If you want to learn a language, it’s important to immerse yourself in the culture. The reason for this is simple: humans learn better when they spend a lot of time on one subject in a short span, instead of a little time every day over a longer period. Think of how many Americans study a second language for years in school, only to be unable to speak a word of it abroad? This is no phenomenon. By breaking the school day into short periods, students are unable to focus. But most importantly, to learn a language, students need to learn the emotional meaning of words. Our program focuses on providing experiences for students, and when students can attach a life experience to the words, studies have proven they are vastly more likely to remember.

The learning experience doesn’t stop in class here: every time a student steps outside they will be learning Chinese. This offers students the ability to practice what they have learned in class, reinforcing their studies with real life experience. Some students may optionally have an assigned “Buddy” even: a local chinese student who wants to exchange language free of charge. Even if the student wishes to stay inside and relax, turning on the LCD TV in our rooms, most of the programming will be in Chinese. But even the English channels will also display Chinese subtitles, which our students will recognize from class and will further ingrain into their memory.

That’s why it’s important to be placed inside the culture: a private apartment in a bustling area, cultural trips to museums or festivals, even meeting a celebrity can all be experiences that encourage students to learn the language. By learning the ever important Chinese language 24/7, students experience an amazing rate of learning.