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    • Chinese
      • Beijing

          Beijing

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Semester
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
          • Study on the Great Wall
            A once in a lifetime experience. Study Mandarin with us on the Wall
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Apartments
            Our shared and serviced apartments are ideal for the budget traveller
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Gallery
          • Our School
            Discover our school in Beijing and the surrounding area
          • The City
            Take a peak into the amazing capital city of China
          • Student Life
            Check out some pictures from our previous student events
          • Accommodation
            Check out what our apartments and homestay accommodation look like
        •  
      • Shanghai

          Shanghai

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Semester
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
          • One Day Courses
            Check out our quick fire day courses as we discover Shanghai together
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Apartments
            Our shared and serviced apartments are ideal for the budget traveller
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Gallery
          • Our School
            Discover our school in Shanghai and the surrounding area
          • The City
            Discover the incredible sights and skyline of Shanghai
          • Student Life
            Check out some pictures from our previous student events
          • Accommodation
            Check out what our apartments and homestay accommodation look like
        •  
      • Taipei

          Taipei

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Study traditional Mandarin in Taipei with fully personalised courses
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Semester
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Apartments
            Discover our apartments which are an ideal alternative to our homestays
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Gallery
          • Our School
            Discover our school in Taipei and the surrounding area
          • The City
            Discover the bright lights of Taipei – a city that never sleeps
          • Student Life
            Check out some pictures from our previous student events
        •  
      • Beihai

          Beihai

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes 40% OFF
            Beihai courses are 40% cheaper than in Beijing & Shanghai
          • Group Classes 40% OFF
            Our best value set of group classes. Study in a group by the beach
          • Semester 40% OFF
            Live the dream for 18 or 36 weeks. Get fluent in Mandarin by the beach
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay 40% OFF
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Other
          • The Beaches of Beihai
            Discover this hidden gem on the south coast of China
          • Discover Beihai
            There’s plenty to do in Beihai and we list it all here
          • Social Life
            KTV, Breakfast Club, Weekly Dinners and much more
        •  
      • Xi'an

          Xi'an

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes 30% OFF
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes 30% OFF
            Study in small groups and enjoy 30% off our prices with all Xi’an bookings
          • Semester 30% OFF
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay 30% OFF
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Other
          • Social Life
            There’s plenty to do in Xi’an – come and see what we get up to
        •  
      • Chengdu

          Chengdu

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes 30% OFF
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes 30% OFF
            Enjoy 30% off our prices with all Chengdu bookings
          • Semester 30% OFF
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay 30% OFF
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Other
          • Social Life
            Sichuan hotpot, a trip to visit the pandas – and a whole lot more
          • The Panda's
            Chengdu is famous for the panda’s – check out our guide here
          • Discover Chengdu
            Find out what there is to do when you stay in Chengdu
        •  
      • Chengde

          Chengde

        • Study & Stay
          • Immersion Program
            The fastest way to learn Chinese. This is genuine 100% immersion
          • Homestay
            Virtually every student who comes to Chengde chooses a homestay
          • Apartments
            Apartments provide a handy budget alternative to our homestays
        • Discover
          • Life in Chengde
            Chengde is a step into the unknown. Let us enlighten you
          • Extreme Immersion
            Allow us to introduce you to an extreme immersive environment
          • Discover Chengde
            Chengde isn’t to be confused with Chengdu (home of the Pandas)
        • Gallery
          • The City
            Take a look at the city that hosts our immersive program
          • Student Life
            Check out some pictures from our previous student events
          • Accommodation
            Check out what our apartments and homestay accommodation look like
        •  
      • Singapore

          Singapore

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Semester
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
          • Specialist
            Spoken Chinese. Mandarin for Banking or Medical purposes & more
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Discover
          • Gallery
            Come and see what life is like at LTL Singapore
          • Social Life
            Find out more about what we get up to outside of the classroom
          • Discover Singapore
            Singapore is awash with activity. Here’s what we recommend you see
          • Singapore on a Budget
            Learn how you can cut costs in Singapore with our expert guide
        •  
    • Korean
      • Seoul

          Seoul

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Online
            Study Korean 24/7 with LTL using our Flexi Class platform
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Discover
          • Our Korean Blog
            Get to know Korean and the culture a bit better with our blog
          • Cities of Korea
            Discover some of the amazing cities this great country has to offer
          • Korean Holidays
            Learn more about Korean culture with our guide to the public holidays
        •  
    • Japanese
      • Tokyo

