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My Three Months at TLI Dalian – March to June 2008
After travelling around China two years previously, I decided that one day I would go back and live there properly. For me, that means first learning the language to at least a degree where I can hold semi-interesting conversations with some of the one billion plus Chinese unable to speak any English.
As someone with a proven track record of trying and failing at other languages I knew that this was a tough challenge for me. I hated learning languages in classes so I decided that the only way would be one-on-one lessons.
Having done a considerable amount of research and bugging people on some of the well-known expat forums, the choice of TLI Dalian virtually picked itself. My initial contact with the school showed they were very professional, with all my queries answered excellently and promptly. They helped with my pre-arrival matters as well as the non-trivial post-arrival tasks of finding a suitable place to live and opening a bank account.
Being a small school, they are able to tailor your lessons in any way you choose. I could have chosen the course material and the speed at which to learn, but instead I was more than happy to just ask their advice and follow that. Whenever I requested a lesson shift it was usually no problem. Also, I was not just assigned to one teacher but instead 4 or 5 allowing me to benefit from the slightly different teaching styles and ways of speaking. If I had wanted to be taught by just one or two of the teachers I’m sure that wouldn’t have been a problem, but I actually preferred the greater variety. The teachers always coordinated the classes very well so there were never overlaps or gaps etc.
The other thing about the size of the school is that everyone knows everyone and so it feels like a little family. The teachers are all very friendly and more than happy to chat (in Chinese!) outside of lesson time. I always got the feeling the teachers were trying to help the students not just during the lessons but before and after too.
All the teachers were clearly well versed in the course material I followed. The teachers would often point out additional points not covered in the books, as well as answer my numerous probing questions!
As someone who has always hated learning languages and dreaded going to lessons in language schools, I can honestly say I really enjoy my lessons at TLI Dalian. I find myself playing with the language and attempting to make jokes in the language, something I never managed when “learning” German!
Thank you to all the teachers at TLI Dalian! | 
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