China Gap Year Programs
Our China Gap year programs offer a wealth of fascinating immersion and cultural experiences. Each one provides something different. The four programs are listed below:
Full Immersion Gap Year
Experience and study the Chinese Language in the most exciting way imaginable. The China Gap Year in Beijing provides a unique experience which includes the first half of your adventure in Beijing followed by a trip to Chengde where your Chinese Language ability will increase hugely.
Beijing will kick start your Chinese adventure as you delve into the historic setting that is China’s Capital City. After experiencing one of the world’s biggest and most bustling cities you will then head north to Chengde which is a world apart from Beijing. No foreign contact, no English language used, everything will be in Chinese. This is full immersion and this is how your Chinese will rocket to the next level.
![Three people hiking a wild section of the Great Wall]()
Gap Year in China – Starting Dates
Our courses are all flexible so if you wish to discuss the length of your program just contact us and we’ll gladly assist. Here are the prices and starting dates for the popular three month and six month full immersion courses in China. Bare in mind the starting dates are for complete beginners. Anyone with some Mandarin knowledge can start any Monday.
- 16 September 2019
- 07 October 2019
- 28 October 2019
- 18 November 2019
- 09 December 2019
- 30 December 2019
- 20 January 2020
- 10 February 2020
- 02 March 2020
- 23 March 2020
- 13 Apr 2020
- 04 May 2020
- 25 May 2020
- 15 June 2020
- 06 July 2020
- 20 July 2020
- 03 August 2020
- 17 August 2020
- 31 August 2020
- 21 September 2020
- 12 October 2020
- 09 November 2020
- 30 November 2020
- 21 December 2020
Full Immersion Program Prices (Chinese Yuan)
| Total Duration |
Beijing |
Chengde |
Price in CNY |
| 3 months Immersion |
6 weeks small group class |
6 weeks 1-on-1 class |
35,730 |
| 6 months Immersion |
12 weeks small group class |
12 weeks 1-on-1 class |
67,830 |
Prices includes return train ticket from Beijing to Chengde. You will also receive Beijing and Chengde survival kit including SIM card, maps, rental bike, bank account and much more.
Immersion Program Accommodation Prices (Chinese Yuan)
| Total Duration |
Beijing |
Chengde |
Price in CNY |
| 3 months |
6 wk shared apartment |
6 wk homestay |
25,967 |
| 3 months |
6 wk homestay |
6 wk homestay |
31,054 |
| 6 months |
12 wk shared apartment |
12 wk homestay |
47,160 |
| 6 months |
12 wk homestay |
12 wk homestay |
52,560 |
The Beijing apartment included here is the small room option in our standard apartment. An upgrade to the large room or downgrade to the economy apartments are all possible. Contact us for more information.
The homestays in Beijing all include Breakfast and Dinner and in Chengde include all meals. Options for vegetarians, vegans and those with special dietary requirements can be provided.
In terms of accommodation, for complete immersion we do recommend the homestays. The ability to use your Mandarin with a family everyday will enhance your experience further. In Chengde you will stay at a homestay but in Beijing you have the option of this or the Shared Apartments. Likewise, you are welcome to find your own if you so wish. Let us know what you’d prefer when we speak to you.
Chinese Language Year
Study Mandarin abroad over two semesters in small group classes to vastly improve your language skills. Each week you receive 20 hours worth of lessons and each semester lasts 18 weeks, giving you a total of 36 weeks of intensive Chinese Language study. Our Shanghai school offers the same Gap Year Experience if you wish to be based there. Prices are the same but starting dates are slightly different.
What’s Included
- Course Books and Study Materials
- 20 hours of small group classes per week
- Two 18 week semesters totalling 36 weeks overall
- Survival Kit including Mobile SIM card and other useful items
- 24/7 support from the LTL staff
Starting Dates
The starting dates of the Chinese Year Program for 2019 are as follows:
Spring 2020: 10th Feb. 2020 – 12th June 2020
Fall 2020: 21st Sep. 2020 – 22nd Jan. 2021
Each semester consists of 18 weeks of 20hr/week group classes.