          Tokyo

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Online
            Study Japanese 24/7 with LTL using our Flexi Class platform
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
        • Discover
          • Our Japanese Blog
            Learn more about Japan and it’s culture with our blog
          • Japan's 4 Main Islands
            Discover Japan’s four main islands 北海道, 本土, 四国 and 九州
          • Japanese Holidays
            Learn more about Japanese culture with our guide to the public holidays
        •  
    • Vietnamese
      • Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

          Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Online
            Study Vietnamese 24/7 with LTL using our Flexi Class platform
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Apartments
            Discover our apartments which are an ideal alternative to our homestays
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM Card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Discover
          • Gallery
            Come and see what life is like at LTL in Ho Chi Minh City
          • Our Vietnamese Blog
            Discover more about Vietnam and its beautiful language
          • Cities of Vietnam
            Familiarise yourself with the main cities of Vietnam
      • Hanoi

          Hanoi

        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Study individually for a tailored learning experience
          • Group Classes
            Small groups that average just two people
          • Online
            Learn Vietnamese online with Flexi Classes
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay
          • Apartments
            The ideal budget option for LTL students
          • Services
            Allow us to help you settle in easier with some additional services
        • Discover
          • Our Vietnamese Blog
            Discover more about Vietnam and its beautiful language
          • Cities of Vietnam
            Discover Vietnam’s biggest and best cities
    • Online

        Online

      • Flexi Classes
        • Buy Flexi Classes
        • How Flexi Classes Work
        • How To Learn Online
      • Fixed Classes
        • Fixed Group Classes
        • Fixed 1-on-1 Classes
        • Courses for Kids
    • Programs
      • Programs (Mandarin Only)

          Programs (Mandarin Only)

        • Popular
          • HSK Exam
            Need to pass the HSK? Our students have a 98% pass rate
          • Multi City
            Why study Mandarin in one city when you have the choice of up to eight
          • Gap Year
            Take a year out and come travel China whilst learning the language
        • Under 18
          • High School Programs
            For something truly unique we offer high school programs in China
          • Summer Camp
            Every year for eight weeks we open our doors for the LTL Summer Camp
          • School Trip
            We’ve hosted schools from Mexico, Italy and further afield
        • Special
          • Internship in China
            Gain international work experience and study Mandarin
          • Descent Speakers
            Specifically tailored towards students of an overseas Chinese born heritage
          • Master Class Age 50+
            A program for the adventurers out there above 50 years old
    • About LTL

