Small Group & Individual Mandarin

LTL Mandarin School

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Course description

Small Group & Individual
Course: 20hr/wk Small Group & 10hr/wk Individual 1on1
Focus:
Group: General Language (Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing)
1on1: Personalized to Student, based on Course Prep Meeting
Length: 55 minutes per each hour of class
Size: Small Group with average 3-4 students (max 6 students)
Schedule: Mon-Fri daytime
Textbooks: Included in the course

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday (except for beginners)
Classes per week
30 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 60 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

Morning session
08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Afternoon session
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Morning session
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Afternoon session
01:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Beijing.

Class size

Average 3 students
Maximum 6 students

Student age

Age range 15 years old and older
Average 25 years old
(22 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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photos

Photos

  • Building of LTL Mandarin School 1/28
  • Apartments offered by LTL Mandarin School 2/28
  • Homestay housing offered by LTL Mandarin School 3/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 4/28
  • Classes at LTL Mandarin School 5/28
  • Students of LTL Mandarin School 6/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 7/28
  • Apartments offered by LTL Mandarin School 8/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 9/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 10/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 11/28
  • Students of LTL Mandarin School 12/28
  • Students of LTL Mandarin School 13/28
  • Students of LTL Mandarin School 14/28
  • Classroom at LTL Mandarin School 15/28
  • Students of LTL Mandarin School 16/28
  • Teachers and Staff at LTL Mandarin School 17/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 18/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 19/28
  • Teachers and Staff at LTL Mandarin School 20/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 21/28
  • Classroom at LTL Mandarin School 22/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 23/28
  • Classroom at LTL Mandarin School 24/28
  • Classroom at LTL Mandarin School 25/28
  • Classroom at LTL Mandarin School 26/28
  • Classroom at LTL Mandarin School 27/28
  • Activities offered at LTL Mandarin School 28/28
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 5 reviews
5 stars
4
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"All encompassing"

Will Peever

Before I came to China, I really had no idea what school to pick or what to expect. However I am extremely glad I picked LTL. They took care of everything from finding a home-stay that really fit my needs, to dealing with my sim card problems when I lost my phone. In Beijing, they have a small classroom and the students there immediately became my friends. During my first week there I was invited to go bar hopping in Guomao, clubbing in Sanlitun, and to watch an acrobatic show. The standard curriculum they follow really gives you a strong foundation and the teachers there know it by heart. The teachers themselves were great and patient, every teacher I had was really passionate and made things like learning characters extremely interesting. My only complaint would be in my group classes, sometimes LTL would throw students with a lower level into the group which slow the group down. However eventually this wasn't a problem as I stayed long enough that I became the only student left in my group class and it became cheap 1-1!

I also spent a few months in Chengde which was exactly as they made it out to be. My progress in Chengde was about double the speed it was in Beijing because it truly is immersive. The coordinator they have there (even though when I was there recently gave birth) works really hard to keep you busy with things and often invites you out. As all my classes were 1-1, my teachers became a really close friend. In my last week my teacher took me out to eat three times, and treated me to an experience in a Chinese bath house!

I loved my home-stays, both in Beijing and Chengde, though I did hear stories from other students that had a hard time adjusting to some cultural aspects. I personally think this is entirely based on how open your mind is!

Overall, China is a phenomenal country and LTL helps open the doors for you. I'm planning to go back to study with them in a few months.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
15 weeks
Date of study
29 Aug 2016 - 16 Dec 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Bethan Williams, Student Advisor at LTL Mandarin School responded to this review.
04 January 2017

Thanks so much for this review Will. We are looking forward to having you back at LTL Beijing and LTL Shanghai later this year!

"Great school to learn Chinese with foreign management"

Tanja Weiss

After studying Chinese at other schools and not being so happy with them anymore, I decided to try LTL in Beijing and I'm glad I did. The school's location in the CBD which is very convenient, the teachers were good and I especially appreciated that the owner of the school was present almost every day. The management consists of both Chinese and foreigners which made sure that they know your needs and can help you in case there is a problem. I especially enjoyed the social activities such as joint dinners. The only negative point is that the school offers no shared or private apartments close to the school.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
19 Sep 2016 - 30 Sep 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Bethan, Student Advisor at LTL Mandarin School responded to this review.
12 October 2016

Thanks so much for your review Tanja. We're really glad you found us! Most of our Shared Apartments are walking distance from the school, but during the busy summer period it is often necessary to place students a little further away. I hope you'll return to study with us again one day anyway, we'd love to see you again.

"Amazing fun, social community, accompanying intense and effective learning."

Jack Woods

Classes: I had individual classes for one week. I found the teaching method rather plain and repetitive, as we essentially went page by page, exercise by exercise through the textbook. However, I managed to learn a huge amount in my 20h of study, and I have no doubt that this method is consistent and effective over longer time periods.

Teachers: My teacher was demanding but friendly, and pushed me to use my Chinese, always ensuring I did things correctly.

Location: Relatively easy to get to via metro, in a nice area.

Facilities: Comfortable, cosy, ample for the number of students there.

Activities: Absolutely loved the daily communal lunches and Wednesday pub quiz night, and have heard of many more activities happening weekly that I am loath to miss out on.

Housing: N/A

Overall: The community aspect of LTL ended up being the biggest draw-card for me, and shouldn't be underestimated. In between classes every hour, lunchtimes, and all organised group activities outside of class time, is an opportunity to make friends with similar minded people all learning Chinese. It makes learning the language fun and motivating, and the school really becomes somewhere you want to be every day. While I found the teaching method rather dry, the amount I learned and the friends I made more than made up for the hours of hard work. Big thumbs up.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
26 Sep 2016 - 1 Oct 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Bethan, Student Advisor at LTL Mandarin School responded to this review.
11 October 2016

It was really great having you here Jack, even if it was sadly for such a short time. We all hope to see you back here at some point in the future :-) I'm glad you enjoyed the Pub Quiz!

