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[DC@54055]

I'd like to Study Chinese properly. I have been here for a little while self studying, its going well but I want more.

I'd like to ask the saloonies here - what about teaching and studying AT A UNIVERSITY? Does anyone know if this is possible or have general experiences they want to share? (I searched the board but could not find information)

What I'm thinking..teach at a Training School like DD / Shane (etc., maybe training schools of better quality  ) because they want you to teach at night. But, in the morning and early afternoon I would be Mr. University Student and studying Chinese. General Opinions? Any inherent advice that I need to hear?

Or is this kind of thing a pipe dream...

[ericthered]

Well, if you want to enroll as a student and teach at the same time, I don't think it would be too hard to do, if you have a minimum of need or want to prepare your lessons. I know, from having talked to foreign students here, that studying Chinese at Uni level is hard, takes a lot of time to do the homework and such. Also, I am not sure what the visa regulations are. Otherwise, if you can afford the tuition, then it seems like a good idea.

[kitano]

There are always loads and loads of people who want to teach you, if you put an advert on a local website looking for lessons you will get lots of responses, for cheap, it's a good way to meet people as well

I really should do this rather than my halfhearted attempts at learning

[ericthered]

It all depends on what you want. Do you want a tutor or do you want bona-fide papers to prove you have studied Chinese? If you just want to have a more structured Chinese class, get a hold of a Chinese student studying Chinese at Uni, especially on taking the CSL courses (Chinese as a Second Language is what I have dubbed them...they specialise in teaching Chinese to foreigners). They usually have good English, will charge reasonable prioes and are eager to try their hands at teaching.

[Stil]

Primary school teacher with little to no English.



And nice legs

[El Macho]

I studied a month over spring break at a uni. It was a good but very intensive course. My takeaways (in addition to a little bit of Chinese) were:

1. There's a reason that Chinese teachers and students want to drill and repeat. It gets the hanzi into your head.
2. Learning to memorize & write hanzi takes a hell of a long time, at least at first.
3. Chinese isn't that scary once you get into it.

I had three hours of class every morning and had to spend another four or so hours/day studying. This was a class in which we covered a complete textbook in 6 weeks, so I'm sure studying during the regular year would require quite a bit less daily study.

I like being in a classroom rather than doing tutoring. In the past I did one-to-one classes at a school devoted to just that. They were really really good in terms of advancing my spoken Chinese.

[dragonsaver]

The university I taught at in Dalian had intensive courses during Spring break and during Summer break.  6 weeks, 5 days a week, 4+ hrs per day (mornings).  Homework took up the rest of the day. 

You need to know how to read and write in Chinese.  If you can't you are in the 'Beginner's' class and they teach you.  It is really great and worth the money.  Cost was around 3,000 RMB for the course.

Also, they offered a full time course for International students during the regular term.  That would be another option for you.  You could study full/part-time during the term.

Check the local universities near where you live and see if they offer a similar course.   

[The Local Dialect]

My daughter's kindergarten teacher is also studying Chinese full time. She works 8-5 and then goes to night classes every single day. I couldn't do it but she's young and has a lot of stamina I guess.

A training school schedule would also work with Chinese classes, like you say, you'd work on nights and weekends and go to classes during the day. I knew a lot of people who did this in Kunming. Another thing to consider is that if you are a full time student you're eligible for a student visa. Now you can't technically work on a student visa but there are quite a few students who get by doing private tutoring and part time teaching in their spare time for extra cash.

Personally I wouldn't waste my money on the "Chinese tutors" out there unless you have a good recommendation from a friend, preferably someone who is a univeristy Chinese teacher looking for some side work. Most Chinese tutors are actually students wanting to meet foreigners and/or make some quick money and most don't actually have a clue as to how to teach Chinese (gee, sound familiar? Heh). University classes are not really that expensive and the teachers will at least have had some formal training and will usually speak with a nice clear accent (they have to pass a putonghua test in order to teach it).

[DC@54055]

Awesome。does anyone have any information regarding teaching studying / teaching as mentioned for Hangzhou? I'd like to go there next I think..

@Ericthered: Hiring a CSL student method that you mentioned sounds promising. Now just to find information for the schools/students around me.

Also, does anyone know the Visa complications that one might bring on when teaching at nights (ie Shane Training School) and studying at a university?

[dragonsaver]

If you are going to be working, the least complicated would  be to just keep your working visa (residence permit) with Shane etc.   

[The Local Dialect]

If you're working for a Shane or an EF or whatever they should be able to get you a visa as long as you're working a certain number of hours, doesn't matter whether it is nights or days.

Unis don't require you to have a student visa if you're a student, it is just an option that they offer.

[Borkya]

I like being in a classroom rather than doing tutoring. In the past I did one-to-one classes at a school devoted to just that. They were really really good in terms of advancing my spoken Chinese.

I'm going to be doing this type of course this summer. 4 weeks intensive one-on-one. 4 hours a day of private class, then an afternoon activity (tai chi and calligraphy) then homework and such I assume. I'm totally excited, but a little nervous too. I'm afraid after about 3 hours my head will explode.

[El Macho]

I like being in a classroom rather than doing tutoring. In the past I did one-to-one classes at a school devoted to just that. They were really really good in terms of advancing my spoken Chinese.

I'm going to be doing this type of course this summer. 4 weeks intensive one-on-one. 4 hours a day of private class, then an afternoon activity (tai chi and calligraphy) then homework and such I assume. I'm totally excited, but a little nervous too. I'm afraid after about 3 hours my head will explode.

Good luck with that! I'm sure it will be very rewarding, but ever day after class I was completely exhausted--I felt like my brain was melting.

[El Macho]

Also, some universities (especially those in less-desirable locations) that have Chinese language programs for foreigners will arrange your classes around the Chinese classes. However, if you want this be sure to make that clear from the start.