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That's Mandarin Chinese Language School

About

Founded in 2005, That’s Mandarin has been delivering excellence in Chinese teaching for over 17 years to more than 100,000 students of different nationalities. They are dedicated to helping students to learn Chinese in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Milan, as well as anywhere in the world via online courses — with their in-house Chinese learning platform NihaoCafe.

The school provides Intensive Group, Part-time Group, and 1-on-1 Private classes for adults, as well as Summer and Winter camps for kids & teens. HSK preparation courses available. Visa assistance provided.

Their web platform, NihaoCafe, is a hub for managing class membership as well as reviewing digital class notes and content.

They've developed their own innovative teaching methods, such as Chinese Link Words and storytelling techniques, to help students learn faster and better.

Reviews

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Christian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

That’s mandarin with Jia Laoshi

Very well structured Programm with good platform preparing for HSK examine. In addition Jia Laoshi is a very good teacher, remembering details of students and adjusts way of learning and classes to students demands and needs. Jia Laoshi is very caring, nice and funny who understands how I can learn best and accordingly adapted the program to my needs and learning progress. Many thanks for her engagement, enjoying the learning journey a lot with her. Management of expectations to students shall be calibrated to avoid frustration on both ends.

Pros
  • Structure of class and lecture
  • Individual adaption of classes to students needs
  • Creating a warm and nice atmosphere
Cons
  • Understanding of students priorities e.g. high workload of professional work hindering ideal learning journey
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Vincent
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Erin at thatsmandarin

Erin goes beyond the call of duty. Cheery, delightful, and humble. Great experience.
The interactive platform is superb and easy to adapt. China is a great country with peace and beauty, colorful, traditional, exotic, and mystical. Its technology is bar none. I look forward to continuing my studies there and also adhering to the wonderful culture and people. Thank you Erin for helping me and I look forward to furthering my knowledge of the great country of China in the future. I appreciate your time. Vincent

Pros
  • Embracing
  • Engaging
  • To the point
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Stephen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A highly recommended online learning experience

I have been studying online with the school for around 6 months now, as I live and work in China and wanted to develop my understanding.

I have used online lessons and in-person classes for my study of French and Italian over the years, and my teacher (Wang Laoshi) and the school are easily the one I would most recommend. Lesson times are very flexible, and the online platform adds all new words and resources to your revision section of the website, along with listening, reading and writing activities to help revise. I have been especially impressed with the quality of teaching which is always engaging and supportive, with a wide range of different activities offered.

Pros
  • Excellent teaching and lessons
  • Lots of resources provided each lesson - texts, video and audio
  • Reports and catalogue of words learned helps show your progress over time.
Cons
  • The online platform can be a little glitchy, but that might just be my own experience.
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Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning in China or Abroad

That's Mandarin is a great school that allows you to learn in person or online! The teachers are friendly and highly qualified. The lessons can be changed to suit your needs, or you can follow along with HSK based lessons. Time passes quickly when you're having fun. I have done both solo and group classes, in person and online.

That's Mandarin 是一所很棒的学校,您可以亲自或在线学习! 老师们都很友好而且素质很高。 课程可以根据您的需要进行更改,或者您可以跟随基于 HSK 的课程。 当您玩得开心时,时间过得很快。 我亲自和在线完成了个人课程和小组课程。

I have introduced this school to all of my friends! 10/10.

Pros
  • Up to date technology
  • Friendly Staff
  • Free coffee
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Jean
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Recommend!

I have studied Chinese for five years. I used to study at Tsinghua University. After working, I felt that my Chinese still needs to be improved. So I chose this school. I think my Chinese expression ability is improving. I mainly study news. The teacher will find me a lot of the latest news, which is so awesome! In class, the teacher will ask me to express it. In the beginning, I said it simply. The teacher will tell me that the words I used are too simple and can be expressed in more advanced words. This is very useful for me! Recommend!

Programs

Displaying 1 - 9 of 9

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Chandni Patel

As an Indian girl raised in England, who spent the first 5 years of her life in Kenya, Chandni recently decided that it just didn't quite do it for her - there's still so much of the world to see! She is now living in Beijing, China studying an International Law Masters Degree and loving it! Along with her studies, she likes to pass her time learning Mandarin, painting and bellydancing.

