling GPA. Only the final exam determined whether you passed or failed the course.

In addition, if you’re applying to the same university as your sibling, friend, spouse or significant other, be sure to find out the campus your program is on because it won’t be clearly stated in the name. It is possible that some universities can have campuses all over the city located in very remote university town type areas. If your university has an international student association, which it should, be sure to expect some interesting (and boring) on campus events. If your language skills are good you may even be asked to represent the university on TV or in Chinese competitions like I did. Yeah I got eliminated the first round, but at least I got an all expense paid trip to Beijing for about 2 weeks, met 90+ other students from all over the world that also studied in China, and got to represent my country on national TV.

3. Word of Advice

In the end, China is a lifetime’s worth of interesting all in one place. You could end up studying Chinese in historical Beijing, getting your degree in the freezing mountains of Heilongjiang, then working in bustling Shanghai or exotic Hainan Islands. If you love it, you will find that it is easy to find your place. Graduating from a local university has now made it easier to obtain a work permit, and companies are searching for talented bilingual workers. If you don’t like it, then at least you had the chance to experience it for yourself and have something to share with others back home.

The post Study In China: A Look at Chinese Universities and What You Can Expect appeared first on .

1. International schools in China. If you live in cities, it’s not hard to find an international school. Be aware that different schools follow different systems so you need to be careful about the curriculum the school offers. It’s not hard to tell which system it is from the name of the school. For example, The British International School.

The advantage is this school system is 100% the same as ones in the native county. If you are a British, it’s just like you send your kids to a local school in England and your kids won’t have any problem adapting to the new school. But there is a disadvantage with this type of school. Since these schools usually don’t accept local Chinese students and teachers all use English or other languages except Chinese, your kids will lose a good chance to get know China and Chinese. Although most international schools in China offer Chinese classes, it’s not comprehensive enough. Besides this type of school tend to be very expensive. Here are a couple of website of international schools that is well known in China.

• Shanghai American School
• Nord Anglia Education
• Concordia Shanghai

2. International division of local Chinese schools. Some local Chinese schools have international division. It’s a part of the local school but has its own curriculum. It will offer different curriculum such as IB, AP along with more Chinese classes than an international school. Students won’t have any problem on applying for higher level schooling. Since more local teachers and students are involved, kids will get a better opportunity to get know Chinese language and culture. But the international diploma is new in China and you need to look closely if the school is experienced on international education.

• Shanghai  High School International Division

3. Local schools. If you would like to have your kids to be in an “authentic” Chinese environment, local school is a good option. Usually the school will offer special language class for foreign students, but all other classes will be the same. Your kids will learn math, science, and art classes with local students. Your kids will definitely master Chinese language with so much immersion. The weakness is the curriculum may lead your kids to need more time adapting another school system when you relocate. Additionally, everyone knows Chinese school push a lot pressure on students’ performance. You need to make sure your kids won’t feel anxious in the school.

• Fudan International School
• Xiangming School

If you are not living in China now, but you still want your kids to learn Chinese, there are options available as well. Now more and more schools offer Chinese class oversea.

1. Local schools offering Chinese classes. More and more schools oversea offer Chinese as a foreign language class. You just need to search the school in your area. It’s good for those who are interested in Chinese.

1. If you need a more serious Chinese class, immersion school is another choice. These schools provide immersion courses from pre-school to high school level. Most of classes are taught in Chinese. The teachers in those schools are usually strictly trained.

1. Sunday school. There is always Sunday school for Chinese language for Chinese children. Chinese heritage owners manage most of them and hold them every Sunday or once a week. Although it’s originally designed for Chinese heritage kids, it’s always welcomes any child who are interested in Chinese.

Now you know a bit about the education options in China or aboard, you can make a decision on which school is the best for your kids. There is a lot of information out there and a lot to chose from. But if you are not sure and have some questions, feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to answer your question! Good luck on your Chinese studies!

