Learn Mandarin Abroad

Want to learn a powerful language? Choose Mandarin.

Globally the most spoken language after English, Mandarin is the official language in several key countries and is spoken by over a billion people. This makes it a crucial tool for international communication, business, and cultural exchange and is essential for those interested in understanding East Asian culture, history, and trade relations.
When you study Mandarin, you engage with diverse communities, experiencing rich traditions and deep historical roots firsthand. This degree of immersion delivers beyond the ability to speak Chinese and to translate Mandarin text; it develops a close comprehension of the local society and culture, helping you skillfully manage cultural exchanges.
At Languages Abroad, we commit to helping every student achieve their aspirations. Whether you're aiming to broaden your educational opportunities or enhance your career prospects, our programs are designed to place you at the forefront of global readiness.

Discover Asia with Mandarin. Begin your journey at Languages Abroad today!

Where to study Mandarin?

Our Path to Mandarin Fluency

Find your level

Complete beginner or advanced student?
All proficiency levels from A1 to C1 are welcome to start a course with us!

Find your aims

We offer a range of standard, intensive, holiday and private language courses, as well as additional cultural classes.

Find your home

Immerse yourself culturally with homestay options or enjoy the freedom of self-catering accommodations.

Find your future

Your new, hard-earned language skills will open new doors as you discover the next steps on your journey.

Testimonials: Learn Chinese Mandarin

"Languages Abroad made it easy to deal with the complications of traveling abroad. They found me an excellent school and prepared me well for what I would experience in Taiwan. It was a fantastic experience, and I am incredibly glad I went. The staff was fantastic, very helpful, and very willing to listen to what I needed and do things quickly since I was going on short notice.

The school was excellent, in a decent part of Taipei and very convenient because it was on the subway line. I received three hours of private tutoring a day, which was very nice. I feel like I improved significantly, especially in my pronunciation."
(Erin, age 24)

"The learning experience at the Beijing school was fantastic. In just a week, I was able to make significant progress, particularly during my one-on-one sessions, which were tailored to my specific needs and learning pace. The personal attention I received was invaluable, and I felt like my teacher was truly invested in my success. I only wish I could have devoted more than a week to the process, as I feel even more time would have allowed me to advance further. However, my teacher provided me with excellent guidance and resources to continue improving my Chinese skills independently.

I appreciated the structure of the lessons, and the cultural immersion that accompanied the language instruction made it even more enriching. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to enhance their language skills, whether they are just starting or want to take their proficiency to the next level." (Leo, age 61)

"Cantonese on Hong Kong is the only way to learn Cantonese. With Friendly staff, small classes and college in an excellent location, it's learning a language made easy. Languages Abroad was brilliant. I was a bit unsure when I first emailed, but it was very easy and very helpful.

The Cantonese course in Hong Kong was excellent. The college in general was very small, but with small classes came easy learning. It was right in the center of Hong Kong and the teaching staff were all very friendly; not only helping with learning the language, but also places to go, food to eat and things to do while in Hong Kong. If learning Cantonese, I would advise everyone to go to Hong Kong because by living in the environment, you definitely learn it faster."
(Siobhan, age 22)

Why learn Mandarin abroad?

  • Mandarin in the Professional Landscape
    Learning Mandarin is crucial for effective communication in today's global economy, especially in Asia where it serves as a primary language. It facilitates exchanges across diverse cultures and business environments, enhancing global collaboration and mutual understanding. Many international firms and businesses in Asia require employees to have a strong grasp of Mandarin to navigate the complexities of the Asian markets successfully. Proficiency in Mandarin significantly boosts career opportunities, essential for career advancement, securing positions in multinational corporations, or engaging in international diplomacy and trade.
  • Cultural and Educational Advantages
    Mandarin opens a portal to a rich cultural heritage, from ancient literature and philosophy to contemporary films and music. Engaging with this content deepens understanding of cultural nuances and historical contexts, expanding your worldview. Additionally, mastering Mandarin provides access to educational opportunities, as numerous prestigious institutions in Mandarin-speaking regions offer specialized courses in various fields, enriching your academic and professional development.

How to learn Mandarin abroad?

  • Master the Basics
    In the pursuit of language mastery, starting with a firm grasp of the basics is paramount. Establishing a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation lays the groundwork for more advanced learning and attaining fluency.

  • Utilize Technology
    Tools such as AI chatbots and language learning apps can provide structured lessons, supplement learning and highlight specific weaknesses in your English ability.

  • Practice Speaking
    Active participation in speaking, despite initial discomfort or fear of making mistakes, is crucial for language growth. Seeking out opportunities for conversation facilitates real-world application and is the quickest way to boost confidence. Soliciting feedback from peers, tutors, or language instructors will also offer valuable insights and strategies for improvement.

  • Write to Improve
    Embracing writing as a means of practice and self-expression further solidifies language skills and reinforces grammatical structures and vocabulary usage.

  • Expand Vocabulary
    Regular exposure to new words and phrases, whether through reading, listening, or vocabulary exercises, broadens linguistic proficiency and enhances expressive capabilities. Similarly, honing listening skills through exposure to podcasts, audiobooks, and news broadcasts sharpens comprehension abilities and acustoms learners to diverse accents and speech patterns.

  • Set Goals
    Setting achievable language learning goals serves as a roadmap for progress and provides a sense of direction and purpose. Tracking milestones and celebrating small victories along the way serves as a source of motivation and encouragement to stay committed to the learning journey.

FAQs about learning Mandarin Chinese abroad

Mandarin Chinese can be challenging for beginners due to its tonal nature, unique characters, and grammar differences from many Western languages. However, it has some straightforward aspects, such as no verb conjugations or plural forms, which simplify sentence construction. With consistent practice, immersion, and exposure to the language through conversations, media, and structured lessons, learners can make steady progress. While it may not be "easy," Mandarin is highly rewarding and opens doors to understanding Chinese culture and global opportunities.

Yes, you can achieve significant progress in Chinese within a year, especially with consistent effort and structured learning. In one year, you can likely reach a conversational level (A2-B1), allowing you to handle everyday situations, basic conversations, and understand essential vocabulary. To maximize progress:

  • Enroll in an Intensive Course: Focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing daily.
  • Practice Regularly: Dedicate time to learning characters, tones, and grammar.
  • Immerse Yourself: Engage with Chinese speakers, watch Mandarin media, and try to use the language daily.

While fluency may take longer, one year is enough to build a solid foundation and communicate effectively in many real-life scenarios.

The number of hours you should study Mandarin daily depends on your goals and timeline.

  • Casual Learners: 1-2 hours per day is sufficient to build a foundation and progress steadily.
  • Intermediate Goals: For faster results, dedicate 3-4 hours daily, balancing speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
  • Intensive Learning: If you aim to achieve fluency within a shorter period, 5-6 hours daily, combined with immersion, is recommended.

Consistency is key, so even 30 minutes a day can make a difference if you stay disciplined. Focus on quality over quantity and include varied activities like practice, review, and real-world application.

Contact us

We're here to help you on your Mandarin language learning journey!

Questions about our courses? Need assistance with enrollment? Interested in finding out more about our programs?
Our friendly team is more than willing to assist you.

Contact us by clicking the link below and filling out our contact form.
We promise a prompt and helpful response to all your inquiries

Let's begin your language journey!