Experience China in unique fashion with our Gap Year in China Programs.
We have a number of excellent study abroad programs aiming to provide you with the experience of a lifetime.
Allow LTL to help you become fluent in Mandarin with our Full Immersion Gap Year program or you can even build your own China Gap Year if you wish for added flexibility. At the same time you have the chance to make friends for life whilst you are learning Chinese.
Become fluent in Mandarin
Experience a Gap Year in China
Full Immersion to speed up learning
Make friends worldwide
Discover China’s incredible history
Study abroad in a comfortable environment
Round the clock support from LTL
In total we have four China Gap Year programs, each providing a different and unique experience.
No matter which program you decide on, you will experience China’s rich history as you study Mandarin in some of China’s finest locations.
Unforgettable experience
China – Explore this incredible country Friends – Make friends for life, from around the world Fluency – Study daily to help achieve fluency Flexible – Four excellent programs for you to choose from
Everyday support from LTL
Reliable – We are here to help, talk to us and we strive to help Accommodation – Problem? Let us help resolve any worries you have Social Life – Want hints on where’s best to go? We’ve got your back Visa – We can help and advise with any visa issues
Learn from the best
Teachers – Fully certified and experts in teaching Enjoy – LTL classes are fun and engaging, not a chore Carefully selected – We make sure we employ only the best Experienced – Speed up your Mandarin progress, with our help
Explore China
Unique challenges – Something for everyone Opportunities – Endless travel options to explore Social – Join our LTL Events each week with other students and staff Diversity – Modern day skyscrapers or ancient history, take your pick
CHINA GAP YEAR #1 – 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.
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.
On the Great Wall in China
18 January 2021
08 February 2021
01 March 2021
22 March 2021
12 April 2021
24 May 2021
14 June 2021
05 July 2021
19 July 2021
02 August 2021
16 August 2021
30 August 2021
20 September 2021
11 October 2021
08 November 2021
20 December 2021
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.
CHINA GAP YEAR #2 – 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
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.
Starting Dates
The starting dates of the Chinese Year Program for 2021 are as follows:
Spring 2021: 8th Feb. 2021 – 11th June 2021
Fall 2021: 20th Sep. 2021 – 21st Jan. 2022
Each semester consists of 18 weeks of 20hr/week group classes. One Full Academic Year equates to 36 weeks.
Beijing Opera
CHINA GAP YEAR #3 – 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 2000 CNY 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
Shared Apartment Program: 12,500CNY (Large Room shared apartment accommodation, en suite bathroom, no board)
Registration fee: 500 CNY
All prices are in Chinese Yuan
CHINA GAP YEAR #4 – 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:
Accommodation
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I’m travelling to China alone and worried about how to meet people. Should I be worried?
Absolutely not. The LTL community is a very tight knit one.From teachers, students to staff, everybody speaks to everybody and friends for life are made at LTL.
We often arrange social activities and students meet most nights in the week generally. Don’t forget, many other students will be in the same situation as you! Likewise, our staff know Beijing inside out, so if you need any recommendations for places you wish to go to, they are on hand to help 24/7. In Chengde making friends is a different experience.
All your friends there will be Chinese. You’ll be treated a bit differently there as you’ll be a very rare breed.
This is a good thing however, you’ll often get invited to events and treated to dinner or drinks by your local friends. Of course we can help put you in contact with local groups, like football teams, hiking groups or music enthusiasts for example.
How about living costs in Beijing?
Although more expensive than most Chinese cities (it’s the capital after all), Beijing is actually very affordable. Rent is the main expenditure in Beijing and as you may’ve taken up our accommodation package you are good to go.
Getting around in Taxi’s or using the Metro is cheap, the city is full of shared bikes which cost next to nothing and is a great way to explore the City. Food is cheap, if you want it to be.
Obviously there are plenty of foreign places but these are generally more expensive, though still perfectly affordable. Compared to the likes of other capitals like Sydney, Paris and London, Beijing is comfortable to live in financially.
I’m not sure which program is most suited to me, can you help?
We are always here to help.
You can use our Live chat feature below, or drop us an email.
We can chat through the study abroad programs and internships. Everyone is different and has their own preferences and goals. We are experienced in this field and know what is best for you so let us help and come and chat to us.
Will I be able to travel outside of class/work?
Of course. We generally organize trips for students every week and these are varied to cater for all needs. Beijing itself takes months to uncover and you are always discovering something new.
