help bg

FAQ

No matter where you are or whether you decide to study with us online or come to the Keats Chinese school, enrollment is easy, and we are with you every step of the way.
I WANT TO TRAVEL TO OTHER CITIES DURING/AFTER STUDYING CHINESE AT KEATS, WILL KEATS HELP ME PLAN THE TRIP?

Yes, your advisor at Keats will help you book flight tickets and hotel rooms if needed. If you want to study Chinese at different places in China, Keats now has 9 locations across Yunnan so that you can live in different places to learn Chinese through the intensive one-on-one Chinese course while diving into the local cultures. You don’t have to rush to each place for traveling. Instead, you learn Chinese right at these stunningly beautiful places in China. We suggest a combination of different places to really enjoy your vacation in China. For example, you can study Chinese in Kunming for 3 weeks, and then study Chinese in Dali for 2 weeks, etc.

We also offer travel programs for you and your family. The Study + Tour program combines the one-on-one language program in Kunming and trips to other places in Yunnan. If you take Mandarin lessons at Keats headquarter in Kunming and your family/friends would like join in for the trip in Yunnan, this is the perfect program for you.

WHAT CLOTHING SHOULD I BRING?

This is the Practical Manual for New Students. It offers a list of suggested items to bring. You are also welcome to email us if you have any specific questions.

CAN I USE MY CREDIT CARD WHILE SHOPPING IN KUNMING?

Most stores in Kunming do not accept foreign credit card payments. It would be better if you pay cash when you buy things in China. More and more people are using apps like WeChat and Alipay to purchase their goods. You can open a Chinese bank account and link it to your WeChat or Alipay account so that you can make payments using your mobile phone. Your advisor can take you to open a Chinese bank account if you need.

CAN I DRINK TAP WATER WHEN I LEARN CHINESE IN CHINA AT KEATS?

In China, we do not drink tap water. In each dorm room, we provide a water dispenser. You can order bottled water from us at RMB 15/bottle. Check out Keats’s housing options here.

WHAT CAN I DO DURING THE WEEKENDS?

The school offers free excursions on Saturday and paid excursions on Sunday. Students are welcome to sign up for these trips. Check out a list of things to do after class. If you are curious about ancient Yunnan, you can check out the intensive one-on-one Chinese program in which you can learn Chinese in China at 9 different locations across Yunnan province in China.

WHAT DO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE LEARNING STUDENTS DO DURING THEIR SPARE TIME?

Some students stay in their rooms or the library doing their homework; some students go out to explore the city; some students do their volunteer work if they sign up for the Volunteer in China program.

Keats organizes the following activities each week:

Tuesday evening: Movie night

Wednesday evening: Language exchange. You can practice your Chinese speaking skills with native Chinese people.

Thursday evening: Chinese culture night. Keats offers Chinese cultural activities such as Chinese paper-cutting, Chinese tea tasting, Chinese painting, card games, mahjong, Yunnan coffee, etc.

Friday evening: Local food sampling. We organize group dinners at restaurants every Friday night to try local food.

Saturday: Free Excursions

Sunday: Paid Excursions

Do the locals in Kunming speak their own dialect more than they speak Mandarin?

Kunming has its own dialect, but everywhere in China has its own dialect. Many Chinese people find it very hard to understand the Beijing dialect before they get settled down in Beijing for 1 year or 2. Besides, the Kunming dialect belongs to the northern language system, which is close to Mandarin. As Kunming becomes more and more international, most Kunming people in the city can speak standard Mandarin and they will tend to use Mandarin to answer your questions. Our students do not have problems practicing their Mandarin Chinese on street or in a restaurant. Although they might consider this as a problem before they come, it turned out it is not a problem at all. In addition, Kunming is called the “Spring City”, with beautiful weather all year round. The air is clean and local people are extremely friendly to foreigners. Our students sometimes travel to Lijiang or Dali or other nice little towns during the weekends to enjoy the natural landscape and interesting minority culture.

WILL KEATS PROVIDE ME ACCOMMODATION?

Yes, the prices for all the programs listed on our website include accommodation (single room with private bathroom) except the online Chinese course. Therefore, you don’t have to look for your own accommodation. The rooms are in one building with the classrooms. It is very safe and convenient to live in school. The rooms at Keats are usually fully booked. Make sure to check the course availability before you sign up.

I WILL FIND MY OWN ACCOMMODATION. CAN I TAKE THE ONE-ON-ONE CHINESE LESSONS ONLY AT KEATS SCHOOL?

