Is there anywhere in Taipei City, or Taipei County where I can take Chinese classes that are 1-2 weeks long?
I’m only in Taiwan for a short period of time, but would like to take some beginner Chinese classes if possible.
You mean something like a 10-hour course that would give you a grasp of the basics you need to communicate, without reading and writing?
Yeah - just basic conversational Chinese. I know this short term class is a drop in the bucket when it comes to learning Chinese. I just want to get a feel for what taking a Chinese class in Taiwan is like while I’m on vacation there.
I have an okay grasp on a lot of the basics - so this won’t be my first Chinese class ever. I wouldn’t mind taking the same material again if it was in Taiwan.
Hi MK2, a Chinese phrase book may help you with your Chinese learning. It includes many daily words and expressions. What’s more, it is talking! You can correct your pronunciation anywhere and anytime.
You can try the community center.
community.com.tw/detail.php?id=1939&heading= - Programs: Survival Chinese 1
[quote]Program Survival Chinese 1
Description Would you like to be able to communicate with shopkeepers, taxi drivers and co-workers? Then this class is for you. Learn spoken Mandarin in a relaxed and informal environment right here at the Community Services Center. Instructor: Gloria Gwo. NT$4200. 12 sessions. Meet @ The Center
Time 9:00 am - 10:20 am
Contact csc@community.com.tw
[/quote]
[quote=“Dr. McCoy”]You can try the community center.
community.com.tw/detail.php?id=1939&heading= - Programs: Survival Chinese 1
[quote]Program Survival Chinese 1
Description Would you like to be able to communicate with shopkeepers, taxi drivers and co-workers? Then this class is for you. Learn spoken Mandarin in a relaxed and informal environment right here at the Community Services Center. Instructor: Gloria Gwo. NT$4200. 12 sessions. Meet @ The Center
Time 9:00 am - 10:20 am
Contact csc@community.com.tw
[/quote][/quote]
Cool - Thanks a lot for finding this. I will check some of the community centers.
TLI will organize a short-term class for you if what you’re looking for is the “experience of a language class” rather than a comprehensively designed intensive course. They are actually getting more flexible, rather than less, as long as you are doing 1-on-1 lessons and don’t need a visa from them.
10 HOUR course for basic communication without reading and writing?
Damn, I signed up for the 10 YEAR course. 
Hi there,
I’m in a very similar case as MK2: I’m on vacation for less than a month, have a lot of free time and want to take the opportunity to improve my Chinese.
But I am a bit more advanced than “survival chinese”, I came to Shida’s MTC few years ago and was on the book #4.
Do you know any place where I could take classes for short term? Schools like Shida don’t take students for only few weeks.
Thanks
They DO take students only for a few weeks now, providing you’re doing 1-to-1 and give them enough notice…
You can try asking to just join in their small group classes, they might let you join for a few weeks (less likely).
Don’t know anywhere else though… sorry 
TLI is really flexible in these matters. I just did a 2-week course with them last month in Kaohsiung, but I’ve done similar things at the Taipei centers over the years as well. The director in Kaohsiung told me that TLI is taking personalization and flexibility for working people as its direction to differentiate itself from the other language centers.
Is that for 1 on 1 or for standard classes?
I’ll go check it out though my teachers at Shida gave me really bad comments on TLI 
Thanks
TLI’s OK. The organization is a bit creepy. Lots of old WSR battleaxes running around. But by Taiwan standards for language teaching, they’re not bad. I’d hate to work for them though. That may be the source of your Shida teacher’s bad feelings since there is quite a bit of overlap.
I know a couple of really great private teachers. PM if interested.
[quote=“DurianGris”]Is that for 1 on 1 or for standard classes?
I’ll go check it out though my teachers at Shi-Da gave me really bad comments on TLI
Thanks[/quote]
I’ll bet Pepsi execs don’t recommend Coke either, though. And wouldn’t like it much if Pepsi insisted on selling only 2-liter bottles while Coke would sell you any size bottle or can you wanted.
Are there any schools and classes that have short term 4-week classes that would mostly fit into a 30-day visa period?
Or is the only option 1-on-1 with a private teacher?
Group classes are hard to organize for such short periods.
My company offers one on one classes with an experienced Chinese teacher at our office in Taichung or via Skype for $350 NT / hour. PM if you’re interested.
If we’re advertising now, I offer one-on-one classes with me, an experienced Comprehensible Input-based teacher. They cost more, but the effects are quite different from traditional classes.