Job Discussion Forums

seamlessvoid · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Seattle

Hey

I was wondering if many of jobs at schools also offer lessons in Mandarin Chinese.
If not are lessons easy to come by and inexpensive.

Thanks

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

if you really care about the lessons, they include them in your contract negotiations. More and more schools are including them with their standard offer but whether they deliver them is a whole other issue....

In my case, I just trade lessons with a Chinese English teacher in my Uni. I teach her French and she teaches me Chinese.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I have in many years never got an offer of free lessons ... however often this is a normal feature of your employment contract!
My university is particularly stingy: we approximately one dozen foreign tteduring a meeting some time back; eventually the FAO came up with the information that the university is willing to organise a CHinese teacher whose services we would have to pay for!

I guess, all my colleagues say 'thanks, but no thanks..." because we can hire someone on our own. And then, we can SELECT the person according to OUR criteria...

quanxie · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 91 Location: The Sticks

Most of the Universties make the promise of providing you with free lessons. But in my experience, at three different schools, the promises were either completely broken or you a given an unqualified office clerk as your teacher.
As to whether or not lessons are easy to come by, almost every person I meet, makes the offer of exchanging language lessons. But these offers are very superficial, just like asking if you have eaten yet? Training centers that offer formal classes for foreigners are only in a few of the big cities.
If you really want to learn the langauge, then my suggestion is to come as a student at one of the major Universities and work as a teacher on the side.

Good luck,
Phil

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

I too was promised free lessons in the blurb I got from my school before I came to China. This, as usual, did not materialise, whcih I was extremely disappointed about.

The school that I did summer work at, in southern China, however, did offer free lessons, a 2 hour session once a week. I would definitely have taken advantage were I there full time.

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

Seems ALL schools offer them--at least in theory-getting them can be another story...Or the y might "volunteer" someone to help...In that case you should find a text to follow as the tutor will really have no idea what to do . My experience anyway...

At the moment (College) we are actually given a formal class-same time and place each week.

badtyndale · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 181 Location: In the tool shed

In my experience, it's an empty promise (rather like me saying I'll do an English corner). In any event, such a 'tag' on the end of a job offer/ad is not really significant (is it?) and be aware, of course, that 'lessons offered' doesn't always mean 'free of charge'. Finding a private tutor isn't too difficult - finding one suitable for yourself is another matter. The going rate seems to be about half what you'd charge as an English tutor, though I have seen people advertise for as little as 25 RMB an hour. In the larger cities with more ex-pats there are often language clubs that combine some teaching with social activities. Also, take advantage of the local staff - listen to what they have to say about the matter. If you are a beginner, think about the type of language you need - bearing in mind that the Chinese approach to learning differs.

tarzaninchina · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 348 Location: World

I'll agree that public schools tend to be iffy about Chinese lessons.

My experience with private schools is, they usually can get a decent Chinese teacher and would be willing to do one-on-one, which was the case at the first two private schools I worked at. They were usually the English teachers there and it worked out great because it allowed me to develop professional relationships with them so we'd be more comfortable and understanding of each other in-class and they are qualified language teachers (especially for lower levels). This won't happen unless it's in your contract though.

At the college where I'm at now, just go with your own criteria. One of my students was willing to exchange a short English lesson for a short Chinese lesson each week. It helps us both out and that student also gives me a bit of feedback about class, which is both rare and helpful here in China. Now, what support could I receive if she ever went nasty to try and blackmail me by accusing me of nailing her each or most times we had lessons?......... Pardon me for putting it in this wy, but I'm stumped. Shocked

goeastyoung(ish)man! · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 139 Location: back in US

stavrogin2001 · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 92 Location: Liaoning

Here is an offer I know about and know people in that is not too bad. Liaoning Institute of Technology in Jinzhou, Liaoning has a offer where you teach 10 hours of English a week and they give you 10 hours of Chinese instruction. The pay is only about 2k, but if you are serious about Chinese it can be a great deal.

The once a week classes offered at other places are supplementary at best, I think they are not all that great and they move too slow.