The Chinese Language Institute (CLI)

The Chinese Language Institute (CLI)

Why choose The Chinese Language Institute (CLI)?

The Chinese Language Institute (CLI) is an innovative language and cultural center located in Guilin, China. Housed in its own 5-story language learning center and officially affiliated with Guangxi Normal University, CLI offers the fastest track to mandarin language proficiency through one-on-one training, constant interaction and complete immersion. With strong connections at private and public institutions throughout the country, CLI opens China to its students in countless ways. We warmly welcome you to study in China with CLI!

Reviews

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Matthys
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CLI: A Perfect Blend of Study and Adventure

CLI was a fantastic choice for my month-long Chinese language immersion. The school’s lively atmosphere made learning enjoyable and engaging. The teachers were incredibly supportive, kind and patient, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay. The facilities were excellent, making me feel right at home. Beyond the classroom, the city itself was a wealth of cultural experiences. From exploring ancient temples to indulging in delicious local cuisine, I was constantly immersed in Chinese culture. If you're looking for a Chinese language school that combines effective learning with a memorable experience, I highly recommend CLI.

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Maria Teresa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience Learning Chinese in Guilin!

I spent two weeks in Guilin studying Chinese with CLI, and it was an incredible experience! The teachers were fantastic—I learned so much from them, and their teaching methods were engaging and effective. After my time at CLI, I spent another two weeks traveling around China, and everything I learned during the course proved to be incredibly useful.

I stayed with a Chinese family during my course, and it was absolutely wonderful. I had a beautiful private room, and the family took me to various activities and helped me practice Chinese in everyday situations. They were so kind and supportive, making my stay even more memorable.

Without a doubt, I would love to repeat this experience in the future!

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment at the academy was during a trip to Yangshuo. We went on a bike ride along the river, surrounded by beautiful scenery. What made it particularly amusing was how many people stopped to photograph us and stare as we rode by. It felt like we were the main attraction! It was a light-hearted and curious experience that made the excursion both fun and unforgettable.
Pros
  • Excellent Teachers: The teachers were highly skilled and engaging, which made learning Chinese both effective and enjoyable.
  • Homestay Experience: Staying with a local Chinese family provided full cultural immersion and helped me practice my language skills in everyday situations.
  • Useful Learning: The Chinese I learned during the course was extremely useful when traveling throughout China after my studies.
Cons
  • Spicy Food: While I love spicy food, it's worth noting that the local cuisine in Guilin can be quite spicy, which might be challenging for those who aren’t fans of spicy flavors.
  • Humid Weather: The climate in Guilin during the summer is quite humid, with frequent rain and high temperatures, which can be uncomfortable at times.
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Christina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer in Guilin at CLI

I spend 4 weeks over the summer learning Chinese at CLI, and it was a great experience! My Chinese improved a lot. My only regret is that I didn't have more time because I think if I could study there for a few months, I would be able able to speak Chinese very well my the end of it. I did 4 hours of Chinese classes per day, and I had 3 teachers. 1 comprehensive teacher I saw for 2 hours everyday, 1 writing and reading teacher I saw twice a week, and 1 speaking and listening teacher I saw 3 times a week. They are really willing to teach you what you request, so I decided to focus on speaking and listening.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Climbed up one of the mountains in Guilin, and the second half of the climb was more like rock climbing. The view from the top was beautiful!
Pros
  • Immersive language learning environment
  • Experienced teachers that can teach you using your textbook of choice
  • Delicious lunches cooked by their chef
Cons
  • I went in the summer, so it was extremely hot and humid
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Maxim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

1 year program at CLI

The single best thing about CLI is that they prioritize flexibility above all else. If you want a hyper specific program, be it 4 hours a day, 8 hours a day, you want to only learn to speak, or you want to use traditional characters they can do everything.

In my program I wanted to learn traditional characters and with the teachers I was able to work with them to choose a good textbook that suited me. They provided me with a tailored environment that suited me specifically.

There were students who spoke no English during their time there and were doing really intense 1 on 1 classes. I for a time asked them to give me extra classes, where i would have 1 hour of free speaking, 2 hours of reading/writing, 4 hours of comprehensive (mostly grammar and new vocab), and 2 hours of calligraphy for 5 days of the week, for dinners, I made friends with the interns, and became very good friends with them. I was getting so much immersion I honestly felt exhausted and my brain hurt from how much I learned in a day. I went from beginning HSK 1 to starting HSK 5 from August to January.

