I'd like a course that uses only pinyin - no characters

I’m looking for a course in Taipei that focuses entirely on building conversational skills – no characters. The catch: I need something that will allow me to keep my “visitor” visa. (In other words, I’m not working so I need to be at an accredited program… at least as I understand it.)

I’m still a beginner – I’m just working my way through my first quarter at taida’s CLD. I think CLD is great so far, but I’ve decided that my present goal is to build my conversation skills… so for now I’d like to put reading/writing characters aside.

I could hire a tutor and design my own program… but then I think I’d run into visa problems!

Ideally I’d like to find something in the same price range as CLD (NT$22,000 per quarter).

Well, I suspect my ideal course doesn’t exist… but please let me know if you have any suggestions!

I would try TLI…they might be sympathetic to some degree.
Another option would be to see what the minimum number of hours would be to take a one-on-one and keep your visa.

EVERY center should offer this option, IMHO, as it makes good pedagogical sense, but, well, whatever…the MOE knows what everyone really needs.

I have a tutor from TLI who is teaching me pinyin only and their text books, while they also include characters, are well suited for focusing on pinyin. I second ironlady’s suggestion that you contact them and inquire as they’ve been very accomodating to my requests and I’ve been pleased with the two tutors they sent me. I don’t know anything about degrees or ARC, though, as I’m only doing it to learn the language and have my work permit through my work.

When I was at TLI in Taichung, they weren’t very happy about using Pinyin. I did the standard ten hours a week group class thing (though not for visa purposes – I already had my work visa). The first two weeks were spent studying Zhuyin Fuhao. After that, the teacher preferred to receive homework and quiz answers in Zhuyin but would reluctantly accept them in Pinyin. Trouble was, sometimes she would alter my correct Pinyin to correspond with her own faulty Pinyin usage.

Maybe times have changed. Maybe the Taipei branches are different. Or of course if you can afford it you could take one-on-one classes (or make it cheaper by finding someone else who wants to study in the same way and doing a one-on-two class).

Joesax, it’s true what MT says. TLI in Taipei is ok with Pinyin.

They are quite accomodating and some of the teachers are very good. If you take individual classes and you’re not happy with the way they teach you or the teacher, you can tell the director and she will adjust things to suit you better.

[quote=“tash”]Joesax, it’s true what MT says. TLI in Taipei is ok with Pinyin.

They are quite accomodating and some of the teachers are very good. If you take individual classes and you’re not happy with the way they teach you or the teacher, you can tell the director and she will adjust things to suit you better.[/quote]I know you can get their textbooks in Pinyin edition. But are they OK about accommodating Pinyin learners in group classes? I can’t remember exactly, but I think one-to-one classes are roughly double the cost per hour. If someone’s doing the minimum ten hours a week for visa purposes, that’s a fair bit of money.

[quote=“joesax”][quote=“tash”]Joesax, it’s true what MT says. TLI in Taipei is ok with Pinyin.

They are quite accomodating and some of the teachers are very good. If you take individual classes and you’re not happy with the way they teach you or the teacher, you can tell the director and she will adjust things to suit you better.[/quote]I know you can get their textbooks in Pinyin edition. But are they OK about accommodating Pinyin learners in group classes? I can’t remember exactly, but I think one-to-one classes are roughly double the cost per hour. If someone’s doing the minimum ten hours a week for visa purposes, that’s a fair bit of money.[/quote]
You’re right. I hadn’t thought about it that way.

I never had group classes there, so I don’t know. Sorry.