Finding a course to study Chinese in China seems to be a difficult task, as more and more courses are coming up, and there is still a huge amount of people applying for these programs. There are different things you need to consider before you decide which institute and operator or local agent to trust to organize your course learn Chinese in China. The courses are not cheap, and even if you can get accepted for a scholarship you need to stand the living and travel costs, which can add up to a couple of thousand dollars alone. But the below guide is going to give you some ideas what to look out for when you are deciding where to study Chinese in China.
The length of the course
You have to decide how long you have got to learn Chinese. It might be that you are a student with plenty of time, but in some cases time is crucial. Depending on the length of the course you will need to get a different visa and you have to spend time away to study Chinese in China. The more time you stay in China the more chance you will have to adjust to the environment, learn the customs, get to learn the history and culture. But if you are taking on an intensive course with little or no free time to mix with locals or fellow Chinese students, you might miss out on practicing the language skills live.
The best courses are designed to help you learn the language as well as the culture and practice conversational skills, and that is what the main aim to study Chinese in China should be. There is no point traveling thousands of miles to sit in a classroom all the time, is there? But if you are taking out a course that gives you both: learning the language and culture at the same time, offering you different programs and activities you can benefit from the course a lot.
There are basic language courses in Chinese and specialized ones as well. As the Chinese economy is the fastest growing in the world at the moment you might want to add business language to your basic skills, and some courses do just that for you. Other than business language you are also going to be introduced to the Chinese business culture and way of doing business in the East.
The location
The main locations you can study Chinese in China are Bejing, Xian and Shanghai. These cities are highly popular among students, as they have great universities and teachers, as well as the business and economy is booming. If you are looking to build up professional relationships in the country to profit from later, these are ideal locations.
With regards to the price, smaller towns or cities are not less expensive to stay at, but the opportunities are more limited. You want to ensure that you will have loads of things to see and experience during your stay in China.
Accommodation
Some courses include accommodation in the packages of study Chinese in China programs. You will need to look into these offers and compare prices as well. There are usually three options:
- You can get placed in a native Chinese hist family who are usually speaking English and will look after you. It is an easy solution and great for young people. You will have loads of time to pick up the language from native speakers and most of your basic needs will be cared for. All you need to buy is your personal care products and clothing, all the rest is taken care of. It is also a good way to understand Chinese people and their way of thinking, get used to the new customs and settle down in the new culture.
- The second option you will have is dormitory shared rooms and accommodation with fellow students. If you are used to living in a dorm and would prefer fellow international students' companionship, you might also choose this. You might still be able to meet and live with native Chinese students, but you will have to ask your course organizer about this option. There are advantages of this solution, but you will have to get your food yourself and cook as well.
- You can also get into a hostel where you are staying at a self catering basis. The prices vary and you need to check out the pictures about the accommodation before you decide with this. You have to be careful as if you are at the course all day you might not have time in the evenings to cook, buy food, clean, do the shopping. You might also feel lonely and left out, it is going to be much harder to build relationships and get to know the culture while you learn Chinese in China.
Certificates
Some courses do offer language skill certificates, some do not. But it does actually matter which institute issues the exam papers, is it an internationally accredited university or just a local course operator. You will want a certificate that is going to help you advance your career and will be recognized by most Chinese and international companies. Ask your agent organizing the course about this, and also what are the next levels you can take your language skills to and what are the certificates you would receive.
Reputation
The most important thing you will need to look out for is the reputation of the University or college you are going to attend the course on. This information is widely available on the Internet or if you are not sure you can contact your local university to give you information about the institution. You want to ensure that if you are paying to study Chinese in China you are getting the very best learning materials, the most reputable teachers and getting all the support you need to be able to learn effectively. Ask around before you are signing up or check previous students' testimonials.
