Chinese Immersion Program
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Sunset over the river in Chengde
The Chinese immersion program is a 2 part program, combining an initial language course in historical Xi’an with an immersive learning environment in the Qing dynasty summer retreat city of Chengde. Surrounding yourself with native Mandarin speakers and getting involved in local life in Chengde is a really effective way to make fast progress with your Chinese.
At the start, for someone who hasn’t been to China before this might seem quite intense. This is why we recommend a settling in period, spending the first half of the course at our language school in Xi’an. We have a friendly and supportive community of fellow students and teachers. It’s a great environment to familiarise yourself with China.
In Xi’an you can choose how intensely you’d like to study, and whether in a small group, individual classes or in a combination of both. You’ll get the chance to learn the Mandarin basics, and get to know your way around China before diving into the deep end in Chengde.
Before you set off to Chengde, you’ll have a preparation meeting to discuss the Chengde environment and how we can help you to settle in. After this, you’ll take the train to Chengde, where you’ll continue the rest of your trip speaking, living and even dreaming in Mandarin. Accommodation options here are homestay or shared apartments.
Chinese Immersion Program Standard
You can make the standard immersion program as long as you’d like it to be, anywhere from four weeks to 12 months. If you have previous Chinese learning experience you’ll be able to start the program on any Monday of the year. If you’re a complete beginner you’ll need to start on one of our beginner class starting dates:
- 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
- 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
- 29 September 2021
- 11 October 2021
- 08 November 2021
- 29 November 2021
- 20 December 2021
Chinese Immersion Program Intensive
- 20 hrs/week of small group and 10hrs/wk of 1-on-1 classes in Xi’an
- 30 hrs/week 1-on-1 classes in Chengde
If you’re looking for an intensive program to learn Mandarin as fast as you can, then this is the one for you. Like the Standard Program, if you already know some Chinese you can start on any Monday. If you’re a complete beginner you can choose one of the starting dates as listed above. You can take the program for anywhere from four weeks to 12 months.
Chinese Immersion Program Individual
In this case your mandarin classes will all be taken as 1-on-1s in both Xi’an and Chengde. They will be tailored just for you and your personal study goals. You can start the Individual Program on any Monday throughout the year no matter what your Mandarin level is, and you can take anywhere from four weeks to 12 months of classes.
You can find further information about Chengde and our Immersion program options on our LTL School website.