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This small change will bring big differences to those seeking to work in China. For international students who are planning their education in China, they are free to find a job after graduation in China. For China’s universities, they will become competitive internationally at the collegiate level.

We will introduce some top China’s universities and China Study programs. If you are planning to attend some courses or work on your degrees in China, we hope that this information can be of some help.

Top 10 University Rankings in China

The USNews has published their annual report on Chinese university rankings in 2015, including those in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Here is what they listed:

The ranking may changes by year, however Beida and Qinghua in Beijing, Fudan and Jiaoda in Shanghai have a well-known reputation in the education world. In mainland China, there are also qualifying numbers for universities that reach a certain standard set by the China’s Ministry of Education. These numbers are “985” and “211”. “985” Universities are top schools within the country and there are only thirty nine “985” Universities. The title “985” originates from a speech delivered by former president Jiang Zemin in May of 1998 for Peking University’s 100th Anniversary. After the speech, the Chinese government launched the “Project 985” which evaluated universities’ all-round performance and invested a huge of amount of money to China’s best universities in order to push them towards the “World First Class” University.

Before “Project 985”, the Chinese government had launched “Project 211” from 1991 to 1992 to establish China’s top 100 Universities in the 21st century. Technically, all “985” universities are “211” universities, but it isn’t the same vice versa. The students who graduated from 985 or 211 Universities enjoy obvious or some potential advantages in the job market given their academic prestige.

Top China Study Program in China’s Universities

If you are planning to join in a China study program in Mainland China, you should first look for one in the top ten or 985 universities. For example, the famous Yenching Academy China Study Master Program of Peking University which offers courses from Chinese history and culture, to real-time issues in China’s development. The program’s core courses are:

• Introduction to China Studies
• China in Transition
• China’s Social Science Research
• Formation of Chinese Civilization
• Development of Chinese Civilization
• Chinese Ethics and Value
• Modern Chinese or Ancient Chinese Language Courses are also required
• In Shanghai Fudan University also offer various Chinese & Culture Immersion Programs .

These study programs are generally language and culture balanced. The language courses provide Chinese classes with all levels from beginners to advanced learners. The culture courses include Brief Introduction to China (English instructed) and Cultural workshops such as calligraphy, painting and Kungfu.

In addition the language and culture, there are speeches on various modern China Study topics given. As an example, the following is a curriculum of one summer program of 2015.

1. Traditional culture in China
2. China’s political system
3. Cross straits relationship
4. China’s Dream and the future of China
5. China’s economic growth
6. Development of Shanghai Free Trade Zone
7. Technology advancement in China
8. China’s household registration system
9. The impact of globalization and modernization to the development of China’s society and culture

However, if you plan to learn Chinese Language in China, you need to know that some good options for institutions may not be in the top ten or “985” Universities category. Since many good language degree programs come from universities that specialize in language training, their quality might not be reflected in the overall rankings. For example, the BLCU, Beijing Language and Culture University located in the center of the universe “Wudaokou”, also known for its ridiculous large number of international students and high real estate price. BLCU is the only university in China that specialized in Chinese language and culture education to foreign students. Since it’s founding in 1962, the university has trained over 150,000 foreign students from 176 countries and regions. It has a full range of cutting-edge Chinese language and culture studies program and various graduate students programs. Some of them are:

• International Politics
• Education of Politics
• Curriculum Design and Language Teaching Theories
• Literature and Art Studies
• Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
• Chinese Philology and Language Studies
• Chinese Classical Textual Philology
• Chinese Classical Literature
• Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature
• Languages and Literature of Chinese Ethnic Groups
• Comparative Literature and World Literature
• Asian and African Languages and Literature
• Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
• Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages
• English-Chinese Translation and Interpreting
• French-Chinese Translation and Interpreting

In order to look for more information on China Universities or China Study Program, you can check on the webpage of Study in China of China Scholarship Council: http://en.csc.edu.cn/

I hope this article was helpful in understanding the collegiate education in China. If you have any questions, you are also welcomed to leave a comment here, and I’d be happy to give more suggestions.