        About LTL

      • DIscover LTL
        • Our Story
        • Why Choose LTL
        • Meet the Team
        • Media & Accreditations
        • Locations
        • Reviews and Testimonials
        • Careers at LTL
      • Useful Links
        • China Student Visa
        • Public Holidays in Asia
        • Tools for Learning Chinese
        • Newsletter
        • LTL Podcast
        • LTL Shop
        • LTL Blog
    • Chinese
      • Beijing
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Semester
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
          • Study on the Great Wall
            A once in a lifetime experience. Study Mandarin with us on the Wall
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Apartments
            Our shared and serviced apartments are ideal for the budget traveller
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Gallery
          • Our School
            Discover our school in Beijing and the surrounding area
          • The City
            Take a peak into the amazing capital city of China
          • Student Life
            Check out some pictures from our previous student events
          • Accommodation
            Check out what our apartments and homestay accommodation look like
        •  
      • Shanghai
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Semester
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
          • One Day Courses
            Check out our quick fire day courses as we discover Shanghai together
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Apartments
            Our shared and serviced apartments are ideal for the budget traveller
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Gallery
          • Our School
            Discover our school in Shanghai and the surrounding area
          • The City
            Discover the incredible sights and skyline of Shanghai
          • Student Life
            Check out some pictures from our previous student events
          • Accommodation
            Check out what our apartments and homestay accommodation look like
        •  
      • Taipei
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Study traditional Mandarin in Taipei with fully personalised courses
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Semester
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Apartments
            Discover our apartments which are an ideal alternative to our homestays
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Gallery
          • Our School
            Discover our school in Taipei and the surrounding area
          • The City
            Discover the bright lights of Taipei – a city that never sleeps
          • Student Life
            Check out some pictures from our previous student events
        •  
      • Beihai
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes 40% OFF
            Beihai courses are 40% cheaper than in Beijing & Shanghai
          • Group Classes 40% OFF
            Our best value set of group classes. Study in a group by the beach
          • Semester 40% OFF
            Live the dream for 18 or 36 weeks. Get fluent in Mandarin by the beach
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay 40% OFF
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Other
          • The Beaches of Beihai
            Discover this hidden gem on the south coast of China
          • Discover Beihai
            There’s plenty to do in Beihai and we list it all here
          • Social Life
            KTV, Breakfast Club, Weekly Dinners and much more
        •  
      • Xi'an
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes 30% OFF
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes 30% OFF
            Study in small groups and enjoy 30% off our prices with all Xi’an bookings
          • Semester 30% OFF
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay 30% OFF
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Other
          • Social Life
            There’s plenty to do in Xi’an – come and see what we get up to
        •  
      • Chengdu
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes 30% OFF
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes 30% OFF
            Enjoy 30% off our prices with all Chengdu bookings
          • Semester 30% OFF
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay 30% OFF
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Other
          • Social Life
            Sichuan hotpot, a trip to visit the pandas – and a whole lot more
          • The Panda's
            Chengdu is famous for the panda’s – check out our guide here
          • Discover Chengdu
            Find out what there is to do when you stay in Chengdu
        •  
      • Chengde
        • Study & Stay
          • Immersion Program
            The fastest way to learn Chinese. This is genuine 100% immersion
          • Homestay
            Virtually every student who comes to Chengde chooses a homestay
          • Apartments
            Apartments provide a handy budget alternative to our homestays
        • Discover
          • Life in Chengde
            Chengde is a step into the unknown. Let us enlighten you
          • Extreme Immersion
            Allow us to introduce you to an extreme immersive environment
          • Discover Chengde
            Chengde isn’t to be confused with Chengdu (home of the Pandas)
        • Gallery
          • The City
            Take a look at the city that hosts our immersive program
          • Student Life
            Check out some pictures from our previous student events
          • Accommodation
            Check out what our apartments and homestay accommodation look like
        •  
      • Singapore
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Semester
            Study a university style semester for either 18 or 36 weeks
          • Specialist
            Spoken Chinese. Mandarin for Banking or Medical purposes & more
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Discover
          • Gallery
            Come and see what life is like at LTL Singapore
          • Social Life
            Find out more about what we get up to outside of the classroom
          • Discover Singapore
            Singapore is awash with activity. Here’s what we recommend you see
          • Singapore on a Budget
            Learn how you can cut costs in Singapore with our expert guide
        •  
    • Korean
      • Seoul
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Online
            Study Korean 24/7 with LTL using our Flexi Class platform
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Discover
          • Our Korean Blog
            Get to know Korean and the culture a bit better with our blog
          • Cities of Korea
            Discover some of the amazing cities this great country has to offer
          • Korean Holidays
            Learn more about Korean culture with our guide to the public holidays
        •  
    • Japanese
      • Tokyo
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Online
            Study Japanese 24/7 with LTL using our Flexi Class platform
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
        • Discover
          • Our Japanese Blog
            Learn more about Japan and it’s culture with our blog
          • Japan's 4 Main Islands
            Discover Japan’s four main islands 北海道, 本土, 四国 and 九州
          • Japanese Holidays
            Learn more about Japanese culture with our guide to the public holidays
        •  
    • Vietnamese
      • Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Individual tailored courses with the best teachers in the business
          • Group Classes
            Our small group classes average just 2-3 students and never exceed 6
          • Online
            Study Vietnamese 24/7 with LTL using our Flexi Class platform
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay family
          • Apartments
            Discover our apartments which are an ideal alternative to our homestays
          • Services
            Need an airport pickup or SIM Card? Let us help with our set of services
        • Discover
          • Gallery
            Come and see what life is like at LTL in Ho Chi Minh City
          • Our Vietnamese Blog
            Discover more about Vietnam and its beautiful language
          • Cities of Vietnam
            Familiarise yourself with the main cities of Vietnam
      • Hanoi
        • Courses
          • 1-on-1 Classes
            Study individually for a tailored learning experience
          • Group Classes
            Small groups that average just two people
          • Online
            Learn Vietnamese online with Flexi Classes
        • Accommodation
          • Homestay
            80% of LTL students choose to live with a homestay
          • Apartments
            The ideal budget option for LTL students
          • Services
            Allow us to help you settle in easier with some additional services
        • Discover
          • Our Vietnamese Blog
            Discover more about Vietnam and its beautiful language
          • Cities of Vietnam
            Discover Vietnam’s biggest and best cities
    • Online
      • Flexi Classes
        • Buy Flexi Classes
        • How Flexi Classes Work
        • How To Learn Online
      • Fixed Classes
        • Fixed Group Classes
        • Fixed 1-on-1 Classes
        • Courses for Kids
    • Programs
      • Programs (Mandarin Only)
        • Popular
          • HSK Exam
            Need to pass the HSK? Our students have a 98% pass rate
          • Multi City
            Why study Mandarin in one city when you have the choice of up to eight
          • Gap Year
            Take a year out and come travel China whilst learning the language
        • Under 18
          • High School Programs
            For something truly unique we offer high school programs in China
          • Summer Camp
            Every year for eight weeks we open our doors for the LTL Summer Camp
          • School Trip
            We’ve hosted schools from Mexico, Italy and further afield
        • Special
          • Internship in China
            Gain international work experience and study Mandarin
          • Descent Speakers
            Specifically tailored towards students of an overseas Chinese born heritage
          • Master Class Age 50+
            A program for the adventurers out there above 50 years old
    • About LTL
      • DIscover LTL
        • Our Story
        • Why Choose LTL
        • Meet the Team
        • Media & Accreditations
        • Locations
        • Reviews and Testimonials
        • Careers at LTL
      • Useful Links
        • China Student Visa
        • Public Holidays in Asia
        • Tools for Learning Chinese
        • Newsletter
        • LTL Podcast
        • LTL Shop
        • LTL Blog
  • Contact





