
Mustafa Osman Ali
That's Mandarin
AlumniActually, my job in my country had been suspended due to war circumstances. Therefore, I decided to travel to be with my wife while she pursued her Ph...
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Schönberg Education specializes in language training, offering high-quality education. It is our honor to help over 10,000 students from more tha...


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Join the Chinese Language Institute (CLI) and learn Chinese through one-on-one language training and complete immersion. Located in the famed sou...


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LTL Language School is a perfect fit for students looking to improve their Mandarin quickly. Our comprehensive Chinese programs allow students m...


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Learn Mandarin in China and Taiwan through an immersive learning experience combining personalised one-to-one lessons, a homestay with a Chinese ...
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Learn Chinese fast! With intensive classes, you will make rapid progress together with a group of peer learners. This program is designed for students who want to accomplish more within a shorter period. That’s Mandarin offers classes with top-quality teachers, relevant modern content, an in-house
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Learn Mandarin Chinese in a charming destination! Omeida Chinese Academy's Comprehensive Course package provides students with a weekly schedule of 15 to 30 lessons tailored to individual needs. Each course is taught by a professionally trained teacher in a class of no more than 2-6 students. The a
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Schönberg Education specializes in language training, offering high-quality education. It is our honor to help over 10,000 students from more than 130 countries enhance their language skills. Our class includes Daily Chinese, Business Chinese, HSK test, Technical Chinese, Spoken Chinese, Business En
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Find your balance in our structured small-group classes. Two lessons each day for two or three days a week give students spare time to study and take on other activities. Encouraging interaction and unrelenting progress, our beginner-level courses mainly focus on practical Chinese speaking and liste
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Choose our Intensive Course in Shanghai to immerse yourself deeply in Chinese learning and start speaking! This program also includes visa support. 1. Types of Groups: a) Small: Intensive 30 (6 lessons/day - 5 times/week) Intensive 20 (4 lessons/day - 5 times/week) Flexible 12 (4 lessons/day - 3 ti
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Chinese in Shanghai,enjoy your Chinese learning vacation in this city of FUN! This second city of the world's oldest surviving ancient civilization, Shanghai is actually very new with soaring modern art-deco skyscrapers. Shanghai is also a port city on the Huangpu River and if you want to get awa
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RICH Chinese Summer Camp is a university-based, full-board Chinese summer camp for international students ages 8–17. Designed for non-native Chinese learners, the program combines structured language learning, real campus life, and supervised cultural immersion in China. For 2026, RICH offers one u
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Discover The Really Chinese Immersion Camp—your ultimate gateway to immersive Chinese learning, authentic cultural experiences, and global connections across China’s iconic cities! Designed to blend practical language progress with unforgettable cultural adventures, this program offers a dynamic, sa
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Learn Chinese through an institution dedicated to providing the highest quality Chinese programs to students. They take pride in their enthusiastic and highly professional staff and teachers, and in their comprehensive and dynamic curriculum. The faculty is professionally trained, with each one
See All 2 ProgramsThe world’s top companies operate in at least one of China’s three leading cities: Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Beijing. Therefore, these three cities have the largest number of language schools in China and serve as the best places to study languages abroad.
Hong Kong is a global trading hub and one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The city’s historical roots as a British colony make it an “East meets West” city. If you’re just beginning to study Chinese, you might want to consider attending a language school in Hong Kong as the majority of residents speak English.
Shanghai is China’s economic capital and the largest city in China, with over 14 million people. This exciting city is a fusion of Eastern and Western culture, and is the most international area in all of China. Boasting over 50 skyscrapers in its skyline, while still containing small historical markets throughout the city, you’ll see firsthand the juxtaposition of old and new.
Beijing is the capital of China and the center for the country’s political entities. The city also houses seven UNESCO world heritage sites, making it the perfect place for language students interested in learning more about China’s history.
When deciding which language program to select, consider your language goals. Do you want to learn a specific dialect? Do you want to utilize Chinese for your career path? If so, which dialect will be more useful in business settings? Considering questions like these can really help you focus on the important aspects needed in your language program in China.