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As well as focusing on specific lesson content, however, there is valuable learning to be done during those in-between moments during class – everything from small talk with your teacher to responding to specific instructions.

Below is a list of useful phrases for communicating with your teacher during an online Chinese class. Master these, and you’ll be equipped to keep your Mandarin flowing, without reverting to English as much (great for general confidence and fluency building).

PHRASES YOUR TEACHER MIGHT SAY TO YOU:

PHRASES YOU MIGHT SAY TO YOUR TEACHER:

Practice these phrases in your Chinese class and you will begin to see your Chinese improve over time. We hope you take note of these phrases and make good use of them. Best of luck with your Chinese learning and keep practicing!

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1. Internet Connection

Learning from a quality instructor is easy in a quiet classroom environment. What if you had static in your ears, words cutting out or not being able to see what was being taught? Make sure you have an adequate internet connection on your Skype Chinese lessons that’s reliable so you won’t miss any part of your classes due to a dropped call.

2. Free Trial Class

What you’re obviously looking for is the quality of the class, the professionalism of the teacher; their experience, education majors, etc. What is the teaching method the instructor uses along with their preferred style? When you satisfactorily pass the class and the teacher’s expectations, will the teacher commit to working with you on regular classes? You should also check to see if there is a study plan to follow after your trial class is completed.

3. Booking Policy

You should check to see how long you can book the Skype Chinese lessons for in total. Also, how many hours in advance you will have to cancel or reschedule the class without a penalty being applied.

4. Flexibility

Many of us lead busy lives with work, family and fun. What is the time you’re willing to commit to doing this? Sometimes you might have a completely open schedule while others will leave you just enough time to look at the lesson and when your work is due. Be certain to check the class information to see if there are weekly or monthly minimum participation requirements you must meet for satisfaction of the class.

5. Validation

How long do you have to complete the Skype Chinese lessons? A month, a year, or no validation at all. It’s up to you to choose the frequency for each week that you want to participate at.

6. Good Support

Should it be all about the classroom? No, if there are concerns or questions about the certification or if a technical issue occurred, how are you going to get those questions answered. A support team behind the class to help you is key for a good learning experience.

7. Refund policy

Sometimes things happen and you’re not able to commit to the class schedule as you planned, emergencies or work or life can conspire to get in the way and having the option to cancel and receive a refund or credit applied to a future class is something you should know in advance in case you need to cancel and not be surprised with non-refundable fees or charges.

8. What is your goal?

Everyone knows there can be a difference between ‘classroom language’ and ‘street language’. Are you interested in a formal education with an instructor that will walk you through every detail and nuance of the Chinese language? Do you only need a native speaker to coach you through practicing your spoken Chinese for an acting part or Firefly convention? The costs and time involved obviously are different so knowing how much you need to or want to learn is important.

9. Costs

What are you paying for the time in class or with a speaker? On average you should expect a class to be between $15 and $25 dollars. This should also be adjusted by the factors mentioned above that you should take into consideration.

Some of online Chinese schools by Skype:

• TouchChinese
• AllMandarin

If you have any other suggestion for having Skype Chinese lessons, just leave your comment below.

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Let’s look at some of the features of both options. They may be considered as either advantages or disadvantages by different people in various situations.

Teachers

1. Price. There is an enormous price range for Mandarin online lessons from several to hundred dollars. Independent teachers are on the lower edge of the scale. On the whole, they offer a better value than online Mandarin schools.
2. Choice. On the web there are many online tutors. The choice is almost unlimited and you have an endless number of trial lessons (often free!) to find a teacher who is most suitable for your needs.
3. Flexibility. Independent tutors are usually more flexible about teaching methods and textbooks (in comparison with online Mandarin schools). You don’t need to pass tests and be adjusted to a particular level (this sometimes happens when you enroll to an online Mandarin school).
4. Time. Teachers are just ordinary people who live their lives. They need a proper rest and sleep, so the number of available timeslots is always limited. Therefore, the time zone your teacher lives in is a very important criterion of choice.
5. Scheduling/Cancellation of Lessons. There exist a number of websites for learning Mandarin online where you can not only find a teacher but also schedule classes using an online calendar and other convenient tools (such as BuddySchool, iTalki or VerbalPlanet).

