Any recomendations?

Jiao Tong University:

http://www.sjtu.edu.cn/english/index/index.htm

Tong Ji University also the top 10. More flexible than Jiao Tong. Check it out.

http://www.tongjistudy.com

Thanks!! how about Shanghai International Studies University?

Hi, I've been wondering the same but haven't had time to research uni's. Any more info yet? Have you studied Chinese before?

I did 6 months in Beijing. In my opinion it is really the best place to go since everyone on the streets speak Mandarin rather than Shanghainese, so you are constantly surrounded by just one language, i.e. the language you want to learn.

I went to Beijing Language and Culture University. I enjoyed my time there, the school had good facilities and had good teachers.

frreddie wrote:Any recomendations?

In Shanghai, Chinese think Fudan University is the best.Jiaotong University is the second.
If you want to learn language,I think you had better choose Fudan.
However,the best universities in China are Qinghua university and Beijing university,both in Beijing.

You can go to E-do Mandarin College,32235558

this website is great if you're looking for a Chinese University:
http://www.chinese-tools.com/study

Let me know if you're looking for more infos

Fudan and Jiaotong are the places in Shanghai to choose between, ofc you can go to some of the other places which are less famous and so on but I would choose between these two. I am currently studying in Jiaotong as I have heard good stuff about it from friends who had been here, also a lot more conveniently located compared to Fudan.

If you are going to Beijing there also two options Peking University or Qinghua University. Both very good and considered the very top of Chinese higher level education. As for these I can't say much about the teaching but their campuses (especially Qinghua's) is HUGE.

You shouldn't dwell too much about this thing that the local Beijing dialect is similar to Putonghua (mandarin) as most people in Shanghai speak very good mandarin. Many are from different parts of China so they have to communicate using mandarin anyway. Choose the city that you think is more interesting.

If you are a beginner, I would recommend small, private classes or one-on-one first. Mandarin classes at universities here are popular, and class sizes in beginner classes are pretty big. With that said, you'll be learning at a relatively slow pace because everyone around you is also a beginner, and will most likely speak to you in your native tongue or really crappy Mandarin (improper tones, etc).

zazure wrote:

frreddie wrote:Any recomendations?

In Shanghai, Chinese think Fudan University is the best.Jiaotong University is the second.
If you want to learn language,I think you had better choose Fudan.
However,the best universities in China are Qinghua university and Beijing university,both in Beijing.

I attended both and think JiaoTong is better. Fudan may be a better name, and probably a better undergraduate school, but when it comes to teaching Mandarin to foreigners, JiaoTong takes the cake.

Teachers at both schools are very qualified, but the edge goes to JiaoTong for their English-speaking administrative staff (some staff speak English compared to none at Fudan), organization of curriculum, classroom equipment, and convenient scheduling. JiaoTong's tuition for a semester is also cheaper than Fudan's the last time I checked (about 1400 USD).

The only bad thing about JiaoTong is that they only have a break every 90 minutes (compared to Fudan's 45 minutes), which is a pretty long time considering the average student's attention span does not last that long.

Chrisse wrote:You shouldn't dwell too much about this thing that the local Beijing dialect is similar to Putonghua (mandarin) as most people in Shanghai speak very good mandarin. Many are from different parts of China so they have to communicate using mandarin anyway. Choose the city that you think is more interesting.

Most people in Shanghai prefer to speak Shanghainese, and most locals born before 1970 have poor Mandarin. There is a significant number of people from different parts of China, but Shanghainese is still by far the dominant dialect. And when most Shanghai locals speak Mandarin, they not only cannot hide their Shanghainese accent, but they speak really fast. In my opinion, it would make a big difference if you learned Mandarin in Beijing vs. Shanghai.

If having a fun nightlife is important to you, you will go to JiaoTong. Attending Fudan may actually be better if you're the type that is better off without being near distractions.

As far as convenience to things-to-do in the city, Fudan won't be nearly as convenient until 2010, when Metro Line 10 (Wujiaochang-NanjingXiLu-JiaoTong-HonqiaoAirport) is supposedly completed.

donkeykong wrote:Most people in Shanghai prefer to speak Shanghainese, and most locals born before 1970 have poor Mandarin. There is a significant number of people from different parts of China, but Shanghainese is still by far the dominant dialect. And when most Shanghai locals speak Mandarin, they not only cannot hide their Shanghainese accent, but they speak really fast. In my opinion, it would make a big difference if you learned Mandarin in Beijing vs. Shanghai.

Yes, but it is most likely that he won't socialize with the 40+ Chinese crowd. And even though many do have Shanghainese accent when talking it is still understandable. Around the school though (the students and teachers) all speak very good mandarin. They speak really fast in Beijing to. I am not saying that there is no difference but rather that he should prioritize a place he likes and feels comfortable living in.

I'm also looking for a Chinese class as a very beginner but is there any evening class in Fudan (or Jiaotong ) ? I have to work during the days and so can only to class during the evening.

Thanks

I'm also looking for a Chinese class as a very beginner but is there any evening class in Fudan (or Jiaotong ) ? I have to work during the days and so can only to class during the evening.

Thanks

Chrisse wrote:
If you are going to Beijing there also two options Peking University or Qinghua University. Both very good and considered the very top of Chinese higher level education. As for these I can't say much about the teaching but their campuses (especially Qinghua's) is HUGE.

There are a lot more options in Beijing than Beijing Daxue and Qinghua!

