Wuhan, any decent language school out there?

[Radical_Spike]

    I'm new to this forum so firstly I'd like to say Hi!

For a while now I've been vaguely thinking of taking mandarin course somewhere in China.

Over last few years I have visited mainlands several time ,but never travel to Wuhan so far, I got some savings and currently thinking of finally staying for longer(around one semester) and learn language there. I heard Wuhan is kind of Chicago of PRC so I've figured I wouldn't mind to look for something out there.

  Can anyone please recommend me some school and maybe provide me with overall impression of the city?

Many thanks.

[abcdefg]

Welcome!

 

It would be a good idea to do more background reading about Wuhan as a place to live. I've never met anybody who would select it if given a choice.

 

Cannot give you detailed supporting arguments, since I've only been once and thought it was OK for a few days as a tourist. But I don't think you will find Wuhan at the top of any "great places to live" list.

[realmayo]

Big noisy dirty busy rude unrefined confident brash love-it-or-hate-if (but enough about me...).

 

If you're heading somewhere without a particularly fixed plan then you might want to choose a place that's more approachable, more easy to get on with -- either somewhere smaller/quieter or somewhere more developed, more foreign-developed. There are lots of easier options. I like Wuhan loads but lots of people don't.

[Radical_Spike]

The reason behind my decision is that Wuhan simes to be one of bigest city in China, so apart from studying I could count on decent amount of entertainment/fun there. Also what's important to me is to end up in mandarin speaking city. I've been to Beijing and Shanghai before, really enjoy first but strongly disliked Shanghai.

I would very much appreciate any suggestion on where to (if) instead of Wuhan.

[realmayo]

This might be helpful: http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/31281-want-to-know-where-to-study-read-this/

 

Chengdu strikes me as a slightly nicer and less-difficult alternative to Wuhan but I'm not sure there's a huge difference, in as much as it's another BIG city that isn't Beijing or Shanghai.

[abcdefg]

I would very much appreciate any suggestion on where to (if) instead of Wuhan.

 

Just Google "Most liveable cities in China" and variations on that wording. You will get lots of lists.

 

Here are a couple:

 

http://english.people.com.cn/205040/8337894.html

 

http://www.china.org.cn/top10/2013-11/18/content_30606499.htm

 

The reason behind my decision is that Wuhan simes to be one of bigest city in China, so apart from studying I could count on decent amount of entertainment/fun there.

 

I don't think this is sound logic. It's more important that the places you consider fun are close to where you live/work/study. You don't want to have to undertake long commutes in heavy urban traffic, crossing the bridges at rush hour and so on.

[Radical_Spike]

@Realmayo

 

Thanks, I definitely considering Chengdu. I heard a lot about how amazing province of Sichuan is. Last year I went to Chang-Sha in Hu-Nan and despite of unusual cold weather really enjoyed it, I really enjoy spicy food so definitely could picture myself among Pandas:)

 

@Abcdefg

 

It makes sense, really let me explain it. Except for traveling and learning I'm really into playing some video game, so I went few times to Korea as well, I'm looking for bigger city so I could easier find some competition there, on the top of that my friends from Qingdao told me that Wuhan got pretty big fighting games community.

I didn't want to mention that as it might sound little immature, but I really want to make most of my time there plus game is highly competitive.

 

But back to original question is there any language school? I really would appreciate some links, thanks.

[abcdefg]

It makes sense, really let me explain it. Except for traveling and learning I'm really into playing some video game...

 

I see.

 

Don't personally know of any language schools in Wuhan, though there may very well be some. I find several listed on Google. Might be a start.

[xiaojiang216]

Hi Radical_Spike,

Are you looking for a language school, as in a place to take classes a few times a week, or are you interested in studying Chinese at a university? Wuhan is home to several nationally-renowned universities, and is second to Beijing in terms of higher education. I have heard that the Chinese departments at schools such as Wuhan University are quite well-known. So in that regard, Wuhan could be a suitable choice.