    Face to Face Courses

    Hi, my name is Manuel! I am from Spain and I am a Student Advisor at LTL. Fancy coming to study with us? Drop me a message.

    Email: [email protected]
    WeChat ID: manuelsaldana

    Online Courses

    Hi, my name is Andreas, the founder of LTL School. I am originally from Germany and now based in Asia. I can help get your online course booked up in no time. How may I assist you today?

    Email: [email protected]
    Skype: andreas_ltl
    Whatsapp: +86 139 1005 2771

    LTL Banner Image

    [email protected]

    +86 (0) 10 65129057

    Home
    LTL Programs
    Gap Year

    GAP YEAR IN CHINA || BUILD YOUR DREAM PROGRAM

    Experience China like never before with our Gap Year in China program.

    Learn Chinese in China and explore one of the world’s most fascinating nations simultaneously.

    We have a number of Gap Year China programs, each with their own niche allowing us to cater for different preferences.

    Our students become close friends and experience some once in a lifetime memories together with our China Gap Year program.

    Whatever option you decide to go with, you are sure to experience something like never before.

    China has a 5,000-year-old civilisation with a wealth of history and culture to delve into.

    Play
    Tobias and Mikkel studied with us in Shanghai and Taipei
    • Gap Year in China
    • China’s PREMIER Mandarin School
    • Choose from 8 different cities
    • Study Abroad and Discover China
    • Become fluent in Mandarin
    • Meet friends from around the globe

    This Is YOUR Gap Year

    Experience China – Explore and delve into life in Asia
    Four Programs – Something for everyone
    Learn Chinese – Become fluent as you journey through China
    Friends for life – Build strong relationships with students

    Learn Chinese in 8 Cities

    Beijing & Shanghai – The Big Two
    Chengdu & Xi’an – Culturally astounding, incredible food
    Taipei & Singapore – Life outside of the Mainland
    Chengde & Beihai – Two hidden gems only we know about

    No Team Quite Like Us

    Teachers – Fully certified and ready to help you become fluent
    Staff – Always here to help and advise
    Students – Our students are driven to succeed
    United – Together we have a great time learning Chinese

    24/7 Support

    Staff – Between us we know China inside out, we can help
    LTL Family – Staff, teachers and students join forces
    Inclusive – WiFi, drinks and even beer (after 5pm) included
    Location – All schools are ideally located and easy to access

    GAP YEAR IN CHINA – DISCOVER THE CITIES

    Play

    Andreas tells us why you should study in Beijing with 5 reasons why it’s such a great place to learn Chinese.