IMO the problem with both of them is that there are so many (western) foreigners that you acutally speak more English than Chinese. (That's what happened to friends of mine )

I chose a university with a small foreign student department. It was perfect. We were only 6 western guys and the other foreign students were mostly Korean and Japanese.

In 高班 I was surrounded by Asian students whose Chinese was far better than mine. Great motivation (+ quite often frustration )

Oh, that's a 4 year old thread you digged up

@ Chrisse, what are you studying at Jiaotong?

You are quite right that there are many other options in Beijing, the one who gives best guanxi and the most famous ones are basically those two

I am studying Chinese at intermediate level. Some1 dug this up before me And u are working in Shanghai, or?

I'm the one who forced her partner to accept the job in Shanghai

Well, I'm job hunting right now. But I was also thinking of doing a language course for 1/2 a year. (Since my Chinese is a bit rusty these days)

Was thinking of Jiaotong or Shifan Daxue. (Advantage of Jiaotong is the walking distance to our home )

So what's your impression of Jiaotong?
How are the language courses at intermediate level? How many students do you normally have in one class?

Intermediate level has 5 courses, Intensive Reading (read about everyday subjects and conversations, lots of grammar), Listening, Spoken Chinese, Writing and Reading (read about more difficult subjects and more advanced texts like the other day we read about plastic surgery in China)

We have about 25 students in each class, usually around 20 attending at one time. I like the intermediate level, everyone is more focused and interested in really learning Chinese

The teachers are generally quite good and I learn a lot, especially reading. But it takes quite a lot of self discipline and self study, just the way I like it I am staying next term too so I will be on advanced level then.

No special grammar lesson? (That would be perfect )

What is the listening course like? (Always hated this listening to a record and then chosing A,B,C,D -> boring ....)

Good hearing about Shanghai universities. I live in Canada and am looking for Summer courses in Shanghai. I knew about Fudan and I read about Jiaotong on this post...
The problem with Jiaotong is that they seem to be closed during the Summer : http://www.sie.sjtu.edu.cn/page/cnpage/ ... 9-3-25.htm

Is Fudan really far away from downtown? I know it's on metro line 3 (close to it) but I can't figure out how far it is...

Thanks !

donkeykong wrote:Teachers at both schools are very qualified, but the edge goes to JiaoTong for their English-speaking administrative staff (some staff speak English compared to none at Fudan), organization of curriculum, classroom equipment, and convenient scheduling. JiaoTong's tuition for a semester is also cheaper than Fudan's the last time I checked (about 1400rmb).

Also looking for a LT mandarin study but I saw a different pricing on their sites, more like 9000RMB and 10000RMB per semester... Where did you find the 1500RMB price?
Info here:
http://www.fso.fudan.edu.cn/fee.htm
http://www.sie.sjtu.edu.cn/page/en-page/tesehanyu.htm

THX.

I know this is a little old thread but I just want to share with you where I learn Chinese. I go to Donghua University International Cultural Exchange School which is on Yan-an West Road and Zhongshan West Road. It's near West Yan An road metro stop (line 3/4) but I always take my scooter. Anyway, their semester classes are starting up real soon and I encourage you to join because when the class is bigger, it's a lot more fun.

http://www.ices.cn/english/
http://www.ices.cn/english/course2/index1.html

If you put in my name you can get your 200rmb application fee waived. (Chinese name: 杜婉莎 Du Wan Sha)

Because I'm in a higher level class there is a risk that the class I want won't be offered because they won't have a class if there are not at least 10 people signing up. So there are a lot of beginning classes but not enough intermediate and advanced. I'm in the evening class. Classes start Feb 28 but you need to register in the office on Feb 21/22. And I would suggest applying for the program even sooner than that. You can email them if you need details. Or you can message me.

Anyway, I hope to see you there!!

P.S. The teachers are so amazing. I hope you get Ms. Fang, Ms. Gao, or Ms. Zhang!

Just signed up for Donghua ICES program. Looks intensive but that's the point.

"If you put in my name you can get your 200rmb application fee waived. (Chinese name: 杜婉莎 Du Wan Sha)"

Thanks, it worked.

fla wrote:Just signed up for Donghua ICES program. Looks intensive but that's the point.

"If you put in my name you can get your 200rmb application fee waived. (Chinese name: 杜婉莎 Du Wan Sha)"

Thanks, it worked.

Oh fantastic!

Hi all,
I am reading you carefully because I am thinking of enrolling for this year's summer course at Jiao Tong University. Did any of you take part on it or have heard of it? Do you recommend it? Is it only for university students or also professionals attend it? Is the university situated at a good area?
Do you know what the accommodation at Lian Xing Building is like?
Sorry there are too many questions, but, I've never been to China so everything is quite new to me.
Thanks a lot for your help and understanding!!
Carmen

Hi vlc_cgl:
I am a Chinese in Shanghai.I have read the information on the Jiaotong university website. I think it's ok..the university is situated in a good area. But I suggest that you can go there have a look first. And when will you come to China? What's your budget? Cause the Lianxing building is just like the dormitory..

Hi Carmen, I'm planning on enrolling in Jiao Tong University! From what I've read, the quality of teaching in Jiao Tong is supposed to be better than Fudan and it's more centrally located than Fudan.

I just applied to Fudan's Chinese language year long program. However after reading many of the forums I think I will apply to Shanghai Jiao Tong as well. My main goal is to study Mandarin however I still would like to enjoy Shanghais nightlife; So Fudans distance from the city concerns me. Also I am a bit older, 27, so I'm wondering what program has the more mature students. If you attended both of these schools or one or the other and can give me some insight I'd appreciate it.