Other students mostly wanted to just get around with Chinese and more just get a feeling for China, so the program also offered a lot of weekend excursions, and daily activities. So for those who did not want a super intense experience, a very leisurely experience is also provided. Teachers really try to understand student's desires. There are many different teachers available and it's really easy to switch. In my year I ended up having 6 teachers in total.

Guilin is really pretty with its mountains, it's food is on the spicier side in China but there are also non-spicy options available. There's homestays, private apartments, shared apartments with Chinese roommates, and also CLI's own dormitory available. There's rooms catered to couples, families, and individuals. Rooms can also include a kitchenette + refrigerator if requested.

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Louise
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Welcome to Guilin

I came to CLI, Guilin, for 2 weeks with an elementary Chinese level, and with the goal of improving my speaking. Although it was a short stay, it was enough time to feel myself making progress. I am very grateful to my teachers with whom I got along very well and provided me with a lot of opportunities to speak.
I also enjoyed Guilin's scenery.
In short, CLI is a great value program, no matter how long you stay! (Recommended: at least 3-4 weeks to explore Guilin and its surroundings)After CLI, my motivation to continue learning Chinese is stronger than ever.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take a VPN, but NOT Express VPN as it was laggy.
Install Alipay and WeChat, they are a must have in China
No need to buy a textbook in advance, you can buy one on site after your first class. But if you already have one, the teacher can adapt.
Pros
  • Teachers
  • Center's location
  • CLI activities
Cons
  • Toilets in the bathroom (toilet bowl installed on a squatting toilet)
  • Occasional mini spiders: buy a spray!

Programs

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Pamela Anita Hall

Pam is 68 years old and has studied Mandarin for several years. She has dreamed of going to China and finally got her wish this year.
Pamela Anita Hall

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I have been taking online Mandarin lessons with CLI for several years and had always planned to go to China for further study, but Covid put a halt to my plans for a while. My online teacher, Nancy, is great and she also teaches in person at CLI, so it was just a matter of time. I chose this program because of my favorable online experience. In addition, it’s located in beautiful, scenic Guilin which is not as big as places such as Beijing and Shanghai. Students can start the program on any Monday because the classes are one-on-one so there is a lot of flexibility in scheduling. It also has a nice building for classes and living quarters with 24/7 onsite personnel.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The program provider gave pre-departure information which includes when to apply for a visa after receiving the invitation letter, what to bring for clothing and supplies, what to expect from the community. The admissions director answered all of my questions in a timely manner. I was responsible to plan and book my flights and high-speed train tickets. The school transports students to and from the airport or train stations in Guilin. On-site interns help students manage phone plans, buy Chinese phones, or buy SIM cards. The interns performed many other tasks such as helping students use the bus system, finding supermarkets, restaurants, stationary stores, taking students to the police station to register, using TaoBao to purchase items, installing and using DiDi (a taxi service like Uber), etc. The activity director at CLI planned excursions to scenic spots in Guilin, Yangshuo, Laozhai (a farming village off the beaten path), the Long Sheng Rice Terraces, as well as activities at CLI such as: making dumplings, mooncakes, doing calligraphy, learning to play mahjong, etc. Students got together and planned their own activities, as well.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Pack lightly. I took too much stuff with me, particularly clothing that I never used. It was cumbersome and unnecessary, and made travel a bit harder. I never dressed up, but had dressy clothing and shoes. I wore the same clothes over and over with no problem. I could have easily bought all of my toiletries in China at a much lesser cost, so I would advise just taking small, travel-sized soaps, shampoo, etc., and buying more in country.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Each student has 20 hours of one-on-one instruction with 3 different teachers, and homework every day. The student gets to select the level of difficulty. Some students were preparing for the HSK exams and had a lot of homework. Others wanted a lighter work load. During the day, the student will go to classes, do homework, eat lunch provided at CLI, relax in one of the activity rooms, play mahjong or other games, read books, go out to breakfast and dinner with friends, or order in. Then, the student can participate in any of the planned activities, as desired. Some were in the evenings, while others were day trips, or entire weekend trips. The student gets to meet people from all over the world who come with the same goal of learning Mandarin. They will speak Mandarin with each other and help one another along the way.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was traveling alone to a country I had never been to, with a somewhat limited command of the language. I was unsure about making my high-speed train connections after flying into Hong Kong first. I actually did miss my train out of Hong Kong because the mass of people was so great and the customs process took so long. I was able to book another train to Guangzhou, from which I was then taking another train to Guilin. Because of the delay in getting to Guangzhou after missing my first train, I had an unexpected overnight stay in Guangzhou because there were no other trains leaving for Guilin by the time I got there.

