Study Chinese and explore one of the fastest growing countries in the world, with our Full Immersion Program in China. Discover the two biggest cities of the country Beijing and Shanghai, or explore the traditional cities of Chengdu and Xi’An, before going to the smaller city of Chengde where you will find no foreign influence and no English.

Stage 1 – Pick a City from 7

You will be able to adapt to the Chinese culture by studying first in Beijing or Shanghai, or any of our other schools, you choose. Beijing is home of thousands years of history and culture to discover, and Shanghai is a bustling ever growing international city. Chengdu and Xi’an are more traditional and are cities with a much slower pace of life, with many historical sites to explore.

Beihai and Taipei have a sort of “vacation feeling” thanks to the proximity to the ocean and beautiful beaches. You could even venture out to Singapore for a truly eclectic taste of life in Asia.

Get ready for a Gap Year you will never forget!

Stage 2 – Chengde

After this you will be on your way to Chengde. Considered a small city in China, Chengde is home to 500,000 people and no foreigners.

You will be the only foreigner and will breath, eat and speak Chinese all day long.

It can be a challenging experience, but a genuinely rewarding one. If you have doubts about living a full Chinese Immersion, Chengde might not be the right city for you.

Chengde, with no foreign influence, is what we can call the “real China”. The pace of life is slower than in other cities, people are extremely friendly and the Mandarin spoken in Chengde is the most standard Mandarin you could find in the whole country.

Chengde is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Before leaving for Chengde you must be aware that you won’t be able to communicate in English and use only Mandarin to communicate with locals.

PLEASE NOTE – below are starting dates for our Shanghai/Beijing programs. If you wish to enjoy a Gap Year in a different city, drop us a message and we’ll let you know the dates you can start.

Remember these dates are for complete beginners. If you already know some Chinese, you can start any Monday of the year.

Chengdu Dates for complete beginners

You can find all starting dates on our group classes in Chengdu page.

The price includes the return train ticket from any destination to Chengde as well as a Survival Kit, a very handy package you can find more details about on our Services page.

Breakfast and dinner will be provided in Homestays. There are various options for vegetarians, vegans and any other dietary needs you may wish to inform us of.

If your main goal is to reach Chinese fluency fast, we highly recommend living in a Homestay accommodation, as more than 80% of our students do. You can practice your Chinese all day and enjoy fabulous home made dishes with your Chinese family.

If you are on a tighter budget, the shared apartment is also a great option.

Reach Chinese fluency while studying in China for two university style semesters.

Our small group classes will help you make huge progress in Mandarin, thanks to the average group kept to three students and a maximum of six students per class.

Students can easily ask questions and speak Chinese, not to forget the strong bond formed between students and teachers during their lessons.

You will have four hours of Chinese class per day at our school, which makes a total of 20 hours a week.

Each semester includes 18 weeks of classes so you will have a total of 36 weeks of Chinese classes. If you wish to extend your stay, that can be arranged. For faster Chinese progress, you can choose to live with one of our carefully selected homestays in China. 

With 36 weeks of intensive Chinese studies and with the opportunity to live with a Chinese family, most students expect, and actually do reach an HSK4/5 level in Chinese.

Starting Dates

Please note that starting dates vary depending on the city you choose to study at first. Drop us a message and we will confirm your starting dates if you are a complete beginner.

Remember if you know some Chinese already then you can start any Monday you wish.

Prices

Whether it is in Beijing or Shanghai, the Chinese Language years are the same cost. Be advised that your accommodation can be upgraded to a Chinese Homestay at an extra charge, contact us for more details. Your progress in Chinese will be faster with a Chinese family, and it is worth mentioning that 80% of our students choose to live at a homestay.

If you’d prefer to study for a single semester of 18 weeks, feel free to visit our Beijing Semester and Shanghai Semester Programs.

Chengdu with no accommodation: 37,442 CNY

Chengdu +36 weeks accommodation*: Contact Us

Beijing/Shanghai with no accommodation: 53,488 CNY

Beijing/Shanghai +36 weeks accommodation*: 111,088 CNY

 The Chinese Language Year includes:

• Study materials
• 20 hours of small group class
• 36 weeks of Chinese study
• Survival Kit
• Support from LTL staff 24/7

*Accommodation is the standard shared apartment – small room

If you want to learn Chinese in China but are on a budget, then our Chinese and English Gap Year is ideal for you.

The program of 22 weeks is divided into two different periods.

During the first four weeks you will study Chinese in the city of your choice, be it Beijing, Shanghai or any other city we offer.

After you’ve got used to your new life in China and learned the basics of the Chinese language, you will spend the next 18 weeks teaching English in a smaller city outside of Beijing or Shanghai.

It’s a unique chance to discover China’s glorious history and thousands years old culture, when studying Chinese on a budget. While you teach English to Chinese students LTL will provide you with 2000 CNY per month and an apartment, so you don’t have to worry too much about your life in China.

This program is perfect if you wish to study in China and get some work experience while on a budget.

Please Note – The Registration fee for this program is 300 CNY.

Homestay Program – 9,600 CNY / Apartment Program 7,500 CNY

NOTE – Homestay program includes homestay accommodation, half board. Shared apartment program includes a large Room in a shared apartment, en suite bathroom, no board.

The Teach English in China Gap Year program includes:

• Four weeks of Chinese group classes
• Small room in a shared apartment, in Beijing or Shanghai or any other city
• 18 weeks of English teaching in another city in China near Beijing or Shanghai
• Accommodation and 2000 CNY per month courtesy of LTL whilst teaching English
• Transportation from Beijing or Shanghai or any other school location to the school where you will teach
• 24/7 support along with access to the LTL student and teacher community
• Airport pick up and drop off at apartment.

Chengdu Dates for complete beginners

You can find all starting dates on our group classes in Chengdu page.

You also have the unique opportunity to create your very own Gap Year Program in China.

You choose your school location, your type of lessons, the accommodation, the length… really everything tailored to your needs and wishes.

5 weeks of Chinese studies in Shanghai, one of the worlds biggest and most exciting cities? How about going to Beijing for a further 15 weeks and take your Chinese to the next level with individual Mandarin classes in China’s capital? Then you could go to Chengdu for another 16 weeks, where you could finally reach Chinese fluency while visiting China’s famous Giant Panda every now and then.

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

This is just an example of what you could build, the possibilities are endless. Come and chat to us to find out more. The China Gap Year can last as long as you wish so you can build it however you suits you best.

Gap Year Asia options

• Study Chinese in Shanghai
• Study Chinese in Beijing
• Study Chinese in Chengde
• Study Chinese in Chengdu
• Study Chinese in Xi’An
• Study Chinese in Beihai
• Study Chinese in Taipei
• Learn Mandarin on the Great Wall (Summer only)
• Teach English in China
• Internship in China