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COMPASS MAGAZINE, April 2002

WHERE SHOULD I STUDY CHINESE?

For decades, Taiwan--Taichung, in particular--has been a popular destination for those hoping to master the Chinese language. Today, Taichung continues to offer a variety of good language-study options to students from around the world. From more relaxed one-on-one tutoring sessions to formal university classroom settings, there is something for almost everyone. Below is a summary of some choices.

Taipei Language Institute Taichung Center
28-5, TaiPing Rd., 8F, 9F
Tel: (04) 2225-4681; 2225-4831
Hours: 8 am-9 pm Mon-Fri; 8 am-5 pm Sat
www.tli.com.tw
One of the benefits of studying at the Taipei Language Institute (TLI) is flexibility. Students may choose to study one-on-one or in small groups, and may choose their own schedules (depending on teacher availability). In addition, TLI publishes its own series of textbooks from which students can choose, or they can work with the school to develop a personalized curriculum. Mandarin, Taiwanese and cultural courses are offered. In addition, home or office study is available (NT$850 per hour plus teacher travel fee for longer distances). For in-house classes, tuition ranges from NT$150 per hour per student for five or more students studying at least 10 hours per week to NT$380 per hour for a one-on-one tutorial one to nine hours per week.

Feng Chia University Language Center
10F, Jen Yan Building
100, UenHua (WenHua) Rd.
Tel: (04) 2451-7250 (ext. 5870, 5871, 5872)
E-mail: fculc@fcu.edu.tw
http://www.lc.fcu.edu.tw
This center feels that it is important to learn the local culture while studying the language. Therefore, it requires that students take at least three Chinese culture courses per term, including kung fu, Chinese opera, traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese music and instruments, Chinese cuisine, calligraphy and Chinese painting and fortune telling. Language courses include Chinese word processing, simplified characters, Chinese literature and Chinese history. Taiwanese courses are also offered. There are four terms per year. Tuition for each term is NT$18,000. Class sizes range from 5 to about 15 students. Students must study at least 10 hours per week. One great benefit of studying here is that students can join any of the clubs and societies on campus, and can use the facilities in the university's Recreation Hall, in addition to the Olympic-size swimming pool.

ESL House and Providence University
32, TaSheng St.
Tel: (04) 2319-4845; Fax 2319-2548
Website: www.eslhouseonline.com
E-mail: ittasia@seed.net.tw
Hours: 9 am-2:30 pm, 6-9 pm weekdays; 2-5 pm Sat classes
This language center is the off-campus branch of the Providence University Chinese Language Education Center. There are four three-month semesters per year with tuition costing NT$16,500 per semester, or NT$60,000 per year. Classes (limited to eight per class) for beginner, intermediate and advanced students are offered on weekdays in the mornings (10 am-12 noon), afternoons (12 noon-2 pm) and evenings (7-9 pm). The branch is conveniently located near TaTun and KungYi roads. Another plus is the adjacent Cosmo Cafe, which offers discounts to students and is used for language-exchange activities.

Tunghai University Chinese Language Center
181, TaijungGang (TaichungKang) Rd., section 3
Tel: (04) 359-0259
Full-time students are required to take six hours of courses in Chinese conversation and reading, in addition to elective courses for a total of at least 10 hours per week. Courses in Mandarin, Taiwanese and Chinese culture (Chinese knotting, Chinese religions, Hakka culture, calligraphy and carving) are offered. The requirements to enter this language center are relatively strict and all teachers have at least five years of experience. There are three terms that coincide with the university¡¦s schedule. Tuition varies according to class size, but ranges from NT$24,000 per student for 10 hours per week (6-10 students per class) to NT$55,000 for 10 hours per week (one-on-one tutorial) for the fall or spring term.

Find out about studying English in Taichung, Taiwan