Keats Chinese School

Keats Chinese School Reviews

Valencia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

How Keats improved my Chinese

Keats School in Chengdu is honestly such a solid choice if you’re serious about learning Mandarin but don’t want it to feel overwhelming. The teachers are super patient, approachable, and explain things in a way that actually makes sense. Classes focus a lot on speaking, so you’re using Chinese every day instead of just memorizing vocab and grammar. The environment feels supportive and chill, not competitive or stressful. Plus, the cultural activities help you experience real Chinese life, which makes learning feel more fun, natural, and worth it.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
fried rice with pineapples
Pros
  • saturday excursions
  • afternoon activities after classes
  • serve dishes every meal time
Jozef
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A place to come back. I did, 3 times over 10 years.

Keats school is a perfect place to start or continue your Chinese journey. It is for anybody, who would like to start to learn or to improve his Chinese language, meet interesting people with different backgrounds and life experience or you just want to have a vacation that makes you disconnect from your everyday life back home and learn and see new things. It is even perfect for people who never been to China before, because you are taken care of from the time you touch the ground of Kunming at the airport or railway station. Having your accommodation, classes and meals in the same building is very convenient. I had 4 hours a day for 2 weeks with excellent teachers Yin and Ma. The first day I had an interview so teachers know about me and what I want do focus on in my studies. They certainly do their best even if sometimes your head cannot take more. :) 6hours a day students would know more about it. Not only you but also school is improving every aspect of your studies and stay by constant feedback from their students. School offer many free extra fun activities every day, that make you dive deeper in culture and life of China or simply just to have fun. There are certainly things to improve as everywhere, but for somebody that came back again and again are either not so visible or just not important. A few pictures from our Sunday activity. A trip to a beautiful Tonghai town just an hour and half from Kunming.

Katie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Keats School: an amazing experience

From the moment I entered the arrivals hall in Kunming airport, until three weeks later when I said a sad farewell to my incredible teacher Peng Laoshi in Lijiang old town, I felt very well looked after and supported, no matter what the problem! On that first day my flight was a little delayed, so I arrived later than expected on Sunday night (all courses begin on Mondays). I was surprised to find my teacher waiting at the school to greet me and show me the community areas of the school. I instantly liked her a lot and was a little disappointed to think I would be going on to Lijiang after I had finished the first teaching week in Kunming. Therefore I was very happy when Peng Laoshi informed me she would accompany me to Lijiang and teach me for the entire 3 weeks. Daily 4 hours of 1:1 lessons was intense, but always interesting and fun. We laughed a lot together. There was always a structure to each lesson, prepared daily in advance, but my diverse questions and themes were always accommodated and I was happy to have this flexibility. The content of our discussions (grammar, vocab etc) was sent everyday straight after each lesson. Despite my memory problems and struggling to recall new vocabulary Peng Laoshi always remained patient and tried to help me remember. Alongside the lessons it was essential to have functioning digital payment apps. Thankfully there was another superstar always on hand to spend hours sorting we chat/banking card problems. Without Yurina I would have starved to death by now! So a massive thank you to both of these superstars. One thing I wasn't expecting was the program in Lijiang. I didn't read the website properly so it was a huge welcome surprise to have daily afternoon outings with my teacher to all the local sights. That way we could have relaxed conversations and I learned a lot more about chinese culture and people. Overall I had the best time I will never forget it. I intend to return to Keats School next year to continue my learning. I am so proud of my certificate from Keats stating I reached HSK2 level of mandarin. A real achievement thanks to my teacher.

What was your funniest moment?
Really too many funny and wonderful and new and exciting things to mention. I truly loved the dancing and music and on two occasions I was invited by locals to participate. In a square near the markers in Kunming I danced together with a woman. Again in Lijiang I was asked to join the square dancing and did so. Oh, and also the naxi band in Baishu village asked me to play the bells with them. So much colour everywhere, music, fun, joy... I've had a fantastic time. Thank you Keats for giving me this opportunity and looking after me so well.
Pros
  • Teacher/teaching methods brilliant
  • Lunch and dinner in Kunming very tasty
  • Afternoon and weekend daytrips with my teacher in Lijiang
What other participants should know
  • I felt extremely cold in the school so I bought a hot water bottle
  • My room was small and mould on ceiling, I raised this and within an hour it had been cleaned
  • I worried about fire safety in the high building/ people smoked on other floors and it was sometimes smelly but never in the school or in my room.
Memo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

First time Keats Kunmimg

Hi.

My one-week pronunciation course at Keats was incredibly effective. I joined a small group, which turned out to be just me and one other student, making it feel almost like a private lesson. The teacher could focus intensely on correcting our tones and giving us both personalized attention. The progress in just seven days was noticeable.

The school's location in the heart of Kunming was a major plus. We were steps away from local noodle shops and cafes, perfect for practicing our lessons immediately after class. The dedicated teachers, welcoming environment, and this ideal setting made for a fantastic and productive week.

Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Chinese in Lijiang

I spend a week studying Chinese Mandarin with Zhou laoshi in Lijiang, she helped me with new vocabulary and understand Chinese political texts better. Just what I was looking for! Next to the intensive lessons we also explored Lijiang area, by which I got to know Yunnan province and was able to relax aside attending the intensive lessons. The school provided for beautiful accommodation in old Chinese style which added an extra layer to my experience studying in Lijiang and with Keats language school.

