I’m seriously considering studying in Beijing towards the back end of this year. I’ve done a little research and it seems that the Beijing Language and Culure University would be a pretty good choice. I would probably stay for a year. I would just like advice from those who’ve done it before, with regards the quality of the course and to finding non-student accomodation. Also I’d like to know a little about opportunities for finding part time work to cover living expenses.
I couldn’t seem to find a forumosa type site for those living in Beijing.
If you’re willing to consider somewhere outside of Beijing, the Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an also has a pretty good program, and the pace of life is a bit slower and more relaxed than in Beijing. PM me if you’re interested … I did a semester there and was very satisfied … and Xi’an is just a fabulous city.
[quote=“In the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Thread, Jive Turkey”][quote=“Juba”]Shi-Da, in conjunction with two other institutions, has launched its own Chinese test for non-native speakers. The first test was done at Shi-Da just the other day (20 December, I think.) From now on the test will be held every six months, so you can go to Shi-Da and ask when the next one will be.
FYI I was in the first class to graduate with a BA from Beijing Languages University (then Beijing Languages Institute - now they have dropped the word “Culture”) in 1982. I also did a test run for HSK at Beijing Normal University in 1992 and did rather badly. I think there was something wrong with my headphones - or was it my head?[/quote]
Juba:
I know it’s been a while since you studied at BLCU, but how did you feel about the program they had when you were there? I often toy with the idea of going back to study full time, but I’ve never really been serious about it because I’ve never been very impressed with any programs. I was quite impressed with BLCU’s materials, though. I’d appreciate anything you could share about your experiences there.[/quote]
I was at BLU (then BLI and later BLCU) from 1979 to 1982. I visited the place again when I was studying at Beijing Normal University in 1991-2 and again just recently. BLU is the centre of the world as far as teaching Chinese as a foreign language is concerned - the most specialised and experienced place in the field. I wonder how many other people around here have studied there. One I know is that Congolese bloke who often appears on “Shijie Da Butong” and the TV ad for Weidali.
Some people felt that there were just too many foreigners at BLU, so you don’t get enough contact with Chinese. Actually it’s up to you whom you hang out with. Another thing is that there is a wider variety of nationalities there than at Taiwan Shida - so you would be more likely to find that your common language with other foreigners is Chinese - but beware of speaking “foreigners’ Chinese” - It could be a difficult habit to shake.
(Have a look at the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi thread.)
I agree with Juba … who you hang out with makes the biggest difference. When I was at Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an back in '98, I had one American classmate who only hung out with foreigners, and the only Chinese he ever spoke was in class … after a year, he could still barely speak Chinese. I have a few foreigner friends here, but most of the people I hang out with, like my boyfriend and his friends, and my classmates, speak no English whatsoever, so it forces me to speak more. I’ve learned more that way than anything else. I think it has more to do with your own motivation to learn than the school you’re going to.
I studied at Beijing Normal University in '99-'00. I was a fairly beginner level student at the time, so their program was fine for me. I second the comment about it completely depends on who you hang out with. Even at BLCU, if you make an effort, you can hang out with primarily Chinese people. Though it can be a fun experience going to a party in someone’s dorm where Japanese, Russian, French, and Cote D’Ivore people are all communicating to each other in Chinese.
In terms of the part time English teaching jobs, I worked 6-8 hours a week and that not only paid for all of my food and beer (I was on a grant which took care of the tuition and board and gave me a measly stipend), but I was able to stash away enough for two one-month long vacations into the country side. If you’re a white, native English speaker, the jobs will find you (and even if you’re not, they’re not hard to find.)
What is hourly pay for English teaching like there, and what is the cost of stuff in general? Can you give me some kind of idea??
In terms of teaching English, I would say that 100-150RMB per hour is reasonable for teaching a bunch of elementary school kids on a Sunday afternoon. In terms of food, you can get a plate of dumplings or a bowl of noodles for around 5-10RMB and a more proper sit-down restaurant meal in the student district for around 15-35RMB per meal. Also, there are pirated DVDs out the wazoo for 6-10RMB per disc.
Thanks for the responses. I’m going to go through with it! I plan on completing a year there on taiwan savings and a little teaching work here and there.
I am not concerened by the number of foreigners there. It’s not a problem for me. However, I am concered about my knowledge of simplified characters, I will have to work hard to bring this weakness up to scratch so as to not be placed into too low a level so as to waste time and money.