I have been working in Wuhan for a year now, and while it is a big and dirty city and people can be rude and unrefined (as realmayo describes), I'm sure you can find a niche for yourself here. That said, Chengdu does seem like a nice city - I was there for about a week earlier in the year and enjoyed it. My colleagues in Chengdu, however, jokingly call it 'the Dirty Du'. I suppose things like dirtiness are somewhat unavoidable in large Chinese cities.

At any rate, please feel free to ask me if you have any questions about Wuhan

[Radical_Spike]

Hey Xiaojiang 216,

I'm looking for chinese course( maybe 20 hours a week) , not uni, although wouldn't mind to take course at uni:p . I'm planning to stay around 3~6 months there.

I thought I'll send you PM, but just as well may ask you here few questions, so maybe that will be useful for other users.

Where is most attractive area of Wuhan to stay (City center), is it difficult to arrange accommodation, without employer help, how much should I be expecting to pay for small apartment? Could you tell me about your expenses like grocery, restaurants,nightlife, taxis, metro too? Thank you.

[Pokarface]

I have professional friends that live in wu Han. If you'd like to, I can tell them to meet with you. They work for IBM and always want to practice.

[Radical_Spike]

Thanks But I'll be going there in about 7~9 months. Still if you could give me some contact it would be great!

[Radical_Spike]

One more Question guys, on the "58" website I found few interesting places, what would be minimum lease time? Do you think I could rent it for around 3 to 6 months ?

[abcdefg]

Six months is doable most places (landlords prefer 12.) Three months is extremely difficult.

 

Would suggest starting to think in terms of a six month commitment to this project.

[xiaojiang216]

Radical_Spike,

I have students who are studying Spanish at a language school nearby, but haven't seen much for Chinese classes. I am very close with one of my Chinese teachers from college, who happens to be from Wuhan and is actually thinking about opening Chinese classes there. Maybe she is more informed about Chinese courses in the area, so I can ask for you.

The Yangtze (长江) and Han River (汉江) divides Wuhan into three main districts - Hankou (汉口), Hanyang (汉阳), and Wuchang (武昌). I think of Wuchang, where I live and work, as the education and industry district, as it is home to 武汉大学, 湖北大学, 华中师范大学, 华中科技大学, etc. and steel companies such as 武钢. However, Wuchang also has the famous food street called 户部巷 and very historic and charming street called 昙华林. Along the riverside of Hankou are several historic buildings with European architecture - this is where the foreign concessions were centuries ago. I get the feeling that Hankou is the most "happening" in terms of nightlife, restaurants, etc. As for Hanyang, there is 归元寺, which is one of the most well-known Buddhist temples in Wuhan, and the very modern-looking Qintai Concert Hall (琴台音乐厅) and Qintai Grand Theatre (琴台大剧院).

I don't think it would be too difficult to find a place to live, although my employer helped me find a place. But rent will be much more reasonable than mnay other large cities. As for everyday expenses, I'm not sure how frugal you are, but 200-300 RMB per week is definitely doable. If you're out exploring a lot (mix of taxi and public transportation) and doing less cooking at home, then you might be spending 500 during a given week.

I hope that's helpful, but if not, feel free to ask any other questions

[Radical_Spike]

My budget looks like that:

-School ???? (Don't really know yet how much I should be expecting for classes 4~8 people around 20 hrs per week)

-Food, around 70 RMB a day (because I'm worry to underestimate it) month about 2000.

-Accommodation, 1500~2000 a month.

-Entertainment(mostly coins for the game:p) around 60 RMB a day, I have no idea how much they are charging for single game at arcade.

-Weekend socialising (mostly drinks) so around 8 times a month 1600 RMB (does anybody knows how much is beer in Pud and club in Wuhan around Soho?

I did some reaserch and I think I'd like to stay in Hankou, simes to be vibrant neighborhood.

[xiaojiang216]

If that budget works for you, you should be all set - you're certainly not underestimating it. If you really needed to, 70 RMB could last you for days (as it could in many other Chinese cities). If rent in Hankou turns out to be too expensive for you, although 1,500-2,000 sounds like it should work, you can also consider living closeby in Wuchang. I live right near one of the main bridges and can cross over into Hankou quite easily (although I should more than I usually do). Hope that helps! I'll get back to you on language classes soon.