How did I manage? I called my CLI teacher, Nancy, who arranged a hotel and taxi for me. I then got to Guilin a day later than planned, but no worse for the wear. I will state that the kindness of strangers was a big surprise and a welcome relief. People on the train, upon hearing that I’d missed my previous train, offered me food and drink. A stranger at the Guangzhou train station saw me struggling with my luggage, and offered to help me. She did so along the whole way as she was going to Guilin, also. How did my views change? I now realize that I can do what I had feared, and there are plenty of people who are willing to help. My trip back went much more smoothly because I understood the system better, and knew what to expect.

What was my favorite out-of-school experience?

My favorite story is about a weekend trip I took with my teacher, Nancy, to her little hometown close to Yangshuo. It is a little farming village, and was “the real deal” in seeing how Chinese people live. It was her mother’s birthday celebration, so friends and family were there. I was a bit of an object of curiosity as I was the only non-Chinese person in the whole town, I think. As we ate, comments were made about how well I used chopsticks, and the fact that I have all my teeth at my advanced age. I ate chicken feet (a first for me) and an amusement for those watching me. I declared that they were “so-so” in taste. I declined the snails, even after an explanation that they were river snails, not land snails. But, I enjoyed many other delicious foods—lamb, vegetables, beef, rice, fruits of all kinds, and a delicious birthday cake. In the evening, we went to the village square and found a group of women who were dancing together with music and movements shown on a large screen TV. I joined right in, to the surprise and amazement of the dancing women. We had a blast.

Afterwards, they gathered around me and I was able to tell them why I was in China, and that I was learning Mandarin in Guilin. I also told them that I like to dance, sing Chinese songs, and watch Chinese TV shows. They then asked me to sing for them, so I did. They clapped and congratulated me on a good performance. The next day, I washed vegetables at the village well, talked to older people in a park, and enjoyed the scenery of beautiful Yangshuo. I loved this experience and felt it gave me a greater appreciation for those hard-working people in that little village.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Cory Donovan

Job Title
Director of Engagement
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What position do you hold at CLI? What has been your career path so far?

Cory: I am currently the Director of Engagement at CLI. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, I worked for Incourage Community Foundation in Wood County, Wisconsin helping residents overcome the “digital divide”.

Having volunteered for many global organizations, such as the Clinton Global Initiative, I realized the important role that language plays in not only basic communication, but also in solving today’s global issues. Wanting to learn a foreign language and having desire to help the world, I decided to journey to China to learn Mandarin Chinese. I enrolled in CLI’s Immersion Program located in the picturesque city of Guilin. After four months of study, I was offered the opportunity to be a part of the CLI team as Director of Engagement.

Did YOU study abroad? If so, where did you go and what inspired you to go?!

Cory: My first experience studying abroad was a study tour of China in 2009 through my university. My teachers of course encouraged me to broaden my horizons and bolster my resume, but the true motivation came from within. I believe most who decide to study abroad are deep down an explorer, motivated to discover the world and themselves. This inner motivation also inspired me to study abroad in Ireland. I wanted to learn more about my family lineage and the history of the country my ancestors once called home. I returned to China in 2012 to start learning Mandarin Chinese, motivated by the desire to become bilingual.

What does the future hold for CLI - any new programs to share?

Cory: CLI is excited to announce the completion of a comprehensive renovation at its new 5-story language learning center located in the southern city of Guilin, China. CLI’s new and improved center is equipped with 36 dorm rooms, 18 classrooms, two public kitchens, numerous lounge rooms, and a library with over 100 Chinese language and cultural books – CLI is truly the epicenter for learning Chinese language and culture.

CLI is also excited to expand its fully customizable faculty-led study tours program. Institutions have the opportunity to design their own China study tour tailored to their specific learning needs and interests. Whether the program's focus is business and economics, art history, environmental sustainability, civil engineering, sociology, or intensive Chinese, faculty will be able to provide their students with an enriching and unforgettable educational experience.

What about the future of the industry? How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

Cory: As the world becomes more interconnected, the desire and need for students to receive a global education will continue to increase. The destinations students choose will provide the biggest shift in the international education industry. Governments have all ready identified critical or under-served languages, providing significant financial aid to ensure students have the opportunity to study these languages. Thus, Asia and the Middle East will continue to supplant European countries as top study abroad destinations.

Technology is also changing the way we think about study abroad. As technology continues to advance, there will be an increase in the amount of distance learning that takes place. One-on-one language tutoring over Skype, teachers teaching a classroom of students from halfway around the world, and the ability to listen to lectures from top professors at top institutions for free, makes one rethink the way education is delivered. Although nothing can substitute experiencing another culture firsthand, these new options may prove to be enough for some students.

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