Tag Archives: school

Work and Learn in Singapore as a non-local

Let’s say you want to learn Mandarin in Singapore, but at the same time would like to get some work experience. Or you have the need to work in order to finance your stay and study in Singapore. What are your options? Here is an overview of the various schemes you can make use of. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under How to ... ?, Learning, Singapore

Learn Japanese in Mandarin (and other combinations)

I started my time in Singapore with learning Chinese. The lessons were taught in English. Though that’s my second language, it wasn’t a problem for me, but for some people it really isn’t ideal. Do you know of any courses … Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under language school, Singapore

What can you expect from your language teacher?

There are many different learning styles, and thus different people will prefer a different language teacher. But here are the basics that you should be able to expect from any language teacher. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under language school, Learning

Results of my second business Chinese test (BCT)

I took the Business Chinese test in October 2009 and again recently in June 2010, after taking an intermediate Mandarin course. The question was: did I improve at all? Continue reading

8 Comments

Filed under Chinese, Courses, Learning

Why are language lessons so expensive in Singapore?

Private language lessons from a qualified language tutor in Singapore will easily set you back S$ 50 per hour. Why is Singapore even more expensive than many Western countries in terms of language tuition? Continue reading

4 Comments

Filed under Chinese, Courses, English, German, Japanese, language school, Learning, Singapore, Spanish

Learning a language: 5 traps to avoid

It’s very common for people to get started with learning a language, only to get discouraged along the way and stop learning. When learning a language, try to avoid the following traps. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under How to ... ?, Learning

Language courses – how to control quality?

There is a lot the government can do to improve course quality by setting and enforcing standards. But the government is not going to tell you which course is the best for you. So who can tell you? Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Courses, language school, Singapore

Shift your language learning into a higher gear

“Learn a new language in 4 weeks!”. Some language schools promise more than they can deliver. But there are several ways you can speed up your language learning, whatever language you are trying to master. Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under language school, Learning

Learning a language: Western vs. Asian style

There are large differences in Western and Asian styles for learning languages. This post elaborates on what I think are some of the roots of these differences. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under language school, Learning, Singapore

Business Mandarin course

It’s been two years ago that I followed a Mandarin course, but I have decided to start again. Three weeks ago, I started the BCT preparation course at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce. These are my experiences. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Courses, language school, Learning, Singapore