Mandarin Chinese Immersion in China

Konall Culture Exchange, Shijiazhuang:
If you are serious about learning Mandarin Chinese in a true immersion environment, Konall Culture Exchange (KCE) is the school for you! Located in Shijiazhuang (just 2 hours by train south of Beijing), KCE offers fully-accredited, intensive one-to-one programs in the Mandarin language, Chinese culture, and history. Shijiazhuang is the capital and largest city of North China's Hebei Province, and is an ideal location for total Mandarin immersion due to a lack of foreign influence which has resulted in an undiluted culture and language environment.

KCE is an institute dedicated to the open exchange of culture and language between China and the rest of the world, one student at a time. We accomplish this goal by providing intensive and uniquely individual language and culture study abroad programs for English speaking students from around the world. 

KCE is different from other language schools in China. We keep our classes small and our students often comment that they love the family atmosphere around campus.

More than 30% of our students come to us from other programs in China because they just weren't learning anything at the "party" schools in Beijing and Shanghai, at KCE, all of our students are serious about learning Mandarin.

Over one quarter of our students are attending or have graduated from top 10 ranked schools in the US and EU, and many of our graduates have gone on to start their own businesses in China.

We specialize in intensive 1-to-1 Mandarin Language and Chinese culture programs geared towards serious learners who want to see real progress.

Each student is pushed to learn as much as they can in the time that they have, and your study plan will be designed to reflect your individual situation and length of stay. Our language programs primary focus is on oral fluency and cultural competency, while also building a strong base in reading and writing. 

Each student receives an individually tailored curriculum that specifically addresses their individual goals. You will learn more here than you thought possible in just a few months.

Mandarin Chinese Courses:
- Monthly Intensive Chinese program (20 hours of private Mandarin lessons per week)
- HSK test preparation
- Business Chinese classes (4 hours per day of private 1-to-1 Chinese classes)
- Cultural exchange program (combined private Chinese language lessons and cultural activities)
- Study and Travel Tours (group Mandarin immersion programs)
- Chinese culture courses including cooking, calligraphy, painting, history, Tai chi (Taiji-chuan), music, and more.
- Internship / Work & Study Programs (1-9 months)
- Homestay accommodation with a local Chinese family

Our Mandarin language and culture programs can all be customized to meet your specific needs.

"Choosing Konall Culture Exchange was definitely the right decision. It has a great location where you are forced to practice your Mandarin and its small size emphasizes intensive individual learning. Being 18 and recently graduated from high school, living in China for a month, on my own, definitely prepared me for college.

I came to China without being able to comfortably recite a grammatically correct sentence. I can now bargain and hold conversations with my teachers and other locals in the area. The 1 on 1 classes are very much intensive, but your improvement, like everything, depends on how much you invest in your learning.

The people of Shijiazhuang are extremely nice and eager to speak with a foreigner...The last point I must emphasize about my trip to Shijiazhuang is its affordability. Compared to Beijing and Shanghai, Shijiazhuang is 2 to 3 times cheaper....Overall, I ended this experience loving this city, its people, the school, and the teachers and students I met."
- Aura, USA

"My stay at Konall Culture Exchange (KCE) was everything that I expected. The teaching was really good, and the teachers care about their students.

By the end of three weeks of intensive classes (about 15 days of four hour classes) I was having short conversations with people in Mandarin. That came only after hard, frustrating work in class, and bold practice outside of class, but it was exciting.

I am convinced that the best way to learn a language is what KCE does best: intensive, one-on-one, daily immersion in a distraction-free environment at a highly competitive price."
- Peter, USA 

"I stayed in Shijiazhuang (SJZ) for four weeks and took four hours of private lessons five days a week, plus I lived with a host family. I can highly recommend this program to everyone who really wants to learn Mandarin and to get to know the Chinese and their way of life."
- Eyleen, Germany

Homestay accommodation with local Chinese family:
Living with a Chinese host-family is a great option for anyone wanting a complete China experience. During your stay with a host-family you will find that Chinese people are among the most hospitable in the world, and will go to great lengths to make you feel at home. 

In addition to improving your Mandarin through increased immersion, you will also gain a unique insight into modern Chinese family life and the culture and customs that go with it.

As a foreign guest you will be taken in and treated as one of the family, and it is not uncommon for KCE students to form lasting friendships with their new family members. 

Each of our carefully screened families provide a level of comfort that is on par with what you would find in your home country. You will receive two meals per day and have your own private, fully furnished room. 

Many families will organize weekend excursions and you will have a very special opportunity to learn about Chinese culture firsthand as you are included in every aspect of their lives.

Private Apartments:
KCE private apartments provide you with spacious, modern and comfortable housing for the duration of your program.

Each apartment is located within 15 minutes walk of our institute in a quiet and safe complex close to downtown with easy access to public transport, shopping and entertainment districts. All KCE apartments come fully furnished with modern appliances including broadband internet.