    On the flip-side he gives three reasons why perhaps Beijing isn’t for you.

    Play

    Come on a tour of Shanghai with our Marketing Wizard Cam who shows you around Shanghai.

    Discover what our students and teachers think of the city.

    Play

    The best places to learn Chinese in China are…? Andreas gives his frank opinions on his three favourites.

    His three choices are all super different from each other.

    GAP YEAR IN CHINA || LIVE THE DREAM

    We have a number of different Gap Year programs you can experience!

    Our Full Immersion Gap Year in China gives you the chance to mix the big city life in Beijing or Shanghai with Chengde, a city where you will not see a foreigner all trip.

    The Chinese Language Year offers intensive study abroad for 36 weeks, over two semesters allowing you to achieve fluency in Mandarin.

    Or if you wish for more flexibility then you can even build your own gap year in China. We’ll help you create the perfect itinerary from start to finish allowing for maximum flexbility.

    Whatever Gap Year in China you book, we guarantee you will have the experience of a lifetime in one of the world’s most fascinating and fastest growing countries.

    GAP YEAR IN CHINA PROGRAM #1 || Full Immersion Gap Year

    Learn Mandarin whilst experiencing full Immersion in China on your path to becoming fluent in Chinese. Experience the hustle, bustle and bright lights of Beijing or Shanghai before moving onto the much smaller Chengde (not to be confused with Chengdu), a city with no foreign influence, no Starbucks or McDonalds, and no English.

    STEP 1

    Beijing & Shanghai

    Two of the most popular cities to study Chinese in!

    You will acclimatise to the Chinese culture as your start your trip in either Beijing or Shanghai, you decide.

    That, in itself is an adventure you will never forget.

    Shanghai’s incredible modern influence is littered with remarkable skyscrapers wherever you look.

    Beijing, equally large, has a whole host of Chinese history and culture to explore.

    Whichever you choose, you are in for quite an experience.

    STEP 2

    Chengde

    After this you will be whisked away to Chengde. A city with just 500,000 people (this is small in China terms) and no foreigners.

    You will live and breathe Mandarin and speak no English. This can be a testing experience.

    You must be warned if you aren’t sure about experiencing full Chinese Immersion, Chengde might not be for you.

    Chengde is very much “real China”, the pace is much slower, the people are friendly and the Mandarin spoken in Chengde is the most standard Mandarin you will experience in the whole of China.

    WHEN CAN I START?

    Starting dates for courses depend on the city you will arrive in.

    Contact us and we will give you further details on when you can start your experience with LTL.

    Our pricing below covers 3 month and 6 month Immersion Programs.

    Included in the price id:

    • A return train ticket from either Shanghai or Beijing to Chengde
    • A Survival kit which you can find out more about on our Services page.

    What are you waiting for?

    Let’s get this show on the road!

    Total DurationBeijingChengdePrice in CNY
    3 months Immersion6 weeks small group class6 weeks 1-on-1 class41,430
    6 months Immersion12 weeks small group class12 weeks 1-on-1 class67,830

    Accommodation Prices

    We have a number of accommodation options on top of the Immersion program which include shared apartments and homestays.

    Our apartments are a great option if you are travelling on a budget. For information regarding our Chinese Homestays visit our homestay page. Homestay’s will include breakfast and dinner.

    There are various options for vegetarians, vegans and any other dietary needs you may wish to inform us of.

    DurationBeijing/ShanghaiChengdePrice (CNY)
    3 months6 wk shared apartment6 wk homestay25,967
    3 months6 wk homestay6 wk homestay31,054
    6 months12 wk shared apartment12 wk homestay47,160
    6 months12 wk homestay12 wk homestay52,560

    NOTE – The Beijing apartment included in the table above is the small room option in our standard apartment. An upgrade to the large room or downgrade to the economy apartments are all possible. Contact us for more information.

    Gap year in China
    Trip to the Wall
    Posing near the bund
    Posing near the bund
    Jocelyn, Katrin and Nicolas at The Great Wall of China
    Jocelyn, Katrin and Nicolas
    Enjoying Stir Fry
    Dinner Time in Taipei

    GAP YEAR IN CHINA PROGRAM #2 || Chinese Language Gap Year

    Study abroad in China for two university style semesters to help you achieve Chinese fluency. Enjoy our popular small group classes which have a maximum of six students and an average of less than three students per class.