Likewise, there are so many other places to visit and with China’s efficient train service you are never far away from anywhere, even in a country of this magnitude. What about a trip to sunny Beihai? You are also a short flight from many other Asian cities such as Seoul, Tokyo and Bangkok.
Do we still study/work over Christmas?
Christmas isn’t actually a holiday in China. Therefore, most offices and schools remain open for business. Golden Week (October 1st-7th) and Chinese New Year (varied dates in February typically) are the main Chinese holidays.
That said, you are welcome to go home for Christmas if you wish. We’ll need to make some adjustments to your program. This is something you should discuss with us before coming to China.
Can I be confident the Internship will be right for me?
We will spend time with you discussing your needs and wants regarding the Internship. It’s important for us that your China Internship suits you.
We will discuss the sort of role you wish to take, the industry and other factors and do our best to place you in just the right role.
What our students say...
Noah
Germany
★
★
★
★
★
At the school it is very easy to make friends and it is easy to meet the new students because everyone is in a similar situation and we end up discovering China together. I am really happy I came here for my Gap year.
I would warmly recommend taking time to learn a language and studying with LTL. I made friends with other students, equally the younger and the older ones. Beijing was great for the social and the sightseeing.
LTL organized a language course, accommodation and an internship for me. There are people from all over the world here I got to meet lots of interesting people. I am really enjoying my time here :)
I found LTL very reliable throughout my son's gap year experience, a great school with a very motivated team. Karim loves LTL, he loves China, the people and the culture. I can say it was the right choice.
I really like my experience in China because it is not just a normal Gap year in Australia or the USA. Chinese culture is very different to western culture and the language even more different which makes it very interesting to live in Beijing and it is really helping me to broaden my horizons. I have learned a lot including how my culture compares to others and how different it is to China.
Also learning Mandarin is a great advantage for my future. Studying Chinese is quite a challenge at the beginning, but actually a lot of fun and I feel that I am progressing quite fast which is very motivating.
I really feel like I am part of my homestay family and started to get known to them very well which helped me to experience China not just as a visitor but really as a local. My Chinese classes are very interesting. I like that they are not just learning grammar and vocabulary, but are connected to my daily life which makes them very useful. At the school it is very easy to make friends and it is easy to meet the new students because everyone is in a similar situation and we end up discovering China together. I am really happy I came here for my Gap year.
Taitti
Germany
Learning Chinese in China at 40 years of age – yes, I can!
When I took a longer break from work to learn Chinese and travel, I was a little apprehensive of what learning a new language would be like.
With me being nearly 40 years of age it had been many years since I’d been to university and studied daily in a classroom setting. The life-long learner in me was itching to try it out, and I off I went to Beijing!
I studied two and a half months with LTL – and I loved it. I had a full Chinese immersion experience, spending time in Beijing, Chengde and also travelling around China.
My first two months were spent in Beijing, learning Chinese and staying in a Chinese host family. I wanted to make most out of my time in China, and I spent my evenings during the week on study, but my weekends were focused on sightseeing.
My teachers Helen and Felix were both fantastic. Helen was our written Chinese teacher. I was always inspired by her love for the beauty of Chinese characters.
It made Chinese writing much easier, when someone helped you see the fascinating side in it. She was equally good at teaching our youngest (13 years old) and oldest (that was me) in the group.
Felix was our spoken Chinese teacher and he had a great sense of humour. He did not only spend some time with ensuring all students learned the correct pronunciation, but also always had something interesting to tell about the topic. I had many good laughs in his class when we were playing out dialogues in Chinese, and trying out our new vocabulary.
The atmosphere, support and social life at LTL were great. The school is small, and we got to know each other quite well.
There were plenty of socials and suggestions for what we could do on weekends. It was always easy to find someone who wanted to go for a excursion or sightseeing together. We had Beijing duck, hot pot and numerous other meals together.
We also visited the less and more famous sites in Beijing. One of the most memorable ones for me is the flag raising on Tiananmen square. Yes, it means getting up early, but it’s worth it! Of the museums I would recommend the National Art Museum. We were in luck as the exhibitions at the time had both contemporary and traditional Chinese art on display.
I also visited Shanghai, Xi’an, Huashan mountain and hiked in Yunnan. Plenty to do in China!
During the two weeks in LTL Chengde I had an amazing Chinese lady as my “host family”. She taught me how to make my favourite Chinese food, dumplings. Nom! I still don’t know how she managed to make about 50 of them in the time I made three, little broken ones ☺ My “auntie” had a real talent.
