Mandarin Course at CUHK question

[leonmcnicol]

Hiya all, I'm planning on either going to HK or Mainland China to study mandarin next year. Reading the forums, it seems some members here have studied at CUHK before. I know neither Cantonese or Mandarin

I was just wondering if you could help me with the following questions (if I enrol on a full 1 year diploma course):

1) How intensive and hard is it to pass and get credit for a module and what happens if anyone fails?

2) In terms of the class make up, is it all foreigners? - are there opportunities to mix with the local students at the uni?

3) Any other recommendations in HK? - ultimately I would like to go on a 1 yr course at a uni where I can interact with others and maybe learn some Cantonese casually on the side at the same time, without having to relive the full uni experience of cramming loads of texts in the library for 10k+ word essays or time pressured exams.

Thanks all

[drumbrake]

If your intention is to learn Mandarin, I think you would be far better studying in Mainland China. In Hong Kong, you will mainly be hearing Cantonese being spoken around you, while in many situations such as in shops or banks, when you attempt to speak Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin), you will get a response in English. In Mainland China this is far less likely to happen.

[er2]

Hiya all, I'm planning on either going to HK or Mainland China to study mandarin next year. Reading the forums, it seems some members here have studied at CUHK before. I know neither Cantonese or Mandarin

I was just wondering if you could help me with the following questions (if I enrol on a full 1 year diploma course):

1) How intensive and hard is it to pass and get credit for a module and what happens if anyone fails?

From what I've heard (I joined the full-time Cantonese program for two semesters, not the Mandarin program) quite tough. You take regular tests and there is a fixed score you need in order to progress to the next level. But you need to memorize the tones anyways or people won't understand what you're saying, so I think that is a good thing. The Cantonese program is a lot more lenient - demand is less, and they don't want students to drop out

2) In terms of the class make up, is it all foreigners? - are there opportunities to mix with the local students at the uni?

Of course all foreigners (the locals only need to learn the different pronounciation). Single largest group are usually expat wives, particularly from Japan. Since many of the Asian students don't speak proper English, Chinese is used a lot even outside class. The CLC is kept quite separate from the Uni itself - of course it is on campus, but there is little contact between CLC and CUHK students (who are usually much younger - average age at CLC is 30, the undergrads are mostly around 20).

3) Any other recommendations in HK? - ultimately I would like to go on a 1 yr course at a uni where I can interact with others and maybe learn some Cantonese casually on the side at the same time, without having to relive the full uni experience of cramming loads of texts in the library for 10k+ word essays or time pressured exams.

I agree with drumbrake - if you're only coming to learn Mandarin, HK isn't the best option. People on the street will understand you, but they will reply in Cantonese (near CUHK, most people speak only little English). I wouldn't really enjoy living in Beijing for a year, but you could also consider Taiwan. If you decide to stay in HK, I'd enroll (and pay) for a full year - this way you can get a >6m visa and a HKID, which (among other things) allows you to get medical treatment at the public hospitals nearly free of charge.

[virago]

I also believe learning on the mainland is essential rather than HK. If you want to learn Cantonese then HK would be ideal but mandarin is the better choice I think. Anyway in HK the language of business at least is English so really no need to learn Cantonese if you want to live here and talk on a local level or just for interest.

If you go to Taiwan, though they will speak Mandarin their writing is traditional Chinese not the simplified Chinese which is used on the mainland. At a University accredited course you will learn also to write so it may not be useful if the mainland is going to be more appropriate for you.

I suggest Beijing to study but that's where I studies and everybody I talk to whom mention my Mandarin speaking ability it's very understandable and clear.

One thing I really struggled with is the writing. As a university will be an excellent environment to learn Mandarin and the teachers are very good you will also be required to learn to write if it's an Accredited course. I really struggled with this. I was more interested in speaking, reading and grammar. If you want to learn to write then disregard my comments!

[virago]

Deleted my comments.

[ewankho]

I too am interested in the Mandarin for Non-Chinese course at CUHK but it seems Writing and Reading are separate course from Speaking. Anybody here took the course and what it's like sitting through 3 hours per session for the saturday class?

[East_coast]

I also believe learning on the mainland is essential rather than HK. !

Suggest you call the language centre at Chinese U and ask if you could speak with a few current international students to see how they are getting on. I met a few in a bar in Wanchai during the world cup and they were very impressed with the course and preferred it to previous experiences. But obviously there is lots of rote larning with any new language.

There are a lot of mainland students at Chinese U and most HK grad students are OK in Mandarin so practising locally is better than you imagine.

Quite a few people I have spoken to that have travelled up to BJ have been less than impressed by the 'old school' teaching from 'Government endorsed' teaching material. Also BJ is not some (most?) peoples 'cup of tea' as a city to live in.

If you just want to pick-up basic conversational then a few hours a week from a 2-3 month language centre course will teach you enough to get by in everyday conversational situations.

If you want to 'learn' the written and spoken language there are many options with a Beijing Language University being the most obvious but not necessarily the best. You can get one to one tuition in some cities at the same cost as a 10 per class course in BJ.

[leonmcnicol]

Of course all foreigners (the locals only need to learn the different pronounciation). Single largest group are usually expat wives, particularly from Japan. Since many of the Asian students don't speak proper English, Chinese is used a lot even outside class. The CLC is kept quite separate from the Uni itself - of course it is on campus, but there is little contact between CLC and CUHK students (who are usually much younger - average age at CLC is 30, the undergrads are mostly around 20).
.

Really?!, well I'm going to be 24 next year if I go.. is the class full of 30+ expat wives? (I don't mind too much but I'm not sure about the generation gap)

I prefer HK as I was hoping to pick up both languages at the same time however I have looked into Chinese Uni's but it's a lot harder than I thought it would be finding a single course offered by any one uni.. a typical search in google with Tsinghuo/Peking Uni returns loads of those "3rd party" websites which I'm not sure is the same thing as a diploma.

[East_coast]

3 Unis offering programmes in Mandarin. Piking and TsingHau probably offer them as well but it wont be on the same scale as the below

Beijing Normal University
BEIJING NORMAL UNIVERSITY
Beijing Language
Welcome to Beijing Language and Culture University
Chinese U
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Mandarin (Putonghua) and Cantonese Program in Chinese Language Centre (CLC)

Also suggest you twal through
http://www.chinese-forums.com/index....na-in-general/

and find posts such as
http://www.chinese-forums.com/index....g-or-shanghai/

Again Beijing is not universally liked as a city to live in. Is the language course something you need Uni Credits for or for you to learn the language?

If you just want to learn the language I would suggest you try 2-3 private language centres with good reputations and are in nicer cities such as Kunming, Dalian, Hangzhou etc.

[virago]

East Coast, I don't disagree with your comments but I think the OP will get a richer experience on the mainland than HK. Having lived in both the mainland will offer a better option for usage on the street than HK.

I left Beijing in '05 and gone back a few times but I have heard now the traffic is horrendous. Lived there for 2 years and had enough but for a 1 year stay for studying would be fine.

I went both to Uni approved which really did wonders on pronunciation and grammar in particular. Cost around $7000 a semester. I then went to a private school for $600 a month and learnt speaking and reading which also worked wonders.

Totally agree that Kunming, Dalian or Hangzhou would be good. Hangzhou in particular is a good city and know it well.