Why Intensive Is Best // Learning Chinese In The Shortest Possible Time

Killer Factors Why Intensive Chinese Courses in China are Best

Why take an Intensive Chinese Course in China?

Because there is no better way to learn Chinese than intensively.

Taking an Intensive Chinese Course in China

How to study Chinese outside the classroom

Why should I live with a Chinese family

Intensive Chinese Course in China – The Results

Why? Let us explain…

Teacher Monica and student Nicklas at LTL Beijing
Teacher Monica and student Nicklas at LTL

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to learning languages.

… but in truth there is no on exact “best way” to learn Chinese.

However, there are ways you can improve faster and one we strongly believe in is taking an intensive Chinese course in China.

We are often asked the question, can a student really pass the HSK 6 exam after one year of studying Chinese from beginner level. The fact is you can and the proof is in the pudding.

Let our previous student, Anthea from Germany, talk you through her journey with LTL.

Taking an Intensive Chinese Course in China

LTL Shanghai Classroom
LTL Shanghai Classroom

Anthea came to LTL to study an intensive Chinese course in China.

She travelled across the country and enjoyed our Multi City program in which she spent roughly one year at LTL.

Intensive Chinese and Immersion in China is the complete mixture for success when studying Chinese and we know this because we’ve been mentoring students on how to learn Chinese for well over a decade now.

Of course there is no right or wrong way to study, but there are things you can do to speed up your progression when studying Mandarin which apply to everyone, no matter how different your study habits may be.

Studying Mandarin intensively is the best way to get your Chinese ahead fast.

We offer courses which include up to six hours of individual Chinese classes every weekday. It’s a lot of Chinese but imagine the content that can be squeezed into 30 hours of Mandarin every week. Add on to that the option to study individually and tailor classes to include exactly the sort of content you want and you get an idea of how quickly you can learn the language.

As we said before, although there are no right or wrong ways to improve your Chinese, as every individual is different, we know for a fact an intensive Chinese course in China will get you from zero to 60 in the quickest way possible.

However, there are still potential pitfalls to fall into. We’ve covered intensive Mandarin courses in China, in the classroom, but what happens when you set foot outdoors and meet your foreign friends or go back to your apartment/hotel full of foreigners?

Let’s cross that bridge now

Intensive Chinese – How to study Chinese outside the classroom?

Individual Chinese Courses
One on One Chinese Lesson

So you are enjoying your six hours of intensive Chinese classes in China everyday and you are making progress.

You step outside the classroom and you revert back to your mother tongue.

You meet friends who all speak your language, you eat foreign food, you forget some key structures and words you learned in the day just gone.

We cannot stress how common this is and how much of a pitfall it is to learning Chinese…

How do you escape from this foreign bubble?

LTL was set up because, back when we were Chinese rookies we went through the same problems. We came out the other side. We want students to progress quicker than we did.

So how to get out of the familiar foreign bubble outside of Chinese classes in China?

Live with a Chinese family in China

Really, it’s the best way to learn Chinese!

Why Should I Live with a Chinese Family in China?

You study Mandarin everyday for six hours, this is without doubt intensive.

To then go from Intensive to Immersion is all about 24/7 interaction.

Time for food at the Chengde Homestay
Time for food at the Chengde Homestay

This is harder to achieve in the bigger, more international, Chinese cities but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

Beijing and Shanghai can still offer very immersive environments, it’s just what you put into it and how driven you are to succeed.

A homestay in China is a great way to keep the intensive Chinese going.

For example, you’ve just had a good day of practice, then you go back to your Chinese family and you use what you’ve learned in the day.

Your family are impressed with your improvement, your confidence therefore increases because you are using something new, and the snowball effect has begun.

Here are some quick benefits you’ll experience for staying at a Chinese homestay:

  • Speak Chinese outside of school
  • Learn the names of some great Chinese dishes you might not otherwise find
  • Learn how to say day-to-day things like how to do your washing, turn the TV on, or ask why the hot water isn’t working. Very useful things for the future that you may not learn elsewhere
  • Watch Chinese TV or movies with the Homestay family. Watching Chinese TV is a BRILLIANT way to learn Chinese. As is listening to Chinese music.
  • Make a new circle of Chinese friends and meet extended family
  • If you are lucky enough to be in China for Golden Week or Chinese New Year – you are in for a special experience.

DID YOU KNOW – For these reasons, and more, 80% of our students across all our schools opt to stay with a Chinese homestay.

Student common area
LTL Beijing

Generally when people come to LTL they want to learn Chinese as quickly as possible, of course.

Due to this studying as much Mandarin as possible and aiming to speak it outside of school as well as inside is a popular choice and it comes with results.

This isn’t the only thing you can do outside of school to improve your Chinese.

The obvious, and one of the most effective around, is to get yourself a Chinese friend. Even better than that a Chinese boy/girlfriend!

