Wandering Fel

As you probably realise by know, most language schools in Taiwan offer courses by term (i.e. per 3 months). You probably wonder how much time should you spend in mastering the language? I suppose the answer depends on each person's background and capability. Let's use myself as an example here.

Background

When I was in my teenage years, my dad forced me to learn Mandarin. The teacher was old and she focused so much on my writing. At least I kinda grasped the idea of the stroke order although I did not really bother to memorise it at that time. Stupid kid, I know. Zzzz.

Growing up, and joining the employment line make me realise that Mandarin is broadly used in the office especially in Singapore (fyi, I works in Singapore). Ack! Thanks to this, I forced myself to learn Mandarin during the weekends (mostly because I don't want other people to talk openly about me in Mandarin without I'm knowing it). And did that work? Uhh probably it will only give you the idea of super basic Mandarin conversation like "How are you?" or "Have you eaten?". In short, it didn't really work for me although I admit that my Mandarin improved a bit and I could sense it if someone is talking about me in Mandarin.

Current study

So with this kind of background, I am practically a complete beginner when Shida asked me a lot of questions about my Mandarin level. So I started from Book 1 Practical Audio Visual in an intensive class. And with this, let's go back to the question "Is 3 months enough?"

If by enough, you mean that you can survive by your level of Mandarin when you get thrown out in a country where no one speak other language, then my answer is...it's not enough. Unless, you can master it like how Benny does it (http://www.fluentin3months.com/).

By the time I finish the first term, my conversational Mandarin is still very basic. And it's tough trying to listen to the native speaker of Mandarin, especially because they naturally speak fast. The fact that Shida likes to emphasise on a lot of grammar and writing doesn't help either.

To summarise, these are roughly the list of conversation that you will learn within 3 months at Shida:
- Introducing yourself: name, nationality, etc
- Hobby
- Number and price
- Introducing your family
- Buy things e.g. clothes/food
- Introducing where do you live (and your place of living)
- Time
- Showing direction and taking transportation
- Visiting doctor
- Taking a trip

The list is not exhaustive and some vocabularies that you will be taught depends on the teacher's style of teaching. Of course, all chapters will involve its own set of grammar.

So, do you think 3 month is enough for you? Think think think...=)

There are two kind of Mandarin classes in Shida, regular (普通班/Pǔtōng bān) and intensive (密集班/ Mìjíbān). I decided to go for the intensive class simply because I only have half a year to master this language to at least conversational daily level. But, what's the difference anyway between regular and intensive anyway?

REGULAR CLASS

1. Cheaper tuition fees because you only study for 2 hours per day
2. More class timings to choose (Morning: 08.20 - 10.10, 10.20 - 12.10, Afternoon: 12.20 - 14.10, 14.20 - 16.10)
3. The pace is definitely slower and there is no specific timetable given (at least that what I heard from those who take regular classes)
4. Need to take additional big classes outside those 2 hours small class. This is because the 2 hours class per day does not meet the quota hours set by the Taiwanese government for visa extension (i.e. you need to study at least 15 hours per week to meet the quota). The teachers will give the so called "time card" to the regular class students and they need to get it stamped to show that they have studied for the additional hours. If students prefer to study in the language lab, they too can get a stamp (if they study for at least 1 hour, I suppose). This time card is needed to be shown for visa extension purpose.
5. Maximum of 10 people in the class
6. Not many tests given

INTENSIVE CLASS

1. More expensive tuition fees because you study for 3 hours per day (1 hour extra if compared with regular classes)
2. Only two timings available for intensive class: Morning (10.20 - 13.10) and Afternoon (14.20 - 17.10).
3. The pace of the class is fast but manageable. The teachers usually give timetable for students to follow. They usually target to finish 1 chapter within 3 days, although this is not fixed.
4. Not required to take additional big classes because the course has met the requirement of minimum 15 hours per week
5. Maximum of 8 people in the class
6. Dictation* is usually given every day (except when there is a test on that day) and the test is usually given once every three days.

*both Chinese characters and pinyin/bopomofo are tested in dictation

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

1. Although the form for the class timing will indicate that there is an option to do evening class, this is not recommended for those study under visitor visa.
2. The schedule for the big classes for the regular class students can be viewed on MTC's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mtc.ntnu?fref=ts
3. The intensive class students are allowed to participate in the big classes although they don't have to collect stamp (they will not be issued any time card).

I know this information can be a bit confusing and that's why new students should try their best not to skip the orientation day. =P

For more info, you can google them in the forumosa forum and see other people's opinion on both classes.

Once you get the hang of it, you'll be fine in a jiffy though. Good luck! =)

Sorry for the lack of post these few days. My friend visited me for more than a week and I was busy juggling my class & tour-guide-activity. I ended up sleeping for the whole afternoon today when she's no longer here. XD *lazy blogger*

Right, let's go back to the school business, shall we?

Roughly around one or two weeks before the class starts, you are required to pay for the tuition and finish the registration to get your student ID, health insurance and class schedule.

You can see the registration date on the acceptance letter received from MTC. So what to bring on this day? Well, you must make sure you have these things in your bag when you come to register for the course.

1. Original and copy of passport
2. The acceptance letter from MTC
3. Tuition fees (both cash and credit card payment are accepted)

The registration usually takes place at Level 5 of Po-Ai Building (MTC Building). If you see a lot of flags when you came out of the elevator, you are at the right place.

The other complex of Shida (Library Campus Side) consist of a few buildings which include Mandarin Training Center. Mandarin Training Center is located inside Po-Ai Building (no. 11 on the map), just opposite the library. Let's take a walk together, shall we? =)

Even though the spring term starts at the beginning of March, I need to complete my registration (and pay the tuition fee) on 21st February. Because of this, I stepped inside NTNU on a cold winter day (yes, it's cold in February..brrr).

The main gate of the university. It kinda looks like a gate of government official building, doesn't it? Well, Shida is one of the public universities in Taiwan. So I suppose that's why the gate looks like this. Haha.