Learn Mandarin in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the best known cities in the world. Located in the southern region of China, Hong Kong has plenty to offer to visitors. The combination of sight, sounds and tastes is enough to charm any visitor.

The official language of China is Mandarin, with more than 90% of the population speaking it. Many think Cantonese is the native tongue of China, but it is in fact only a dialect spoken by people in the southern part of the country. Learning Mandarin Chinese in Hong Kong is a good idea if you plan on visiting or doing business in mainland China. If you want to have a career in Honk Kong, you really need to think about knowing English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Since Cantonese is the language primarily spoken in Hong Kong, you might believe that finding a place to learn Mandarin might be tough to do. It’s actually not as difficult as you might think, so read on to hear about a few learning centers that can help you learn Mandarin in Hong Kong.

1. Language training institution

People come from all over the world to work and study in Hong Kong, which is why there is such a wide variety of learning institutions available. There are a number of these institutions scattered across the city, making it easy to find one close to home. They also offer part-time classes for those that can’t commit to full-time Mandarin Chinese classes.

Languages in Action have international language schools spread across 140 locations in 40 countries. All of the language courses that they offer are fully accredited, which means you know you are getting access to the best education.

The Languages in Action facility is located in the Central district of Hong Kong, which places it in close vicinity to businesses, shopping areas, restaurants and public transport. The building where the school is located in ultra-modern, with the facilities spread over two separate floors. It has a large number of classrooms, a multimedia resource library and a student computer lounge, all of which is welcoming and set against a friendly background. There are a number of different packages to choose from, with your choice of a 25, 30, or 35 hour week. Classes include Individual Language Courses, Combined Language Courses, Examination Language Courses, Activity Language Courses, Specialized Language Courses, etc.

2. University

Not only is the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CHUK) the second oldest university in the city, it is also the home of the Yale-China Chinese Language Center. The school teaches Mandarin and Cantonese to local students, as well as those who come from all over the world to learn Mandarin in Hong Kong.

The university offers a variety of different programs for Chinese and non-Chinese speaking students, including reading courses in Cantonese, Chinese and Putinghua. You will also find Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) on offer twice per year at the school. If you think you know the Chinese language, this is the place to test it.

The teachers at CHUK are as good as you will find anywhere. Each of them are native speakers with teaching credentials that are second to none.

3. Schools for students

There is also a private school option, with the Chinese International School(汉基国际学校/漢基國際學校) offering bilingual programs in English and Mandarin Chinese. It is the bilingual option that makes the school such a popular choice with so many students. The same programs are taught in both of the available languages. The fact that the programs offered are for kids in K-12 means that the students are able to pick up new languages at a time when they are easiest to teach and absorb.

The bilingual programs on offer here are perfect for any kids that fall in the K-12 age range. Hong Kong is a Cantonese speaking environment, making these types of schools a must if you have children that want to learn other languages, including Mandarin Chinese, from qualified language teachers.

In addition, if you get ready to learn Mandarin in Hong Kong and want to find a local Chinese tutor or home tuition, that you can take a look at Hong Kong Expats Community