    Every student has their say, every student speaks Chinese and close bonds are formed between students and teachers.

    Each weekday you will study for four hours making your weekly study at school total 20 hours. Each semester lasts 18 weeks meaning you enjoy 36 weeks of Chinese study in total but if you wish to extend you you can.

    You can speed up your Chinese progress even further by opting to stay in one of our carefully selected homestays in China. 

    After 36 weeks of intensive study and with the potential of living at a homestay many students would expect, and do, reach HSK4/5 meaning fluency in Chinese.

    When Can I Start?

    Starting dates for courses depend on the city you will arrive in. Contact us and we will give you further details on when you can start your experience with LTL.

    What Are The Costs?

    Both Beijing and Shanghai Chinese Language years are the same cost. Please note if you wish to upgrade your accommodation to a Chinese Homestay then contact us and we can arrange this at an extra charge.

    Your Mandarin will naturally progress quicker at a homestay and overall, 80% of our students opt for a homestay.

    If you’d like to try out a single semester lasting 18 weeks, then please do take a look at our Beijing Semester and Shanghai Semester Programs.

    No accommodation – 64,260 CNY
    +36 weeks accommodation* – 111,088 CNY

    Included in the price of the Chinese Language Year is:

    LTL Language School - Brand You Can Trust
    The class of 2020
    Robyn with her friends in Beijing
    LTL Language School
    Student common area
    Students outside LTL school
    Quick Facts about LTL Mandarin School - Accreditations
    • Study materials
    • 20 hours of small group class
    • 36 weeks of Chinese study
    • Survival Kit
    • Support from LTL staff 24/7

    NOTE – *accommodation is the standard shared apartment – small room

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    GAP YEAR IN CHINA PROGRAM #3 || Build Your Own

    We also give you the chance to build your own gap year in Asia. Build the program you want, when you want and where you want.

    • Fancy 5 weeks in Shanghai learning Chinese in one of the worlds biggest and most exciting cities?
    • Why not then head to Beijing for a further 15 weeks and kick on your Chinese further with individual Mandarin classes in China’s capital.
    • You could finish off with 16 weeks in Chengde where you will be sure to achieve fluency in Mandarin. No foreigners, no English, no Starbucks. Welcome to real China.

    This is just an example of what you could build. 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.

    Have a play around with our calculator to get an idea of the programs you can build and the costs involved.

    Graduation Time
    All Smiles at Graduations
    Studying hard!
    Gael, part of Team Mexico 2019

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Can I travel China outside of class?

    Absolutely, you cannot come to China and not take advantage of this incredible country.

    China is incredibly diverse and Beijing, Shanghai and Chengde offer a wealth of incredible memories. You can also venture as further afield as you wish. The more you explore, the greater the experience.

    You can for example join one of our weekend trips to see the Terracotta army in Xian, the gardens in Suzhou or the beer festival in Qingdao. You can also spend breaks like Chinese New Year or long weekends exploring other parts of the country from visiting the Ming Tombs in Nanjing to climbing the Himalayas in Tibet. China is huge and there is a lot of fun to be had.

    Do living costs vary across China?

    Yes they do. Here are three examples.

    Chengde is, not surprisingly, the cheapest (alongside Beihai) and you can get by on very little each month and still live a decent lifestyle.

    Beijing, being a capital City and Shanghai being the metropolis means both cities are much more expensive than Chengde but you can get by for little if you are shrewd.

    For every smart, expensive restaurant there are hundreds of local restaurants and street vendors which provide wonderful, local food for example.

    Can you help me build a gap year in China?

    Sure, if you need advice on what is the best program for you just start a live chat with us or drop us an email.

    We offer many different opportunities and flexible study abroad programs so rest assured we will find something for you.

    Can I become fluent in Chinese with a Gap Year?

    Fluency doesn’t just come to you, it has to be earned but after 36 weeks this is certainly possible. Staying at a Chinese Homestay will increase your chances dramatically.

    Studying outside of class and completing your homework is also essential. So far all of our students have, at the very least, reached HSK4 from a China gap year.

    A lot depends on what you put in outside of school but if you want it and work for it, you will get it. Enjoy the experience and don’t ever give up.

