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    Chinese Language Institute

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    Details

    • Listing Type: Gap Year Programs
    • Program Delivery: Residential, Online
    • Destinations: China
    • Credit Awarded: College
    • Program Length: Six Weeks, Two Months, Semester, Quarter
    • Start Month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
    • Category: Language
    • Selective: No
    • Gender: Coed
    • Ages: 17, 18, 19+, 19
    • Housing: Dorm, Homestay
    • Financial Aid: Grants/Scholarships
    • Minimum Cost: $1,000 - $2,999
    • Last Updated:September 2025
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    Overview

    Learn real Mandarin in Guilin, China. CLI’s Gap Year blends GXNU university courses with daily 1:1 tutoring, small classes, and rich cultural learning. Fewer English speakers and lower costs mean deep immersion. Homestays or modern housing, full support, and proven credit transfer for more than a decade. Join a warm community and return with college credit and real-world fluency.

    Why CLI: Learn faster through a blended model you will not find elsewhere. Take Chinese for academic credit at Guangxi Normal University while getting daily 1:1 tutoring tailored to your level and goals. Guilin’s low cost and few English speakers create the perfect practice lab. Our team has welcomed students for more than 15 years.

     

    What you get:

    • Personalized plan: placement, goals, and a weekly 1:1 schedule.

    • Small classes at GXNU plus language partners for real-life practice.

    • Housing options: vetted homestays or modern apartments near campus.

    • Full support: airport pickup, orientation, safety-first policies, and on-call staff.

    • Cultural depth: weekend trips, volunteer options, and skill workshops.

    • Credit pathway: official GXNU transcript for transfer to many U.S. schools.

     

    Who thrives here: Motivated students seeking an immersive, caring community. Beginners through advanced welcome.

     

    Outcomes: measurable gains in speaking and listening, strong study habits, and confidence navigating China. Many alumni continue Chinese in college or return for internships.

    Testimonials (1)

    • CLI changed my life for the betterMy time at CLI in Guilin was one of the most special periods of my life. Learning Chinese through one-on-one lessons helped me improve faster than I expected, but what made the experience truly unforgettable were the people. The teachers are skilled, and they are patient, encouraging, and genuinely invested in my growth. I had meaningful conversations every day, not only about language, but about life. Outside the classroom, the friendships I built with classmates and interns added so much depth to my experience. Whether it was grabbing ?? after class, hiking up mountains, or just sharing experiences, those moments made Guilin feel like home. The environment, from the river to the mountains, only added to the sense that I was somewhere really special. CLI gave me more than language skills. It gave me memories and relationships I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?Don’t be afraid of the unfamiliarity of China. It will all end up being much smoother than you think. China is a land of magic and convenience, don’t worry so much about anything other than getting your visa.ProsMy teachers became my Chinese ??sThe CLI community, for the most part, is like a familyThey were so flexible about scheduling when I wanted to go traveling or when I needed to leave my program for an extended periodConsThe communication channel before I arrived wasn’t the most efficientSome of the interns opted to speak in English, even after I had reached an adequate Chinese level to speak with them in Chinese

      - Austin - June 6, 2025