Language Programs in Taiwan

I’ve been at LTL Language School Beihai for 3 out of 6 weeks now. My speaking skills have improved a lot and I really enjoy all the activities we do after school, like martial arts, going to the beach, going to neighboring cities like Nanning, and going to the movies and night markets! Everyone in Beihai can speak Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese). They also speak Baihua (Cantonese). The teachers here are really kind and it’s a super close knit community here. The teachers are extremely receptive to your needs. Whether you only want to focus on speaking and listening comprehension, or you want to follow an HSK textbook, all are welcome options and the teachers are very adaptable. I’ve been here for three weeks and been studying Chinese for 9 years already, including 2 years of intensive college level classes in Boston. But, within three weeks, I’ve made insurmountable progress due to the immersive environment—progress that I wouldn’t have been able to make back in the States. The LTL language school helped me find my homestay, who eats with me every night and brings me to several events every week. She is so kind and fun, and even taught me a bit of Cantonese! I highly recommend a homestay. I use a motorbike to get to and from school every day. It’s cheap, easy, and the most commonly used form of transportation here. The beach is 20 minutes from the school by motorbike. It is 3 RMB (50 cents USD) to recharge your motorbike, and I generally only have to recharge it once or twice a week. Anyways, my greatest tip is to download the apps that the director says to download on your orientation call (like Alipay, a VPN, etc). Other than that, it’s easier than you think to acclimate to Beihai life. Beihai has quite good weather in my opinion, although it’s definitely on the hot side in the middle of the year (June, July, August). The people are kind but be prepared to be asked for photos since you are likely the first foreigner they’ve met.

Studying Mandarin at LTL Language School has been an incredibly rewarding experience. From the very beginning, I felt warmly welcomed by both the staff and fellow students, creating a comfortable and supportive learning environment. What truly sets LTL apart is its commitment to making language learning enjoyable and immersive—there were plenty of fun activities that allowed me to practice my Mandarin in real-life situations and connect with people from all over the world. The teachers were not only knowledgeable and professional but also genuinely passionate about teaching, which made every class engaging and dynamic. I especially appreciated that the lessons went far beyond the textbooks, offering cultural insights and practical communication skills that I could use right away. LTL made learning Mandarin not just effective, but truly enjoyable. Don't be afraid and give it a try. I promise that you will want to comeback sooner than you think.