Place to go in Beijing
 
 
  FAQs  
 

 
 
  1. Why take lessons with GTN?
  2. How do I apply?
  3. What program should I choose?
  4. Can I apply if I do not know any Chinese?
  5. What else do I learn other than the Chinese language?
  6. When do I apply?
  7. How do I make payment?
  8. What is the cancellation or refund policy?
  9. Where do I live?
  10. How do I apply for my visa?
  11. What kind of food is available in Beijing?
  12. How much do I need to spend?
  13. How safe is Beijing?
  14. Emergency contact
  15. Do people speak English in Beijing?
  16. What is the exchange rate for Chinese Yuan to US dollars?
  17. Do I need to purchase insurance before I leave for China?
  18. Can I arrive before the program starts?
  19. Where can I do laundry?
  20. Weather in China
  21. Can I extend my study?
  22. What is the electrical voltage in China?

 
 


 
 

1.Why take lessons with GTN?

 
  At GTN, you will learn Chinese language through a unique way of learning to speak Mandarin and write Chinese characters in a small group setting (3 to 8 students). Our goal is to enable you to enjoy communicating in Mandarin fluently and naturally. We focus on providing you with constant exposure to spoken, real life language both inside and outside of classes. Because we are not an agency, we focus on people-relationship building; we are dedicated to making your experience in China a memorable one.

  
 

 
 

2.How do I apply?

 
 

Download and print a copy of the application form from our web site and complete the required information on the form (detail instructions of completing the application form is within the download file). Mail or fax your application form and send the registration fee of US$100 (money order or bank draft, made payable to Global Training Networks) to our administration office in Canada. Once you are admitted to our program, we will send you an enrolment package that contains an admission letter, visa application form, instructions on how to apply for Chinese visa, information for the nearest location of a Chinese Embassy, and other necessary information for you to prepare for your study trip to China.

The remaining program fee (program fee less the $100 registration fee) is due 4 weeks before programs starts.

Download an application form (PDF) from here or  Word

 
 

 
 

3. What program should I choose?

 
 

This depends largely on your needs and personal schedule. If you only have one or two months available, and would like to explore China and learn about the language and culture, you may want to enroll in our Chinese 101 program.

If you want to visit China and explore working or business opportunities in the powerful Chinese economy, you may want to enroll in our Business Chinese program, where you can learn the Chinese language where at the same time gain a first hand experience of business in China through the weekly business seminars. You will also have time to interact with business leaders that direct these seminars. The Business Chinese program also offers corporate internship programs for students that are really interested in practicing their business Chinese as well as being exposed to Chinese companies.

If you are university students who would like to earn credit for your university term and at the same time experience Chinese culture, we have credit courses for you with the university of your choice. A pre-requisite of Chinese language is required.

If you are high school students who want to learn the Chinese language, and visit the various attractions and historical sights of China, our Study Tour program is very suitable for you. The Study Tour program takes you around local attractions and lets you experience life of local Chinese people while at the same time learning the skill of using the Chinese language.

If you are not able to decide which program will best suit you, we suggest you register for a two week Study Tour program. This will give you a good sampling of what we have available. You may then make a transition to the program of your choice at the end of the 2 weeks Study Tour program.

 
 

 
 

4. Can I apply if I do not know any Chinese?

 
  Definitely yes! We have many individuals who do not know any Chinese that join our classes. Our aim is to teach you the basic Chinese language skill to communicate with others if you have no background of the language. If you have some Chinese lessons before, we will help you to raise your proficiency level. Whether you are interested in understanding the Chinese cultural and its language, prepare yourself with the necessary language skill to do business with Chinese companies, or planning to visit the 2008 summer Olympic in Beijing, we will have the right language program for you. We will have a placement test for our participants on the first day of class. We will review our students' progress every week, and advance them to the next level once they pass the required skill.

  
 

 
 

5. What else do I learn other than the Chinese language?

 
  One thing that makes our “Visit China Learn Chinese” program special is that besides teaching the ins and outs of the Chinese language in our core classes in the morning, we have daily elective programs in the afternoon that will enhance your language learning by giving you exposure to Chinese culture and history, geography & people, philosophy & religion. We also arrange many fun and instructive activities for our participants to relax and develop social relationship among them. Our commitment is to offer our participants more than regular language training. We focus on people-relationship building; we are dedicated to ensure your experience in China is a memorable one.

 
 

 
 

6. When do I apply ?

 
  To ensure that you get into the program of your choice, we suggest that you apply as soon as you know your availability, minimally eight weeks before the starting date of your program. For example, if the program you want to join starts on July 17, you should start your application to us by mid May. It takes time for mailing our package to you, your application for Chinese visa, booking a flight with a reasonably good fare (summer flights to Beijing can be quickly booked up), and if you do not already have a valid passport, then it will take you even longer to prepare. Last minute registration will be granted depending on availability of classes and activities.

  
 

 
 

7. How do I make payment?

 
  You can pay the registration fees of US$100 with your application form, with the remaining fees to be paid 4 weeks before program starts, or you can make full payment with your application and receive a $100 discount towards your program fees. Payment can be made in a money order or bank draft .