In Chengde I had a private teacher who taught me quite a lot about local culture in the short time. I enjoyed being outside of busy Beijing, too.
Beijing was great, of course, for the social life and the sightseeing, yet it was nice to have the change of scenery and be in a place where I could cycle or walk anywhere.
I would warmly recommend taking time to learn a language and studying with LTL. I made friends with other students, equally the younger and the older ones.
Most of the other students who were not at university age came only for short 1-2 weeks, or they were already based in Beijing and working there, and I think both are great options: Using a holiday to study in Beijing, or taking a longer break to immerse in the language and culture. The school provided excellent teaching, teachers were friendly and everyone in the office was always willing to help and answer questions. So – what are you waiting for?
Katherina
Germany
I have been learning Chinese at LTL Mandarin School for about 3 months in Beijing and will continue my course here until next year. LTL organized a language course, accommodation and an internship in a Chinese company for me.
Having lunch with the other students
The staff at LTL are very friendly and I always have somebody to ask for help when there is a problem. When I had a problem with my Chinese bank account for example, a staff member went to the bank with me to help me sort it out. After class I often stay at the school in the common area, because it is quite fun there and whenever I have a problem, I can just ask one of the Chinese working at the school for help.
I am currently studying in a small group course, together with two other class mates which I think is a very good format and classes are a lot of fun. It helps me to remember words when I can connect them with a specific situation when I learned them. Also one quickly meets other people to spend the weekends together with or go for a drink in the evening.
LTL organized a homestay family for me, a Chinese family I lived together with. I live with a very nice and friendly family, which does not speak any English. At the beginning that was quite a challenge, but it has been very rewarding as I can see how I more and more understand the dinner conversations. There is no social activity that is not connected with food – I will certainly never starve here. By now I can have conversations myself in Chinese as well. Living with a homestay family has strongly reduced by inhibitions to speak Chinese and listening to my host-dad’s stories is the best listening comprehension practice I could imagine. It is also very helpful to always have a local you can ask for help when I don’t know which bus to take where or have any other questions regarding Beijing. Living with a Chinese homestay family I do not feel like a tourist, but more see Beijing through the eyes of people who actually live here. Through my family I have been to a lot of places that usually a visitor would never see or experience – for example so far already two Chinese wedding parties.
Independently if people take group or 1-on-1 lessons, once a day we always all meet for lunch on the school balcony, which is always a lot of fun. Of course life does not stop after class. In the afternoons and weekends I usually go out with other LTL students. As there are people from all over the world here I got to meet a lot of very interesting people. The school is close to the Da Wang Lu subway station in the CBD, which makes it pretty easy to visit Beijing’s attractions and explore the city. There is also a Starbucks close to the school, which helps a lot when I have homework to do.
I am really enjoying my time here 🙂
Chalid
Parent
My son Karim and I were jogging at the riverside of our hometown in Germany. It was April and he told me (while I was breathless) that he wanted to finish high school the following year and then go straight to China for a whole year to learn Mandarin – a new culture, new people, new language. I was very surprised at the time, but did not really have time to be shocked while we were running.
I do think Mandarin as a language and China in general are very important though, so I agreed to do some research online on suitable providers and schools. Among several other Chinese language schools, we found “Live The Language” (LTL). We did quite a lot of research about them including talking to The German Department Of Foreign Affairs for information and references.
We also spent a lot of time going through the homepage and the different offers. We finally decided to contact LTL and organized a phone call. In comparison to many other options the packages that LTL offered were not the cheapest – but they did seem very high quality and as LTL was very quick in replying to questions and providing great support while we were organizing Karim’s trip, we decided to go with them.
Today, more than a year later, I can say it was the right choice. During the whole year, I found LTL very reliable and a great school with a very motivated team and I knew Karim was well taken care of. From helping us to solve the many problems the Chinese embassy created when applying for a visa before he went to China, to organizing a great homestay, good teachers, reliable support and social events after he arrived in Beijing, from the first day to the last I knew Karim was happy and secure in China.
He is back in Germany now and he loved his year in China. Karim loves LTL, he loves China, the people and the culture. And his language skills are outstanding for just one year in China – he passed the HSK 5 (C1 level) exam with almost full marks. I do not think this would have happened without LTL.
I know it can be a bit of a scary thought at the beginning, but in the end, I found it a very safe experience that I feel my son benefited a lot from.
Study Chinese with the LTL Semester in Beijing. Achieve fluency with us by joining our intensive semester program which lasts 18/36 weeks for a discounted price.
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.
