Mandarin in Beijing or Shanghai.

Beijing and Shanghai

Vast country with an age-old culture, China is nowadays the first economical power in the world. Being able to speak Mandarin and understanding Chinese culture are undeniable assets which will open many doors on the labour market.

You will discover a completely different world to ours, so that when it comes to food, culture, habits and customs you'll sometimes have the feeling to live on a different planet.

Our partner schools

In Beijing and Shanghai, the schools are ideally located, in a central and lively district and close to a subway station. Teaching is adapted to Western students. Classes are held in very small groups so that teachers are able to pay a greater degree of attention to each student. The school also provides a Survival kit to facilitate your arrival in China as well as your everyday life during your stay (see Practical Information tab).

Beijing

The school is located in the business district, 5 minutes on foot from Da Wang Lu subway station and close to several restaurants, 2 wide malls, a sport complex with a gym and a swimming pool, as well as BEC University.

School facilities include:

• 10 modern and comfortable classrooms
• Library
• Recreation room
• Terrace on the roof with a breathtaking view on Beijing
• Kitchen with refrigerator and microwave accessible to students
• Air conditioning
• Tea and coffee on a self-service basis

The school is perfectly adapted for persons with reduced mobility.

Shanghai

The school is located in the heart of the Shanghai French Concession, close to Shaanxi South Road subway station and a short walk away from the city centre.

School facilities include:

• 9 classrooms
• Common room with a dining area
• Library
• Air conditioning
• Tea and coffee on a self-service basis

Activities and events during your stay

The school offers a diverse range of social and leisurely activities (at least twice a week) to help students socialize and discover Chinese culture.

• Tai Qi lessons
• Kung Fu initiation
• Calligraphy lessons...
• Restaurant outings
• Visits of tourist attractions
• Language partners
• Etc...

Mandarin language courses: the basics

• Lesson length: 55 minutes
• Maximum number of students per class: 6 (3 on average)
• New topics covered every day
• Major emphasis on oral practice
• Online level test prior to departure
• Teachers graduate to teach their mother tongue to foreign students

Courses on offer

• Standard course: 20 lessons per week

  The 4 basic skills: writing, speaking, listening and reading will be covered during this course.

  Language level: elementary (A2) to advanced (C1)

  Complete beginner: (A0/A1) on specific dates (see "Dates & Prices" tab)

• Combined course: 20 general Mandarin lessons + 10 hours of private lessons per week

  In addition to the standard course, you will attend 10 extra individual lessons.

  Language level: elementary (A2) to advanced (C1)

  Complete beginner: (A0/A1) on specific dates (see "Dates & Prices" tab)

Homestay

Single room, shared bathroom, half board

Discover the everyday life of a typical Chinese family and extend your language immersion after the classes. You will be able to taste good Asian dishes cooked by your hosts and discover the city and its surroundings with your family at the evenings or weekends.

Families live in modern flats, in buildings recently built, equipped with WiFi and air conditioning.

Travel time to school:

Families usually live a short walk away from the school or close to a direct bus connection (maximum 45 minutes by public transport).

Practical information:

• Bed linen provided
• Laundry: your host family will let you use their laundry facilities once a week or let you know their laundry day

Optional extra:

• Full board

Option teaching of English to a member of your family:

In exchange for some of your time dedicated each week to the teaching of English to a member of your host family (6h/week), your accommodation fee will be reduced (see "Dates & Prices" tab")

Travel time to school : maximum 60 minutes by public transport

Flatshare in Beijing

Features:

• Single room (with bed, desk, TV)
• Bathroom and toilets shared with a Chinese student
• Shared kitchen
• Self-catering
• Close to a subway station (4 stops from the school)

Services and facilities available:

• Bed linen provided
• Common areas are cleaned once a week
• Restaurants and supermarkets located nearby
• Gym and swimming pool located nearby
• Support for registration at the local police station upon arrival

Optional extra:

• Private bathroom

Flatshare in Shanghai

Features:

• Single room (with bed, desk, TV)
• Bathroom and toilets shared with a Chinese student
• Self-catering
• 40 minutes maximum from the school by public transport

Services and facilities available:

• WiFi
• Bed linen provided
• Weekly cleaning of the flat
• Restaurants and supermarkets located nearby
• Support for registration at the local police station upon arrival

Optional extra:

• Private bathroom

Dates 2019

Course start dates: Most courses start every Monday year-round (exceptions are outlined below.) If Monday is a holiday then classes will start on the Tuesday.

Beginners (A0/A1) must start on:

• Beijing: 10/12/18, 14/01/19, 11/02, 04/03, 25/03, 15/04, 06/05, 27/05, 17/06, 01/07, 15/07, 29/07, 12/08, 26/08, 16/09, 08/10, 28/10, 18/11, 09/12, 30/13
• Shanghai: 17/12/18, 07/01/19, 18/02, 11/03, 01/04, 22/04, 13/05, 03/06, 24/06, 08/07, 22/07, 05/08, 19/08, 09/09, 23/09, 21/10, 11/11, 02/12, 23/12

Semesters: from 27/08/2019 to 20/01/2020 or 12/02/2020 to 30/06/2020.

Public holidays 2019: 01/01, Chinese New Year 04/02 to 10/02, 05/04, 29/04, 30/04, 01/05, 07/06, 13/09, 01/10 to 07/10. Lessons not held on these dates will be rescheduled during the week or the weekend before the holidays.

Prices 2019

Prices include:

• Your chosen course and accommodation
• Host family: half board
• Residence: self-catering
• Course materials
• Level test and certificate of completion at the end of your stay
• All school taxes and enrolment fees

Prices do not include :

• Travel to/from Beijing/Shanghai
• Airport transfers and local transportation
• Host family: lunch from Monday to Friday
• Residence: all meals
• Activities and excursions
• Deposit (where applicable, to be paid on site)
• Optional insurance
• Visa fees

Travel

Arrivals: Sunday Departures: Saturday

Arrival airport:

Beijing

• All Beijing airports

Shanghai

• Shanghai-Pudong International Airport (PVG)
• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

Airport transfers available on request (fees apply, please see Dates & Prices)

Please note: Do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course.

Survival kit

In order to facilitate your arrival in China as well as your everyday life during your stay, the school offers the booking of a survival kit including:

• Round-trip airport transfers
• Local transport tickets (20 or 25 journeys)
• Chinese SIM-card (50 min of phone calls et 700Mo of data)
• Registration fees at the local police station upon arrival
• Chinese bank account
• Bicycle or subscription to local bicycle rental programme
• City map
• School bag
• Access to a locker (Beijing only)
• Personalized mug (Beijing only)
• Private virtual network to access platforms blocked in China (Shanghai only)

Kit price: see "Dates & Prices" tab

Visa

You might need a visa for this course. For more information please visit our Visa Information page.

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you require any additional information.