Chinese is the choice language of study in China by far. There are a variety of language programs in China which offer many types of language learning opportunities. As one of the most important languages in international business and relations, it only makes sense to study Chinese in China.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are 56 different ethnicities in China and a multitude of dialects spoken throughout the country. However, the popular dialects taught at language schools in China are Mandarin (spoken in Beijing), Wu (spoken in Shanghai), and Cantonese (spoken in Hong Kong).
Though it may seem counterintuitive, English is another great option for language schools in China. Given the roles that Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai play on the international stage, English has been adopted as a commonly-spoken language in all three locations.
Language class sizes can vary depending on the program’s focus. Private lessons tend to be one-on-one with a teacher, while group lessons can have up to 20 students. Generally speaking, as language programs do involve a low student-to-teacher ratio, classes usually do not sit more than 20 students, with average class sizes ranging from 10 to 15 students per class.
The class length also depends on the type of language program you choose; if it’s an intensive program, students might study for up to eight hours per day with two four-hour sessions, while long-term semester or year-long programs might heavily focus on language study each day, combined with other cultural classes throughout the week. University programs, culture centers, homestays, and language exchanges are all options for studying languages in China.
A number of programs offer culture electives, social activities, and guided tours. These out-of-class settings are designed to broaden a student’s awareness of Chinese culture, history, and lifestyle, while dually improving each student’s linguistic ability. Language schools in China entail a time-intensive process, as does language study abroad in general, and the more you are involved in each program component, the faster your language skill will progress.
Studying and living in China is affordable compared to Western standards. Eating out for a local lunch can cost around $5 and Boba milk tea less than $2. Living expenses often depend on each student’s lifestyle. It’s relatively easy to cut back on costs, especially by avoiding buying imported Western goods; items that are not natively found in China, like wine and dairy products, can cost more than in your home country.
Air pollution might be a factor in your decision of which language school to attend in China. If you experience health issues that affect the heart or lungs, you might want to consider limiting your outdoor activity or wearing a N95 mask in bigger cities. Some language programs in China will even offer housing that includes an air filter system because pollution levels are so significant in some areas.
Studying Chinese in China can provide you with the opportunity for career advancement and increase your competitiveness in the global job market too. There is no shortage of need for individuals who can communicate with corporations in China’s booming economy.
Hear what past participants have to say about their experiences
I just finished my four week program in Chengdu and it exceeded my expectations by far! Before coming here I was worried about how to socialize with all the people and staff. Turns out they all were easy going and always in for a joke! By the time the first week had passed I already became friends with my Alex (my teacher), Pan Pan and Stiles. Later on I was also introduced to Wuyi. Alex is a great teacher with even better teaching skills. Whenever I didn‘t understand something or struggled following she’d always manage to explain it in a way I‘d understand. My chinese has progressed a lot in the past four weeks and time really flew by. Before coming to Chengdu I wouldn‘t have thought learning chinese could be such fun and easy. Alex, Pan Pan, Stiles and Wuyi are really funny and it motivated me to talk more to them using the chinese I had just been taught. Whenever we went out for lunch or having a safari day (lessons being taken outside) I made unforgettable experiences and learned more about Chengdu‘s culture and customs. Thus not only progressing my chinese skills but also my understanding of different habits. Chengdu‘s food is great and I enjoyed most of the dishes. However it might be a bit too spicy for foreigners as they tend to have a lower spice tolerance :P In my free time I got to discover local places thanks to Alex‘s tips! Pan Pan always had funny stories to tell which broadened my Vocabulary by quite a bit. Stiles talked to me about similar interest. Thus also helping with attaining a wider range of vocabularies. Wuyi was easy to talk to no matter the topic. In total I‘d rate my experience in Chengdu 5 out of 5 stars. There was nothing really that I could complain about. The food was yummy, my host family was welcoming and kind, my newly made friends were funny&easy going and my teacher had not only good teaching skills but also the same humor as me. Now thinking back it is sad I couldnt stay longer… I will definitely be coming back to LTL Chengdu if I get the opportunity!


Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
After just two weeks of my intensive Chinese course, I can honestly say that my Chinese has improved significantly in a very short time. I highly recommend an intensive course to anyone who wants to make rapid progress. The classes are interactive, and you learn new vocabulary and sentence structures every day. The school also gave me the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world, including students from other classes, as everyone gathers in the lounge during breaks. I still have another month and a half of classes ahead of me, so I’m confident that by the end of the course, my Chinese will have reached a level I could hardly have imagined before starting! Overall, it’s a great environment for learning Chinese quickly while meeting new people!
I spent 2 weeks in Beihai (北海)this summer studying Chinese and it was one of the best classes I've ever had. The teacher and the school absolutely listened to what I wanted and needed - as I studied Chinese in university my level is high enough to qualify for single class only and my wish was to train my speaking ability again and to revise a lot! And that's what we did - 4h of speaking Chinese every day! In addition I really liked the overall atmosphere at the school, the staff are all very kind and fun, organizing activities for the students and helping them whenever they have any questions or needs. Additionally, I had a lovely homestay and got close to the family members in it. I feel very grateful for them and for how warmly they welcomed me into their home. In terms of location - the school is located conveniently in the city center. Beihai is not a big city, so public transportation is a bit of a hassle but it's still manageable even for those who don't dare to rent an e-Scooter (like me, lol). You will be able to enjoy a nice beach with seaside, seafood and other local specialities there. :-)



So happy to hear you had a great time with us and thanks for sharing the great pictures too :) We loved having you in Beihai and you made some excellent progress in just two weeks! Keep it up. Best wishes, LTL Team
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
My experience learning Chinese at That’s Mandarin has been extremely positive. The friendly atmosphere, highly capable teachers, and terrifically useful online resources has made the process of learning Chinese as straightforward and enjoyable as possible. Would most certainly recommend!
From September 21 to October 9 I attended a small Chinese class at LTL in Beijing. It was really a great experience! In the morning, in a small group, I learned about several topics. The grammar and the vocabulary were introduced by Summer Wang, our teacher. She did a truly outstanding job. She was well prepared, spoke excellent English, challenged us and encouraged us to speak. In the afternoon I had one-on-one lessons with Snow Yang. I talked a lot with her and learned a great deal, not only about the language but also about the culture. Thanks to her empathetic, flexible and funny personality, we had great conversations. And I even learned to write some Chinese characters. I would like to thank the whole LTL team in Beijing for a wonderful time!
Thanks for your lovely words, Markus. We're delighted you had a great time studying with us in Beijing. Hope to see you back again someday soon! LTL Team
From 9/13 to 9/25 2026 I attended the A2-class in a small gruop at LTL - four students in the first week, three in the second. Our teacher, Alice He, did a great job answering all our questions and focus on the skills we needed to improve the most. My Chinese speaking skills definitely improved. I also enjoyed the lighthearted atmosphere - the staff was always ready to help, ready for a chat concerning life and challenges in Beijing. Linda organized great events - the Ditan book market and the sketching lessons were highlights. Rita accompanied me on several afternoons: 798, the tea museum, and her home were great possibilites to learn about life in China. All in all a clear recommendation for anyone at any age who wants to learn Chinese in Beijing. Hugs and many thanks Roswitha
Thanks so much for your kind words, Roswitha. We hope to see you again some day :) LTL Team
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
I find the classes to be engaging and they make it easy to both retain knowledge and build upon what I have learned. It is a great opportunity to surround myself with students who have similar goals, and the school provides class dates that are accessible.
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
Nice teachers, I like the atmosphere. Recommend it to you'all, come visit this school , you will like it. A lot of events and outside activities, so there is an possibilities to practice. Great people and classmates here, from all of the countries around the world.