Why did you pick this program?

I chose to move to China to immerse myself in a completely alien culture. I love the idea that in 10 years time I might be somewhere I never imagined. It's not about doing what you always dreamed of, is about doing something you could never have dreamed of.

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

It really depends on the person, actually. Traveling for a long period really suits some people and not others. I think it's a matter of why you are going. I mainly came to experience China; studying was secondary to it all. I think if it's the other way around - you go abroad for reason A, and changing countries is just secondary to that aim - it will be a totally different experience!

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I would tell them to expect differences. Obviously there are differences in culture, food, and language when you move abroad; but I have been rather surprised at just how different studying a degree can be! Not only between the UK and China, but also talking to other international students and learning about their education systems.

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

My favorite story is probably my first day in China. I moved here with my boyfriend, who wanted to teach English in Beijing. His recruiting agency picked us up from the airport on an incredibly warm day towards the end of August. We were sitting in a taxi with the Chinese radio on, accompanied by a taxi driver who could not speak any English and all our belongings (weighing precisely 20kg due to plane weight restrictions). The taxi stopped after 35 minutes or so and the recruiter jumped out, telling us he had to go somewhere but that the taxi driver knew where to take us. We said goodbye and continued our journey. Suddenly the taxi stopped by a bunch of buildings with signs all in Chinese, opposite something that resembled a park. He told us to wait there (it took a while to understand him owing to my rusty Chinese). So we paid him, and sat on a bench in the middle of nowhere with all of our belongings and no working phone, waiting for someone we didn't know. It all turned out perfectly fine...China style. But looking back we were surprisingly calm about the whole thing! We just sat on the bench happily, thinking wow, we are in China! What next?

Chandni's thoughts on what to know before making a big move:

In China there still aren't a whole lot of foreigners or even tourists - not like Thailand. It means that a lot of people only speak Chinese and stare at you...a lot! But they are generally stares of intrigue, and it can be quite refreshing to go somewhere where people genuinely want to know about you and where you come from. Even if you are going somewhere that you know should have a lot of people who can speak and understand your native language, it never hurts to be able to speak some of the country's language that you are going to be living in for a while! It's also always good to know routine things like where your embassy is and emergency service numbers. One last thing - don't let the idea of being homesick hold you back - it's so easy these days to communicate with those you love, wherever they are!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Priscilla Hong

Job Title
Marketing Assistant
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Tell us about yourself, Priscilla.

I was born in Shanghai, China and studied Education and Marketing at college. My passion for Chinese culture and language brought me to That’s Mandarin, where I now work as a Marketing Assistant.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I will never forget my trip to Yunnan Province. The people there were so warm and friendly, and everyone will be impressed by its dramatic landscape and breathtaking views.

Yunnan literally means the “south of the clouds.” As I arrived, it appeared to me -- the blue sky, great peaks, deep blue Erhai Lake, and shining green forests of the Cangshan range.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working for That's Mandarin is one of the best things that happened to me. Joining That’s Mandarin finally gave me the chance to work in something that I really love. It’s a place where students and the staff both keep learning and helping us to become a better provider. I have learned to be a better listener and observer.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

After That’s Mandarin Shanghai Summer Camp, I was having an interview with one of our students’ parents. I asked: “Do you have any suggestions for That’s Mandarin so that we can improve in the future?”

She replied shortly: “Come to the States!” Afterwards, she shared: “Every time my son comes back, he returns with all these different stories. He's learned Mandarin, learned Chinese culture and made friends from different countries.”

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would do the Online Chinese Program! It’s so convenient that I just need to simply book a class and use the app to study on my own anytime, anywhere. Lessons are conducted live online and I am able to immerse myself completely in class with the same teaching methods used at school.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We care about students in class and out of class. They are not just our clients, they are our friends who trust us. Regarding the Chinese classes, we patiently listen to students’ needs and goals and really work to tailor the programs to match them. We share whatever we know, grammar, characters, culture, and customs. When they have other concerns, as friends, we sincerely help them out.