The Chinese Language Institute (CLI)

Program Reviews

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Joeri
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Couldn't have picked a better programme

I did a 4 weeks immersion course at CLI in May 2019, and couldn't be happier with my experience. If I had had more time, I would probably have extended my stay by a couple of weeks. If you're considering doing an immersion course in China, CLI should definitely go on your shortlist.

First of all, I made great progress on my Chinese fluency in those 4 weeks, even though that is a relatively short time. Each week, you have 20 hours of completely tailored one-on-one lessons with three dedicated tutors (comprehensive, reading/writing and speaking/listening), moving at the pace that you need, focusing on the things you want to improve most. We used a textbook as a guide, but we did a lot of stuff outside of it, too. If you have a specific direction you want to take your Chinese in, or have a specific learning style, CLI is definitely really good at accommodating that. I arrived having studied a little Chinese beforehand, but there were also people there who arrived not speaking a word of Chinese, and people who were fairly fluent already, and they all seemed to be very happy with their individual programmes.

Outside of class, you're also in an environment where you can practice your Chinese all the time if you want. There are interns from the nearby university in the common area of the building at pretty much all hours, you can chat with them or ask them questions and they're really helpful if you're trying to do things like get a Chinese SIM-card or order things online.

Guilin is pretty laid back as a city, and because most people do not speak English, you really do get to practice "in the wild" every day. So even though it's not as vibrant as Shanghai, say, it's a better learning environment in my opinion.

Getting to know the other students was without a doubt my favourite part of the experience. Everybody's motivated, you get to meet people from all sorts of different backgrounds, and there's always people around to grab dinner with, have drinks on the roof with, or go places on the weekend.

So, definitely highly recommended, might even go again myself some time!

Paul
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Quality Language Education in a Friendly Environment

CLI provides a great learning experience. Classes are all one-on-one and are tailored to whatever the individual student needs/wants. Not only are the teachers willing to use whatever textbook the student wishes, but they are flexible as to how classroom time is spent. The faculty and staff are all friendly and helpful, making the student's time in and out of the classroom enjoyable. There are several optional programs a week, such as calligraphy or a visit to a tea house, that round out the experience of being in China. There is also the option to only speak and be spoken to in Mandarin, giving one the opportunity for a truly immersive experience. I've been a college professor for over 10 years and was a language instructor prior to that, and I wholeheartedly recommend CLI.

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MATTHEW
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CLI-Good But Could be Better

CLI has wonderful teachers. I may well go back again for this reason alone. They really do care and they really do try to provide students with what they need to improve their Mandarin. The down side is that this is not really an immersion program. Once class is over, the students almost all speak English. And some of the teachers seem to encourage this. Moreover, the staff are even worse. One staff member repeatedly spoke English with me while I spoke Mandarin. And this happened more than once. The result is that the school has intensive classes, but the overall experience is not as transformative as it could be. Some of this is natural, given the high numbers of native English speakers in the program, but the school could do more to combat it if it really wants to provide an immersion program. See below for some specific suggestions.

What would you improve about this program?
If CLI wants to provide a truly first rate immersion program, it needs to: 1) require teachers and staff to speak only Chinese, inside the classroom and out; 2) recruit more non-English speakers by offering Japanese and Korean language websites; and 3) provide more native Chinese speakers on extra-curricular activities. I participated in one overnight activity that had one native Chinese speaker and eight native English speakers. From the perspective of learning Chinese, it was a waste of time.
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Stephen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What I learned in 2 weeks at CLI:

If you’re serious about learning to speak Chinese, you need to spend some time in China. CLI offers a great venue, a great one-on-one format, and great teachers, staff and fellow students to join you on your journey.

CLI has a picturesque location in the beautiful tourist destination of Guilin, with its mountains, lakes, temples, and the famous Li River. Even the air is good for a city in China. Try the 7:00 a.m. tai ji class on CLI’s 6th floor roof and soak up the scenery to start your day.

Your classes will give you solid training in all aspects of the language: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing. People of many ages, backgrounds and levels of proficiency in Chinese come to CLI from all over the world. You’ll make lots of new friends, and will have a lot of fun with the many different activities, the lunches, and the weekly welcoming and farewell dinners.

