Hutong School
Programs and Reviews
Hutong School provides study, volunteer, and internship options in Beijing and Shanghai, China. Students from all around the world join Hutong School for personalized Chinese lessons. Classes begin at the beginning of every month, and students have the chance to learn Chinese at their own pace!
Hutong School's professional internships are geared towards students looking for an international internship experience in Beijing. Hutong has partnered with national and multi-national companies to provide students with hands-on experience during their time abroad. Check out the options below to see which one is right for you!
Programs Abroad
Reviews
90%Overall
Rating
90%Overall
Rating
From the start till the end they will help you if you have any problems or questions. If you want to visit something after you courses and you don't know how to get there or you just don't know what to visit, just ask them and they will explain you the way and give you more information about the do's and don'ts.
Studying at Hutong School is more than learning Chinese. It's an opportunity to make friends and travelling partners. When I was there last summer, I made amazing friends! It's more pleasant to travel around in Beijing in group.
If I had the chance to go back, I won't hesitate a minute!
Critical Feedback:
I was a bit disappointed with the cooking classes. I expected more interaction. But it was still interesting.
90%Overall
Rating
Hutong School is a great experience for foreigners who are looking for a foothold in China. They take care of you from the start, picking you up from the airport, giving you quick tour, and setting you up with a cell phone and metro pass. These kinds of things are very valuable for helping you get over the culture shock you'll inevitably experience when arriving in China.
Classes are small and teachers are dedicated to helping you learn as much as possible. Office staff is very friendly and accommodating to all requests.
Hutong School might be a little bit expensive compared to other options, but I felt it was money well-spent. I wish I could have stayed longer!
Critical Feedback:
When I signed up, I thought my classes would be taught in the courtyard classrooms advertised on the website. Upon arrival, I found out my classes were in a modern office tower in the CBD. The new facilities were fine, but not what I expected. This should be better represented on the website.
20%Overall
Rating
Actually i was not satisfied at all with the "service" and the "housing". It took weeks to get what i asked for. The service personal was absolutly overburdened and our apartment was a disaster. I think if you go there in off-season (not between June and Oktober) it could be quite nice.
100%Overall
Rating
I wanted first to stay 1 month and once I was there, I decided to stay more! The staff always help you : I broke my computer the first day i arrived and they brought me to the store to fix it.
There are only 2 to 6 students in each class, the teachers are really good, they always encourage you to talk so you can learn very fast! It's surprising!
The staff arrange your schedulde in the way you need and it's always possible to change your class or to switch to private lessons.
And you can meet a lot of people from everywhere thanks to the welcome party, and all the activities they organise each month.
So welcome to hutong school, you will really enjoy to learn chinese in their way!!
Staff Interview
Meet Amy Wong - Program Consultant at the Hutong School
In search of a new adventure, with the goal of learning a new language, I found myself landing in Beijing in 2011. I can say I have never regretted this decision! This country has so many things to offer and it is changing all the time. As a British-born Chinese, it has been even more of a fascinating learning experience, and one in which I learn more the more time I spend here. From the people I meet, the things I see and do, I love the adventure that is living in China. Above all, I thoroughly enjoy my job at Hutong School and I urge everyone to come and experience the Beijing beat :)
What position do you hold at the Hutong School? What has your career path been like so far?
Amy: I started off at Hutong School as a general intern; a fantastic experience where I was able to learn from different aspects of the company. After my internship, I was ecstatic to be offered a full time position as Admissions and Sales Officer. A few months down the line, I am now currently a Program Consultant and so my personal progress and development within this company has been both fast and rewarding. I feel fortunate to be working for Hutong School where we have a great team and hard-working attitude.
What separates the Hutong School from other language study programs?
Amy: At Hutong School, you will not only learn Mandarin from a team of passionate and knowledgeable teachers, but you will also be able to discover China in a unique and fun way by participating in our many cultural events and activities alongside friends you will make from all over the world. Our friendly multi-national community here ensures we look after all of our students from day one in order to give you an experience you won't forget. If you want high-quality learning, a reliable support network and memories to last a lifetime, you should definitely choose Hutong School!
What are some trends you've noticed in the language study and internship market? What can students gain from studying Mandarin?
Amy: Its rising importance on the global stage has enabled China to continue being a top destination. China's rapidly growing economy has helped to facilitate the attraction of overseas tourists and entrepreneurs alike over recent years, and one thing that has been clear is that those with Mandarin language skills are often at a competitive advantage, particularly when it comes to business. Mandarin is the most spoken language on Earth and that is why learning to speak it should be in the interest of anyone who wishes to develop themselves either personally or professionally. To be able to communicate with one fifth of the world definitely opens up more doors and opportunities!
What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering studying Mandarin in China?
Amy: Be patient and open-minded, and get ready to start seeing the world and its people in a whole new way! This experience will challenge you and change you in the most positive way. For once, do jump on the bandwagon and get yourself to China!! You will not regret it :)!
It was already a great start when Evan from HS picked us up at the airport and took us around Shanghai the whole day. It's good to know that you can count on somebody like him, no matter what problem you have.
The apartments are great, you have everything you need, social contacts as well because of the shared apartments. It's great to live together with the other HS students and share experiences.
During classes you get a lot of attention from the teacher because of the small amount of students in each group. They really train you well by giving you homework daily and doing some tests now and then.
Also pronunciation is a main point we practiced very good and delivered great results.
In HS there's the awesome opportunity to take part of some activities like chinese painting, calligraphy, cooking, ... that are most of the time for free, that's great! Also the weekend trips are well prepared and the price for that is fare for what you get (great guide included!).
In general my experience was more than awesome. HS is a great language school where people from all over the world meet and have a great time together.
There's a wonderful mood that's hanging around this school.
Thanks a lot!!
Critical Feedback:
I seriously can't say anything...