Language School

That's Mandarin

About the Language School

Founded in 2005 in Beijing, That's Mandarin is a Chinese language school operating under the Sidaorui Education and Technology Group. According to the school, it is licensed by the Chinese Ministry of Education, and since April 2026 it has been accredited by the International Association of Language Centres (IALC). According to its 2025 brochure, it teaches over 10,000 students annually. That's Mandarin offers online study alongside on-site study at physical campuses in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Chengdu. Learners can choose group or private courses delivered in person or remotely via the proprietary NihaoCafe platform.

Language Courses

That's Mandarin is a specialized Chinese language institution offering non-degree language instruction, examination preparation, and cultural training rather than academic degree programs such as bachelor's or master's degrees. Distance learning is delivered through the proprietary online platform NihaoCafe. Online offerings include 1-on-1 Private Classes and Small Group Online Classes. Students learning online can focus on General Chinese, conversational Chinese, Business Chinese, Diplomatic Chinese, Medical Chinese, or customized tracks such as Chinese for engineers. The school also offers targeted online skill modules in Hanzi (Chinese characters) and Pinyin pronunciation. Online classes consist of 45-minute lessons scheduled flexibly around individual student availability, using interactive, teacher-led instruction conducted almost entirely in Mandarin. The school provides dedicated HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) Preparation Courses, which can be completed either online or in person. These courses cover levels HSK 1 through HSK 6 and are structured around the That's Mandarin level system, which spans levels 1 through 16 and is aligned with the new HSK 3.0. For lower levels corresponding to HSK 1 through 3, teaching materials are built around an interactive 192-episode video series depicting contemporary Chinese life. Intermediate levels corresponding to HSK 4 incorporate reading articles on Chinese culture, society, and modern life, while advanced levels corresponding to HSK 5 and 6 use customized materials such as news articles, videos, comics, translation exercises, and past HSK examination papers. Students can take HSK preparation in private one-on-one formats, part-time group classes, or intensive formats. On-site programs are delivered at physical campuses in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Chengdu, as well as through door-to-door classes at offices. In-person study formats include the Intensive Group Chinese Course, which meets Monday through Friday from 08:30 to 12:00 for a total of 20 classes per week, with an average of four to five students and a maximum of six per group. In this intensive format, students complete one language level in four weeks. The Part-Time Group Chinese Course is designed for working professionals or university students, running two days per week (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday) with four classes per week, offering morning sessions (10:20 to 12:00) or evening sessions (19:00 to 20:40). On-site Private 1-on-1 Chinese Classes offer individualized schedules and curricula. For international students wanting to study in China legally, the institution provides the on-site Chinese Visa Program, which runs 12 to 24 weeks (three or six months) on an intensive schedule with documentation support for X2 student visas or tourist visas. Additional on-site programs include Chinese Summer and Winter Camps for children and teenagers, combining language instruction with cultural workshops such as calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and dumpling making. The school also operates the China School Trip immersion program year-round for organized school groups. Corporate Chinese training is available both on-site at client offices and online for multinational corporations and embassy personnel. Upon finishing their studies, students receive a That's Mandarin certificate documenting their completed level and academic performance. Participants in team projects can receive an Internship Certificate, and That's Mandarin provides administrative assistance with registration and documentation for official external HSK examinations.

Application Procedure

Admission requires no prior Chinese language knowledge or formal academic qualifications. Absolute beginners enroll without prerequisites, while students with prior Chinese experience complete an assessment for level placement. On-site students in China must secure an appropriate Chinese visa at least 30 days before departure, using a tourist visa for short-term courses. For the Chinese Visa Program, That's Mandarin provides acceptance letters and documentation for an X2 Student Visa application requiring proof of enrollment and financial records. Prospective students are advised to apply at least three months in advance. Intensive group courses follow monthly start dates, part-time group courses allow enrollment at any time, and private courses offer flexible start dates. Tuition fees are charged per 45-minute class. Intensive Group Chinese classes and the Chinese Visa Program start from 100 RMB per class, typically costing 104 RMB per class for 20 classes weekly. HSK intensive group preparation costs 104 RMB per class, Part-Time Group Chinese costs 117 RMB per class, and private small group online classes cost 132 RMB per class. Individual Private 1-on-1 instruction starts from 210 RMB per class, and online from 199 RMB according to the online course page (all prices according to the website, as of October 2026). For on-site courses in China, eligible employees in several German federal states can apply for Bildungsurlaub paid educational leave. Students who have previously studied Chinese can take a free trial class. Private one-on-one cancellations require at least 18 hours of advance notice to avoid forfeiting the class. For missed group lessons, study materials are stored on the NihaoCafe platform, and students may request make-up arrangements. Enrollment via studyonline.now: Enrollment in That's Mandarin courses runs through studyonline.now. Prospective students send their course request via Anne or the contact form on studyonline.now; with their consent, studyonline.now forwards the enrollment to That's Mandarin. That's Mandarin confirms the course, start date and price and arranges the placement test for students with prior knowledge. Students pay 100 percent of the course fee directly to That's Mandarin; studyonline.now charges nothing for the referral.

You enroll in courses from That's Mandarin through studyonline.now: choose a course below, send your request via Anne or the contact form, and with your consent we forward it. You pay 100 percent of the course fee directly to That's Mandarin. Our guide explains every step and comes free by email.

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