Yes, it is possible to learn Mandarin at Keats School without accommodation. For students who do not live in the school, the hourly rate for the one-on-one lessons is RMB 210; the hourly rate for the small group class is RMB 200. If you need help with the visa, the minimum number of hours of the course to be eligible for a student visa is 20 hours a week. The length of the visa will match the length of the program you take at Keats. We are unable to provide a long-term visa with a short period of the program.

I’M A VEGETARIAN. WILL KEATS SCHOOL’S CHEF ACCOMMODATE TO MY NEEDS?

Yes, we provide 4 to 5 dishes each meal for our students. We provide options for vegetarians and vegans as well.

WILL KEATS SCHOOL HELP ME OBTAIN A VISA?

Yes, after we receive full tuition fee for the entire course through bank transfer, we will send you the official Admission Notice on behalf of Keats School to apply for a student visa (X1/X2) in your country. The X1 visa is for a program longer than 6 months while the X2 student visa is for a program shorter than 6 months. The express mail delivery fee is RMB 590.

Please Note: The tourist visa can no longer be changed to a student visa after you arrive in China. In order to avoid unnecessary cost, please make sure to enter China with an X1 or X2 student visa.

DO I NEED A VISA TO TAKE THE CHINESE LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN CHINA AT KEATS SCHOOL?

Yes, you will need a Chinese visa to learn Chinese in China. Before you come to study in China, please leave yourself enough time to apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese embassy in your country with the documents we send you.

I WANT TO STUDY AT KEATS SCHOOL. HOW LONG IN ADVANCE SHOULD I APPLY?

For summer studies, the rooms are usually fully booked half a year in advance. For spring, fall and winter, students are suggested to register at least 2 months in advance to secure the teachers and rooms at Keats. This also leaves you enough time to apply for a Chinese visa. Please make sure to check the course availability with us before you apply.

 

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN CHINESE IN CHINA AT KEATS SCHOOL?

Keats School accepts cash, bank transfer and credit card payment. You can check out payment methods here.

What is Keats refund policy?

After the full payment is made and the visa is issued, if it is not the school’s reason to cancel the course, the tuition fee cannot be refunded. Once you start the program, the academic advisor will actively track your satisfaction with your program. We will make adjustments to meet your requirements so that you think your investment worth what you get. If you need to stop the program for family reasons or any other urgent issues, we will keep your tuition fee and you will not lose your tuition fee. You can come back to use it anytime in the future.

CAN I CONTINUE USING MY OWN CHINESE TEXTBOOKS THAT I HAVE BEEN USING AT HOME?

Yes, please bring your textbooks to Keats School and prepare a copy/book for your teacher when you arrive so that your teacher can prepare the lessons according to your level and your learning goals.

WHAT TEXTBOOKS DO YOU USE AT KEATS SCHOOL?

If you are a beginner, we use “Essential Chinese” published by Keats School which contains useful and practical words and phrases. If you are at intermediate or advanced, we use “New Practical Chinese Reader”, “Boya Chinese” , “Speed-up Chinese” , “Developing Chinese” depending on your levels and learning goals. After you arrive, you will meet your teacher to discuss about your learning requirements and goals, and your teacher will select one text book that is suitable for your level and learning goals. Your teacher(s) will also prepare supplementary materials to comply with your studies.

If you choose the HSK Preparation Course, we use the “HSK Standard Course”  and various HSK exercise books.

I AM A BEGINNER AND I WANT TO LEARN TO SPEAK CHINESE WELL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL?

If you are a beginner and have not studied Chinese before, a minimum of 12 weeks’ Chinese language study at Keats School will help you master the basic understanding of Mandarin and basic conversations, such as booking hotel rooms, making Chinese friends, ordering food in restaurants, asking for directions, talking about hobbies and personal experiences, etc.

If you have a higher level of Chinese learning goals such as reading newspapers, watching TV shows, watching Chinese movies, talking about social issues, and if you have longer time available, we would recommend you take a 20-week or 24-week intensive Mandarin course to help you achieve a lower/upper intermediate level.

I AM FROM A NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY. MY ENGLISH IS NOT VERY GOOD. CAN I STUDY AT KEATS?

You are welcome to study at Keats. If you only know a little English, you can still study at Keats. English is just a tool we use to teach Chinese. However, in order to create an all Chinese language environment, we will use as less English as possible to help our students learn Chinese. We have helped many non-English speakers to master the Chinese language.

