Full Time Group Classes

Frequently Asked Questions

Which group will I be put into?

Before you start your course with LTL our Director of Studies will do a free assessment test with you to determine your level. If you are not in Beijing yet, this can be done via Skype, WhatsApp or phone. This is not an exam or anything like this, but simply a relaxed conversation to help us to understand your Mandarin level and place you in an appropriate class. You can do the assessment at any time you want, but we recommend doing it two to four weeks before you start your Chinese course in China.

Do you teach Chinese characters?

Yes of course we do. The focus of our classes however is on spoken Chinese and spoken Mandarin classes make up 70% of the course, while Chinese characters are taught for the remaining 30%.

What time are the classes?

Class times can vary a bit, but normally our small group class courses start at 10am, finish at 3pm and have a one hour lunch break from 12pm to 1pm.

Can I switch classes?

Yes you can. Subject to availability it is possible to switch to a higher or lower level class if you prefer to do so.

How do I sign up?

Have a look at our how to sign up infographic. Likewise, just send us an email by visiting the contact section at the top right of the page and let us know when you want to study and we can have you booked up today.

Who will be my classmates?

LTL students come from all over the world, with a wide variety of backgrounds, age ranges and language skills. Some students come as beginners and spend their Gap Year in China to achieve full fluency while others only come for their vacation to freshen up their Mandarin skills. So while you will meet a lot of different people at LTL, everyone here has the same passion: China and it’s language. We are a community of new China enthusiasts and old China hands who want to learn Chinese quickly, immerse themselves into this culture and make new friends on the way.

Where will I eat lunch?

As we are located in the middle of the Central Business District there is an almost endless choice of restaurants around our school. From spicy Sichuan to local Beijing, Italian, Korean or Japanese you can find pretty much any kind of cuisine here. Or you can just join our LTL lunch club where students and teachers eat lunch together either on our school rooftop or indoor lunch area. Everyone shares the food Chinese style, we order from a different restaurant every day and share the cost together. Great for meeting other students and a relaxed lunch break as your food will be ready right after class. The cost is usually between 20 to 25 CNY per person.

How much Chinese will I be able to learn?

While language progress of course differs for each person, we are very proud of the speed that we get our students ahead. For the small group course a complete beginner usually knows survival Chinese to get around within two to four weeks (HSK1), can have basic conversations after two months (HSK2), more complex conversations after five to seven (HSK 4) and can reach fluency within a year (HSK 5 to 6). Students who live with a Chinese Homestay, choose the small group & individual classes or take part in the Chinese Immersion Program, progress faster than those who don’t.