Study & Learn Chinese - Schools and Courses in China

Course Prices Accommodation Prices School Facilities Course Details

Shenzhen is a new city in China. Located next door to Hong Kong it has, overnight, become the economic miracle of China's Opening Up policy. The last 20 years have seen an enormous influx of both capital and people, both from within China and outside China. This collision of different forces and rapid pace of change has created one of the most cosmopolitan and energetic cities that you could possibly learn Chinese in China. The average person in Shenzhen is only 26 years old. The Chinese here are always looking for the newest and most exciting things; they work hard and play harder. Shenzhen is vibrant and dynamic, a place where deals are made, and the future is shaped. Come join us, Study Chinese in China this year, and create your own future.

Many Chinese schools in China, particularly around Beijing, claim that their locations are the best to learn Chinese in China because their local Chinese dialect is closest to the official Mandarin. It is true that their local dialect is close. However, there are several unique factors about Shenzhen that we believe make Shenzhen truly a better place to study Chinese in China.

Firstly, migrants are coming to Shenzhen from all over China. This means that Shenzhen is mainly a Mandarin Chinese speaking city, unlike the rest of Guangdong. This gives you well rounded exposure to the many different accents and dialects of Mandarin Chinese that you will hear and have to learn about in China. Migrants who are unable to speak Mandarin when they come here, soon learn how to speak proper Mandarin Chinese. Secondly, many of these immigrants come from China's North so you are still frequently exposed to "correct" Mandarin, especially in the classroom where our teachers are all northern and/or have passed Mandarin standards set by the government. Secondly, being in Guangdong, Shenzhen offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn Cantonese. Here again all of our Cantonese teachers are local to the area and are native speakers of Cantonese.

Chinese Courses in Shenzen, China - Fees

Our Chinese School in Shenzhen, China

At our Chinese school in Shenzhen, China, we feel that there is no "magic pill" for learning the Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese languages. We feel that hard work on the part of the student, coupled with quality instructors and a developed curriculum is the only way to truly learn and master the Chinese language.

With this in mind we designed our classes to allow for maximum student interaction, allowing opportunities to both practise and question the Chinese you have learned. By having very small class sizes and by involving the student in class activities we create an intimate, friendly and interesting environment where students are not afraid to take risks or to try something new while learning Chinese. We also use a well rounded approach in our Chinese classes, following the idea that we should crawl before we run, and that babies speak before they read and write; our classes focus on learning to listen and speak Chinese, especially in the lower levels, and then begin to introduce and focus more on learning to read and write as the Chinese skill level progresses.

All of our Chinese teachers have university degrees and are trained, qualified teachers; in fact, the majority of our teachers not only have an education degree, but a specialised Teaching Chinese to Foreigners degree. Our teachers are much less rigid in their teaching and do not rely on rote instruction the way some Chinese schools in China do. They also have years of experience teaching at Chinese schools in China. Many of our Chinese teachers come from northern China and so naturally speak very standard Mandarin. All Chinese teachers have also received Mandarin certificates from the Beijing government, certifying that their Mandarin meets or exceeds that required to teach it.

Our Chinese Courses in Shenzhen, China

Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese Classes (25 hrs/week)

Our small group classes are designed specifically for adults and university students who are looking to learn Mandarin Chinese or Cantonese, whether it is for business, educational or social reasons. Four weeks of intensive Chinese classes are able to give a solid grounding and improvement in any student's Chinese.

We offer instruction at four Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese language learning levels:

• Basic
• Elementary
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Upon arrival at our Chinese school, Chinese language students will be administered a level placement test and grouped into the appropriate classes based on their scores.

Our Chinese classes are Monday through Friday, 5 hours every day. Morning Chinese classes are three hours long and have a maximum of four learners. These classes are for group activities and give a chance to really practice previously learned Chinese as well introducing new concepts. Afternoon classes are for tutoring and small group instruction, usually 1:1 or 2:1 teaching. Here students can work on individual learning problems and Chinese questions that need to be explained or practiced. These hours also serve to introduce new topics and preview the next day's Chinese grammar and vocabulary.

Our Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese program is kept very small, with an overall maximum number of 16 Chinese learners per session, helping to create a friendly and sociable learning environment.

The cost includes 4 weeks of Chinese instruction (25hrs a week) and cultural classes (up to 10 hrs a week); class materials, home stay, two meals a day (breakfast and supper). It also includes 2 weekend excursions and a 1-week trip. During these travel times all transportation costs and hotel fees are included; as well as entrance to most tourist attractions and one meal a day (breakfast).

The cost does not include airfare to and from China, visas nor health and travel insurance.

Summer Course Dates and Prices (2007)

• First session April 30th to June 7th
• April 30th to May 25th Chinese classes in Shenzhen
• May 25th to June 7th Traveling China
• Second Session June 11th to July 19th
• June 11th to July 6th Chinese classes in Shenzhen
• July 6th to July 19th Traveling China
• Third Session July 23rd to August 30th
• July 23rd to August 17th Chinese classes in Shenzhen
• August 17th to August 30th Traveling China

Winter Course Dates

• First session Nov. 19th to Dec. 20th
• Nov. 19th to Dec. 14th Chinese classes in Shenzhen
• Dec. 14th to Dec. 20th Traveling China
• Second Session Jan. 7th to Feb.7th
• Jan. 7th to Feb. 1st Chinese classes in Shenzhen
• Jan. 31st to Feb. 7th Traveling China

Study Chinese in Shenzhen, China - Accommodation

Home Stay

Many Shenzhen area residents have opened their homes to international students who attend the Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese Language Immersion Programs. The home stay allows you to experience Chinese culture in the warmth, variety and spontaneity of a Chinese home while having excellent, relaxed opportunities to practice Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese conversational skills. A home stay provides the opportunity to live in a Chinese home while studying Mandarin Chinese or Cantonese. By sharing life together with your home stay hosts, you have a first-hand experience of Chinese culture and opportunities to speak Cantonese or Mandarin Chinese in a family atmosphere. A home stay is not just renting a room in a home, but also finding a place to call home.

Since every home is different, every home stay is different. Some home stay hosts include a husband, a wife, and children, some are single parents with children, and some are single Chinese who enjoy sharing their homes with one of our students. Home stay students are expected to live with their hosts as "family members". This means you may be expected to keep your bedroom clean or to help with shared tasks, such as washing dishes after a family meal.

Features of a home-stay in China

• Chinese host family cooking with a Mandarin learner.
• Attentive selection of Chinese families
• Careful placement of participants
• Two meals per day (breakfast and dinner)
• Private bedroom with furniture for studying Chinese
• Air conditioning
• Access to Laundry facility and telephone

Fes include 4 weeks of Chinese instruction (25hrs a week) and cultural classes (up to 10 hrs a week); class materials, home stay, two meals a day (breakfast and supper). It also includes 2 weekend excursions and one 2-week trip. During these travel times all transportation costs and hotel fees are included; as well as entrance to most tourist attractions and one meal a day (breakfast).

This cost does not include airfare to and from China, visas nor health and travel insurance.