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LOCATION
30 to 50 minutes by metro/bus from the school
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COMFORT
Fully furnished single private room
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BATHROOM
Private or shared with the family
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MEALS
2 Meals/day with the family
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ACTIVITIES
Activities with the family
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LANGUAGE IMMERSION
Immersive Chinese language environment
Linguistic Reinforcement
Linguistic Reinforcement
Beyond the classroom, you are immersed in a "living lab" where you must use Mandarin for real-world needs, rapidly bridging the gap between textbook theory and natural fluency. You will hear Mandarin spoken at a natural pace with varying tones and emotions. After class, you will spend some time with the host family, it could be visiting a market or playing games.
The "Home-Cooked" Advantage
The "Home-Cooked" Advantage
In China, the dining table is the primary site of social bonding. This feature turns nutrition into a daily cultural seminar. You will have breakfast and dinner with the host family. You will have lunch at the school with the teachers and schoolmates. You won't just eat Chinese food; you’ll learn the logic behind it—such as the balance of "heating" and "cooling" foods or the specific way a family prepares a regional specialty like homemade dumplings. Helping your host family prepare a meal is one of the best ways to practice "action-oriented" language. Following a recipe or learning how to stir-fry provides a physical anchor for your new vocabulary.
Deep Cultural "Insider" Access
Deep Cultural "Insider" Access
Observing how a family prepares for the Lunar New Year or the Mid-Autumn Festival provides a historical and emotional context that a textbook description simply cannot replicate. You may join your host family for a sànbù (evening stroll) or observe neighborhood "Square Dancing," gaining insight into how local communities bond in public spaces. You may see firsthand the "intense study routines" of Chinese children, providing a deeper understanding of why education is so highly prioritized in the culture.
Private Bedroom
Private Bedroom
The room is typically furnished to provide a "home-like" feel, helping you feel settled and secure rather than like a temporary guest in a commercial space. Having a private space makes the "24/7 reinforcement" of a homestay sustainable for the entire duration of your course, as it provides a clear boundary between social learning and personal rest.
Homestay in China with Keats
Keats School's homestay program offers a transformative experience where you move beyond the "expat bubble" to achieve significant oral proficiency gains through 24/7 linguistic reinforcement and authentic domestic rituals within a supportive local family.
Which Chinese Language Program
is right for you?
CHINESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
FAQ
How does the homestay process work?
We will send out a survey before you arrive to match you with a Chinese host family for you based on your preferences. We will pick you up at the airport or the train station and then take you to the school. You will meet your teacher at the school to discuss your learning goals and expectations first. Then your teacher will take you to settle down in your host family.
How do I handle the 'language barrier' with my host family early on?
Taking online lessons with Keats before departure is recommended to manage expectations and provide basic survival phrases. Most host families in Chinese immersion programs are accustomed to varying levels of HSK proficiency and use simplified language to help students adjust.
What are the common 'culture shock' triggers in a Chinese home?
Common stressors include adjusting to the family’s specific schedules, feeling uncomfortable in an unfamiliar domestic environment, and navigating different lifestyles.
What kind of daily activities will I do with the family?
- Sharing Daily Meals: The dinner table is the primary site for social bonding, where families often ask questions to prompt your speech and help you practice “domestic” language.
- Cooking and Food Preparation: You may be invited to help prepare authentic regional dishes, such as learning the specific art of folding dumplings.
- Evening Community Rituals: It is common to join the family for a sànbù (evening stroll) or visit local neighborhood parks to observe or participate in community life.
- Cultural Site Visits: Host families often take students to visit local cultural landmarks or historical sites, providing an “insider” perspective on the city.
- Holiday Celebrations: If your stay coincides with a traditional festival, you will participate in authentic domestic rituals and private traditions that are usually closed to outsiders.
- Daily Living Tasks: Engaging in routine tasks—such as navigating local markets or using mobile apps for daily needs—provides practical, contextualized learning opportunities.
Are meals provided?
Yes, you will have two meals with the host family, breakfast and dinner. You will have lunch at the school Monday to Friday with your teacher and schoolmates.
Will I have my own room?
Yes, you will have your own bedroom. But the bathroom can be private or shared.
Will I be able to take part in the school's activities if I choose homestay?
Yes, Keats organizes activities almost every day, and you are very welcome to take part in the school activities and make friends with other international students.
OVER 10000+ STUDENTS HAVE STUDIED AT KEATS