(One Full Academic Year – 36 weeks)
![Biking on the Great Wall of China]()
Chinese Language Year Program Prices
Program with no accommodation: 53,488 CNY
+36 weeks accommodation (Standard shared apartment – small room): 111,088 CNY
Upgrades to large rooms or homestay can be provided at an extra cost. If you’re looking to save a bit of money you could also consider our economy shared apartment
You can further enhance your skills by choosing to live in a Homestay at one of our Beijing families. Put your Mandarin to positive use daily by chatting about all things China with your family. Shared apartments are also available if you wish to live with fellow students. Please do talk to us if you wish to discuss further details regarding accommodation and your options.
Chinese and English Gap Year Program
This is the perfect option if you are on more of a budget and still want to learn Mandarin abroad. Overall the program lasts 22 weeks. Your first four weeks will be spent at our Beijing school where you will be placed in a small group class learning Chinese. You will get to know China’s capital city, it’s culture and history alongside informative and exciting lessons each day. You receive 4 hours of lessons per day for these four weeks.
After this you will go to a smaller city near Beijing to teach English for the remaining 18 weeks. An apartment will be provided and paid for and LTL also provide you with 2000CNY of spending money each month. A great option if you are on a budget.
What’s Included
- Four weeks of small group classes and either a homestay or shared apartment based in Beijing
- 18 weeks of English teaching in another city in China. This includes accommodation and 2000 CNY per month courtesy of LTL
- Transportation from Beijing to the school where you are to teach
- 24/7 support alongside access to the LTL student and teacher community
- Airport pick up
![Student in a car with his homestay family]()
Starting Dates
- 18 November 2019
- 09 December 2019
- 30 December 2019
- 20 January 2020
- 10 February 2020
- 02 March 2020
- 23 March 2020
- 13 Apr 2020
- 04 May 2020
- 25 May 2020
- 15 June 2020
- 06 July 2020
- 20 July 2020
- 03 August 2020
- 17 August 2020
- 31 August 2020
- 21 September 2020
- 12 October 2020
- 09 November 2020
- 30 November 2020
- 21 December 2020
Chinese & English Program Prices (Chinese Yuan)
Homestay Program: 16,000 CNY (homestay accommodation, half board)
Shared Apartment Program: 12,500 CNY (Large Room shared apartment accommodation, en suite bathroom, no board)
Registration fee: 500 CNY
Build your own Gap Year
If you want to create a completely tailored plan for your China Gap Year, then this is the program for you. Contact our student advisors and they can help you come up with your perfect Gap Year which can include any of the following:
- Study Chinese in Shanghai
- Study Chinese in Beijing
- Study Chinese in Chengde
- Learn Mandarin on the Great Wall (Summer only)
- Teach English in China
- Internship in China
In total a China Gap Year spans over 36 weeks (two 18 week semesters). You have the ability to fill these weeks with whatever programs you wish. Maybe you’ll start by learning Mandarin in Beijing for 9 weeks before heading over to Chengde for full immersion where your Chinese will enhance rapidly. You will then spend your 2nd semester teaching English to Chinese children to complete your China Gap Year.
There is huge room for flexibility and you will experience Chinese Culture in a unique way with our program.
![Man standing on top of a mountain in China]()
You can enhance your Mandarin further by staying with a Chinese Homestay where you will be given the chance to speak Mandarin to your family in the morning and at night over food. This is invaluable and quickens the speed at which you learn Chinese.
Ultimately accommodation is completely up to you and you are welcome to arrange your own.
That said, we are here to help and we can provide you with shared and large apartments as well as homestays.
Contact our student advisors using the Live chat function now to start planning your adventure in China.
For Chinese fluency and immersion in China, the first two programs listed will be right up your street. You will experience Chengde (not to be confused with Chengdu) where you will have zero contact with foreigners and base yourself right in the heart of “Real China”.
Chengde is the birthplace of modern Mandarin and is a recognised UNESCO world heritage site. Be aware though, life in Chengde is a world apart from Beijing.
If you aren’t up for complete immersion and no foreign contact, then this is definitely not for you. We mean this genuinely, but of course, if you have any questions we will happily assist you.
The Chinese & English program is more suited if you wish to learn Chinese and combine this with work experience as you study and work abroad. If you fancy more flexibility, then we offer you the opportunity to build your own gap year in China.
Hello my name is Maria. I am from China and I am a student advisor at LTL Beijing. Please contact me using the details below.
