Learning the local lingo

By Qu Zhi (Shanghai Daily)

10:40, August 22, 2012

Foreigners have a Manderin class at a language school in Shanghai. For most foreigners who want to learn Chinese, there are basically two ways: a language school or hiring a private tutor. (Shanghai Daily / Photo by Wang Rongjiang)

The Mandarin teaching market has become increasingly competitive and experts in the field say many private tutors are struggling to survive. Qu Zhi takes a look at how the various options benefit students in different circumstances.

Good pay, flexible schedule, easy work - when it comes to teaching Mandarin to foreigners, most people think it's a piece of cake for Chinese teachers. However, those in the industry say it's actually difficult to survive in today's changing market.

Shi Xudeng, deputy director of the International College of Chinese Studies in East China Normal University, says teaching Mandarin isn't as easy as some think.

Shi says that increasing competition in the market means there is an abundant supply of teachers in China.

For most foreigners who want to learn Chinese there are basically two ways: a full-time language school in established universities and private training centers or hiring a private tutor.

Foreigners working full time may find private training centers or private tutors an ideal choice as they usually charge reasonable prices and scheduling is flexible. But does this mean professional language schools are at a disadvantage?

Yao Yuan, a lecturer at Shanghai International Studies University's College of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, doesn't think so.

"Both professional and private institutions help the market in separate ways. For colleges, it is more suited for students who want to learn Chinese systematically or get a qualification such as HSK level 6," Yao says.

Those who don't have time for full-time enrollment at school will likely find private tutors the best option since most will come to your home.

The key to this option is finding a relatively experienced teacher, experts say.

Private tutors such as Cindy say that although they enjoy their work it is not easy.

"I do enjoy my work, but it can be exhausting as well. I have to travel all over the city to meet my students and I spend a lot of time to ensure lessons are thoroughly prepared."

Despite the hard work, payment can be low and is negotiated between student and teacher. Furthermore, classes in private schools often struggle to attract more than four people at a time.

Shi says: "Private Mandarin tutors are more like blue-collar workers these days… The fee can be as low as 50 yuan per hour."

It may seem harsh, but this is the reality faced by many of the city's young language professionals.

An Englishman on a three-year assignment in Shanghai with his wife, who declines to disclose his name, is now learning Chinese with a private tutor.

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