Archive for Guus Goorts

Get 70% of your Mandarin course subsidized at SCCIOB

May 22, 2013 / / No comments
SCCIOB logo

SCCIOB’s logo

When I first got in touch with them in early 2011, the people from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce Institute of Business (SCCIOB) were a bit apprehensive about being featured on Yago.

I can’t really blame them. At that time, Yago was a brand new site with just a few language schools on them.

Two years down the road, we now have courses from 56 language schools in our directory. And hundreds of student reviews. And SCCIOB has decided to join Yago!

The great advantage that SCCIOB’s business Mandarin courses qualify for as much as 70% government subsidy.

Here are a couple of examples of how it could work out:

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Category: Chinese /

NUS Extension closes down Korean, Mandarin and English programs

May 15, 2013 / / No comments

NUS Extension logoIt’s really hard to understand that the language courses at NUS Extension are now done away with.

The official reason is to “align with the strategic direction” of the University. But what’s so strategic about closing down something that is successful that people are lining up for to join? What’s so difficult about at least finding a way to keep the teachers and students together, even if it’s not inside the NUS?

But enough complaining. If you were hoping to join a Korean, Mandarin or English course at NUS Extension, you will have to figure out an alternative now.

Here are the options that I can see. I don’t know everything, please feel free to comment if you have additional information.

NUS Extension Korean: alternatives

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Category: Chinese, English, Events, Korean, Language schools, Singapore / Tags: , , ,

English classes for adults. Where to find them in Singapore?

May 10, 2013 / / No comments

English teacher at blackboardThere are English classes in Singapore of all kinds, and many of them are heavily promoted. Especially classes geared at children.

But what is the best place for adults improve their English?

In this article, I’ll cover the most common options:

  1. Full-time English classes
  2. Evening / weekend classes with subsidy
  3. Evening / weekend classes without subsidy

1. Full-time English classes

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Category: English, Language schools, Singapore / Tags: , , , , , ,

Last tickets to SKIS’s Cultural Event!

May 6, 2013 / / 3 comments

Last week I received mail from the Singapore Korean International School.Post from Singapore Korean School

This is what was inside:

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Category: Events, Korean, Singapore / Tags: , , , , ,

Where to learn Korean in Singapore?

April 29, 2013 / / No comments
Korean / English Keyboard

Korean keyboard. Photo by knittymary

If you’ve done a quick Google search, you’ll have noticed that there is no lack of language centres in Singapore offering Korean courses. But the question is: where to go?

I see many discussions in forums and blogs about where to learn Korean in Singapore that are just about “should I choose this school or that school?”.

Of course, there are differences between schools. But it also really depends on what you’re looking for. Here’s a couple of scenarios. Hopefully there’s one that’s helpful for you!

Scenario 1: You’re a beginner Korean learner and want to study part-time (evenings or weekends)

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Category: Korean, Language schools, Singapore / Tags: , , , , ,

Which language to learn?

April 22, 2013 / / 3 comments
Sign pointing all directions with country names

Which way to go?

There are many reasons to learn a language. If you fall in love with a person whose mother tongue is different from yours, that’s a powerful reason to learn their language.

And there are lots of other reasons why you may want to learn a particular language.

But if you’re wondering which language to learn, things are probably not so clear cut for you.

Quite likely, you’re wondering which language is going to be most helpful for your career.

Can language learning benefit your career?

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Category: Languages / Tags: , , , ,

Where to learn English in Singapore?

April 18, 2013 / / 3 comments
Business meeting

Speak English well and be confident in your next business meeting

Are you trying to find out where to learn English in Singapore, for yourself or someone else? In this article, I’ll try to provide a starting point to finding the most suitable courses.

Where is the best place to learn English in Singapore is for you, depends on your situation and what you want to achieve.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself. The answer will tell you where to look first for a suitable course.

Do you have time to learn full-time?

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Category: English, Language schools, Singapore / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

GIVEAWAY: Teach Yourself Korean

April 15, 2013 / / No comments

In February, we gave one of our Facebook fans a free copy of Teach Yourself’s Complete Mandarin Chinese language pack, with a 496-page with complete audio support to one of our Facebook fans.

Some of you have rightfully pointed out that you’d much rather be able to win a book to learn Korean. After all, most of you are not beginner Mandarin speakers.

The people at Teach Yourself Club agree and have kindly provided a free copy of Teach Yourself Complete Korean (Book + CD).

Would you like to get the book worth S$ 59.95? All you need to do is like our Facebook page. You can also increase your chances by tweeting about the giveaway or following Yago on Twitter.

So enter the giveaway in the widget below! And who knows you’ll be holding the complete Korean language pack in your hands next week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Category: Events, Korean, Singapore, Yago /

Where to learn Mandarin in Singapore?

April 12, 2013 / / 5 comments

Chinese calligraphyMaybe you have just landed in Singapore and are looking to settle down. Perhaps you are a born and bred Singaporean. Whatever the case may be, your decision of where to learn Mandarin in Singapore will depend on many factors.

In this post, I’ll cover some of the most important considerations. While that may not give you a complete answer, it’ll be a good place to start, to make sure the course you find is really the best match for you.

How much time do you have? What is your schedule?

When I arrived in Singapore in 2006, I came to live with my then girlfriend, now wife. I had no job offer, and as a recent graduate, it took me some time to secure a job.

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Category: Chinese, Learning methods, Singapore / Tags: , , , , ,

Learn Chinese online: Live lessons, apps and learning platforms

April 5, 2013 / / One comment

Glowing globe with appsThere are many reasons why you might want to learn Chinese online.

Saving money is probably a motivation for some of you. There are lots of free resources available online. And even if you don’t go for “everything free”, a subscription to a learning website is likely a lot cheaper than attending live courses.

Convenience is an important motivation too. There are online language schools that offer lessons through Skype and comparable platforms. They’re not necessarily cheaper than joining a class in Singapore, but you get to choose when the lessons are, and what to focus on.

And for some it’s just about learning faster. Learning online or off is not an either/or choice. You can perfectly listen to a podcast when you’re travelling to work and still take classes. If your class is a bit slow, you can supplement your learning.

Here are three different approaches to learning chinese online.

1. Live online Chinese lessons.

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Category: Chinese, E-learning, Learning methods / Tags: ,
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