Immersion China

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have classes appropriate for my level?

You will have Small Group classes at the Shanghai School if you opt for either the Standard, Intensive or Culture Immersion Programs. If you’re a complete beginner, then classes begin at least once a month on the official start dates (see above). If you have studied Chinese before, then you will have a personal language assessment with our Director of Studies before your arrival, based on which we will assign you to the appropriate existing group.

If you are already at approximately HSK 3 level or beyond, then we cannot guarantee that there will be an appropriate Small Group class for your level. We recommend that you opt for the Individual Immersion program, where you will follow a personalised learning plan in both Shanghai and Chengde.

Can I choose what aspects of Chinese I want to study?

If you have Small Group classes at the Shanghai school, then they will follow the LTL Mandarin School curriculum. However, for your 1-on-1 classes you can request certain topics that interest you personally, you can prepare for a particular exam, or spend the time perfecting your tones. Once you have started the 1-on-1 program, your teacher will always be open to adapting lessons to your needs and preferences.

How much Chinese will I learn?

If you’re willing to work hard in class, do your homework, and use every available opportunity to practice your spoken Chinese when out and about, then you can make huge progress in just a matter of weeks.

From experience, students who stay in an LTL homestay with a local family will gain oral fluency more quickly than those who live with other English-speaking foreigners. Your time studying in Chengde will also give you considerable advantage over other Chinese learners in more international cities, since you will be speaking Mandarin with everyone you come across in your daily life. Chengde is much smaller than even the lesser known cities you might go travelling to in China such as Xi’an, Chongqing, Qingdao etc. It’s not to be confused with the larger city Chengdu famed for being the home of China’s pandas. There are also a whole host of local Chinese-speaking sports clubs and societies in Chengde (hiking, skiing, fitness, football) which are a great idea to join, even if you’re not sporty, since that’s an instant source of Chinese-speaking friends!

As a general guideline, a motivated student on the Standard Immersion program arriving as a complete beginner could expect to reach at least HSK 2 level after 8 weeks. The same student on the Intensive program may well reach HSK 3 level in the same number of weeks.

What are the accommodation options?

There are two main options for accommodation in Shanghai – living in a Shared Apartment in central Shanghai, or staying with a local family.

Please see the relevant pages for details. In Chengde the vast majority of our students choose to live with a local family, though there are limited rooms available in Shared Apartments too.

• Shanghai Shared Apartments
• Shanghai Homestay
• Accommodation in Chengde

How much support will I get in Shanghai / Chengde?

We have designed this program to make sure that you are eased as gently as possible into your Chinese Immersion experience. Before you arrive, you will be in constant contact with your Student Advisor, who will help you choose the most suitable program, support your visa application, and put you in touch with current or past students via our active WeChat student community.

On arrival you will be picked up from Shanghai airport by our private LTL driver and taken directly to your home-stay, the LTL Shared Apartments or your own private accommodation. So there’s no need to haggle with airport taxi drivers or get lost in a strange city! If you’ve booked accommodation with us, you’ll be met by your host family / the landlord of the Shared Apartments and shown around your new home. On this first day you will also receive your Shanghai Survival Kit.

In your first week at the Shanghai school we will help you set up your mobile SIM card, open a Chinese bank account and arrange your free bike rental. You’ll quickly get to know your fellow LTL students thanks to the jam-packed LTL Shanghai Social Calendar – including weekly group dinners and weekend day trips. Your Student Advisor will also always be on hand around the school if you have specific questions about your program or life in Shanghai.

By the time you get to Chengde you should have got to grips with the basics of day-to-day life in China, but you will still have access to support and advice from our local Chengde Immersion Specialist. Depending on your preferences you’ll be put in contact with local people via sports clubs or other social outings.

Of course, 24/7 emergency support is also included in both cities– so if you need our help, we’re only a phone call away.

What about the visa?

Please see the Shanghai Visa page for more details on our visa support.

How can I apply?

Simply click here to contact a Student Advisor directly!

Can I also study Chinese online with LTL?

Yes! LTL offers Mandarin classes online, as well as Shanghainese and Cantonese.