Beijing
Enroll in EF’s Chinese courses in Beijing and learn the purest form of Mandarin in China’s greatest ancient capital.
Discover China’s spectacular capital city when you decide to learn Chinese in Beijing. EF Beijing is centrally located in a quiet neighborhood, lending itself to getting your bearings upon arrival. The downtown location of our school means that students are within walking distance of all the essentials; the post office, banks, gym and shopping malls. However, you’ll also find that the bustling Silk Market, as well as both traditional and Western-style cafes and bars are close at hand.
Classes in Mandarin pronunciation training and Chinese idioms at EF Beijing will help prepare students for real-world interactions on the streets of this city. Our language school here provides students the rare opportunity to study alongside Chinese students who are learning English. This will enable you to make local connections and gain confidence before even stepping outside of the building. In order to supplement your immersion into Chinese culture, EF Beijing offers special interest classes in the art of Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese cooking.
An Ancient City at a Modern Pace
Though soaring skyscrapers form the backdrop of modern Beijing, you don’t have to look far to uncover traces of Ancient China. This city was founded thousands of years ago, so a walk down the street in Beijing is a study in contradictions and contrasts. Locals perform centuries-old Tai Chi in the shadow of modern office buildings. Businessmen may be seen on cellphones outside of 15th century pagodas. Rickshaws share the road with luxury sports cars.
Uncover the layers of history in this storied Chinese capital when you opt to study the language here. When you enter the gates of the Forbidden City you will be walking in the footsteps of emperors. Hop on a bicycle and slowly pedal through the Hutong, a series of old alleyways that reveal what life was like in old Beijing. Walk up the steps to the Temple of Heaven and stroll among the pagodas of the Summer Palace. Go farther afield on the weekend to witness the majesty of one of the world’s true wonders, The Great Wall of China. Embrace Beijing and return home with a new set of language skills as well as an appreciation for both ancient and modern Chinese culture.
School highlights
- Traditional school situated near Olympic Park
- Bright and modern classrooms boast the latest learning technology
- Practice Mandarin steps from the school with locals at the community center
- Organized excursions to Shaolin Temple, Xi’an, the Great Wall, etc.
- Short walk to public transportation; easy access to shopping and entertainment in central Beijing
Accommodation
Whether you come home to a local family after a day of exploring the Forbidden City or live at EF’s residence in the Chaoyang District, you will have an experience of living like a local in Beijing.
Activities
Beijing is an ancient city in the middle of a major reinvention, and there are few cities in the world as fascinating. Every corner of this Chinese capital provides an opportunity to discover something new, and the energy here is palpable. EF’s onsite activities coordinators will be onsite to ease your transition and spark your interest in authentic Chinese culture. They will be happy to point you towards Beijing’s major landmarks such as the ancient Forbidden City or newly-built Olympic Stadiums.