It’s not always easy to slot into a group of Chinese friends, especially when your knowledge of the language is not on their level, but it is possible.

DID YOU KNOW – Actually, we at LTL really help you with making new Chinese friends, follow the link to see how with our connection kit.

Intensive Chinese Course in China – The Results?

1-on-1 Chinese Classes at LTL
1-on-1 Chinese Classes at LTL

We are lucky enough to have a wonderful group of students with us in all of our schools.

The tight knit community feel of LTL Mandarin School means everyone is welcomed with open arms.

The decision to come and study Chinese in China is a big one, but it’s a great one.

We want everyone to immediately feel at home despite the inevitable culture shock.

See what our students have to say about us on various websites throughout the Internet!

If you fancy a more interactive look at the LTL alumni’s thoughts on their Chinese progression then visit our YouTube Channel.

We have a host of video interviews with current and previous students who discuss their Mandarin progression.

Intensive Chinese Course in China – FAQ’s

Is it quicker to learn Chinese in China than learning Chinese abroad?

Although we’d never tell anyone to not study Chinese outside of China, it’s clear and obvious that studying Chinese in China is the best way to learn Chinese.

Immersing yourself is the most important thing you can do when studying Chinese. You will see far more progress, far quicker.

Does living with a Chinese family also speed up my Chinese?

Yes it will. Imagine going to a Chinese class and then after class spending all evening with foreigners just speaking English.

Your mind starts to revert to what you are comfortable with. Learning Chinese intensively should provide you with plenty of “uncomfortable moments”. These are the moments that will define your success with Chinese and living with a Chinese family is an amazing way to do that, super fast!

What are the benefits of living with a Homestay family?

1 – Speak Chinese outside of school

2 – Learn the names of some great Chinese dishes you might not otherwise find

3 – Learn how to say day-to-day things like how to do your washing, turn the TV on, or ask why the hot water isn’t working. Very useful things for the future that you may not learn elsewhere

4 – Watch Chinese TV or movies with the Homestay family. Watching Chinese TV is a BRILLIANT way to learn Chinese. As is listening to Chinese music.

5 – Make a new circle of Chinese friends and meet extended family

6 – If you are lucky enough to be in China for Golden Week or Chinese New Year – you are in for a special experience.

What are some quick tips for learning Chinese faster?

1 – Make friends with Chinese who speak little to no English.

2 – Date Chinese nationals who also speak little to no English.

3 – Study Chinese in a city with no english speakers, like Chengde.

4 – Live with a Chinese family.

5 – Change your mobile phone language to Chinese

6 – Watch Chinese TV

7 – Listen to Chinese music

Is 6 hours of Chinese study a day too much?

Six hours of Chinese study, although is certainly intensive, will give you a great platform in which to build on with your Chinese.

It’s intense, and can be tiring, but we certainly wouldn’t say it’s too much given the history of our students success and feedback.

Can I still learn Chinese fast in a group class?

Learning Chinese is best done 1-on-1 but of course, studying Chinese in a group (the smaller the better) will still see you make good progress if you make it a part of your life everyday.

It’s hard to make quick progress with just a few lessons here and there, it needs to become a commitment in your life.

Can I also learn Chinese intensively online?

Absolutely – this is a great compromise if you are tight for time or cannot come to China. Find out more with our Online Chinese classes here.

Want more from LTL?

If you wish to hear more from LTL Mandarin School why not join our mailing list. We give plenty of handy information on learning Chinese, useful apps to learn the language and everything going on at our LTL schools! Sign up below and become part of our ever growing community!

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  1. Most Common Chinese Characters 🈶 What Are The Top 100?
    Reply

    […] could learn these characters, and their meanings pretty quickly if you study Chinese intensively. This is the key, if you have the time, and the drive and motivation, you can learn these in a few […]

  2. Jennifer D. Harris
    Reply

    Thank you for writing about this topic. It is very informative for everyone who wants to study abroad. I have a venture that I am simply now opening on, and I’ve been at the lookout for such info.

    1. Max Hobbs
      Reply

      Glad to hear it Jennifer

  3. Hillary
    Reply

    Can’t wait to come back, HSK 4 and counting!

    1. Max Hobbs
      Reply

      Can’t wait to have you back!!

  4. Princess
    Reply

    Yay cant wait to come to China again

    1. Max Hobbs
      Reply

      Can’t wait to see you!

  5. I learned Japanese with my gap year. No point dancing around for years, go hard

    1. Max Hobbs
      Reply

      Great achievement Greg! Well done. Chinese next…?!

  6. Great, very helpful post

    1. Max Hobbs
      Reply

      Thanks Lin

  7. Want to come back to China, when will the borders open?

    1. Max Hobbs
      Reply

      We aren’t quite sure Evan but we’ll certainly let you know if you make sure you are on our Newsletter 🙂

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    Manuel Saldaña Quintans , Student Advisor

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