At China Immersion Institute, we don't just provide one of the best language programs in Beijing, we also provide the best access to authentic Chinese culture—not the kind you can get by thumbing through a few guide books, but the kind you get from being totally immersed in it 24 hours a day. The following is a typical week-day schedule, but it represents a particularly full day. Other days are not quite so jammed.
A TYPICAL WEEK-DAY SCHEDULE
| TIME |
ACTIVITY |
NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS |
| 6:30—7:30 |
Breakfast |
Breakfast is served buffet-style. We introduce a variety of traditional Chinese breakfast dishes, and teach you the Chinese names. We provide western breakfast items along side the Chinese ones for those who just can't live without pancakes and maple syrup. |
| 7:45—8:30 |
Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) |
We start our day with Beijing-Style Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi). It is hard to imagine a more Chinese morning exercise. It is good for both the mind and the body. It gets you ready for the days' intellectual pursuits. |
| 9:00—9:50 |
Chinese, Period 1 |
You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your first lesson of the day. |
| 10:00—10:50 |
Chinese, Period 2 |
You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your second lesson of the day. |
| 11:00—11:50 |
Chinese, Period 3 |
You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your third lesson of the day. |
| 12:00—13:00 |
Lunch |
There are those who would argue that Chinese culture IS Chinese food. We use mealtimes to train your palette to understand and appreciate Chinese food culture. We teach you the names of the dishes, how to say them properly, and how to order modifications when necessary. We also teach Chinese table etiquette during these daily meals. |
| 14:00—14:50 |
Chinese, Period 4 |
You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your fourth lesson of the day. |
| 15:00—15:50 |
Chinese, Period 5 |
You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your fifth lesson of the day. |
| 16:00—16:50 |
Chinese, Period 6 |
You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your sixth and final lesson of the day. |
| 16:50—17:50 |
Review Time |
We have a very small student-teacher ratio, so during this time of the day, you can find tutors in the study to give your extra one-on-one help with whatever you need help with. |
| 18:00—19:00 |
Dinner |
Dinner time is similar to lunch in that we don't waste any opportunity to help you learn something new and exciting about Chinese food culture, but we are far-less structured than at lunchtime. It is evening, so it is time to wind down. |
| 20:00—22:00 |
MOVIE |
For the night owls in our group, we arrange a nightly film. Chinese cinema has come a long way in the last 20 years. We select what we feel are important films that reflect elements and changes in Chinese culture. We watch the film (with English subtitles) and then have discussions. |
A TYPICAL WEEK-END SCHEDULE
| TIME |
ACTIVITY |
NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS |
| 6:30—7:30 |
Breakfast |
Breakfast is served buffet-style. We introduce a variety of traditional Chinese breakfast dishes, and teach you the Chinese names. We provide western breakfast items along side the Chinese ones for those who just can't live without pancakes and maple syrup. |
| 7:45—8:30 |
Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) |
We start our day with Beijing-Style Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi). It is hard to imagine a more Chinese morning exercise. It is good for both the mind and the body. It gets you ready for the days' intellectual pursuits. |
| 9:00—9:50 |
Forays into the city or countryside |
You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your first lesson of the day.You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your second lesson of the day.You and your fellow students gather in the study to begin your third lesson of the day. |
| 10:00—10:50 |
| 11:00—11:50 |
| 12:00—13:00 |
Lunch |
On the weekends we typically load up the students in the bus and head into the heart of the city. We visit local restaurants and give the students a chance to fend for themselves (not really…your teachers will be right there to help you manage the language; they will facilitate your experience by helping you read the menus and coach you through tuff spots, such as ordering, or understanding things that may be confusing). |
| 14:00—14:50 |
Continued forays into the city or countryside |
|
| 15:00—15:50 |
| 16:00—16:50 |
| 16:50—17:50 |
| 18:00—19:00 |
Dinner & relaxation |
|
| 20:00—22:00 |
|