If you're wondering if one week is worth it, the answer is definitely yes! When we first met, I told Heather at LTL Beihai that my goals were practical Chinese for help as I travel and to work on my intonation. She took my request on board and tailored each lesson to my needs, working with me to improve vocabulary, sentence structure and practice tones and pronunciation. I strongly recommend Heather!
So happy to hear it, Stephanie. It's a pleasure to hear you had such a great time in Beihai with us. Hope to see you again soon :) Best wishes, LTL Team
I am a person with Chinese ethnic origin but born and raised in Canada. Before studying with LTL, I could listen, speak, read, and write a bit, but it was far from fluent. I could speak to people in Chinese a bit, but I often felt insecure and embarrassed by my bad Chinese. I decided to spend 5 weeks with LTL. I spent the first week in Beijing to get transitioned into China, and then 4 more weeks in Chengde. I really enjoyed my time in Chengde. Land-wise, the city is quite small and very walkable. Everything is within a 30 minute walk. Didi rides are fairly cheap as well (around ¥5-10 a trip). Everyone I met here is friendly. I have been able to chat with the locals in Chengde and make friends. People say that Chengde is more slow-paced, which I can definitely feel in comparison to Beijing. I really enjoy a slower paced environment because I think that life shouldn't feel rushed! The city is still very lively and vibrant with a lot of people around you. Zhongwen's family has been an absolute pleasure to live with and I often played with her daughter in the evenings. Zhongwen has given me plenty of opportunities to connect with locals. Additionally, my teacher I-da Li has been a pleasure to work with. I-da is not afraid to correct my mistakes (accent and grammar), which I really appreciate because it helps me sound more Chinese! My confidence in my Mandarin has improved a lot. I find myself surprised that I can hold conversations fairly well. Even though I'm still not 100% fluent, I feel like this experience has given me the tools and confidence that I need to continue to improve my fluency. While I personally have tried not to speak in English in Chengde, I have found that there are quite a few locals interested in learning English. So, even if your Chinese is not perfect, you'll be able to connect with people who want to practice their English with you and you two can have an engaging language exchange.
Wow Celina this is so great to read! We are thrilled I-da and Zhongwen both played such a big part in your positive experience in Chengde. Thanks so much for taking the time and keep up the great work studying Mandarin! LTL Team
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
Teachers are very helpfull and know the best practices about learn methods. Really enjoying having classes here. I have one-to-one classes, which is ver well conduct. As well, the location is very convinient.
I studied at LTL Chengdu for 3 months and had Panpan as my teacher. We had 4 hours of one-on-one class everyday. Panpan is very cultured and understands english extremely well so it was very easy to understand when she would translate and explain Chinese words, phrases, idioms, or even 抖音videos. Before I came to Chengdu, Panpan went out of her way to scout apartments for me to move in to. She is not only a good teacher but also a really good friend. She would always invite me to go out with her friends or other students who eventually became my friends. She always recommended something fun for the weekend and her knowledge on places to visit is top tier. She is also really funny and can get along with anybody! The teachers are awesome and have really good english. Panpan, Chenxin, Ying, Stiles, and Wuyi are some teachers at LTL Chengdu who made my learning experience as fun and enjoyable as it was.

Thanks Jason, it's been great to have you back at LTL again! We're happy to match your expectations and we hope you continue to make great progress going forward. LTL Team
Program: Immersive Learning: Homestay with Professional Teachers
I did a one month full immersion program with Lingoinn. My homestay experience was really good. I felt very comfortable and very safe. Both teachers were very professional and very experienced with teaching at the HSK5 level, so I felt like I was in good hands to be better prepared for the HSK5 exam that I'm taking this coming fall. Lingoinn's organization and support was very, very good. They kept checking up on me during the entire homestay and they would always answer our questions very quickly. And also, it was super fun. I was a little bit out of my comfort zone in the beginning, but I adjusted and I was able to have a really fun experience. So, thank you.

Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
Hangzhou is famous for blending ancient history with futuristic tech, and That's Mandarin embodies that exact vibe. You learn using a smart, high-tech platform, yet the cultural excursions take you deep into ancient tea gardens and historical canals. The contrast is fascinating! Learning Chinese in such a dynamic city has given me a true insider's view of modern China. I couldn't have picked a better school or city!
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
I’ve been studying at the Hangzhou school for four months, and looking back at where I started, my progress is remarkable. I went from struggling with simple greetings to holding fluent conversations about work, news, and daily life. The structured curriculum, combined with regular assessments and platform reviews, ensures you never lose track of what you've learned. It is an invaluable investment in my language skills!
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
The small group class size (only 4 students in my group!) made a huge difference. Everyone gets plenty of turn to speak, ask questions, and practice real dialogues. The classroom dynamic was lively and supportive, and our teachers kept the energy high throughout each session. I made lifelong friends in my group, and we loved exploring Hangzhou's food scene together after class. It feels like a close family!
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
As a total beginner, I was nervous about jumping straight into an immersive program, but That's Mandarin made the transition smooth and fun. The teachers break down grammar into simple, digestible steps and foster a warm, pressure-free classroom vibe. Making mistakes feels natural here. In just a month, I went from knowing zero words to comfortably navigating daily life in Hangzhou independently. Highly recommended for beginners!
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
Tones used to be my biggest struggle, but the teachers in Hangzhou worked miracles with my pronunciation! They use creative visual techniques and patient repetition to ensure I get the pitch right without feeling self-conscious. In every class, I am encouraged to speak almost exclusively in Chinese. Now, local shopkeepers in Hangzhou actually understand me on the first try, which is such an amazing feeling!
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
I need Chinese for my job, but I was always too hesitant to start learning. Finally I made up my mind to come to China and give it a go. I looked online for top Chinese language schools, and That’s Mandarin kept coming up. After studying here, I can see why it’s so highly recommended. I started entirely from scratch. The school really pays attention to small details and caters to students’ needs. There’s a refreshment area before class with tea, coffee and lemon water. My teacher is highly professional. The NihaoCafe platform makes reviewing our lessons after class really easy.My learning journey has been so smooth, and I feel much more confident that I can master Chinese.
Program: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin
I started from zero with no prior Mandarin knowledge, and my progress has been much faster than I expected.My teacher is incredibly patient and knows great teaching methods. Every class feels relaxed, yet I pick up so much new content each time. The campus has such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Coming to class every day is the best part of my day. In my class I’ve made good friends . After we go back to our own country, we will keep learning That’s Mandarin’s online courses together. This has been the most worthwhile investment I’ve made in recent years. I’m really happy with my experience here.
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad

Mustafa Osman Ali
That's Mandarin
AlumniActually, my job in my country had been suspended due to war circumstances. Therefore, I decided to travel to be with my wife while she pursued her Ph...
Read Full Interview
Mert Saracoglu
That's Mandarin
AlumniMy inspiration to go abroad stemmed from a desire to broaden my horizons by experiencing different cultures firsthand. I enjoy immersing myself in new...
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Kelly Jones
Lingoinn Teacher Homestay
AlumniLast October 2023, I had been studying Chinese (Mandarin ??) for almost three years, mostly through a diploma in modern languages at a university in A...
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Clàudia Naranjo
Chinese Language Institute (CLI)
AlumniI studied Chinese at my hometown University (Barcelona) for four years, but I had never been before in China. This year I graduated, so I decided to s...
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Nicole Springer
WorldStrides
AlumniI have always loved traveling ever since I was a little kid. My parents were fortunate enough to be able to take us to Florida to go to Disney every C...
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Melissa Mercer
LoPair Cultural Exchange
AlumniI really wanted to gain more life experience, as I took a year off from university. I wanted to step out my comfort zone and experience a completely d...
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Rebecca Fortuin
LoPair Cultural Exchange
AlumniI believe learning a language is much more effective in its native country as you have the opportunity to practice in everyday life with native speake...
Read Full InterviewExplore the destinations and program types travelers search for most
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