    Do you have lessons over Christmas?

    As Christmas isn’t a holiday in China most schools and offices remain open for business.

    However, you are welcome to return home for Christmas, we’ll need to adjust your program though so please discuss this with us before you come to China.

    Is it easy to make new friends?

    This is the easy part. 

    Making friends at LTL is a given. Many will actually become friends for life such is the nature of the community at LTL.

    Students come and go every week so there will always be new people and many students spend many evenings together studying, socialising and exploring. Our staff are also very sociable and enjoy getting involved with students too. We are one big family and it means making friends is so easy.

    Can I go from Singapore to Taipei and then Beijing?

    Of course, you can build whatever program you wish.

    It’s worth nothing though, that you will need to cover the costs of getting between the cities.

    What our students say ...

    Noah  Testimony for LTL
    Noah
    Germany
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    I am really enjoying my experience in China. It's really easy to make friends, as everyone is in the same boat. We are all new to China and discover things together. I'm really happy that I came here for my Gap Year. 

    Read More

    Taitti Testimony for LTL
    Taitti
    Germany
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    I studied two and a half months with LTL - and I loved it. I had a full Chinese immersion experience, spending time in Beijing, Chengde and also travelling around China. My teachers Helen and Felix were both fantastic.

    Read More

    Samuel  Testimony for LTL
    Samuel
    Germany
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Samuel initially studied at LTL with group classes and then moved onto tailored 1-on-1 classes later in his program. Watch this interview on YouTube to hear more about his story of studying Chinese in Shanghai: 

    Read More

    Kevin Testimony for LTL
    Kevin
    Germany
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Between my bachelor and master studies I performed a gap year in order to collect enriching experiences. During my self organized gap year I spent six months in China, with the support of LTL. 

    Read More

    Close
    Noah  Testimony for LTL
    Noah Germany

    I am really enjoying my experience in China so far. I think it’s a great choice for me, as it’s not like a regular Gap year in the USA, Australia or another English-speaking country.

    China and Chinese culture is so different to the West, and Mandarin language is even more different. Living in Beijing is really interesting and I feel like I am broadening my horizons. I am learning lots about how German culture compares to other places and how different it is from China. 

    I think that learning Chinese will be a great skill for my future. Studying Mandarin is a big challenge when you first start, but it’s also really fun.  I think I’m making quite quick progress which keeps me feeling motivated.

    Noah class

    I like living with a Chinese homestay, and they make me feel like one of the family. I feel that as I have got to know them better, they have helped me to experience China as a real local rather than as a tourist. My Mandarin classes are great.

    I enjoy that they are really connected to my day-to-day life, rather than just learning grammar and vocab. It’s really easy to make friends, as everyone is in the same boat. We are all new to China and discover new things together.

    I’m really happy that I came to China and LTL for my Gap Year. 

    Close
    Taitti Testimony for LTL
    Taitti Germany

    Learning Chinese in China at 40 years of age – yes, I can!

    When I took a longer break from work to learn Chinese and travel, I was a little apprehensive of what learning a new language would be like.

    Gap Year in China

    With me being nearly 40 years of age it had been many years since I’d been to university and studied daily in a classroom setting. The life-long learner in me was itching to try it out, and I off I went to Beijing!

    I studied two and a half months with LTL – and I loved it. I had a full Chinese immersion experience, spending time in Beijing, Chengde and also travelling around China.

    My first two months were spent in Beijing, learning Chinese and staying in a Chinese host family. I wanted to make most out of my time in China, and I spent my evenings during the week on study, but my weekends were focused on sightseeing.

    My teachers Helen and Felix were both fantastic. Helen was our written Chinese teacher. I was always inspired by her love for the beauty of Chinese characters.

    It made Chinese writing much easier, when someone helped you see the fascinating side in it. She was equally good at teaching our youngest (13 years old) and oldest (that was me) in the group.

    Felix was our spoken Chinese teacher and he had a great sense of humour. He did not only spend some time with ensuring all students learned the correct pronunciation, but also always had something interesting to tell about the topic. I had many good laughs in his class when we were playing out dialogues in Chinese, and trying out our new vocabulary.

    The atmosphere, support and social life at LTL were great. The school is small, and we got to know each other quite well.

