New Members Kees Stijne Posted July 31, 2017 at 03:24 PM New Members Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 at 03:24 PM Dear Forum, I am a bachelor student living in the Netherlands, and am almost done with my program. I will likely be done at the end of this year (December) and since master programs at my university don't start until september I was looking for something to fill my time. Chinese language learning has been a hobby for me this past year as I was looking for something to challenge myself, and now would like to take this hobby up to the next level, an immersion program in China for 4-6 months. I have been looking around the internet on what seems to be a good place to study, I would like to learn in a 1 on 1 or small group setting as to give me a break from university style learning. I also do not want to learn how to write as I am afraid this will take up much of my time. Is it true that at Chinese universities you are forced to learn how to write? I also do not care much for HSK testing as I do not require the certificate for anything. I would enjoy a city with few foreigners so that I am forced to speak Chinese 24/7, this way I think my Chinese would improve the most. I have been looking at CLI in Guilin and Keats in Kunming but they are asking a lot of money (like upwards of 10,000 USD). Also there have been mentions that the local dialect differs from the official language and I'm scared that I would learn an unintelligible accent. Can anyone recommend any programs, or websites/forums where I can continue my search for a good program that satisfies my needs? Thanks in advance, Kees Stijne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted July 31, 2017 at 04:10 PM Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 at 04:10 PM What do those prices include? Accommodation, meals, how many hours a week? I suspect for an inclusive package that's not such a bad price - you could probably do cheaper organising it yourself, but that's always the case. Personally, in your situation I'd be inclined to mix up study and travel - one month in Kunming, a month travelling to practice what you've learned, month in Guilin, etc, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted July 31, 2017 at 04:49 PM Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 at 04:49 PM If you would a different form of teaching and an immersive situation have a look at Living the Language (LTL). This might suit you. Disclaimer: I have never been there but I do need to say that I do contribute to one of their blogs. Have a look at their website http://www.livethelanguage.cn/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members chinesehotpot Posted August 2, 2017 at 07:23 AM New Members Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 at 07:23 AM Hi Kees, Firstly, I'd go along with the advice from Roddy, experiencing a few areas in such an amazing country might be far more rewarding. That said; I looked at the link from Shelley, that looks really great and I think I'd also like to do something like that when I'm next in-country. It looks like they have multiple locations, perhaps offering you the chance to pick it up in a couple of Cities. Especially as you've already invested time into learning this language, a few intensive sessions and a little travel in-country might really help you develop your language skills. Good luck with your studies, both language and academia. Cheers, David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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