 
 

 
 

8. What is the cancellation or refund policy ?

 
  If for any reason a student is not able to join our program, and they have informed us at least one month prior to the program start date, the student will receive a full refund of the program fees, less a minimum service fees. However if you cancel less than one month before the program start date, we are only able to refund 90% of your program fee, due to commitments to the program, activities, accommodations and other arrangements. Arrangement will be made for student cancel less than one week before the program starts.

 
 

 
 

9. Where do I live?

 
  You have choices of Homestay, Campus Residence, Shared Apartment or Hotel. The Homestay family will provide two meals a day for the student. For all other options, you will have to look after your own meals. Some shared apartment students may choose to cook their own meals occasionally. Food options are plentiful and very convenient almost everywhere in Beijing, and they are usually relatively inexpensive compared to many western countries.

  
 

 
 

10. How do I apply for my visa?

 
  When we receive your registration fees and form, we will send you the program admission letter to apply for a student visa, as well as the visa application form. You will need to fill in the required information on the form and supply a photo to apply for your visa with the nearest Chinese Embassy. The address of the embassy for your region will be provided to you. A passport must not expire for at least 6 months before you travel to China.

  
 

 
 

11. What kind of food is available in Beijing ?

 
  There are different types of food in Beijing besides Chinese food. Western fast food chains are everywhere, (i.e. McDonald, KFC, Pizza Hut etc). There are also many other ethnic types of food available such as Indian, Italian, Spanish, Korean. Generally speaking Chinese food is the least expensive option.

  
 

 
 

12. How much do I need to spend ?

 
  This is very individual! If you like shopping, you may spend quite a bit in Beijing, there are many attractive things at very good bargain prices. Otherwise, cost of living in Beijing is relatively low compared to Western or South East Asian countries. Entertainment in Beijing is generally inexpensive. Transportation options include the public bus (which costs less than 1 RMB per ride) and subway (2 RMB per ride), as well as taxi service which costs 10 RMB (~US$1.25) for short distances and up to 30 RMB (for example to go across town or downtown). Food in general is very inexpensive in Beijing. For example, a bowl of noodles in the food court, the price is about US$2. Restaurant food is not expensive either, approximately 50-70 RMB (approximately US$8-9) per dish in a hotel restaurant.

http://www.warriortours.com/essential/pre_planning/bring.htm

  
 

 
 

13. How safe is Beijing ?

 
  Generally speaking Beijing is a very safe place for foreigners. We would still advise our students to exercise common sense, such as not walking alone late at night. People in Beijing usually understand a little English, but it would be helpful to carry your destination address with you in Chinese characters, so to ensure people can help with you with directions.

  
 

 
 

14. Emergency contact ?

 
  In case of any emergency, our Beijing office and Canadian office will relay the safety of the students to the contact person/family immediately. We would require that you provide the emergency contact information to us before the program starts

  
 

 
 

15. Do people speak English in Beijing ?

 
  There is a trend for learning English in Beijing by the local people. Most of the sales people in the shopping areas speak English. If they do not completely understand you, they are always eager to get someone to help you.
  
 

 
 

16. What is the exchange rate for Chinese Yuan to US dollars ?

 
 

US$1 is approximately 8 Chinese yuan. You may check the foreign exchange rate through the following web link for the latest exchange rate with your local currency,

http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html

 
 

 
 

17. Do I need to purchase insurance before I leave for China ?

 
 

Yes, we strongly advice you to purchase health/medical insurance in your home country before you leave for China. Most travel agents would advise travelers to purchase medical insurance whenever they travel to foreign countries, including China. You may purchase this through travel agents or an insurance company that deals with travel insurance. Here are a few web links that provides information about premiums.

http://www.goodhealthworldwide.com/

http://www.travelinsured.com/

 
 

 
 

18. Can I arrive before the program starts? ?

 
  Yes, but you will need to inform us if you plan to arrive early, if you need our office to arrange your early accommodation or if you need us pick you up when you arrive early. Please note, you will be responsible for the payment of the additional accommodations before the start of your program.

  
 

 
 

19. Where can I do laundry ?

 
  Washing machines are available in the shared apartments. Laundry service is also available on campus for students living on campus. If you are staying in a hotel, there are also laundry services located nearby, which provide laundering, ironing, and dry cleaning.

  
 

 
 

20. Weather in China?

 
 

Generally the weather is hot in Beijing from May to August. Please check the following link for the weather of specific region.

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/chxx0008.html

http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=PEKX

  
 

 
 

21. Can I extend my study ?

 
 

Definitely! Please inform our administrative staff in Beijing to extend your program. Our administrative staff will help you extend your student visa.

 
 

 
 

22. What is the electrical voltage in China ?

 
 

The electrical voltage in China is 220. Converters and power strips can be easily purchased in China.

 
 


 
 

If you have a question that is not covered by our FAQs above, please send us an e-mail, mailto:info@learnchineseinchina.com

 
     
     
     
 
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