"Wonderful experience"

Chiara zanutto

My name is Chiara and I studied Chinese in Milan for three months. I liked it so much that I decided to spend my summer holidays in Beijing.
I have done a lot of research on the internet before choosing the school that is right for me: I was interested to discover how life would be like in China, I wanted to improve my knowledge of the Chinese language and culture, and I also wanted to make new friends.
At first, I was torn between a private school and a Chinese university because of cost reasons, but after a long research, I opted for LTL Mandarin School.
And I could not have chosen better! I attended the course just for two weeks, but my general impression was excellent.
Unlike in a university where you study in very large classes, the school LTL allows you to study in small groups (and you can also choose to take one-to-one lessons). As a result, you can thoroughly and deeply study all the topics. In a short time, you form friendships with students from all over the world and of all ages. LTL also facilitates integration by organizing various social activities (welcome breakfasts, dinners, trips, etc).
I was very amazed by the excellent organization of the school, both before departure (I always received all the information I needed and the answers to my questions in a short time) and during my stay in Beijing. All the staff at the school are always available to support you in everything you need.
A person who comes to China for the first time and does not speak Chinese needs to feel safe in some way and with LTL one can definitely feel safe!
To immerse myself in Chinese culture, I chose to stay in a host family and I was very satisfied. They have treated me like a daughter, cooking all the local delicacies and showering me with attention. LTL selects families with extreme accuracy!
I can say that it has improved my knowledge of the language as I wanted because in my host family we speak only Chinese (but you can choose to go to a family that speaks English). And I made some good friends that I hope to stay in contact with in the future.
Surely will attend another course with LTL soon as I'll have the possibility and maybe will choose the combination of group and one-to-one lessons to further explore topics that interest me more.
I highly recommended LTL to everyone!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
1 Aug 2016 - 12 Aug 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Bethan, Student Advisor at LTL Mandarin School responded to this review.
03 October 2016

Thank you, Chiara, for such a wonderful review. I hope you enjoyed your travels around China after the course and we hope to see you here again one day! Best wishes from the LTL team :-)

"Two years later and I still miss it."

Fred Patel

Choosing to study at LTL was probably the single most important and best decision I made for my China trip. I had heard about the school from a friend back home and liked the quick way they replied to my emails, so I booked a two month Chinese course and homestay with them.
I got very lucky. The family I stayed with was a lot of fun to stay with. I hadn't studied much Chinese beforehand, so communication was not easy at first, but Mr. and Ms. Li were the best hosts I could have hoped for. In the two months I lived with them, I must have been to at least 10 family dinners, met countless of their relatives, went with them on three hiking trips, their niece's wedding, and ate what was probably the world's best food on a daily basis. Eating Chinese food at a restaurant has been a disappointment ever since, as none of them can compare with Ms. Li's cooking. We are still in touch and I hope they will come and visit me in the states next year.
The Chinese course at LTL was intensive and very professional. My two teachers, were both very professional and patient, which made classes both fun and effective. I learned a lot more Chinese in those two months than I thought I could have due to the combination of living with a Chinese family and intensive classes. I was very pleased with my progress.
The LTL team is very nice and friendly and provided me with a lot of support with any practical issues I had regarding living in China. I also met a lot of very interesting other international students at the school, some of which I am still in touch with today and I am very greateful for.
Overall, my stay with LTL was highly satisfactory.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
4 Jun 2012 - 27 Jul 2012
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Bethan, Student Advisor at LTL Mandarin School responded to this review.
03 October 2016

Thank you for such a brilliant review, we're so glad you enjoyed your course, and your stay with the Li family too!

housing

Housing

LTL Mandarin School offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Half Board

$536
weekly
Age range: 12 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Beijing
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Distance to school: 5 - 45 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
$536
LTL homestay families are carefully selected in order to give students a warm and welcoming experience. Staying with a homestay family provides you with the opportunity to really use your Chinese once you finish with classes for the day. Whether you’re enjoying a meal at home, playing ping-pong with the neighbors or going on a weekend trip to visit relatives you’ll be living an authentic Chinese life.

Homestay families have apartments within the CBD area of Beijing, making travel to the LTL campus fast and convenient. Most LTL homestays are within walking distance of campus, and all are within a 30 minute commute. Our homestay questionnaire form also ensures you are placed with a family compatible with your living preferences. This type of cultural immersion is an ideal way to begin your course of Chinese study.
apartment

Shared apartment Ensuite Bathroom

$536
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Beijing
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Wireless internet, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 30 - 40 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
$536
Whether after a homestay or for your entire stay, LTL also provides the option of a shared apartment. Students are placed in a single room. Depending on preference and availability, the apartment may be shared with other foreign students or local residents. Apartments are conveniently located for traveling to the school (four subway stops) and offer the opportunity to make new friends in Beijing.

Options

CBD Room, with shared bathroom and kitchen
Large Room, with balcony and private bathroom
Small Room, with window and shared bathroom
Economy Room, no window and shared bathroom

Studio Apartment

$925
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Beijing
Housing type: Private apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, wireless internet, free internet, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 30 - 40 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 02:00 PM
$925
Whether after a homestay or for your entire stay, LTL also provides the option of a shared apartment. Students are placed in a single room. Depending on preference and availability, the apartment may be shared with other foreign students or local residents. Apartments are conveniently located for traveling to the school (four subway stops) and offer the opportunity to make new friends in Beijing.

Options

CBD Room, with shared bathroom and kitchen
Large Room, with balcony and private bathroom
Small Room, with window and shared bathroom
Economy Room, no window and shared bathroom
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Beijing based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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