Family Programs

The Chabowski’s at LTL Beijing in the Summer of 2018

We found LTL through a web search while looking for a Mandarin Chinese language learning experience that would allow both our daughters (ages 8 and 12) the opportunity to participate.

We had found another language-only study option for our older daughter prior to discovering LTL, but we were having trouble finding something to engage our younger daughter.

We had previously seen a positive reference to LTL in a blog concerning the staff and classes so when we realized they would accept younger students, we investigated further and were very pleased with what we found.

Continued…

The Chabowski family have put together a great story of their family trip to China with LTL via our LTL School blog. Please visit to continue reading about their time with LTL.

I am the father of a teenager, Tiare, who finished school last year. He wanted to take time out to learn a language before going to university. A challenge, as he only spoke one language, English, but also because he has reduced vision. Tiare was born with severe nystagmus and Irlen Syndrome (Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome). He does not have full three dimensional vision, he cannot see much detail beyond about 3 metres, his reading/writing speed is reduced and excessive UV light from fluorescent lights or bright sunlight temporarily bleaches his vision.

Tiare is able to function normally for much of his daily life. Most people are unaware of his disability and to all intents and purposes he lives a normal life, however, he is unable to recognize faces beyond about 3 metres. In new places it takes him longer to find his way around and he is unable to read most modern electronic signs (such as those found at airports etc.) and LED screens, which appear as continuously flickering colours to him.

Tiare needed a language school where he could not only learn Mandairn, but one which would also provide additional support while he learnt his way around a new environment. We contacted various language schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taiwan and explained the situation. Only one of the schools we approached was prepared to make the extra effort, LTL Mandarin School.

Tiare spent a total of five months attending LTL in Beijing. LTL is how a language school should be; fun and dynamic with enthusiastic teachers. It has been an exceptional experience for Tiare. Not only has he learnt to speak Mandarin to a reasonable standard, but he has also developed a rudimentary ability to read and write, of which he is very proud. (At secondary school he was preventing from learning Chinese because it was felt he would be unable to cope because of his reduced vision.) At LTL he made lots of new friends, had a lot of fun and some great experiences. Learning Mandarin and living with a home-stay family has enabled Tiare to gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese way of thinking and the culture.

As Tiare’s experience was so positive, we recently sent his 16 year old sister, Teurikan, to study Mandarin at LTL for a few weeks during her summer holidays. She went, initially somewhat reluctantly, believing the experience would be similar to learning Mandarin at school, but within a week had told us she wanted to extend. She is now back home, and like her brother, has made real progress in her learning of the language.

I thoroughly recommend LTL Mandarin School to anyone wanting to learn Mandarin and gain a better understanding of the Chinese culture.

When looking for a language program, we had an extensive list of requirements for every member of our family. LTL put together a perfect program for all of us.

My sons took six hours of 2-on-1 classes per day and lived in homestays with Chinese families in both Beijing and Chengde. With flexible class schedules, I was able to take language and cultural classes at the same time as my sons therefore I saw them at the LTL campus every weekday. LTL found us accommodation nearby our sons’ homestays with requested amenities, like high speed Internet for connecting to our work at home.

LTL was there to answer all our questions and support all four of us throughout our stay. Our teachers were outstanding. We all made wonderful new friends and immersed ourselves in Chinese culture and daily life. I would recommend LTL to any family looking for a fun & educational adventure in China. We traveled for our third month in China. Everyone we met commented on our sons’ excellent Chinese language skills. Our sons have been studying Chinese for 5 years, but at LTL their language skills grew exponentially. – Carolyn (mother of Colin and Liam)

Family Taichi session near the school

Moving to China for a few months was probably the most daunting single experience of my life. I am pleased to say that LTL made this experience both educational and memorable, without any of my worries for the experience being realized. The highlight was my homestay family, who I feel truly welcomed me into their home and culture. – Liam (14 years old)

I did two months of classes with LTL in Beijing and Chengde. My Chinese greatly improved. I learned more practical Chinese with LTL whereas with other courses I learned just a little of everything. The classes were fun, and it is something that I would do again! – Colin (12 years old)

My 13-year old daughter and I both signed up for classes with LTL, and we had an incredible experience. She did a homestay, and it was a fantastic experience for her. Not only was it the first time she had stayed with a family that she didn’t know, but also had to speak Chinese! They did speak a little English, so she wasn’t completely immersed (by her choice), but really learned so much about the Chinese culture, lifestyle and food. She had taken Chinese lessons before, both privately and in school, and based on those experiences, we were a little worried that the teachers might be very strict and into rote learning.

We were optimistic about LTL based on their website and our conversations with Andreas; however, the reality was better than we had hoped for. The teachers were fun and enthusiastic, and we both found ourselves really looking forward to all the classes. They felt like fun, not work. You can progress as quickly (or slowly) as you want, based on how much studying you want to do, and obviously there are millions of people just outside the door to practice with.

My daughter is begging to do it again this Christmas (as am I) — the only limitation is time!