{"id":23007,"date":"2020-01-02T02:00:19","date_gmt":"2020-01-02T01:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saporedicina.com\/english\/?p=23007"},"modified":"2022-02-23T10:52:47","modified_gmt":"2022-02-23T09:52:47","slug":"study-chinese-in-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saporedicina.com\/english\/study-chinese-in-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Chinese in Singapore: Best Schools and Universities"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Study<\/p>\n

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Study Chinese in Singapore – Index<\/h3>\n
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  1. The cons of studying Mandarin in Singapore<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. The pros of studying Mandarin in Singapore<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Private Schools in Singapore<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Universities for studying Chinese in Singapore<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Get a free quote to study Chinese in Singapore<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Singapore is one of the most developed and well-functioning states in the world. It\u2019s not strange that numerous foreigners wish to relocate here to study or pursue career goals. <\/p>\n

    Many foreigners who move to Singapore never look back and decide to stay here for years, not rarely over a lifetime. What makes this small nation stand out is its multicultural environment, cultural heritage, and ease of doing business. Quality of life is high and the food amazing. <\/p>\n

    Having said that, Singapore has some notable pros and cons if you plan to study Chinese there. In this article, we review what the main benefits and drawbacks are. I will also list universities and private schools that offer programs and courses in Chinese and how much it costs. <\/p>\n

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    The cons of studying Mandarin in Singapore<\/h2>\n

    It\u2019s multinational and many people speak English<\/h3>\n

    Singapore is not the preferred choice among many foreigners who wish to study Chinese in Asia. There are a few simple reasons for that. First of all, Singapore is a multinational country where most people speak English. That might also bring some benefits, of course, as it will be easier for you to get around in the beginning, if you\u2019re a complete beginner.<\/p>\n

    Even if you’ll have opportunities to speak Chinese daily, it will most likely be more limited compared to living in Taiwan or mainland China. <\/p>\n

    They sometimes speak varieties of Chinese<\/h3>\n

    Around 74% of the Singaporean population is ethnic Chinese and most people can communicate in Mandarin. But, they also tend to speak Chinese dialects and varieties, such as Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, and Hainanese. Thus, you might not improve your listening skills while hanging around local areas and food markets.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s expensive to live there<\/h3>\n

    I also want to add that Singapore is one of the most expensive nations to live<\/a> in, not only in Asia but in the world. Numbeo has created an index<\/a> where you can see the different costs for rent, food, utilities, and leisure. As you can see, the costs are high, which is not strange, as Singapore is a commercial hub with low taxes that cater to many expats.<\/p>\n

    If you have a restricted budget and don\u2019t want to live sparsely while studying, I would recommend you to go to mainland China or Taiwan.<\/p>\n

    Tuition fees are high<\/h3>\n

    As mentioned, the tuition fees and enrollment requirements are higher as well compared to most schools in mainland China. There are plenty of major cities in mainland that are significantly cheaper, like Chengdu<\/a>, where you\u2019ll also have more opportunities to speak Chinese while interacting with the locals.<\/p>\n

    As such, Singapore is not the most optimal to study Chinese unless you want to live a comfortable life, have the finances to do so, and perhaps want to pursue a career in Singapore at a later stage.<\/p>\n

    The pros of studying Mandarin in Singapore<\/h2>\n

    A great majority are ethnic Chinese<\/h3>\n

    Even if it\u2019s more difficult to speak Chinese in your daily life compared to mainland China and Taiwan, it doesn\u2019t mean that it\u2019s impossible. As mentioned, more than 74% of the Singaporeans are ethnic Chinese and most of them can speak Mandarin. <\/p>\n

    If they\u2019re willing to help you with your studies and talk Mandarin with you, then it\u2019s totally fine. You might need to tell them so upfront as they\u2019ll most likely speak English with you at the start.<\/p>\n

    Many Mainland Chinese and Taiwanese live in Singapore<\/h3>\n

    Many professionals and students are coming from mainland China and Taiwan that live in Singapore. Thus, you can participate in extracurricular activities and events where you get the chance to meet Chinese native speakers. <\/p>\n

    If you go to Chinatown or areas with a great density of mainland Chinese, you\u2019ll easily come across people who are more than willing to speak Chinese with you. Some foreign workers, especially in ChinaTown, cannot even speak English. <\/p>\n

    That said, you\u2019ll also come across many Singaporeans who are keen to speak Chinese with you as they find it interesting that foreigners learn the language. And they use it in their daily life.<\/p>\n

    High quality of life<\/h3>\n

    One of the main benefits of studying Chinese in Singapore is that your quality of life is high and you\u2019ll not need to deal with the pollution and censorship in mainland China. It can be a hassle, I know. Singapore is well-known for being safe with low crime-rates, unprovoked violence, theft, and pickpockets are rarely heard of. <\/p>\n

    Of course, Taiwan is also a great place to study Chinese, but from my point of view, it doesn\u2019t offer a vibrant atmosphere as Singapore. I find Singapore more interesting with its international and multicultural society. Its geographical position makes it easier traveling to many different around Asia.<\/p>\n

    Career opportunities<\/h3>\n

    There are far more career opportunities in Singapore as it doesn\u2019t only serve as the financial center of Southeast Asia, but has a strong technology-industry and far ahead of many countries in terms of technological development. <\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re looking to work in Singapore at a later stage, it can be a great choice to dip your toes first by studying Chinese and later pursue other studies or look for jobs. You might even come to Singapore as part of a family or partner. If you\u2019re interested in studying Chinese, don\u2019t hesitate to enroll in a local school.<\/p>\n

    Private Schools in Singapore<\/h2>\n

    Note: Although we only accept schools that have a good reputation, this list of private schools is a sponsored listing:<\/em><\/p>\n

    LTL Mandarin School<\/h3>\n

    \"LTL-school\" LTL Mandarin School<\/a><\/strong> is a Chinese school for foreigners, with schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengde, Taipei, Beihai and now Xi’an. LTL was created to ensure students a completely immersive experience into the Chinese language and culture. With a wide range of study programs, the school offers each student the opportunity to achieve their goals through lessons in small groups, individual, business Chinese lessons, internships, school trips, high school programs, preparation courses for HSK and more. LTL is also one of the centers authorized by HSK and monthly offers the possibility to take the exams from the 1st to the 6th level.<\/p>\n

    Universities for studying Chinese in Singapore<\/h2>\n

    If you plan to study Chinese at one of Singapore\u2019s universities, I\u2019ve listed some of the best options below. The universities are some of the most prestigious, not only in Singapore but in the world. <\/p>\n

    National University of Singapore (NUS)<\/h3>\n

    NUS<\/a> is an autonomous university that was founded in 1905, it is the oldest university in Singapore. <\/p>\n

    According to the 2020 QS World University Rankings, NUS was the best university in Asia Pacific and placed 11th globally, which is self-explanatory. With around 36,000 students, it is also one of the most international universities in the world. <\/p>\n

    NUS has many faculties and schools such as Business, Dentistry, Science, Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Arts. The facilities are both traditional and modern, depending on where you study.<\/p>\n

    Having said that, NUS doesn\u2019t offer courses in the Chinese language. You need to enroll in one of it\u2019s undergraduate programs:<\/p>\n