After settling into Beijing, a friend of mine who is also studying here recommended a private language school which offers one to one tutoring in Chinese. The school is in a brand spanking new building and the small classrooms have air conditioning and are wonderfully fitted out with glass whiteboards. After an initial language test, I signed up (who can complain at 5 pounds an hour one-to-one teaching) and am now studying there four hours a day each week day with two excellent teachers. I still have plenty of time to have fun with friends and my chinese is coming on leaps and bounds!
Took a break from the smog and fumes today and went to Purple Bamboo Park （紫竹院公园）in Beijing with a friend (Siqi). Its full of waterways and you can walk all the way around it. Really pretty and worth a visit. The pedalos are great fun too!
On our way back from the Purple Bamboo Park today me and Siqi (Chinese friend) stopped by at Capital Normal University to have a brief look around. The buildings are very modern and I’m reassured to know that it exists. Still need to find out when I can move in then I’m happy.
Jono