Will I get any certificate at the end of the program?

Yes, we provide a program certificate for all courses we offer. You will receive a certificate at the end of your program, stating how many hours of Mandarin lessons you will have completed.

When do the small group classes start?

If you are not a beginner, you can arrive on any Sunday and start your classes on Monday. Beginner class starts once a month. For the exact small group class starting dates, you can check out the Small Group Chinese Classes.

 

Would it be possible to sit in one of the group classes to get a feel for how they go?
Most of the times, all the small group classes are full. If the class is full, we are unable to offer any paid trial lesson. Therefore, it is suggested that you make an appointment with us before you come to check.

 

How many students in one group Chinese class?

In order to ensure the best learning experience, there are no more than 6 students in one class so that the teacher has enough attention for each student. Each student will have more opportunities to practice their speaking skills.

I WANT TO TRAVEL TO OTHER CITIES DURING/AFTER STUDYING CHINESE AT KEATS, WILL KEATS HELP ME PLAN THE TRIP?

Yes, your advisor at Keats will help you book flight tickets and hotel rooms if needed. If you want to study Chinese at different places in China, Keats now has 9 locations across Yunnan so that you can live in different places to learn Chinese through the intensive one-on-one Chinese course while diving into the local cultures. You don’t have to rush to each place for traveling. Instead, you learn Chinese right at these stunningly beautiful places in China. We suggest a combination of different places to really enjoy your vacation in China. For example, you can study Chinese in Kunming for 3 weeks, and then study Chinese in Dali for 2 weeks, etc.

We also offer travel programs for you and your family. The Study + Tour program combines the one-on-one language program in Kunming and trips to other places in Yunnan. If you take Mandarin lessons at Keats headquarter in Kunming and your family/friends would like join in for the trip in Yunnan, this is the perfect program for you.

WHAT CLOTHING SHOULD I BRING?

This is the Practical Manual for New Students. It offers a list of suggested items to bring. You are also welcome to email us if you have any specific questions.

CAN I USE MY CREDIT CARD WHILE SHOPPING IN KUNMING?

Most stores in Kunming do not accept foreign credit card payments. It would be better if you pay cash when you buy things in China. More and more people are using apps like WeChat and Alipay to purchase their goods. You can open a Chinese bank account and link it to your WeChat or Alipay account so that you can make payments using your mobile phone. Your advisor can take you to open a Chinese bank account if you need.

CAN I DRINK TAP WATER WHEN I LEARN CHINESE IN CHINA AT KEATS?

In China, we do not drink tap water. In each dorm room, we provide a water dispenser. You can order bottled water from us at RMB 15/bottle. Check out Keats’s housing options here.

WHAT CAN I DO DURING THE WEEKENDS?

The school offers free excursions on Saturday and paid excursions on Sunday. Students are welcome to sign up for these trips. Check out a list of things to do after class. If you are curious about ancient Yunnan, you can check out the intensive one-on-one Chinese program in which you can learn Chinese in China at 9 different locations across Yunnan province in China.

WHAT DO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE LEARNING STUDENTS DO DURING THEIR SPARE TIME?

Some students stay in their rooms or the library doing their homework; some students go out to explore the city; some students do their volunteer work if they sign up for the Volunteer in China program.

Keats organizes the following activities each week:

Tuesday evening: Movie night

Wednesday evening: Language exchange. You can practice your Chinese speaking skills with native Chinese people.

Thursday evening: Chinese culture night. Keats offers Chinese cultural activities such as Chinese paper-cutting, Chinese tea tasting, Chinese painting, card games, mahjong, Yunnan coffee, etc.

Friday evening: Local food sampling. We organize group dinners at restaurants every Friday night to try local food.

Saturday: Free Excursions

Sunday: Paid Excursions

Do the locals in Kunming speak their own dialect more than they speak Mandarin?

Kunming has its own dialect, but everywhere in China has its own dialect. Many Chinese people find it very hard to understand the Beijing dialect before they get settled down in Beijing for 1 year or 2. Besides, the Kunming dialect belongs to the northern language system, which is close to Mandarin. As Kunming becomes more and more international, most Kunming people in the city can speak standard Mandarin and they will tend to use Mandarin to answer your questions. Our students do not have problems practicing their Mandarin Chinese on street or in a restaurant. Although they might consider this as a problem before they come, it turned out it is not a problem at all. In addition, Kunming is called the “Spring City”, with beautiful weather all year round. The air is clean and local people are extremely friendly to foreigners. Our students sometimes travel to Lijiang or Dali or other nice little towns during the weekends to enjoy the natural landscape and interesting minority culture.

