Class C - first impression

I started classes yesterday. C is the third level class, on a scale of A through to I. Class A is the beginner bo po mo fo stuff.

I was shocked at the level of class C. If A was beginner, I didn't think I wanted to be in the B class, so I blagged my way into C class. But actually C class is friggin' hard. No pinyin; an assumed high level of reading; and grammar intricacies that aren't explained for very long. I was falling in behind in class simply because I couldn't copy down what the teacher was writing on the board quickly enough.

I think if I wanted to stay in C class I would have to prep for classes in advance, armed with a dictionary. That would take say 3-4 hours an evening. Tough, but it would force me to learn quickly.

I realised a major benefit of group teaching was the notion of needing to keep up with the program. I've done self teaching or personal tutoring before, for which clearly I can define the program and the pace. Fudan are keen on teaching reading/writing as well as speaking, which isn't necessarily every foreigner's preference. But actually I think at the pace this thing runs at, it'll be ok to learn reading and writing over and on top of speaking.

I'm going to drop down to B class today to see what it's like. I'm hoping to join my friend Kellog in B3 I think it is, though I'm a bit worried that his class schedule is a bit odd - I think his classes all fall over lunchtimes like 12 - 3pm, which makes lunching a bit awkward / antisocial.

I think there are about 5 A classes, 5 B classes, 3 C classes, and then 1 or 2 D, E, F etc. classes. My C class yesterday had about 15 people in it. The A class Janice was in I think had less than 10 people in it. The teaching quality seems to be very good. The teacher also put her name and various phone numbers on the board, inviting us to call her and be 'good friends' outside of school. Other than being friendly, I think that's an opportunity for us to get some additional tuition out of classroom hours, something which I'll consider once I'm underway. I believe private tutoring generally charges about 30 kuai an hour - 2 pounds. Compare this to the 40 pounds an hour I was paying in London.......... but that was through a corporate agency.