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Chinese Language Course

Learn about our two week pre-sessional Mandarin course

This is a great opportunity to explore and learn in China. Don’t be afraid, the faculty and course assistants are warm, welcoming and helpful.

Jacky Qi Zhu, University of Aberdeen, UK

The two week pre-sessional Chinese Language Course provides a great chance to extend your time in China, giving you the unique opportunity to build your own 2+2 week programme and to spend four weeks exploring and learning about local customs, culture and life in Beijing.

The pre-sessional Chinese Language Course is a two week intensive programme for beginners (20 hours per week). The pre-sessional course is taught in English and Mandarin and includes coverage of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and a good balance between understanding the systems of Mandarin grammar and vocabulary, developing the skills of comprehending and producing Chinese in speech and writing, guided practice in language usage and use and authentic communicative activities. Class size is limited to fifteen to allow intensive interactive practice with individual feedback and advice on progress. No previous experience or knowledge of Mandarin is required.

In addition to attending classes we also provide optional Chinese cultural activities, in 2019 our Chinese Language students also enjoyed classes in tai chi, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese opera mask decoration, traditional paper cutting and exciting cultural excursions. 

The fee for the Chinese Language Course is £450 and is only open to participants attending the LSE-PKU Summer School. The combined tuition fee for attending the LSE-PKU Summer School and pre-sessional Mandarin course is therefore as below:

2019 Fees

Student rate

Standard rate

With 'Early Bird' discount

 £1,775

 £2,050

Without discount

 £2,050

 £2,350

To apply for the Pre-sessional Chinese Language Course, please  select yes when prompted in the application form.

If, after applying for a course on the Summer School, you subsequently decide that you would like to also attend the Chinese Language Course please contact us.

painting martina 2019Photo: Martina masters the art of bamboo painting!  

"The first two weeks (the Chinese language course) were my favorite. Our daily routine consisited of some fun morning activities (tai-chi class and painting class among others), then going to Paradiso Café (the best place on the campus and our favorite coffee shop) to revise Chinese characters before our vocabulary tests (obviously with a good cappuccino and some nice biscuits), and finally going to class to enjoy our daily four hours of Chinese. After this, almost every night was an experience, we tried different places and food, went to clubs, got lost and took tuk-tuks, visited KTV (karaoke bar)… it was so much fun!" Martina Ceriani, Bocconi University, Italy