WILL KEATS PROVIDE ME ACCOMMODATION?

Yes, the prices for all the programs listed on our website include accommodation (single room with private bathroom) except the online Chinese course. Therefore, you don’t have to look for your own accommodation. The rooms are in one building with the classrooms. It is very safe and convenient to live in school. The rooms at Keats are usually fully booked. Make sure to check the course availability before you sign up.

I WILL FIND MY OWN ACCOMMODATION. CAN I TAKE THE ONE-ON-ONE CHINESE LESSONS ONLY AT KEATS SCHOOL?

Yes, it is possible to learn Mandarin at Keats School without accommodation. For students who do not live in the school, the hourly rate for the one-on-one lessons is RMB 210; the hourly rate for the small group class is RMB 200. If you need help with the visa, the minimum number of hours of the course to be eligible for a student visa is 20 hours a week. The length of the visa will match the length of the program you take at Keats. We are unable to provide a long-term visa with a short period of the program.

I’M A VEGETARIAN. WILL KEATS SCHOOL’S CHEF ACCOMMODATE TO MY NEEDS?

Yes, we provide 4 to 5 dishes each meal for our students. We provide options for vegetarians and vegans as well.

WILL KEATS SCHOOL HELP ME OBTAIN A VISA?

Yes, after we receive full tuition fee for the entire course through bank transfer, we will send you the official Admission Notice on behalf of Keats School to apply for a student visa (X1/X2) in your country. The X1 visa is for a program longer than 6 months while the X2 student visa is for a program shorter than 6 months. The express mail delivery fee is RMB 590.

Please Note: The tourist visa can no longer be changed to a student visa after you arrive in China. In order to avoid unnecessary cost, please make sure to enter China with an X1 or X2 student visa.

DO I NEED A VISA TO TAKE THE CHINESE LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN CHINA AT KEATS SCHOOL?

Yes, you will need a Chinese visa to learn Chinese in China. Before you come to study in China, please leave yourself enough time to apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese embassy in your country with the documents we send you.

I WANT TO STUDY AT KEATS SCHOOL. HOW LONG IN ADVANCE SHOULD I APPLY?

For summer studies, the rooms are usually fully booked half a year in advance. For spring, fall and winter, students are suggested to register at least 2 months in advance to secure the teachers and rooms at Keats. This also leaves you enough time to apply for a Chinese visa. Please make sure to check the course availability with us before you apply.

 

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN CHINESE IN CHINA AT KEATS SCHOOL?

Keats School accepts cash, bank transfer and credit card payment. You can check out payment methods here.

What is Keats refund policy?

After the full payment is made and the visa is issued, if it is not the school’s reason to cancel the course, the tuition fee cannot be refunded. Once you start the program, the academic advisor will actively track your satisfaction with your program. We will make adjustments to meet your requirements so that you think your investment worth what you get. If you need to stop the program for family reasons or any other urgent issues, we will keep your tuition fee and you will not lose your tuition fee. You can come back to use it anytime in the future.

CAN I CONTINUE USING MY OWN CHINESE TEXTBOOKS THAT I HAVE BEEN USING AT HOME?

Yes, please bring your textbooks to Keats School and prepare a copy/book for your teacher when you arrive so that your teacher can prepare the lessons according to your level and your learning goals.

WHAT TEXTBOOKS DO YOU USE AT KEATS SCHOOL?

If you are a beginner, we use “Essential Chinese” published by Keats School which contains useful and practical words and phrases. If you are at intermediate or advanced, we use “New Practical Chinese Reader”, “Boya Chinese” , “Speed-up Chinese” , “Developing Chinese” depending on your levels and learning goals. After you arrive, you will meet your teacher to discuss about your learning requirements and goals, and your teacher will select one text book that is suitable for your level and learning goals. Your teacher(s) will also prepare supplementary materials to comply with your studies.

If you choose the HSK Preparation Course, we use the “HSK Standard Course”  and various HSK exercise books.

I AM A BEGINNER AND I WANT TO LEARN TO SPEAK CHINESE WELL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL?

