Job Discussion Forums

Big Forest · Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Hebei

Hi Everyone,

I'm wondering if people know about any places where I could both learn some Mandarin and teach English. I can't afford to pay for a big study course at some university, but in the past I've heard about some places where you can 'pay' for your study by teaching a bit of English on the side - i.e. something like teaching 15 hrs per week of English for 15 hrs Mandarin study.

If any of you know of any such place, please let me know. I'd have a preference for somewhere in northern China. A place in Yanji, Jilin Province, used to provide something like this but I'm not sure they still do. There must surely be something in Beijing?

Any thoughts Question

Johnno

Curtass · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 7

I'm not positive, but I think you could probably get by if you get a student visa at a university, and work on the side.

If you are working 15 hours a week at 100 yuan an hour, that would 6000 a month. I am sure you could pay for your schooling and then some with that.

Of course, finding work to fit around your study schedule may prove to be a little difficult.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

Hi there,

I was offered such a position last week in Changchun city Jilin province. They would arrange a student visa for you on top of giving you the yeaching hours and free Manarin lessons. If you are interested PM me and I will pass on the contact details for you. And give you all the information I recieved.

milasco · Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 2

This is something I haven't seen for China. I have heard of program like this in Korea, but not China. Keep us updated on this search, and if I find anything I'll let you know!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Depends, of course, on how serious you are about acquiring Chinese; if it is to include writing then you should enroll as a full-time student and try to earn some tuition on the side (though this is, strictly speaking, illegal).
I would object though that Chinese classes held in China are far less useful than similar classes held at western schools.

If you are a total beginner you should try to get a full-time teaching job with a university that fulfills its obligation to offer free Mandarin courses (they all promise them, but to date I have never had the opportunity to study Chinese at any employer's place of work).

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

As Roger said, the reason you don't see this is China is because it is illegal. I really must see if the chinese have a word for that :/

I was offered this position for other reasons, not for learning. Basically you share a class with other foreign students, in this area usually Koreans. You are also provided with a personal English speaking assistant.

In all honesty, for what you will learn in the classroom I don't think it's really worth the bother. You may aswell go buy a few text books and hire yourself a private tutor. Usually about 20 Yuan an hour for a good one. If you are hoping to get some sort of formal qualification, then you would have to enrol with a college and do a full time course, and of course pay for it. These schools will not accept you without atleast some basic knowledge of Chinese.

Susie · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 390 Location: PRC

If you are talking about language exchange then some factors to consider are these:-

1. Is one hour of English in exchange for one hour of Chinese a fair deal to you? The reason I ask this question is that, English is a lingua franca. Is Chinese? Your answer to question one may depend on how desperate you are to learn Chinese given your circumstances whatever they may be.

2. How do you enforce one hour of Chinese? How do you enforce one hour of English? My experience of language exchange was that Chinese people's level of English was/is better then my level of Chinese so the Chinese people spent a great majority of the time(s) using English because I was unable to use much Chinese. Basically the Chinese people were unwilling to "spoon-feed" or "teach" me Chinese for an hour when it was to their SHORT-TERM advantage to use English.

3. Would you not be better to find a job for which you get paid, get free digs with a local Chinese family in exchange for practising English with their only-child for say two hours a day, and hiring your own private Chinese tutor? http://www.yingmen.com/en/live.asp

4. Would it not be a good idea to visit your local Chinese university and buy the books that the Chinese Department uses to teach foreigners and find yourself a Chinese language major student to teach the contents to you?

Awaiting your reply!