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SpaceCat
Lurker
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
Posts: 27
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2009 - 02:53 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Best location to learn mandarin? |
When I go to China my main initial priority is to learn Mandarin. Shanghai looks like a fun place, but the local language is Wu. So unfortunately I'm looking for somewhere else. Beijing is not a nice place to live by all accounts, so its a last resort. Any suggestions? Also has anyone done a language exchange over skype? |
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fWerrF
Rocker
Joined: Aug 31, 2009
Posts: 733
Location: New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2009 - 06:26 AM |
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what do you mean by you are looking at somewhere else cuz shanghai local dialect is wu?
they do speak and teach mandarin there too. |
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Chrisse
PopStar
Joined: Feb 25, 2009
Posts: 1146
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2009 - 07:16 AM |
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What the OP means is obviously that the local dialect here is Shanghainese (Wu Chinese) which is spoken by most Shanghainese and is not the same as Mandarin. Up in the north east of China their local dialect is very similar to Mandarin which makes it easier to understand some people (usually the older generations).
OP, if you are really disciplined you can probably learn Chinese here as well as anywhere else in China, I mean get Chinese friends that don't speak English, use it as much as possible and so on. Most people in Shanghai do speak Mandarin even though a lot of the local people have an accent.
If you are serious in learning Chinese and you don't want to be tempted by all the fun you can have in Shanghai I would suggest you find a smaller place up north east somewhere that has less foreigners. |
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Renovator
SuperStar
Joined: Apr 18, 2007
Posts: 1430
Location: Century Park & MA,USA
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2009 - 08:22 AM |
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It appears that the biggest impediment you will face in Shanghai, is the number of people that will want to speak English with you as so many young folks in Shanghai are hell bent on practicing their English, rather than any conflicts with the Wu speaking populace. |
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Monsen
Seeker
Joined: Mar 28, 2009
Posts: 72
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2009 - 08:55 AM |
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Unless you are willing to find a tutor and negotiate 50/50 deal. 30 min you teach him English / 30 min he teaches you Chinese. Or you can pay one 30-50 rmb than you dont need to teach him English.
By the way if your main priority is to learn Mandarin, Beijing is a perfect place for you. I met few foreigners who prefer to live in Beijing. Shanghai is good if you like to use your English as much. But you can learn Chinese also. Is up to your preference really. Both places can be good.
I guess the variation in Mandarin accent geographically is like the difference in British English and American. (In Beijing is more like "British English") |
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LondonBoy
Seeker
Joined: Dec 04, 2008
Posts: 60
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2009 - 10:42 AM |
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I would agree Shanghai is NOT a good place to learn because locals speak Shanghainese. While living in Beijing I was surrounded only by Mandarin all day long and learnt / improved much faster than when I was living in Shanghai where at the time, people in my office were speaking only Shanghainese.
I'd also disagree that Beijing is not a nice place to live but don't want to get in to a debate about whether Shanghai is or isn't better than Beijing (I personally like them both).
I know quite a few people who have studied in Nanjing. Of course you have to balance how badly you wan to learn Chinese against how much time you want to spend partying in the bars and that might influence your choice.
My suggestion would be to find a place that doesn't have a local dialect. |
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crivens200
LoopKicker
Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 930
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2009 - 02:38 PM |
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Shanghai is as good a place as any. The fact that people here also speak a local dialect is a minor distraction to your learning. Your progress in the language will be 99% dependent on how hard you work and the effort put in. Anyone you will want to have dealings with will be a Mandarin speaker.
Anyone who cites the fact that the reason they didn't learn Chinese is because people here speak Shanghai hua is talking rubbish. Anyone who's been here for years and doesn't speak Chinese, it's cos they were too damned lazy to learn it.
If I was going to start again learning Chinese I would probably do it in Shenzhen for the weather and proximity to HK. |
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SpaceCat
Lurker
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
Posts: 27
Status: Offline
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Nov 09, 2009 - 06:00 AM |
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Okay, I've selected Yantai, as my first preference. I do like to live beside the seaside. Thanking all those for making the effort of replying. Actually when I was first looking at places a month back, I was thinking Shenzhen, like crivens200 mentioned, but the language issue put me off. I'm not gonna risk it being an issue. And now to see about getting a Chinese girlfriend as quickly as possible, she can put up with my crap mandarin. |
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crivens200
LoopKicker
Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 930
Status: Offline
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Nov 09, 2009 - 09:22 AM |
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Not been there so can't comment but I think going to a smaller city is in some ways better. I'm sure Yantai will have it's own local dialect also but this shouldn't be a hindrance, especially if you are just starting out on the mando.
In a smaller city it's easier to meet people and less English is spoken. You'll stand out more - in Shanghai you'll just be another western geezer thinking he's cool hanging out in Starbucks with his study book waiting for girls to approach him.
If you are looking to make some good contacts in business while you are doing the studying then a smaller town is also better. In Shanghai most people you meet are middle aged western male company drones. |
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