Improve your Mandarin language skills through daily small group classes, carefully selected homestays, and community engagement.
Note: This program may offer multiple sessions (same dates, separate groups). TBD sessions open based on demand.
More people speak Mandarin Chinese than any other language in the world.
For anyone interested in exploring and understanding China’s rich history and culture, it’s ever-increasing influence in the world, and what life is like for the 1.4 billion people who live here, learning Chinese is the first step. Our approach to language study is holistic: including group travel, homestays, and Independent Study Projects (ISPs) in addition to formal classroom instruction.
Our 4 and 6 week program options divide their time between Kunming (capital city of Yunnan Province) and one of several small villages in rural Yunnan. This is a region renowned for its mountainous terrain, natural beauty and ethnic diversity—including Naxi,…
For anyone interested in exploring and understanding China’s rich history and culture, it’s ever-increasing influence in the world, and what life is like for the 1.4 billion people who live here, learning Chinese is the first step. Our approach to language study is holistic: including group travel, homestays, and Independent Study Projects (ISPs) in addition to formal classroom instruction.
Our 4 and 6 week program options divide their time between Kunming (capital city of Yunnan Province) and one of several small villages in rural Yunnan. This is a region renowned for its mountainous terrain, natural beauty and ethnic diversity—including Naxi, Tibetan, Yi, Dai, and Miao (Hmong) people. During both urban and rural homestays, students meet for 3–4 hours of formal Mandarin instruction per day, with the option for 1:1 tutoring sessions in the afternoon for hungry learners. Homestay placements reinforce language acquisition, encouraging students to practice new vocabulary with their families in the evenings.
While in Kunming, students engage in ISPs, learning directly from local mentors about topics ranging from Chinese cooking, calligraphy, traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, musical instruments and environmental issues. Students also explore local historic and cultural sites such as The Golden Temple, the Bird and Flower Market, and Green Lake Park. During rural homestays, sample activities include organizing pick-up soccer or basketball games with village teenagers, foraging for medicinal plants with expert guides, visiting Buddhist monasteries, and learning about the work of local NGOs.
Mandarin Intensive students return home with a firsthand understanding of China’s diversity and increased confidence in their ability to communicate and navigate in a rapidly changing China.
Hear more from our Asia Program Director in this recent webinar.
Click on the gallery below to browse photos, videos and quotes from our participants and instructors.
Introduction to Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Confucian thought, Marxism, Capitalism.
Minority issues and status, socio-economic issues, health, land use and environment, tourism, cultural survival.
Language and culture, ancient, imperial and modern history, political studies, development of market economy, gender and ethnicity studies.
10-day homestay in Kunming, cultural center and capital of Yunnan Province, 10-day village homestay in Lashihai with Naxi ethnic minority community.
ISPs facilitated in Kunming: Traditional Chinese Medicine, calligraphy, ink painting, martial arts, tea culture, musical instruments, dance, cooking
3-4 hours of daily Mandarin instruction.
Learning service in cooperation with a rural community. Approximately 5 hours of service credit earned.
Slightly rugged, train and bus travel, village-stay, bike touring.
Short trek at end of course, options for numerous day hikes.
I couldn’t have had better instructors. They worked well together, were organized, and were overall incredible people I was happy to share this experience with.
China Language Program
When we reached the top, we could see our pasts and our futures...in the treacherous mountains and distant fields. As darkness settled on the Wall, we had a moment to pause and reflect. This is China. It is wild and ancient, beautiful and dangerous.
Haley H. China Language Program