If you are a beginner and have not studied Chinese before, a minimum of 12 weeks’ Chinese language study at Keats School will help you master the basic understanding of Mandarin and basic conversations, such as booking hotel rooms, making Chinese friends, ordering food in restaurants, asking for directions, talking about hobbies and personal experiences, etc.

If you have a higher level of Chinese learning goals such as reading newspapers, watching TV shows, watching Chinese movies, talking about social issues, and if you have longer time available, we would recommend you take a 20-week or 24-week intensive Mandarin course to help you achieve a lower/upper intermediate level.

I AM FROM A NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY. MY ENGLISH IS NOT VERY GOOD. CAN I STUDY AT KEATS?

You are welcome to study at Keats. If you only know a little English, you can still study at Keats. English is just a tool we use to teach Chinese. However, in order to create an all Chinese language environment, we will use as less English as possible to help our students learn Chinese. We have helped many non-English speakers to master the Chinese language.

Will I get any certificate at the end of the program?

Yes, we provide a program certificate for all courses we offer. You will receive a certificate at the end of your program, stating how many hours of Mandarin lessons you will have completed.

When do the small group classes start?

If you are not a beginner, you can arrive on any Sunday and start your classes on Monday. Beginner class starts once a month. For the exact small group class starting dates, you can check out the Small Group Chinese Classes.

 

Would it be possible to sit in one of the group classes to get a feel for how they go?
Most of the times, all the small group classes are full. If the class is full, we are unable to offer any paid trial lesson. Therefore, it is suggested that you make an appointment with us before you come to check.

 

How many students in one group Chinese class?

In order to ensure the best learning experience, there are no more than 6 students in one class so that the teacher has enough attention for each student. Each student will have more opportunities to practice their speaking skills.

Ready to take
the next step into
your future?

Let's Go!

Jaq's Story at Keats The Inspiration of Chinese Tea

OVER 7300+ STUDENTS HAVE STUDIED AT KEATS

Kim | UK

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

I’ve had an amazing time at Keats. I am amazed at how much I’ve learned over the last 3 weeks and I will be really sad to go. We are already planning on our next trip of coming back because we had such a fantastic time here. They really tailor the Chinese language course to you and your individual needs.

Hilary testimonial for keats chinese school

Hilary | USA

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

I’ve had a really great time here. I’ve studied a lot with my teacher who was fantastic. Keats School tried very hard to match its students with really good teachers that their personality works very well together. I really enjoy studying Chinese at Keats and I will definitely come back.

Martine testimonial for keats chinese school

Martine | France

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

I really enjoy this place because we have private Mandarin lessons. I took the 6-hour program, 4 hours in the morning, 2 in the afternoon. Even though it is quite a lot, the teaching is complimentary. This is very helpful because I could review what I did before and learn new things. My 2 teachers are fantastic. We live in the school, so it is convenient. It is interesting to me to meet people from all over the world.

Joleen | Germany

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

About studying Chinese here, I think the living condition is very convenient because the dorm is very close to the classroom. Our teachers really enjoy teaching Chinese. They are also very passionate. Compared with other cities in China, Kunming has really good weather.

Amauri testimonial for keats chinese school

Amauri | USA

Small Group Chinese Class

The teachers at Keats know how to read the students and how to help students learn Chinese language easily. They know the level of the students. I am a slow learner, but they managed to adapt to my learning. They made the class very fun, very exciting. I am pleased that not only I got to learn the culture and the language, but I also got to make amazing friends, really unbelievable, Chinese friends and European friends, American friends, from all over the world.

Ivo testimonial for keats chinese school

Ivo | Switzerland

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

They really care about what our interests are, what questions we have, what requirements we have. Then they adjust our Chinese language program content according to the situations. One teacher and one student, so it is easy to keep your focus for the 6 hours of immersion Mandarin lessons. It is very convenient to study, live and eat in one building.

Richard testimonial for keats chinese school

Richard | UK

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

This is my second time coming. Last year, I also came for about 12 weeks. This time I came for 13 weeks of a summer program in China. The reason why I particularly want to come to this school was because of the one-on-one classes. I was able to increase my level and learn Chinese more quickly than in group classes. If I have a chance again to come next year, I certainly will.

Dr. Med. Beatrice | Austria

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

I decided to learn Chinese in Kunming because I like smaller cities and I like the climate here. We had four hours a day study here and my dear teacher taught me very much and never lost her patience with me. It was a really wonderful experience to be here and I recommend Keats school and the teachers here to everyone who likes to learn Chinese in China.

Please use vertical scrolling on your mobile device.