[quote=“Southpaw”]Thanks for the responses. I’m going to go through with it! I plan on completing a year there on Taiwan savings and a little teaching work here and there.
I am not concerened by the number of foreigners there. It’s not a problem for me. However, I am concered about my knowledge of simplified characters, I will have to work hard to bring this weakness up to scratch so as to not be placed into too low a level so as to waste time and money.[/quote]
I was quite worried about that when I moved over the border. It has not been much of a problem, although your concern about placement might be a valid one if the first time you actually have to read simplified characters is when you take a placement test. When I moved over the border, I was at a level where I could read HK and Taiwanese newspapers and short stories and understand most of the content. If you are at anywhere near this level, then getting used to simplified characters should be no trouble. You don’t really need to “study” them; who the hell wants to learn to write that crap? Just try to read more simplified materials. Your recognition of jiantizi will pick up quite fast just by using the context to figure out what the “real” character is. Since most of them in some way resemble their traditional equivalent and they appear in compound words, it’s not too hard. I usually don’t have to refer to a dictionary or table. Of course, if you are nowhere close to the level I’ve described, then you shouldn’t study Chinese in the mainland anyway. Too much of a corrupting influence! 
I must be honest, though. I am very impressed with the mainland study materials I’ve seen.
Does anyone know of a program that would take someone for a month in the summer? I’m interested in hearing how the other half speaks, so to speak, this July. I don’t want fancy university credit, cultural courses or anything else – I just prefer a place to crash for four weeks or so instead of moving around the country, and some advanced classes.
Shaanxi Normal University (
If you’re really interested, then just shove a pingpong ball into the back of an educated Taiwanese person’s throat. The resulting accent will be pretty close to Beijing dialect and it would save you the trip. 
i was at bclu (or was it blcu) last year. they do offer courses in the summer. usually they are 4 weeks classes, so i just signed up for a few consecutive ones. they have courses for general students and one for HK/others who already can read/write and just need to pronounce.
lots of foreigners at the beginner levels. at the more advanced levels, the classes were largely populated by koreans.
check out their website for course schedule: i think it’s blcu.edu.cn or something like that.
as for accommodations: there’s on-campus housing, cheap but kinda crappy.
there’s a private company that rents out rooms nearby (beside the worldlink office)
there’s plenty of new apt buildings around the campus being built all the time that can be rented out.
if you want to stay for a full year, you might also consider a year program at nearby qingda.
The people from Cote D’Ivoire speak French, so when they hang out with the French they’d probably be speakin French.
You guys have got me yearning to head off to the mainland for a spell of study at a place like BLU. I’ll put it near the top of my list of things to do if I ever get free from the shackles of work. (A couple of years ago, I announced to the powers-that-be in my government workplace that I’d like to take a few months off work to focus on studying Chinese, but the top brass came and baituoed me and so bewailed the prospect of having to manage without me that I couldn’t but be persuaded to put the plan on hold. 
)
No one answered his question about a good Web site like forumosa in Beijing. I was wondering that recently too. Such forums may be censored/banned.
Another perspective for potential students.
Taiwan government gives plenty of scholarships for those who are willing to learn Chinese(Mandarin)[I’ve heard $15000 or $20000 NTD per month] and pursue degrees in the university. I know many people receive such benefit and it is VERY EASY to get.(I guess, because many people got one.) I won’t deter you from going China, but remind you of thinking carefully.
This looks like a website from Mainland. I am not sure. You can seek more opinions there. Since Shi-Da’s quality can become bad dramatically (I knew from posts on forumosa), schools in Beijing can as well.
chinese-forums.com/index.php
As for the accent, I don’t have a clue why Taiwanese have a different accent. Maybe because of the influence of Taiwanese or southern dialect. But it’s very easy for me to speak standard Mandarin when necessary.
I won’t criticize westerners’ accents. But maybe it’s humorous to criticize accent of Taiwanese. A pingpong! Nice!
There is an old saying. The neighbor’s lawn is always greener. No offense.
[quote=“kimichen”]As for the accent, I don’t have a clue why Taiwanese have a different accent. Maybe because of the influence of Taiwanese or southern dialect. But it’s very easy for me to speak standard Mandarin when necessary.[quote]
I’ve met many Taiwanese who speak what I would say is “standard” Mandarin … even my boyfriend who is a “tai ke” speaks very good Mandarin. But, it depends on who you meet. I’ve also met many, many Taiwanese with barely discernable Mandarin.
All foreigners in PRC are submitter to the maos
i beg your pardon…?