Join LTL for a full academic semester in Beijing and study the Chinese language for 18 weeks. You will join a small and intimate group of students where you will learn speaking, listening, reading and writing Mandarin.
The small nature of the classes means your progression when studying Mandarin will be much quicker than at a University or college.
Our expert teachers will get your Chinese ahead fast. All our teachers go through a rigorous hiring process.
LTL Teachers all have years of experience and know-how when teaching foreigners Mandarin. Rest assured you’ll be in safe hands at LTL Mandarin School.
Beijing Semester Program
Comprehensive Mandarin Semester
18 weeks – Intensive Chinese Lessons every week 4 hours a day – Learn Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening Small classes – Average class size of 3, maximum of 6 Speedy progression – Use your Mandarin in and out of school
Much more than a University Semester
Achieve – Beginner students usually reach HSK 3, sometimes 4 Service – We are personal, each and every student matters Community – We are tight knit, from students to teachers to staff Never miss out – All missed classes are made up
Become a part of the LTL Family
Lunch Club – Everyday we order in and share lunch Weekly Events – We set up events to allow you to explore Beijing International – Make new friends from all over the World Support – We are here for you 24/7, just come and talk to us
Get what you pay for
Discount – Big savings compared to other courses Accommodation – Well priced options to choose from Materials – All text books and study materials included in the price Classes – 55 minutes per class, most universities offer 45 minutes
Chinese Semester in Beijing
Studying abroad in China is a rewarding and incredible experience and we offer a semester experience like no other.
The Semester in China program gives you all the tools you need to help achieve fluency in Mandarin.
You will attend our school Monday to Friday for four hours per day. Our expert teachers will help you master the tones, teach you useful vocabulary and sentence structure that can generally lead to HSK 3 progression after one semester.
Students who return for a further academic semester have every chance of achieving fluency in Mandarin within a year. Our semester in Beijing program is available from complete beginner, up to HSK3 (B1) level. For the next level up check out our small group and one to one classes.
We also have an Online Semester available if you want to study online instead.
Accommodationin Beijing and flights to China are not included in the China Semester Program price.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are all students on the Chinese Semester Program beginners?
Many of the students are indeed beginners but not all.
You will be placed in a class most suited to your level. If you’ve studied the Chinese language before you will speak to our Director of Studies and have a personal assessment to gauge what your level of Mandarin is.
You will be placed in a class accordingly.
Is there an Online Semester Program?
Yes, check out our Online Semesterpage for more information.
Will I become fluent in after a single Chinese semester?
A lot depends on how much you put in. 18 weeks is a very short time to become fluent. We find that students with a strong drive and determination to learn the language can achieve fluency after two semesters.
A fair level to achieve after 18 weeks is HSK 3. Be aware that staying with a Homestay can speed this process up further.
Is there much to do outside of class?
Absolutely.
First and foremost, your classmates more often than not become your friends. In many cases friends for life.
There is a wealth of activity to discover in Beijing and we help that further by organised weekly events which can range from a host of things from scouring through the local Markets for a bargain, to going for Dinner at one of the many famed restaurants in Beijing.
You will not be bored in Beijing.
Is progress that much quicker than if I studied Chinese at University or College?
It really is.
We have first class teachers, a small but tight community and small classes. Rolled into one the benefits are huge compared to attending a course at university. Class sizes are big and there is generally not a personal feel as many students are managed by one tutor.
The service and help you receive will be much more personal at LTL than at a university or a college.
What are my accommodation options?
We have a couple of accommodation options available to you. You can stay in one of our Shared Apartments with other LTL Students or you can stay with a Chinese family in our Homestays. It’s worth noting students that choose the latter generally progress quicker when studying Mandarin. Homestays will only speak in Mandarin and this will be of huge benefit to your language skills in the long run.
How do I apply for the Visa?
Visit our Beijing Visa pagefor more details regarding applying for the Visa.
Where do I sign up for the Semester in China Program?
"The Chinese Semester Program is fantastic for absolute beginners and those with a minimal knowledge of Chinese. Each day of studying Chinese is satisfying and rewarding because the results."
"Alwin and Serena were my teachers at LTL. They challenge you to understand written Chinese. By reading and translating, you repeat all the characters and develop a feeling for the grammar structures."
When I first came to LTL, three days before the official beginning of my lessons, I saw a modern, beautiful and a bright language school. So here I am. After two months of doing something I love, in a place I love even more.
"When starting school at LTL I had zero knowledge of Chinese, and also with a very low level of English. This added to the challenge for me and I feel helped me improve quicker because I did not speak in English"
During my stay at LTL I participated in the Chinese Semester Program, which is 18-weeks of intense Chinese language study.
