Chinese Language Summer School (six weeks)

Overview

Learn something new this summer. Spend six weeks learning Chinese language (Mandarin) while experiencing one of the world’s most important economies. The levels we teach include absolute beginner, elementary, low intermediate, high intermediate and advanced.

Our six-week summer school runs from:

• 4 July to 12 August 2016.

Classes will take place Monday to Friday, lesson one: 10am to 12pm and lesson two: 1pm to 2pm. Each week will be comprised of 15 hours of classroom-based language lessons and four hours of cultural understanding lessons. There will be plenty of opportunity to use the language you are learning on the street and in social situations.

This is the course for you if you:

• have never studied Chinese before and want a kick start into this fascinating and vital language
• have already studied some Chinese and want an effective refresher course
• want to quickly accelerate your level
• are thinking of doing the official HSK exam.

Teaching materials

We create our own teaching materials when it is the best for you and also keep an eye on the emerging course book market in Chinese language teaching. At the moment we are using a series of course books aimed at maximising the spoken aspects of learning Chinese, called “Meeting China”, which is available on Amazon.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available within close walking distance to class. Summer school staff will book your room for you when you confirm your place. You can find out more information on our accommodation page.

Why join us on this Summer School?

Good for your CV

Employers and university admissions officers widely report that some knowledge of Mandarin and understanding of Chinese culture is highly attractive and will make you stand out from the crowd.

Tailored to your level

As part of our unique model of instruction there are six study levels and you will be enrolled into the appropriate level for your needs. All four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) will be taught with a focus on useable, everyday language that you might expect to use if you are visiting, living, working or travelling in China.

Travel China

Take the opportunity before or after your studies to explore this continent-sized country and try out your language skills! Suzhou is a wonderful place from which to base yourself – check out our Suzhou life pages for more information – and you’ll be offered the chance to join full day trips at the weekend to places of interest nearby, such as Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wuxi. Suzhou is also only a few hours from Beijing by high-speed train and you can fly to Hong Kong and Taiwan, among other destinations, from Shanghai Pudong airport in around two hours.

Chinese cultural activities

Classes take place twice a week (2 to 4pm) and are a key part of the summer school. They provide the opportunity to practice your new language, learn more about China and have lots of fun. Some examples of what you will do include Chinese martial arts, calligraphy, paper cutting, cooking Chinese food, trying out traditional Chinese costumes and attending embroidery workshops.

Knowledge and skills

• Our award-winning, highly experienced teachers promote communication in classes, putting students at the front and centre of the lessons
• Small class sizes classes encourage lots of student talk and practice and you will be engaged and active in every single lesson
• Teachers will pay attention to your individual requirements to ensure you’re building the skills you need
• You will learn through doing, with lessons giving you language knowledge and skills that can be used immediately outside the classroom.