[Sannomiya]

There are a lot of posts about schools or tutors teaching Cantonese, but some of them are pretty old and some are just a list of names without any real assessment. i'd like to start this thread for people who have actually attended these classes and can give real feedback; maybe a five star system for different categories like price, effectiveness, value, class size, whatever. Anyone who has gone to more than one is definitely a plus. Also, please don't post to offer your services, but its cool if a past student gives their feedback. I'm especially curious about cuhk, hkllc, and hku although their tuition fees really are unreasonable considering most people study it out of personal interest rather than professional need. Anyways, I hope this helps people out there looking for good schools because I know it would help me a lot.

[Alby]

Originally Posted by Sannomiya

maybe a five star system for different categories like price, effectiveness, value, class size, whatever. Anyone who has gone to more than one is definitely a plus....I'm especially curious about cuhk, hkllc, and hku although their tuition fees really are unreasonable considering most people study it out of personal interest rather than professional need.

May I suggest an approach such as:

Ranking:
* = Poor
** = Below Average
*** = Average (meet expectations)
**** = GREAT
**** = Excellent, Above average

Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
price
effectiveness
value
class size
availability of teacher for outside class assistance

Comment:

[sandyduncan]

hkllc *** It get's you started and the books are pretty good to use as references.. I did up to beginners II. I am still plodding along with my cantonese with the help of language exchanges with locals and just forcing myself to use it.

[HK Guy]

The University of Hong Kong
Website:
http://www.hku.hk/chinese/putonghua%...tonese/c2.html

Ranking:

** = Below Average

price - HK$ 66,500

Term 1 HK$23,280
Term 2 HK$21,610
Term 3 HK$21,610

effectiveness - Little
value -Overpriced
class size - very small
availability of teacher for outside class assistance - No

Overpriced and of no use to anyone who is working as the classes are all held during the weekdays. Basically, the course attracts a lot of married woman whose husbands work in Hong Kong and who have a lot of spare time on their hands.

[HK Guy]

Chinee University of Hong Kong
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/clc/new/en/


Ranking:

** = Below Average

price - Overpriced

effectiveness - moderate to good
value -Overpriced
class size - medium
availability of teacher for outside class assistance - No

Recently updated website which has many links that do not work properly. Better than The University of Hong Kong as they offer classes at different times.

[Sannomiya]

alby,
thanks for the outline. that was exactly what i had in mind.

hkguy,
wow. looks like you were not happy with any of the places you went to. find any schools you did like?

please keep these coming, and feel free to offer contrary reviews.

[Sannomiya]

well, not to go too far off the topic of this thread, but i think it is respectful to at least make and effort to TRY to learn the local language. it's better to try and fail rather than not trying at all. it's also more helpful the further out you are from the expat bubbles since english is dying out and more people are learning mandarin. of course, in the long run, mandarin may be more beneficial, but this is still HK and i'll get more milage with the cantonese.

[siumai]

Int'l Social Service:

Ranking:

**** = Above Average

price - very low
effectiveness - ok
value - great value for money
availability of teacher for outside class assistance - no

[amseiko]

Can anyone recommend any Cantonese schools in Kowloon ? Preferable Mong Kok / Tai Kok Tsui / Sham Shui Po area ?

Stef

[Sannomiya]

so far siumai's recommendation is the best. any more out there? keep them coming.