Learning Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) in Guangzhou, China

Many foreigners / expatriates ask me ‘ How’ and ‘Where’ to learn Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) in Guangzhou.
There are many private tutors, freelancers, schools; and some universities are also offering basic, intermediate to higher level courses. These all differ from point of view of money, time and other suitabilities.
Though, in my opinion University offer you best of every thing; from teaching methods to teaching material, yet, their inflexible time may not suit most of working expatriates. Most of universities offer; morning to noon classes, five days a week; weekend being rest days. So working people can’t fit in. Most working people opt for private tutors; who can teach them early morning, late evening or on weekend, when they are not working. Private tuitions may be more effective for some persons; as they learn faster in 1 to 1 teaching method. But, many persons, learn better in groups. There are many private companies offering language courses; they also have flexible teaching time; different time for different groups; from early morning, late evening or on weekends.
There are many universities; which are offering these courses to foreigners; main being South China Normal University, Jinan, Sun Yet Sen University (Zhongda) etc.
When I started ,my own sourcing business in March 2007; I took admission in SOUTH CHINA NORMAL University’s foreign student department. I studied there for one semester; though in last two months, I was not regular; as my business picked up. But, till today; I feel that those were one of my best days in Guangzhou;…. …