Hari
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Intensive Top Notch Chinese at Keats in Kunming

My second round at Keats in Kunming was slightly longer, a three week stint as opposed to my two week stint last years. Things were flawless like last time. Even if you've never been to China, they pick you up at the airport and zip you to your room where all the resources you need are available. I had a great room with a great view of Kunming, a clean, quiet, beautiful city. The classes are intensive with instructors setting the syllabus/picking the textbook based on what you know and what you want to learn. They will really go above and beyond to help you learn, take you places, teach you things. The school will arrange excursions so you can get some sightseeing and cultural insights. My teacher even incorporated Chinese translations of Tintin comic books into the syllabus. Monday to Friday there is catered food. The student population is a mix from all over the world, people from 19 to 77, an amazing group of people. I will be going back to Keats.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The night before a lot of people left, we went to eat barbecue, and as part of it, tried the local snack, in Yunnan, fried grasshopper. It was crunchy, like a movie snack. After trying it once, every one kept eating more, of course along with the meat, tofu, etc.
Pros
  • Instructor responsiveness and commitment
  • Organisation
  • Value for Money
Matteo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

6 months of China in Keats

I had an excellent experience at Keats. I stayed in a very clean and comfortable room, which made my daily study routine much more pleasant and relaxing. The facilities are well maintained, and the overall atmosphere is warm, friendly, and welcoming, allowing students to feel at ease from the very beginning.

The lessons are well structured, clear, and highly effective, and they are suitable for students of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced learners who want to further improve their Chinese. The teachers are professional, patient, and extremely attentive to individual needs, adapting the lessons to each student’s level and learning goals.

One of the highlights of my experience was the vibrant community and the wide range of activities organized every week. There are many different activities available, including excursions, sports, and cultural events. These activities are a great opportunity to explore the local area, learn more about Chinese culture, stay active, and, most importantly, practice Chinese in real-life situations while meeting other students from all over the world.

The staff is always kind, supportive, and readily available to help with both academic matters and everyday needs. Their friendliness and professionalism create a supportive and motivating environment that encourages students to fully focus on learning while also enjoying their time.

Overall, Keats offers the perfect combination of high-quality language instruction, a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and engaging extracurricular activities. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a serious yet enjoyable way to study Chinese.The most meaningful and enjoyable part of my experience is thanks to my two teachers, who welcomed me from the very first moment with great passion and determination.

They immediately made me feel comfortable and have guided me up to now and will continue to do so for the next two months.

Teacher Deng, with whom I spent four hours every day, is a highly knowledgeable teacher who creates a warm, welcoming environment and makes you feel completely at ease.

Teacher Luo, from the very beginning, made me feel part of a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere, while never neglecting the lesson, which is always carefully prepared and tailored to the student.

I sincerely want to thank both of my teachers for this unforgettable experience, one that I will always remember.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most shocking thing I've seen is how much chinese people are kind and friendly with foreigners
Marina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Keats Institute in Chengdu

Ho trascorso 3 bellissime settimane a alla Keats school di Chengdu per migliorare il cinese. Le lezioni private di 4 ore al giorno sono state intense, utili e piacevoli. L'insegnante molto preparata, gentile e attenta a tutte le mie esigenze. La scuola è piccola ma gestita molto bene, ogni giorno viene offerta un'attività diversa e divertente che permette agli studenti di praticare la lingua cinese e di stare in compagnia. Per ogni problema, grande o piccolo la responsabile della scuola risolve ogni difficoltà o aiuta a gestirla autonomamente. La scuola offre ottimi pasti cucinati al momento, c'è una lavanderia e, a pochi metri, la stazione della metro per raggiungere ogni parte della città. Sicuramente ripeterò l'esperienza, anche perché uno dei vantaggi del Keats Institute è la possibilità di scegliere qualsiasi periodo dell'anno.

English:
I spent three wonderful weeks at the Keats School in Chengdu improving my Chinese. The four-hour private lessons a day were intense, useful, and enjoyable. The teacher was very knowledgeable, kind, and attentive to all my needs. The school is small but very well-run; every day there is a different, fun activity that allows students to practice their Chinese and spend time with others. For any problem, large or small, the school director will resolve any issues or help students manage them independently. The school offers excellent freshly cooked meals, a laundry, and a subway station just a few meters away for access to all parts of the city. I will definitely repeat the experience, especially since one of the advantages of the Keats Institute is the ability to choose any time of year.

Passakorn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Keats review

I spent 6 weeks for one-on-one at Keats School with Pi Laoshi. Overall I am satisfied with the school, but the best part about the school is definitely the teachers. Outgoing, patient and dedicated are what I would describe them, especially my Laoshi.

A typical a day of class includes 4-hours, which usually begin by me typing up a one-paragraph story of whatever experience I had (like what I did yesterday or on the weekends); then the teacher will correct my mistakes and highlight the correct versions. Often we would branch off the topics we were discussing, allowing us to stumble upon new words, which is a technique I very much like as it emphasizes real-life practical words over HSK bookish vocabulary. Throughout the entire class, my Laoshi would speak to me in Mandarin and only use English when explaining. We also practiced some HSK listening and vocab. At the end of each lessons, my Laoshi would point out new words I learned each day and have me write up Anki cards, which I found to be very effective at memorizing and being able to read.

Was a great experience; I learned about 800 new words in a span of 6 weeks, which went beyond my expectation. 10/10 would recommend

Faith
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best way to learn Chinese

I undertook a one week, one-on-one Chinese intensive course in Shanghai with Keats. Little did I know I was the first student at their Shanghai branch - the whole experience was so immaculately planned that it felt like they had been running this for years!

My teacher, 李宏运老师, was highly capable and engaging. I learnt an immense amount from our lessons, not just about the Chinese language but also about Chinese history, culture and current affairs. Every afternoon, she accompanied me to go sightseeing in Shanghai and try delicious Shanghainese cuisine, which made the whole experience more fun. She was incredibly thoughtful and accomodating, and it felt like I always had a friend by my side.

The accomodation was clean, central and highly convenient, being in the same building as our classes. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thank you Keats team, and I hope to return soon!