Heard of changchung normal universtiy, or any good mainland schools?

[Redact207]

Hi,

I've been studying mandarin part time for a year now, and I've made the decision to go to China in late Feb / early Mar and enrol for 6, or possibly 12 Months of tuition. I've been researching for over a Month now on which school's to go to, but I would really appreciate first hand knowledge if anyone can offer!

I'd like to get away from the bigger cities with boatloads of expats and english practitioners, into an intensive school. ChangChun normal uni sounds decent, but I'm having trouble finding reviews on it.

Could anyone give me their recommendation of schools they've studied at? Specifically within:

-Decent pricing

-putonghua immersion (both in school and out)

That's pretty much it Would greatly appreciate any input

Thanks!

Andrew

[haiyan]

I assume that you are referring to 长春师范学院 which is translated on the website and in some other places as Changchun Normal University. It has not reached the status of official uni yet but it is busy bribing, sorry trying. The college is okay. I am a teacher at the college. Compared to places I have been previously it is not pretty and is somewhat inconveniently located.

If I am honest the campus is a dump but the school is pretty cool and Changchun is nice enough. Once you get to know people here it is great. The Chinese, in general, is fantastic. It is cheap. The people are incredibly nice, even the taxi drivers.

There are not many foreign students. The last time I asked the answer was maybe four, could be three. This, of course, is a bonus in terms of speaking Chinese.

There are other uni's in this town which may be worth looking at, notably Jilin University, but this college would provide you with a pretty intense Chinese environment. The average student here is quite happy to converse with you in English. Some, even insisting on it during my English lessons. I am a fan of this city, although I cannot pinpoint exactly why. I travelled through the north-east before coming here and found the locals to my liking, as opposed to other more popular places. And after Hunan, the Chinese to be breathtakingly clear.

[haiyan]

That should have been - The average student here is quite happy to converse with you in Chinese. Some, even insisting on it during my English lessons.

They do have a website with a list of prices. Will check and post.

[Redact207]

thanks haiyan - your post was really helpful. I'll look into Jilin uni a bit too (sounds a bit better).

I love how Changchun's promoted with "a comfortable average temperature of 5.8C all year round, with high's reaching 39.5C and lows -38.5C"

.....mmmmmm, frosty (yea, wo shi aodaliya ren )

[haiyan]

Winter has come late this year. Only -7 out at the moment. We have an aussie here who goes out in little more than a t-shirt and sunglasses. Should be no problem for you.

[stephanhodges]

Wow! I'm from a cold state in USA, and even I wouldn't go out without some undies on at that temperature.

[stephanhodges]

So, to clarify, would you say the "on the street" chinese accent is very standard, similar to Harbin, for example?

Thanks!

[Redact207]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard Mandarin originated in Jilin province; hence even on the streets, it's just plain 普通话

[haiyan]

The Chinese on the street is good but it's not perfect, whatever that is. Taking CCTV news as an ideal it all depends on who you speak to. Those with a higher level of education have better Chinese. In general, it seems pretty close though. There are still occassions, however, when I am left by a local speaking to me in a way which is just incomprehensible. Maybe I lived in the south to long.

[haiyan]

I always thought that 普通话 was a Beijing creation, maybe based on the language of somewhere or other but not defined by it.

[Redact207]

Well, thanks very much for your input. I've made my mind up to enrol in Jilin University for the March 1 Semester. I've created a spread of all the uni's I investigated plus their associated costs which I'll post

Thanks everyone, esp Haiyan

cheers

Andrew

[haiyan]

Glad to help.

If you have any questions about the city let me know. I am just learning about it myself. If I don’t know I can always ask.

I don’t know Jilin Uni that well but from what I heard it is good. It might be worth stocking up on a few books in Beijing before coming here as the bookshops are not as good but you will be completely immersed.

Today it has snowed and settled for the first time this winter. This snow will still be here when you arrive.

[Redact207]

the snow sounds great - am really looking forward to it. If you see a 6 and a 1/2 foot waiguoren wandering around town, don't forget to say hi ;n)

[Harvey]

Hey Redact, are you there now!?

HE IS!

http://www.andrewdenhertog.com/

[mrtoga]

Took a look at Changchun Normal late last year - they still have very few foreign students. I think a school needs a critical mass of at least 200 before they are worthwhile considering, otherwise it is likely there is no level suitable for you.

Jilin university has a lot of students - possibly in excess of 800, and it is in a nicer part of town than Changchun Normal. No comparison at all really.

[bewolff]

Shanxi Normal University in Linfen, Shanxi is a good school. The air here is definitely a drag in the winter, however the place is ideal for learning Chinese and not back breaking expensive. The standard dialect here is standard Putonghua, not like a lot of the schools in the south. It is a smaller big city so you will have a endless opportunities to practice your mandarin. The campus is clean and nice. It may be what you are looking for.

http://www.sxnu.edu.cn/english/index.html