iTalki is probably the most well-known resource of this kind. This mighty “Kingdom of Language Learning” even has its own currency. The database of teachers is really big and prices are usually reasonable. The greatest advantage is that iTalki is a social network where students can share their experiences and opinions in a very convenient way.
VerbalPlanet is a very well organized website for learning Mandarin online with intuitive interface and good functionality. The people behind it ask all new candidates who would like to register as tutors to provide their certificates and diplomas as well as a brief letter about their previous work. This gives you confidence that the teachers on VerbalPlanet are properly educated and experienced. The disadvantage is that their services are relatively expensive and you have to pay a commission for booking classes.

BuddySchool lets you browse tutors’ profiles and schedule lessons without paying commission. Some people may find that the functionality and design is not as good as the VerbalPlanet’s but for me, the most important thing is that everybody can suggest his/her services as of a teacher on this website. BuddySchool doesn’t pre-moderate teachers’ applications and that means you must check teachers’ qualification on your own (credit ruelas). There are quite many out-of-usage teachers’ profiles but you can really find “hidden gems” among this diversity of language professionals.

Tips for scheduling classes via these 2 and any other similar websites:

• First check tutors’ own website (sometimes tutors have packages and discounts on their own websites and in some case this will help to avoid commission).
• Before booking classes contact a teacher via private message on the booking website or send him/her a direct email. It will allow you to check whether the teacher is available. Sometimes (actually quite rarely) they forget to update their schedules and free time slots. In the first email explain your goals and needs as well as your level.
• Don’t hesitate to arrange trial lessons and feel free to not schedule lessons with a teacher who doesn’t suit your needs. Try until you find the best tutor.

Online schools

1. 1. Price. It is not cheap, though you can reduce costs by buying package of multiple classes. In online Mandarin schools 6-month and 1-year packages are available (unlike of independent tutors who just can’t guarantee they will be able to teach you for such a long period of time.)
   2. Choice. Schools guarantee you that if your main teacher is ill (absent, resigned, etc.) you will be provided with a substitution. However, you normally can’t choose the teacher by yourself. If you dislike him/her, the school will look for a new one but for obvious reasons you can’t ask them to do this too often.
   3. Flexibility. Only few schools are really as flexible about their teachers’ methods as independent tutors. They usually recommend some particular textbooks and there is a good reason for this. Teachers are experienced in this and if you need a temporary substitution, a new teacher will be confident with how to teach you. You won’t waste time on explaining what you have already learnt. It is easy to track the results of your studies and to scale your level for a new teacher.

4. Time. Online Mandarin schools solve the problem of time zone difference by hiring teachers who live in different parts of the world and can teach you at any convenient time.

5. Scheduling/Cancellation of Lessons. Be aware that most online Mandarin schools selling packages require following their guidelines on how to schedule lessons. There may be a system of “fines” if you break the rules. E.g., your studying term may be temporarily suspended if you previously were absent for several classes. Sometimes these rules are neither clear nor fair so read carefully before booking!

Some of online Mandarin schools:

• TouchChinese
• AllMandarin

So what’s your choice? Next time would you prefer independent teacher or online school? Share your opinion! We also welcome stories about your experience of learning Mandarin online from private teachers and schools on the web!

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CJ:Could you please introduce your program, your package, to us?

