<p>First of all, it's strange that they call the Intro course 1B instead of 1A..? But does anyone have any experience either with Chinese 1B or Tsai (schedule lists him/her as the professor)? I've heard the languages at Berkeley are very intensive.</p>
<p>Yes, the languages classes in Berkeley requires work (and intensive for some), but they are definitely worthwhile. Languages classes are five times a week, which mean you may have (little bit) of daily homework much similar to high school. I am currently taking french just for fun (with no previous experience). I think the instructors for the languages class are really passionate about what they do. They are very animated and helpful. While it may seems overwhelming at first ( the whole class is taught it the course language), you will be amazing how much you improved and you will definitely make great friends by being confused in class five days a week together 
good luck</p>
<p>1A’s the first semester of Chinese for people with no experience at all with Chinese, and 1B’s the second semester. Did you test out of 1A via the online test? Otherwise, you should wait to take 1A, which is usually offered exclusively in fall. You gotta plan ahead of time for less popular languages, though why Chinese would be in this category I dunno.</p>
<p>Check the EALC site. I took 1y and 10y (Mandarin for other dialect speakers) last year so that’s what’s what I get from my experience with the department.</p>
<p>Ohh, and Chinese is tough. At least it was for me, a Taishanese speaker with previous experience with Cantonese. And for non-Chinese speakers, you go at a similar pace for the first semester I think. Pinyin in two or three weeks. But I’ve heard some students with non-Chinese backgrounds speak with better accents than me. 
it pays off if you have true interest that doesn’t fade by midterm season (as it did for me, WHY WHY WHY did I take a whole year).</p>
<p>I’m taking a Scandinavian language right now and it’s so much more chill.</p>