Easy Languages

Program

Destination

China is one of the world’s largest countries by almost any measure: landmass, population, economy, or culture. With over 1.3 billion inhabitants, the world’s fourth largest (and fast-growing) economy, and a recorded history stretching back over 3,000 years, China is a fascinating place and the Mandarin language is becoming increasingly important in international business and affairs.

China possesses an extremely varied landscape and climate, from sub-tropical forests in the south, to deserts in the mid-region, to the temperate north with its long, cold winters. Visitors marvel at the vestiges of China’s long history, from ancient temples and palaces to excavated treasures, such as the famous terracotta warriors, or, of course, the Great Wall.

Beijing, the country’s capital city, is home to more than 15 million inhabitants and constitutes the the political, economic, and cultural centre of the People’s Republic of China. The city has accumulated an enormous cultural and historical heritage in the course of its 3000 years of existence. There are many ancient buildings and sites, such as the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square.

Beijing, nicknamed "the city with two faces" and located in north-east China, is the nation’s capital. The city, transformed by the communist regime, is full of contrasts: on the one hand it is a modern capital, an emblem of China only recently drawn by the glimmer of capitalism, and on the other it is a real museum of a city. The abundance of remains from an ancient civilization allows Beijing to remain one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Behind the walls of the Forbidden City, almost intact, discover the magnificent summer palaces and the majestic temples of the sun.

The school

Our partner schools in Beijing has been teaching Mandarin to foreigners for many years. The staff consists of experienced, university-qualified teachers.

The school is located near the major commercial centres of their city and are both very well connected by public transportation. The schoolpossess all the modern facilities necessary to aid in foreign language learning, including computers with free Internet access and multimedia centres.

Courses

We offer the same programmes in both cities. Students will receive a placement test on their first day and will receive a certificate of training upon passing their final exams.

Groups are composed of a maximum of 10 students, on average 5, with ages of up to 16 years. Lessons last 50 minutes. If the number of students in one class is as low as 1 or 2, the lesson time reduces to 30 minutes.

The different options offered are the following:

• Standard programme: 20 lessons per week
  These lessons take place in the morning Monday to Friday (4 lessons per day), from 9am to 12:30pm. The classes focus on conversational training as well as reading, writing, listening comprehension.
  
  
• Intensive programme: 30 lessons per week
  This programme features 6 lessons per week, allowing you to make rapid progress. They take place between 9am and 12:30pm, and 1:30pm and 3:20pm. Written comprehension and writing are worked on in addition to oral work.
  
  
• Combined programme: 20 group lessons + 5 private lessons per week
  It is possible to take 5 additional private lessons per week, based on writing or on various weak points, as a supplement to the standard courseload. Standard lessons take place in the morning, and one private lesson occurs each afternoon during the week between 1:30pm and 2:20pm.
  
  

Activities

The school organises a leisure programme for students each week. Activities include:

• Visits to the Great Wall, the Peking Opera, Tienanmen square or the Forbidden City, Chinese martial arts classes, culinary excursions ...

Accommodation

We offer two types of acommodation:

• Individual Rooms in International Apartments
  
  The apartments are located near public transportation and are all within 20 to 40 minutes of the school.
  
  Each apartment has multiple rooms. You will stay in a single room and share communal areas. They are fully furnished and equipped with a kitchen, television, telephone and internet access.
  
  Students come from a variety of nationalities.
• Individual Rooms in Host Families
  
  Host families are ideal for students who wish to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and progress rapidly in the Mandarin language.
  
  This option includes half-board (breakfast and evening meals). Host families are generally situated within 40 minutes of the school. They all have internet and air-conditioning.
  
  It is advisable to have some foundations in Mandarin before arriving so that you can talk with your host family: they will not necessarily speak English.
  
  You will stay in a single room.

Prices & Dates

Dates 2012

Non-beginners may start any Monday. Stays are organised from Sunday to Saturday.

Beginners may start classes on the following dates: 16/01, 20/02, 19/03, 16/04, 14/05, 11/06, 25/06, 9/07, 23/07, 06/08, 20/08, 03/09, 08/10, 05/11, 03/12

Holidays (no classes): 01/01, 23-27/01, 04/04, 01/05, 23/06, 30/09, 01-05/10.

Prices include:

• Course programme chosen by the student
• Accommodation plan chosen by the student
• Half board (breakfast and dinner) if in host family
• School facilities: computer lab, library, Internet...
• All administrative and enrolment fees
  
  

Prices do not include:

• Flights
• Airport pickup (see table)
• Academic materials (about 15€ per level, to be paid directly at school)
  
  

Practical Info

Transport

• Arrival airport: Beijing
• Transfer possible upon request (see price table)
  

If you wish, we can book your flights for you. Please make this clear when you enrol.

If you intend to arrange your own travel, please try and arrive the Sunday before the start of your course, and leave the Saturday following its end.

VISA Information

A visa is required to enter China, regardless of how long you are staying.

If you are staying less than 3 months, an L (tourist) visa will be enough. If your stay exceeds 3 months, you will need to apply for an F (business) visa.

We will help you with the application procedure and provide you with all of the necessary documentation.