Comments on: NTNU Mandarin Training Center

By: Enrico

Enrico — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:32:51 +0000

I wrote the post above around march/april 2009. After i wrote that post i left NTNU and checked TLI and NTU. After a while i decided to give NTU a chance and i must say my learning curve has improved drastically.
Not only teachers are more patient, but most of them speak english and are aware of the differences between the different languages so they are even able to make comparisons that help you to learn in a proper way. The only negative remark i have noticed to date is the fact that sometimes the university literally PUSHES teachers to teach too fast so sometimes (especially some lessons) you learn quick but also forget quick because they don’t have enough time to stop on a given part of grammar or program. But, in my humble opinion and based on my experience at NTNU (SCARY also because they would listen to you but wouldn’t help you just suggesting more expensive solutions rather than rethinking their courses), i think NTU is about 60% better than NTNU (Considering number of students in class, teachers skills and patience and understanding foreigner’s mentality and needs, logics applied to courses, which makes you learn very intuitively and in a natural way, as opposed as to NTNU where some teacher seem to expect you to learn chinese with them speaking chinese even if your skills are 0 in chinese, which provides you a very slow learning curve)
Also, i noticed many classes are more balanced at NTU. Some exceptions are present at NTU too, where you can have 2 westerners with 4 koreans/japanese people. In those cases the 2 westerners are more bound to get lost because Japanese and Koreans tend to learn chinese pretty quick so if you can’t keep up, my advice is ASK TO CHANGE CLASS quick or you’ll lose your money.
For the rest NTU FOREVER, also for the type of environment you can find.
That’s the second part of my experience to date!
Will post more as i have some good or bad news (Not hoping for the latter of course.)

By: john

john — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:45:35 +0000

When I studied Japanese in Japan, the school I went to (Sendagaya) wouldn’t place students already familar with the characters (kanji), such as Mandarin or Korean speakers, in the same class with other students. I wish the schools in Taiwan where I studied Mandarin had done the same. It would also be good if they could manage to out all the ABCs etc who already speak Mandarin and there for the writing into dedicated classes too. All the schools teaching Mandarin in Taiwan are still really rigid and hidebound, and as for knowledge of current EFL/EFL pedagogy…let’s just say that if they know it, most of the teachers are doing a good of hiding the fact. China is way ahead of Taiwan in terms of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Taiwan is a more pleasant place to live though. It is unfortunate that Taiwan is SO losing out here…

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:45:52 +0000

My experience from the NTNU was great. My Ecuadorian roommate told me her NTU experience was a nightmare.

I am from the US, and yes, as a Westerner, the characters were killing me.

However, the teaching methods were fairly effective. I was taught my veteran NTNU teachers and had the pleasure of being taught my a transferred NTU teacher also, whom assured NTU taught nearly the same way.

The teachers I had stopped and tried their best to clear their explanations. Having you learn it in Chinese is sometimes the only way to learn it, being that there is no English equivalent. I’ll admit though, you have to put your due time in studying to understand the material. Meaning finding time to converse, become familiar and comfortable with the language with locals.

Learning the characters and verbally communicating come hand in hand, you have to forget about translating and just learn as a child learns, learning their convey meaning through experience. That was my experience in my classes. My teachers didn’t just teach us words, they showed us through action and situations.

I don’t want to ramble, but all in all, my experiences were good. You really have to dedicate yourself and find your way of studying.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:43:47 +0000

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am from the Republic of Belarus. I heard a lot of good information about NTNU Mandarin Training Center. As I’ve been studying Chinese for 2 years in Confucius institute in Minsk, I am very interested in Chinese Scholarship Short Training Program. I am eager to know if your university is going to hold this program in 2010 and if yes where I can find out information about admission procedure.
Faithfully yours,
Katya.

By: Paco

Paco — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:06:09 +0000

I totally agree Enrico, I am studying at the Mandarin Training Center and my experience is so so similar, thanks for posting it

By: juriani

juriani — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:59:35 +0000

how to apply scholarship to study here ? i want to know..
i am very interest study Chinese language…
please give me some introduce by email…thanks a lot…

By: Joshua Chen

Joshua Chen — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:19:26 +0000

Honestly, the NTU program is more structured, more professional, and better overall. At NTNU, you could be in a class where many people have a different attitude of learning than you or the level of learning may not be the same for all students. At NTU you will be forced to learn fast, and will benefit from it more. NTU is definately a better pick for someone trying to learn Chinese.

By: ben ma

ben ma — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:41:31 +0000

Hi VC

That’s very kind of you, thank you. I didn’t expect to get such a quick reply!

My email is maben@hotmail.com.

By: VC

VC — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:49:38 +0000

Dear Ben Ma,
My son went to the NTNU program for 80 days, and told me that I should have signed him up at NTU. I was concerned about the cost. He is now at HKU. Maybe if you send me the email, I will link you up with him.

By: ben ma

ben ma — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:45:02 +0000

i was thinking about studying mandarin at ntnu this coming march 2010, but now with the above comment am thinking maybe i should look into ntu instead.

my background is hong kong cantonese, with only extremely basic knowledge of chinese characters and mandarin pronounciation, but am thinking that better teaching methodology would be more helpful nonetheless considering the financial investment.