Back to school: the best Chinese language classes in Shanghai

Whether you've been here for two days or two years, it's never too early or too late to start learning Mandarin. Shanghai has language centres for all levels of learners, to fit into even the busiest of schedules.

EasyMandarin

Photograph courtesy easymandarin.cn

You can’t fault EasyMandarin on its location, looking out over the golden spires of Jingan Temple – in fact it’s hard to fault this private language school on much. It’s a friendly place that regularly organises trips for students and offers a range of classes – private tutors, small groups, evening classes and intensive courses – led by highly trained and enthusiastic teachers. The focus here is mainly on speaking, but there are also options for reading, writing and HSK exam prep.

EasyMandarin Room 1501, Bldg A United World Plaza 172 Yuyuan Lu, near Wanhangdu Lu (easymandarin.cn).

Jiaotong University

Jiaotong University offers a range of language courses for international students, including an intensive term of daily lessons or a series of evening classes. The intensive course includes daily listening, reading and writing in classes of up to 20, meaning full immersion in Chinese study. It’s one of Shanghai’s best universities, so you can expect to study hard (with plenty of regular homework), but to progress in all areas of learning, with weekly tests on reading and writing characters. Courses can also work out as a bargain compared with private schools, plus as a student you can take advantage of cultural classes – calligraphy, paper cutting and Tai Chi – for rock-bottom prices. 

Jiaotong University 1954 Huashan Lu, near Guangyuan Xi Lu (en.sjtu.edu.cn).

GoEast Language Center

GoEast Language Centre offers custom courses with flexible scheduling, ranging from conversational Chinese to business Chinese to HSK preparation. Lessons can be one-on-one, in a classroom environment or online, and all their teachers have university degrees in a relevant field of linguistics as well as a minimum of two years of teaching experience. GoEast also offers beginner- and intermediate-level Mandarin learners free speaking sessions to brush up on their glossary and communication skills (sessions are free but booking is a must. Check GoEast's website for more info and to RSVP).

GoEast 194-196 Zhengmin Lu, near Guoding Lu (goeastmandarin.com).

The Hutong School

Popular for being so flexible and down-to-earth, The Hutong School caters to all levels of language learning and all types of classes, including private and group lessons. Teachers can come out to homes and offices (including the option to tailor classes to a specific business sector), or students can study at the lovely lane house school. All teachers have been qualified for at least two years and receive monthly evaluations. As the school is European owned and managed, many staff are also multilingual – an added bonus if English isn’t your mother tongue.

The Hutong School Second Floor, No 16, Lane 76 Wuyuan Lu, near Changshu Lu (hutong-school.com).

Donghua University

Donghua University’s Chinese classes are held at the Yanan Lu campus near Zhongshan Park – a leafy site conveniently close to the Beer Lady. This is a formal university, so you will be in the company of thousands of other students, and it might mean that you lose some of the familiarity that goes with learning at a smaller private school. But there are other benefits; mostly the price, which works out much cheaper for the same number of hours, and the fact that you will study hanzi from the beginning, along with listening and reading. Class sizes tend to be large though, especially at a beginner level, which risks getting less chance to speak than in a private school.

Donghu University 1882 Yanan Xi Lu, near Loushanguan Lu (english.dhu.edu.cn).

Hanyuan Mandarin School

Set in a beautiful 1920s French Concession villa with an outside courtyard (also used for classes), Han Yuan is associated with Jikei Educational Group – the biggest vocational educational group in Japan. Join group classes, small groups or one-on-one sessions – which can be tailored to focus on writing, reading or speaking, depending on needs. Plus, get free tea and coffee from the stylish bar on the ground floor.

Hanyuan Mandarin School 28 Gaolan Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu (hanyuansh.com).

Mandarin House

This well-established People’s Square school offers intensive and part-time courses, one-on-one private tutoring and preparation for the HSK exam, with each student assigned to a consultant to oversee individual studies. The school can also help with student visas, arrange for students to stay with host families and offers a service to help students find internships while studying.

Mandarin House 650 Hankou Lu, near Guangxi Bei Lu (mandarinhouse.com).

Contact schools for prices and schedule information as class rates and times vary.

More from Time Out Shanghai

Click below for more things to do