Applies to the 1 Month MandarinTM Program
Overview of Features
- Private tutor for every student - 2 hours per day!!
- Accommodation in Beijing
- Chinese Learning Materials: Books, Proprietary Materials
- Optional Palm Pilot and Chinese learning software
As former students, we know the difficulties that come with planning a study abroad in China trip and the difficulties of learning Mandarin Chinese in China. China can be a strange place - we want you to enjoy it not to be overwhelmed by it. Therefore, we have put together a service offering that allows you peace of mind and saves you much of the hassle and stress that might otherwise interfere with your study in China experience. Along with that we have coupled our unique program features to give you the best possible Chinese learning experience in China as possible. We are here to make your Chinese learning experience as smooth as possible from your first contact with us through the end of your journey; at every step of the way we are here to help.
- PRE-DEPARTURE
- WHILE IN TRANSIT
- UPON ARRIVAL
- Airport Pickup and "Welcome to Your Study in China" Reception
- Notification of Family and Loved Ones or others
- Orientation & Area Tours
- Welcome Banquet
- WHILE YOU STUDY CHINESE IN BEIJING
- A SECURITY NET FOR YOUR STUDY IN CHINA
- BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Prior to your travel to China, we will help you. We will answer any questions or concerns you may have about your study abroad in China.
We will send you a welcome package filled with useful information about your study abroad in China. This will include information regarding traveling to China, accommodation in Beijing, Chinese Universities in China, Chinese language course information, safety information, and of course what to bring with you to China.
- For joint Chinese study program, we will assist you with registration at University of International Relations.
- Provide documents relating to obtaining your Chinese visa, if required
- Provide information and advice regarding your Chinese visa
- Act as a liaison for continuing students to continue their study of Chinese in Beijing with the University of International Relations. We will accompany you and walk you through the registration process and help you on your first day of class.
- We will also liaison with the University of International relations to ensure a smooth transition from one Chinese language program to the other.
- We will provide you with prearranged accommodation in Beijing.
- We will not overcharge you for the accommodation
- We will act as a liaison between the accommodation and you (accommodation staff only speak Chinese)
- We will ensure that you are registered with the Public Security Bureau, a requirement for your Chinese visa validity
- To facilitate the Chinese modified Chinese learning immersion environment, your accommodation will be labeled with both Chinese and English to help you quickly and effortlessly pickup Chinese vocabulary (Certain accommodations only).
- We will provide you with a power converter for your use during your stay to convert from the Chinese electricity standard to American electricity standards if needed.
- Welcome packet explains what will happen you can expect while in transit to your study abroad in China
- We will provide you with emergency contact numbers while in transit
- We will meet you upon your arrival in Beijing. We will meet you at either Beijing International Airport or Beijing Train Station.
- You will receive a welcome bag including magazines, Beijing tourist guides, Beijing tourist attractions, Beijing maps, Beijing subway maps, information about Beijing nightlife, some small snacks and of course water.
- You also receive quick reference guide and emergency contact information including contact information for the US Embassy in Beijing and Consulates in China as well as emergency contact information for staff
- We will escort you to your accommodation in Beijing, register you at the front desk, and ensure that you are settled in.
- We will provide you with towels and toilet paper (not provided by other companies that use the student center nor the student center itself)
We know you may have family, friends, colleagues or even bosses or associates that would like to know when you have arrived safely in China. We will help you do that. We will assist you in making phone calls (which you can make for free!) to notify people of your safe arrival in China.
If you are too tired, jet lagged, or otherwise, we can handle this for you. We will notify up to 3 people of your arrival on your behalf.
We will provide you with an orientation that includes the following:
- Area tour including showing you classrooms, facilities, coffee lounge, and the surrounding area
- Information regarding safety, health, and hygiene
- Information and maps regarding Beijing nightlife and Beijing hotspots and local restaurants, banks, post offices etc.
- A question and answer session will also answer any questions who may have about your Chinese language study program, the joint program at the Chinese University, or any other issues related to your study of Chinese in Beijing, China
- The welcome banquet will introduce you to Chinese dishes and Chinese food.
