Beijing and Shanghai

Vast country with an age-old culture, China is nowadays the first economical power in the world. Being able to speak Mandarin and understanding Chinese culture are undeniable assets which will open many doors on the labour market.

You will discover a completely different world to ours, so that when it comes to food, culture, habits and customs you’ll sometimes have the feeling to live on a different planet.

In Beijing and Shanghai, the schools are ideally located, in a central and lively district and close to a subway station. Teaching is adapted to Western students. Classes are held in very small groups so that teachers are able to pay a greater degree of attention to each student. The school also provides a Survival kit to facilitate your arrival in China as well as your everyday life during your stay (see Practical Information tab).

The school is located in the business district, 5 minutes on foot from Da Wang Lu subway station and close to several restaurants, 2 wide malls, a sport complex with a gym and a swimming pool, as well as BEC University.

School facilities include:

  • 10 modern and comfortable classrooms
  • Library
  • Recreation room
  • Terrace on the roof with a breathtaking view on Beijing
  • Kitchen with refrigerator and microwave accessible to students
  • Air conditioning
  • Tea and coffee on a self-service basis

The school is perfectly adapted for persons with reduced mobility.

The school is located in the heart of the Shanghai French Concession, close to Shaanxi South Road subway station and a short walk away from the city centre.

School facilities include:

  • 9 classrooms
  • Common room with a dining area
  • Library
  • Air conditioning
  • Tea and coffee on a self-service basis

Mandarin language courses: the basics

  • Lesson length: 55 minutes
  • Maximum number of students per class: 6 (3 on average)
  • New topics covered every day
  • Major emphasis on oral practice
  • Online level test prior to departure
  • Teachers graduate to teach their mother tongue to foreign students

20 lessons per week

The 4 basic skills: writing, speaking, listening and reading will be covered during this course.

Language level: elementary (A2) to advanced (C1)

Complete beginner: (A0/A1) on specific dates (see “Dates & Prices”)

20 general Mandarin lessons + 10 hours of private lessons per week

In addition to the standard course, you will attend 10 extra individual lessons.

Language level: elementary (A2) to advanced (C1)

Complete beginner: (A0/A1) on specific dates (see “Dates & Prices” tab)

The school offers a diverse range of social and leisurely activities (at least twice a week) to help students socialize and discover Chinese culture.

  • Tai Qi lessons
  • Kung Fu initiation
  • Calligraphy lessons…
  • Restaurant outings
  • Visits of tourist attractions
  • Language partners
  • Etc…

Single room, shared bathroom, half board

Discover the everyday life of a typical Chinese family and extend your language immersion after the classes. You will be able to taste good Asian dishes cooked by your hosts and discover the city and its surroundings with your family at the evenings or weekends.

Families live in modern flats, in buildings recently built, equipped with WiFi and air conditioning.

Travel time to school:

Families usually live a short walk away from the school or close to a direct bus connection (maximum 45 minutes by public transport).

Practical information:

  • Bed linen provided
  • Laundry: your host family will let you use their laundry facilities once a week or let you know their laundry day

Optional extra:

  • Full board

Option teaching of English to a member of your family:

In exchange for some of your time dedicated each week to the teaching of English to a member of your host family (6h/week), your accommodation fee will be reduced (see “Dates & Prices” tab”)

Travel time to school : maximum 60 minutes by public transport

Features:

  • Single room (with bed, desk, TV)
  • Bathroom and toilets shared with a Chinese student
  • Shared kitchen
  • Self-catering
  • Close to a subway station (4 stops from the school)

Services and facilities available:

  • Bed linen provided
  • Common areas are cleaned once a week
  • Restaurants and supermarkets located nearby
  • Gym and swimming pool located nearby
  • Support for registration at the local police station upon arrival

Optional extra:

  • Private bathroom

Features:

  • Single room (with bed, desk, TV)
  • Bathroom and toilets shared with a Chinese student
  • Self-catering
  • 40 minutes maximum from the school by public transport

Services and facilities available:

  • WiFi
  • Bed linen provided
  • Weekly cleaning of the flat
  • Restaurants and supermarkets located nearby
  • Support for registration at the local police station upon arrival

Optional extra:

  • Private bathroom

Dates & Prices 2019

Dates 2019

Course start dates: Most courses start every Monday year-round (exceptions are outlined below.) If Monday is a holiday then classes will start on the Tuesday.

Beginners (A0/A1) must start on:

  • Beijing: 10/12/18, 14/01/19, 11/02, 04/03, 25/03, 15/04, 06/05, 27/05, 17/06, 01/07, 15/07, 29/07, 12/08, 26/08, 16/09, 08/10, 28/10, 18/11, 09/12, 30/13
  • Shanghai: 17/12/18, 07/01/19, 18/02, 11/03, 01/04, 22/04, 13/05, 03/06, 24/06, 08/07, 22/07, 05/08, 19/08, 09/09, 23/09, 21/10, 11/11, 02/12, 23/12

Semesters: from 27/08/2019 to 20/01/2020 or 12/02/2020 to 30/06/2020.

Public holidays 2019: 01/01, Chinese New Year 04/02 to 10/02, 05/04, 29/04, 30/04, 01/05, 07/06, 13/09, 01/10 to 07/10. Lessons not held on these dates will be rescheduled during the week or the weekend before the holidays.

Prices 2019

WPCS 42.0.3
Mandarin course + accommodation in a shared apartment (individual room, no meals)
DurationGeneral course (20 lessons)Combined course (20+10 lessons)
1 week 655 1.000
2 weeks 1.280 1.950
3 weeks 1.810 2.795
4 weeks 2.335 3.610
6 weeks 3.320 5.145
8 weeks 4.315 6.630
10 weeks 5.015 7.770
12 weeks 5.480 8.240
14 weeks 6.800 9.940
16 weeks 8.280 12.480
Supplements per week
Private bathroom in apartment 80
Host family - indiv. room + half board 145
Host family - indiv. room + full board 185
Chinese New Year supplement 145
Discount per week (with host family) - Teaching in English
6 hours of English / week to 1 family member 145
Transfers (per route)
Beijing 45
Shanghai 55
Survival kit
Standard 270

Prices include:

  • Your chosen course and accommodation
  • Host family: half board
  • Residence: self-catering
  • Course materials
  • Level test and certificate of completion at the end of your stay
  • All school taxes and enrolment fees

Prices do not include :

  • Travel to/from Beijing/Shanghai
  • Airport transfers and local transportation
  • Host family: lunch from Monday to Friday
  • Residence: all meals
  • Activities and excursions
  • Deposit (where applicable, to be paid on site)
  • Optional insurance
  • Visa fees