Before you go to Shida, visit
[forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.ph … ant#602684](Shida Rant
Both Shida and Mandarin Daily News(near CKS subway stop) are very traditional, meaning the scent of rigid authoritarianism is everywhere and so thick in the air you can hardly breathe(i.e. study in a relaxing manner). This may be nothing new to an ABC, but for others it is an unpleasant first encounter that stifles their interest in learning.
If you are right off the boat, you should take private lessons at Pioneer or TLI. Buy a month’s worth and make sure they give you the records to extend your visa(if needed). Pioneer is across the street from Shida. The owner of Pioneer is the best teacher at Pioneer. TLI is around the corner from Shida. At TLI, my best experience was with an older kind of heavy(for a chinese) Hao laoshi. After that was ‘wang mama’ who can help your pronunciation. Wang mama is a typical chinese insofar as asking you about every personal matter which is none of her business but if you keep her on track, she’s very good. 3rd best there(imho) was a short woman. she was probably attractive 15 years ago and is still sure every foreign guy wants to date her. ignore this and you’ll find she stays on message and challenges and doesn’t let you slack.