- Gives you the opportunity to meet staff and fellow students
- The welcome banquet will also be a Chinese learning experience with Chinese teaching staff in attendance
- All books and materials required for the course are included in the program fee
- Proprietary materials, Chinese vocabulary lists, and Chinese learning software contents aid your study in China and provide a starting point for continued study after your return home
- Materials for continuing your Chinese language study after your return home
- For continuing students with the University of International Relations, we will buy the books for you to save you the hassle
If you have read our methodologies, and what makes us unique pages you have learned why we are special. We have several ways to create a modified Chinese immersion environment which is unique to our school.
- Room: Your Chinese learning environment is your living environment. We have worked with the accommodation providers in Beijing to label your rooms in both Chinese and English so that you may effortlessly pick up Chinese vocabulary (certain accommodations only).
- Excursions: A neat feature of our program is that the classes involve regular excursions into the environment. You will be accompanied during these excursions but you'll have to work hard to apply what you've learned in the classroom. This gives you the opportunity to have the benefits of a Chinese immersion environment without the overwhelming feeling and other detractors of the full immersion environment. Please see why full immersion is not the correct approach for Chinese.
- Outings: Outings normally include a tutor or teacher so that the time is both spent learning Chinese and applying your spoken Chinese skills.
Current model PDA we are using in the Chinese course in Beijing. (subject to change based on current models availability)
- Providing students with Electronic Chinese language dictionary to aid in the Chinese learning process. Other schools may give you a dictionary (a $5 paperback); we give you a complete portable Chinese reference and learning support system
- Palm pilot and Chinese learning software aid learning by allowing instant look up in a huge database of Chinese words, automatic vocabulary list generation, and other study tools and content both proprietary and purchased for you.
- Includes Chinese Wordlists, Chinese vocab lists and subject matter that augments the books used in the Chinese language course and allows on-the-go studying to maximize use of your time.
- Chinese character handwriting recognition allows you to more easily and readily communicate and learn Chinese from local Chinese people.
- Recording function allows recording new vocabulary and dialogs for later review
- It's MP3 player function allows you to review our listening materials on the go, for maximum convenience and Chinese learning efficiency
- The PDA is a new model that you keep and includes several Chinese learning software packages purchased for you.
- 2 Hours Per Day; 7 Days a Week!
In addition to the six hours of class time Monday through Friday, each student gets a personal tutor for one-on-one tuition for two hours a day for every single day of the course.
- Augments classroom curriculum by expanding on concepts covered in class and reviewing them
- Allows the best practical Chinese learning environment and lots of time for conversation practice
- Deepens understanding by giving a student time in which he can apply what he learned during the day with someone who will gently guide him.
- Clarifies complex or problem areas that the student had trouble with during the day
- Adds cultural depth by having close interaction everyday with a native Chinese who explains things from their frame of reference and understanding.
- In addition to the functions of tutor, the personal tutor also serves as your personal assistant.
- Part of their job description is to accompany you to places you wish to go such the local supermarket.
- Also if you have a business meeting or other function they can act as a translator.
However, this is not their primary purpose and you will be expected to "work for it" so as to practice your Chinese. You can use them as a crutch but not as a free ride. However, should you get in over your head or in trouble they can help you out. (Customers are responsible for paying for transportation to any special places)
What's the difference between a Chinese language partner and a Chinese language tutor?
Some other schools offer a "Chinese learning partner" or a "Chinese language exchange" How is this different?How is a Chinese language tutor better?
One of our goals is to offer more personal interaction than any other program. Below are some of the additional ways in which students have more opportunity to interact with their teachers than at other schools.
- Lunch with teachers: Often, the teacher will eat lunch with the class to facilitate and enhance the Chinese learning experience. This is one of the teachers paid duties. This helps make our program deliver better value to you.
- Small class sizes: Our Chinese class sizes will never exceed eight students per class. This allows for optimal Chinese learning environment, the modified immersion techniques, and plenty of teacher interaction for you during your study abroad in China.