    Making Dumplings in China

    There were plenty of socials and suggestions for what we could do on weekends. It was always easy to find someone who wanted to go for a excursion or sightseeing together. We had Beijing duck, hot pot and numerous other meals together.

    We also visited the less and more famous sites in Beijing. One of the most memorable ones for me is the flag raising on Tiananmen square. Yes, it means getting up early, but it’s worth it! Of the museums I would recommend the National Art Museum. We were in luck as the exhibitions at the time had both contemporary and traditional Chinese art on display.

    I also visited Shanghai, Xi’an, Huashan mountain and hiked in Yunnan. Plenty to do in China!

    During the two weeks in LTL Chengde I had an amazing Chinese lady as my “host family”. She taught me how to make my favourite Chinese food, dumplings. Nom! I still don’t know how she managed to make about 50 of them in the time I made three, little broken ones ☺ My “auntie” had a real talent.

    In Chengde I had a private teacher who taught me quite a lot about local culture in the short time. I enjoyed being outside of busy Beijing, too.

    Beijing was great, of course, for the social life and the sightseeing, yet it was nice to have the change of scenery and be in a place where I could cycle or walk anywhere.

    I would warmly recommend taking time to learn a language and studying with LTL. I made friends with other students, equally the younger and the older ones.

    Most of the other students who were not at university age came only for short 1-2 weeks, or they were already based in Beijing and working there, and I think both are great options: Using a holiday to study in Beijing, or taking a longer break to immerse in the language and culture. The school provided excellent teaching, teachers were friendly and everyone in the office was always willing to help and answer questions. So – what are you waiting for?

    Close
    Samuel  Testimony for LTL
    Samuel Germany

    Samuel initially studied at LTL with group classes and then moved onto tailored 1-on-1 classes later in his program. He lived with a homestay family too which meant that he could practise Chinese at home also. He has a condition which impacts his eyesight, watch this interview to hear more about his story of studying Chinese in Shanghai:

    Play
    Close
    Kevin Testimony for LTL
    Kevin Germany

    My name is Kevin Riehl, I am 22 years old and from Germany. Between my bachelor and master studies I performed a gap year in order to collect enriching experiences. During my self organized gap year I spent six months in China, with the support of LTL.

    LTL’s services was always excellent. The survival kit at the beginning was very helpful, as well as the support with opening a bank account and getting a Chinese Simcard. Furthermore LTL supported me to find a great internship that exactly fits into my field of studies and let me grow a lot personally. The support for finding clean, safe and friendly homestays was outrageous; for me it was more than a homestay, it was like a real, warm family.

    The lessons at LTL have been very good and the teachers support was very helpful. In six months I managed to improve my Chinese skills a lot and passed two HSK exams (level three and four).

    Learning Chinese at LTL enabled me to use the Chinese language independently and to travel all by myself through China, create a professional network in China and make a lot of very good friends.

    I thank you very much LTL, I lived the language and enjoyed my time in China and I will never forget it.

    Other Programs

    • China Student Visa

      Useful Links

      Applying for a Visa in China can be difficult and awkward, especially if you've not done it before. We help take the strain away by…

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    • Multi City Program

      LTL Program

      Study abroad and visit up to 8 different cities with LTL Mandarin School. Our Multi City program offers a unique chance to explore Asia and…

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    LTL Language School believes that study should not be limited to the classroom. When you study in Asia you can fully immerse yourself into the culture, giving a deeper understanding of the language.

     

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    • LTL Mandarin School Beijing

      Jianguo Rd. 88, Xiandai SOHO, Building B, 504
      建国路88号现代城SOHO B座 504
      Tel: +86 (0) 10 65129057
      Email: [email protected]

    • LTL Mandarin School Shanghai

      Xiangyang South Rd. Modern Mansion Bldg. A #910
      徐汇区襄阳南路218号现代大厦 A座 910室
      Tel: +86 (0) 21 3368 0866
      Email: [email protected]

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      No. 0510, City Plaza, No. 183 Beihai Ave. Haicheng
      北海市海城区北海大道183号城市购物广场 0510号
      Tel: +86 (0) 10 65129057
      Email: [email protected]

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      Traditional: 台北市大安區安和路一段78巷29號
      No. 29, Lane 78, Section 1, Anhe Rd, Da’an, Taipei
      Tel: +886 (2) 27555007
      Email: [email protected]

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      Manuel Saldaña Quintans , Student Advisor

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