Chinese Language Schools

When looking for  Chinese Language Schools, there are several factors that you want to take into account.

• Chinese Teaching Staff - Make sure your teachers are all native Chinese speakers, and come preferably from the north of China.  Bejing is where standard Mandarin language and accent comes from, so a teacher trained in standard Mandarin language and accent will likely have been raised there.  Of course there are good teachers in other parts of China, but you may end up being taught regional vocabulary, pronunciation and dialects.
• Accredited teaching - The Chinese language schools you choose should be accredited and have some history of Chinese teaching.  Try to talk to previous students to find out what their experience was like.
• Location - Of course the best place to take a curriculum from Chinese language schools is within China!  This is because you completely immerse yourself in language and culture, and you use what you have learned immediately to survive!  We highly recommend that if you're serious about learning Chinese that you do it from within China.  So much a part of the language is influenced by the culture and history, and living it is the fastest way to learn!

This directory provides a list of universities willing to act as your Chinese Language Schools. In some cases they also offer degree programs to foreigners.