In my opinion, this program is fantastic for absolute beginners and those with a minimal knowledge of Chinese. Each day of studying Chinese is satisfying and rewarding because the results are tangible once you are outside of the classroom.
The teachers are fantastic and classes are always interesting and fun. The first time you understand someone speaking Mandarin to you is a glorious moment!
Alana In The Forbidden City
Small group class is great because of the engaging and fun atmosphere it provides. Each day you have the same classmates, and sometimes new ones who only stay for a short time.
This creates a fun dynamic, and in my class we were laughing every day.
Studying Chinese can be difficult and frustrating, and some days you think your brain is exploding with information. Being able to have fun in class is a true blessing.
By the end of the semester we were regularly using inside jokes (in Mandarin) to describe certain situations. On a more studious note, often a classmate will ask a question that you wouldn’t have ever thought of, which is one of the main reasons I found group classes so valuable.
Out of the classroom, the semester program is great if you are also new to China itself! Having never visited China – let alone Asia – I found it a real struggle to assimilate into the culture, society, and day-to-day life of the Chinese people.
Unusual circumstances, and problems are always bound to pop up in the chaotic city of Beijing (it’s what makes it so memorable).
Sometimes things became too overwhelming, and I often wondered how I could keep going, but having the time and the support from the friends I made at LTL is what made my experiences all worthwhile.
– Alana
Marco
Switzerland
Marco in Chinese Class
I’m Marco from Switzerland and I studied for a number of months at LTL Mandarin School in Beijing.
Alwin and Serena were my teachers during my time at LTL.
Alwin challenges you to understand written Chinese.
By reading and translating, you repeat all the older characters and you develop a feeling for the grammar structures.
His explanations are very clear and you can always ask him again.
His deepest focus lays on your pronunciation, grammar and your text understanding.
He also practices Chinese conversation, which improves your use of the language.
Alwin is very nice and passionate person. But most important he is an excellent teacher.
Serena challenges you a lot but she never overstrains you!
The better your Chinese gets the less she speaks English with you. If you are a beginner that may sound a little scary, but I assure it is very helpful.
Her deepest focus lays on the use of the new words, grammar and the characters.
She practices Chinese conversation, which improves your understanding and use of the language.
Marco(瑞士人)
Tereza
Czech
First of all, it’s important to make sure you know, that this is not my first experience in a language school in China, and not the second either. Both were absolutely horrible. I don’t even know what they were thinking.
Letting a thirteen-year-old kid study without them giving me any sort of structure to my learning. It was more like a joke. It really wasn’t what I hoped it would be…
Enjoying local Chinese food
Something absolutely different happened this time around though. When I first came to LTL, three days before the official beginning of my lessons, I saw a modern, beautiful and a bright language school.
I didn’t know anyone at that time, and still, when I came there, students and teachers all started saying hello to me and being so nice. That relieved me so much, as I was so nervous about everything new.
When my lessons started, things got a little more tough as I haven’t got used to the speed of the lessons and didn’t know what anyone was saying to me in Chinese. I was a bit lost.
After three days of literally being a nervous wreck, I made a decision. A decision that scared me even more, but was the best for studying here for four months. Changing my group.
Tereza on the Great Wall of China
I told the director of studies, Angela, the next day, that I don’t feel good and want to change.
The only thing she said was: “Okay. No problem, I will give you new book in the afternoon. Your new group has already started at nine, come, I will lead you to the classroom.”
And that was it. Easier than I thought it would be. And still so important.
Everybody was totally fine with me coming into their group.
So here I am. After two months of doing something I love, in a place I love even more.
Vera
Russia
My name is Vera and I came to LTL from Russia. I attended LTL School for about four months and I studied the LTL Semester Program.
Vera and Alana enjoying a day out with Teachers Lucy and Felix
In a very short time at LTL my Chinese grew incredibly, beyond levels that I did not expect. When starting school at LTL I had zero knowledge of Chinese, and also with a very low level of English (although I knew that the classes be in English). This added to the challenge for me and I feel actually helped my Mandarin improve uicker because I did not have the temptation to speak in English, because I couldn’t. It was this and the situation in the school helped me even faster to speed up my training.
My favourite thing about LTL school, in my opinion – is the informal atmosphere in class and school. The teachers really became my friends. I studied with Lucy and Felix and we would do things together outside of class which included ice skating and going for dinner. My teachers and my classmates became real friends and made my time at LTL a pleasure.
LTL Mandarin Lessons in Beijing are taught according to each individual student’s needs and requirements. That means your teacher can fully focus on your challenges.