Then head out into the city and strike up conversations with local people. You’ll be so glad you did.

My two weeks at CLI flew by. My Chinese improved significantly. Next time I’ll stay longer.

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ZhouLin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience!

I met so many wonderful people coming to CLI. I became so close to many students and teacher during the 6 weeks I was staying in CLI. Many of whom opened their lives up to me in such a short amount of time. For example, one of my teachers invited me to their house for Chinese New Years (because she knew I had never experienced a Chinese New Year). It was so much fun! I had one of the interns invite me to their house in Nanning, as well as meet some of her friends. My other teacher actually took me to the train station and made sure that I made it safely there. While my last teacher always bought me good food and took me to eat my favorite Chinese foods.

Everyone (teachers, staff, and fellow students) were all so kind to me and always there to support each other.

I feel like my Chinese improved so much more than when I was learning here in the States (5 years vs. 6 weeks). The teachers were always so patient and willing to correct any mistakes I or any other students made.

Sometimes, it didn't feel like student and teacher, the atmosphere is more friend and friend (both learning from each other). During free time we would play ping pong, go out to eat, or just hang out together. There is a good balance of when to be playful and when to be serious.

I still keep in touch with my teachers and friends. And they all still help me with my Chinese. I couldn't have improved so much without their help.

After attending CLI, it has helped me decide that I want to attend a school and live overseas. Currently, I am looking at universities in China and South Korea. Thanks to them and many friends I have made along the way. I want to challenge myself and live in Asia. They all gave me the confidence to work hard to improve my language skills.

A big thanks to Nikki and Tania, for helping me get from the United States to China. I was feeling very anxious and kept worrying about traveling by myself. But they both comforted me and told me that they would be available the whole time to help me along the way. Nikki also helped me transition from my host family to living at the CLI dorms. They never questioned me on why I decided to leave they just helped me move to the dorms.

I seriously recommend CLI to anyone who wants to live in China but doesn't know the language; a few weeks in CLI and you will improve so much! For example, my father wants to teach in China but he doesn't know Chinese, I told him he should attend CLI for a few weeks so that he can get a baseline.

It's also a good experience, especially for young people who are learning how to become more independent.

What was your funniest moment?
There are so many to choose from and none that would make sense if I explained them here. All I can say is, you form great relationships with the people you are around to the point you have a lot of inside jokes and funny stories.

You create good memories.
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Phil
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

This is an outstanding language school

I have studied twice at CLI; first in late 2015-16 for six weeks, and then for three months in 2018. I didn’t hesitate to return.
When I got back to Brisbane in November 2018, my regular teacher was shocked (positively) at the progress I had made in that time.
The CLI teachers are engaging and interesting people and committed language teachers, and really good at what they do. One on one classes really turbocharged my learning. They allow for a mix between structured study around a textbook, and free conversation around topics that interest the individual student.
Studying Chinese in Guilin means you are surrounded by the language; you get to practise it with cafe staff, taxi drivers and CLI’s large contingent of friendly and helpful interns.
Guilin is an incredibly beautiful, comfortable and modern city.

What would you improve about this program?
I gave CLI a 10 for all categories, because it is truly excellent, but that’s not the same as perfect. The two most significant improvements they could consider would be to reduce the normal schedule of class from ten (x 2 hours) per week to 8, so students have more free time for revision and practice alone.
The second would be a greater emphasis on drills, ie practising phrases when speaking and eriting, because when an English speaker studies Mandarin, we need to “rewire” our language brains through repetition as well as in conversation, etc.
But I am not a language teacher, and they may have good reasons for disagreeing with these.
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Oluwasayo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CLI - An Absolutely Awesome Place

The most important thing about CLI is the people. I came in at 12:00 midnight on the day I arrived, yet the intern that received me took me out to find something to eat.

The Teachers are amazing. When CLI says the Class is one on one, it is indeed one on one. The teachers are looking for your strength and your interest and teaching in an absolutely contextual manner.

