2004 Fall Semester : Still not clear where to apply ...

[Majunhao]

Nimen Hao !

I am coming to these very interesting forum website to get some cyberhelp.

Here is my problem: I want to turn my Mandarin Chinese as close as possible to fluent in less than 4 months.

I have been living in China for 6 years now, and my level is ok i guess.

My goal is to be able to read (newspaper, internet), listen to radio, watch TV (...and DVD), and write.

So far, i have came to the following choices:

* BJ Language and Culture University (12 weeks, 30h / week, 1500 USD)

+ = perfect environment, putonghua everywhere

- = very cold in winter, i have been to BJ many times...

* Xiamen University (5 months, 20h / week, 1000 USD)

+ = Cool weather, Great location (i have been told, never been there yet...), Cheaper

- = Xiamen is not BJ...

So maybe someone here has had the same choice before and has some interesting suggestions to give me ?

Xiexie dajia !

[Adam]

Are you sure about the price for Beijing Language and Culture University? To me that seems overly expensive considering I was quoted around $800 us for 3 months. Anyway, interested to see other responses.

Goodluck

[sunyata]

6 years and you still aren't fluent? what makes you think you can do it in 4 months?

[Majunhao]

Adam,

That's the price i have found on the web @ http://www.blcu.edu.cn/english/lzb/clp2004.doc

Maybe you got a special deal ?

Sunyata,

Thanks for your sharp remark, you've got a point ! However, i did not have any chinese lessons during those 6 professional years in China (including 2.5 in HK). So i still guess it is quite a challenge to get to my goals, but i am very motivated.

[Adam]

hmm i must have been confused, I was quoted that from Beijing Wai Guo Yu Da Xue.. Have you had a look at that? What time of year are you planning to go? I'll be going end of november, but still undecided as to which University to attend.

Does anyone have an opinion at to which is better, bei wai or blcu?

Sorry to confuse you before

Adam

[Majunhao]

Hi Adam,

I made up my mind and decided to go to BJLC Uni. The ultimate decision element was "networking" (of course ).

I will apply to attend the Fall 2004 intensive courses of 12 weeks from mid september to early december.

Good luck to you, and maybe see you there !

Majunhao

[lylestyle]

I am going to BLCU in the fall as well for a year. Doing the College of Advanced Chinese training. Anyone going to BLCU in the fall so maybe we'll hook up sometime!