Posted by
_sally
14 yrs ago
I recently arrived in HK and want to pick up some Cantonese. Any recommendations for language schools?
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hey! i think the best language learning experiences are out there, not in a school! make a local friend, and you can learn not just what they speak, but how they speak and all the quirky hk-ese stuff!
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i dont think there's any cantonese language school in hk.. only mandarin~
just try to talk more with the locals.. or maybe watch tv, there's chinese subtitle if u know chinese characters~
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The YMCA in TST next to the Peninsula does reasonable courses, I've done a couple and have a grasp of daily essentials. I think the YMCA on kennedy road also des just the basic first cantonese course.
I don't know anything about these people but they also offer cantonese: http://www.eclc.com.hk/ I also believe the Chinese University out at Sha Tin have some pretty in depth courses: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/clc/e_ssp.htm#2
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thanks locoloco for the great information! i will check them out:)
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No Canto schools in HK - too funny (we are in a Canto speaking town)
Anyway, CUHK (link above) has night time courses at TST and North Point. And both CUHK and HKU have intensive courses, full time day time (Sha Tin way, and Mid-Levels respectively). Lots of commercial language "institutes", there is one in Wan Chai that I heard was pretty good, but the name escapes me.
I think CUHK or YMCA are really the best options for a newbie, CUHK has proper qualified teachers with massive experience (they have been doing this for decades, some teachers literally), so I'd lean that way, but I think YMCA is cheaper. Though convenience might be best at the beginning.
First phrase free: "m goi, yau lok" ("please, let me out" for when you want to get off a minivan).
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I studied Cantonese at CUHK for two semesters and highly recommend them. Their classes usually follow text books containing realistic dialogues that are set in the context of living and working in Hong Kong. In addition to that, the teachers also cover a lot of Hong Kong slang and interesting expressions.
I definitely recommend taking a class with a professional teacher in the beginning, rather than trying to learn from local friends, because most Hong Kongers don't have a clue how to teach / explain their language (or "dialect") to non-Chinese people - especially how to pronounce tones properly and grammar issues. And watching Cantonese TV does not make much sense in the early stages as well.
But once you get down the basics and are able to have simple conversations, local friends, colleagues and TV are the best resource to extend one's vocabulary and improve fluency.
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Any ideas for kids to practice Cantonese? (We don't have local TV access). My kids are leaving Lingnan kindergarten and starting an a more international type school where they will learn Mandarin but I don't want them to lose what Cantonese they have learned so far. They do chat with their friends of course but it would be good to reinforce and make sure they continue to learn. Thanks!
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i heard the classes at CUHK are really good and i have a friend who went for canto classes there and she really benefitted quite a bit.
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Essential Chinese teaches Canto and are excellent. Located in Central. Husband and kid both going.
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Who says there are no Canto schools in HK?? There are plenty of them.
Some even have courses specifically designed for foreigners who just arrived in the city. Check this out http://www.interactivetutors.hk/chinese.html
Hope that helps.
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