Modern facilities that are comfortable and include snacks inside of the classroom. Students will sit together like in a small conference room or meeting so as to facilitate interaction and a small family-type environment.
Some schools have a computer lab, others don't, still others only include it in their "premium package." Our computer lab is integrated into the classroom (Laptops in the classroom). Students will utilize a variety of programs to facilitate a rapid pace as you learn to speak Chinese.
Available for use by the students currently enrolled in the course Chinese language course in Beijing.
- Collection of Chinese learning materials, Chinese learning software, books and tapes.
- Additional items give a breadth of knowledge about Chinese culture and other things and include: character learning materials, books, music, and DVDs as well as other Chinese learning materials and reference materials relating to living in China, doing business in China, and Chinese culture.
- These are available free to students and are able to be checked out.
We will accompany you to some of the most famous tour spots in Beijing and historical spots of cultural significance. Unlike other schools, we don't hire an intern or student to be your guide - a teacher or tutor who will accompany you. Therefore the tours are an integral part of the curriculum. Class is held in the van on the way (depending on trip length and class size) and real-life application is applied during the tour.
Here are
- Hu Tong (famous traditional Chinese building structures)
- CBD (Beijing Central Business District)
- Tiananmen Square
- Great Wall
- BeiHai Park
- Forbidden City
- Lama Temple
- Summer Palace
- San Li Tun (Famous Bar-Street and Night-Life Center)
CLIB will organize, from time to time, social outings and meet-ups to give you an opportunity to practice your Chinese speaking skills and to give you a chance to make friends and network with classmates and new Chinese friends and acquaintances.
These could be anything from visiting a company, to a bar outing or dinner with Chinese counterparts.
Sometime during the course, we will take you to the famous Beijing roast duck dinner. Of course, you will use this opportunity to practice your Chinese as well.
For an additional fee, CLIB is able to organize weekend travel packages. This can serve to enlighten the student about China's cultural richness. The pictures from these tours can provide memories for a lifetime These tours are held from time to time and are subject to local travel conditions and minimum amount of participants.
These tours are not included in the regular tuition but prices start as low as $100 for a 3 day excursion.
Places may include:
- Tianjin
- Xi'an
- Shanghai
- Inner Mongolia
- Tibet (after course extension tour only because of the distance involved)
- Dalian
- Chengdu
Shaolin Temple
English speaking guides are included and teachers/tutors may accompany the group.
- Assistance and information is available any time in case of emergency or other urgent need
- Accompaniment to the doctor or hospital when you are sick to aid in translation
- On Call- CLIB offers 24-hour emergency support in case you need to reach a staff member in case of medical or other emergency during your study abroad in China
- Receive faxes free of charge
- Notification of Family and Loved Ones or others upon arrival and departure
- Receive and distribute mail on behalf of the student
- Computer access with free high speed Internet and e-mail so that you can keep in contact with your family and friends
- High speed internet access available in the accommodation (additional nominal charge)
- Accompaniment to the local post office to familiarize you with the process of mailing things back home if needed.
- Multilingual staff provides informational assistance with a variety of issues regarding your study abroad in China
- Assist in setting up bank accounts and cell phone, phone account , and internet accounts if needed
- Provide you with a power converter for your use during your stay to convert from the Chinese electricity standard to American electricity standards if needed (if you are from the US)
- Provide booklets, magazines, and information about Beijing life living in Beijing, working in Beijing, finding jobs in Beijing, Beijing hotspots and Beijing nightlife if requested.
- Information resistance regarding renewing your Chinese visa. (We can introduce you to a good visa agent)
- Personalized name cards: English and Chinese name cards provided free of charge. During your study in China you will certainly want to network and meet new friends
- A chance to solidify your relationships and say “goodbye” to your new found friends.
- A chance to exchange contact information and cards.
- Just one more fun outing before you leave from your study in China
Students who fully enroll and complete the course receive a certificate from and certified by The University of International Relations, an established and accredited University in Beijing, China.
What's the difference between a certificate from another school or "Academy" and our certificate?
Study Chinese in Beijing, China!