Andreas: We basically have two programs. One is a general program in Beijing. Now, in Beijing, we have a school in the Central Business District. We don’t have a huge school, because we want to have a bit of a personal service with small groups. And our focus in Beijing is home stays, because I learned very well when I was learning Mandarin that where I made the most important step to becoming fluent was not in the classroom. You need to be in a situation where the other person doesn’t speak any English, so you need to use Mandarin in all situations. And so, Home Stays are very important for us. That’s, for me, the main part of the program. Then, the other part is where we have very small classes in Beijing. Either more classes or small classes, so our class has a maximum of six students per class, and I think that’s really the biggest you should have. Anything above that is simply not good for learning. So, this is the idea in Beijing. Small group classes and Home Stays.

CJ: What is the Home Stay program? Can you explain more?

Andreas: It`s a full immersion program. The students will live with a Chinese family and in a no-English environment. This program base is in Chengde. It is about two hours Northeast of Beijing. It’s a very beautiful city because you have USECO World Heritage sites there. It’s much smaller than Beijing. The pace of life is much slower. And nobody in Chengde speaks English. So, you will speak only Mandarin. And not only just Mandarin, because it is probably one of the cities in all of China with the best Mandarin pronunciation. And there are no foreigners around, so you will not be speaking English around there. So, people live with Home Stay families. There are no other options. All classes are one-on-one. We do not want students to be in a class together, because if students are in class together, then there are other foreigners, and they will speak English to each other again. They live with their Chinese teachers, with their Chinese friends, and they speak, dream, and live Mandarin 24/7. It’s the whole time through. You never speak another language. So, really, Mandarin becomes a part of your life. It’s your daily language.

We also organize activities for people with Chinese friends. So, for example, if you like hiking, we’ll ask for you to go on a hiking trip with a Chinese group, or if you like badminton, we find a badminton club for you. There’re a lot of things you can do in Chengde. In the winter, you can go skiing. But this is all Chinese. You never do this with other foreigners, so you are forced to be part of Chinese culture and it becomes natural to you. As you can see, the progress of students in Mandarin is phenomenal. They progress so much faster than anyone else. I mean, we have students in Beijing that you get from zero to fluent in seven months.

CJ: So, your school mainly focuses on training spoken Chinese, but reading and writing, right?

Andreas: We do teach Mandarin and teach Chinese characters, of course, but our focus is always on spoken. We also train reading and writing, of course, because if you want to learn Mandarin – let’s say up to intermediate level – you could do it without characters, but beyond intermediate level, you cannot learn Mandarin without characters. So we teach both of them together. Our focus is of course on spoken Mandarin. Our aim is to help people to speak Mandarin, but you need Chinese characters if you want to get to fluency. It’s not something you choose. So, we do teach Chinese characters. There are some people, of course, with our one-on-one classes, for example (we do very tailered courses), who just want to learn some Chinese, maybe for travelling around China for a few weeks or something like this. Now, for these people, you can leave Chinese characters out, but most of the people who study at our school are very serious about learning Mandarin. They do want to be able to speak fluent Mandarin.

CJ: But in the Home Stay, they will just practice their spoken Chinese, not Chinese characters. Will they learn the Chinese characters in their group class or one-on-one class?

Andreas: Yeah, also it’s very important how you learn Chinese characters. So, you need to understand where the radicals come from, and then you break the characters apart and you understand the system behind it, because Chinese characters are actually not as difficult as most people think. So, this is taught to you in class.
I mean, we try to help our students as well in Home Stays. You see the Chinese characters with the object everywhere, because you need to see characters again and again and again and again. It’s a lot of repetition that’s important.

CJ: So, how many students are there in your school in total now?

Andreas: At this moment, maybe one to two hundred. But that includes students who study part-time. So, people study every day at the school; it’s probably a little bit less. They came from all over the world. So, in their group lesson, they have a very international environment. One group class is a maximum of six people.

CJ: How long do students stay with a Chinese family?