Most places “talk” about being a community, CLI is a place that is actually one. People enfold you with love and generosity. Administrative staff are so responsive and approachable and the interns, oh the ever serving, ever willing, ever helpful interns!
Please if you are registering, just pay for the meal plan! Chifu’s cooking is delicious and very healthy. The discussions at the table is absolutely enlightening.
I can go on and on - extra curricular activity, group trips locally and to tourist spots, the natural beauty of Guilin, the simple safety of the environment.., I must stop here! Just go now and register! Gentle Tania will work with you for a perfect experience. I am definitely coming back!

What would you improve about this program?
Know your Pinyin - at least - before you come. Don’t come as a blank slate.
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Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

4 Weeks in Guilin

Guilin is a beautiful location, and it is very easy to make weekend trips to small villages or big cities, or to any of the local tourist attractions.

CLI itself is a great environment. There are plenty of comfortable areas to just hang out between classes, or quiet places to study. The classes are challenging but also relaxed and fun. The teachers are very easy to get along with.

The 'pengyou program' is not as advertised, though for the better. There are a bunch of interns/chinese university students who basicaly hang out in CLI common areas. They are incredibly freindly and helpful, they will almost always be enthusiastic to have a chat in chinese regardless of your level, or help you with your homework, or help you buy a sim card for your phone etc. You will probably end up getting to know some of them quite well.

The community in my experience is really supportive of people at every level. Its never too early in your mandarin studies to come. There are heaps of people who arrive with basicaly no chinese and in 2-4 weeks have learnt as much as they might have in a year at home, there are also students who have been studying for years and are already at a very high level.

I can't wait to go back :)

What would you improve about this program?
The classes are 2 hours each, with a 10 minute break about half way. I think it could be better to take a 30 minute break to go for a walk or play some game, and have two 45 min lessons. I only thought of this after leaving or I would have asked my teachers if we could try this.
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Angela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible learning environment

CLI is a welcoming, challenging, encouraging, helpful, home-like environment. You will be surrounded motivated, dedicated students, and helpful friendly interns. One-on-one class is an ideal way to learn. But of course you need to be self motivated, push yourself, and take advantage of every opportunity to communicate in Chinese. Guilin is a beautiful, safe, cheap, convenient, quiet friendly little city. Take time to explore, but the best way to take advantage of CLI is to make it as much a full-immersion experience as possible!

The teachers are professional, skilled, and very patient and flexible. If you know how you learn the best, they will work with you to develop the lessons in that way. If you are a beginner and have no idea where or how to learn Chinese, they will still tailor it to your specific needs, with reasonable but challenging expectations. I could not have asked for a better learning environment.

What would you improve about this program?
All the activities and outings offered at CLI are great! However, there are students of many different levels at CLI. For more advanced students who want true immersion and more opportunities to use Chinese outside of class, perhaps offer some activities that will be only in Chinese.
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Radia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

If you're choosing between programs, pick this one!

I absolutely loved my time at CLI. I am currently teaching English in Jinzhong, China. As a requirement for my position, I was to attend a language program over the summer to begin learning Chinese. From the moment I got to Guillin, I felt safe, supported, and ready to learn. As a first-timer in China, I was nervous about being able to navigate the city by myself, but within a week I was able to find my way around. I loved my classes, and finished one and a half books in 6 weeks. I went from not being able to say anything in Chinese to being able to hold simple conversation. I love my teachers and am really thankful that CLI's structure makes it so you can build actual bonds and even friendships with your teachers. I also loved my home stay family, although if I were to choose again I would probably stay in the CLI facilities, given that I felt I couldn't stay out late to be respectful to my host family (although I love them, and they did help my Chinese get better! Navigating the first few weeks was hard since they do not speak English, but we managed!)

My only comment is you must be self motivated to learn in this program-- a lot of what the teachers do is guide you into self-study habits and review material with you that you will also need to go over by yourself. Because it is one-on-one, you realllllly must come prepared to learn and pay full attention. That being said, I loved my teachers and do not think I could have advanced as I did without them.

What would you improve about this program?
Unsure, maybe more transparency about the pengyou program. The website makes it sound like you are paired with a Chinese student, when really you can just chat and make friends with any of the CLI interns on your own, there is no official pairing.