Andreas: Well, for as long as they stay. They stay for two weeks or they stay for one year. But actually, you don’t usually need one year. If you stay in a Home Stay family and you study hard, after seven, eight, or nine months, you are fluent. You don’t need to do it anymore. But, you can stay as long as you want, of course. They could choose. Also, if some people come for a long time, maybe they will live with the Home Stay family for the first three months, and then, because they want to have a little bit more freedom, they move somewhere else. The courses are very flexible; we start courses every two to three weeks. So, you can really start at any point of the year and you can continue for as long as you want.

CJ: What if the student can’t adapt to the life in the Home Stay?

Andreas: We’ve never really had that. Well, if there’s a problem, then we would just put them into another family, or we would talk to the family. It’s quite rare. I mean, if there’s really a problem with the Home Stay family, we’ll change them, but these people – of course they know that they will be living in a family, so you tell them before what to expect. Chinese families are very welcoming, very nice and friendly, usually, towards foreigners. So, most people really enjoy living there. So, if you ask somebody in our programs what they enjoyed most, almost everybody will say the Home Stay. We have one person who is just in charge of the Home Stay program. So, whenever there are communication difficulties or cultural difficulties between the Home Stay family and the student, we get involved. So we have a foreigner and a Chinese person who are trying to understand the problems from both sides, so you have a foreign perspective and a Chinese perspective. It is a lot of work – a Home Stay program – and it’s probably the reason why we are, I think, the only school in China that really focuses on Home Stays, because it is very difficult

CJ: How do you select the Home Stay family?

Andreas: Very strict. We of course go over there. We talk to them. We interview them. We look at the apartments, of course, to make sure they’re all right. We talk to them; find out if they speak English. You know, some Home Stays families say: “I would like to do Home Stay and the student should teach my child English,” and this is not suitable at all, of course, because our students—they should learn Mandarin. They’re not English language teachers. So, we talk to them a lot. Obviously, the Home Stay families today are experienced. You have to do it for a long, long time. We’ve been doing Home Stays for five years, and this is our specialty.

CJ: I also saw there is a choice that the student can also teach in the Home Stay family. What is that? Just like an English Home Stay tutor?

Andreas: Yes. So, there you teach English while living in a family, and in return you get the Home Stay cheaper. Now, this is an option. I personally don’t think this is very good for improving your Mandarin, because teaching English means that your brain focuses on speaking English a lot. And in the family, you end up speaking a lot of English as opposed to Mandarin, and that’s not good for your Chinese progress, but it makes it cheaper. That’s the only advantage.

CJ: Do you have any tips about learning Chinese? Can you share with our readers?

Andreas: If you are not in China, all right, then it is more difficult, but you can still immerse yourself. The first thing is to find Chinese University exchange students around your hometown and speak with them. Find people who can’t speak English, or whatever your language is, and speak with them. Try to find Mandarin speakers and get into that culture, even before you come to China. Also, surround yourself with Mandarin. So, when I studied Mandarin, in my home, I had stickers with Chinese characters on every single piece of furniture. So, I would see characters, so I was surrounded by characters the whole time. Once you are in China, do not speak English. Try not to speak English as much as possible. And this sounds simple, but it is not, because we are naturally lazy and we will speak English if we’re given an opportunity. Don’t get into that situation where you speak a lot of English. Get out of there. If they’re Chinese people and they speak very good English and they want to talk to you, go away. Find people who don’t speak English. And there are so many people in China who don’t speak English, so it’s not a problem. Immerse yourself into Mandarin. Speak it the whole time and enjoy it. I mean, you need to enjoy Mandarin because Chinese is difficult, so you need to love China. You need to have a good time here. It needs to be part of your daily life. You need to find fun things. Have fun. Enjoy it, but all Mandarin. No English.

After I talked to Andreas and knew the program better. I was impressed by his passion and ambition in Mandarin education. Maybe this is just a start of a language education experiment. It`s a new view for Mandarin Chinese learning, even if it`s already quite popular abroad. Andreas and his Live the Language School are working so hard for it. Now they want to start a new branch of the school in Shanghai. Let`s look forward to the new one and see what will happen next.

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