Part-time Chinese Program at Omeida Chinese Academy

I am a “mature” woman who in my later years have been able to take up a long desires wish to learn Mandarin. Omeida in Yangshou was the perfect fit, as I also had long wanted to see the fantastic landscape of the area.
I already had some basic knowledge of characters and I was put in a class (one on one for two weeks and a classmate for the remainder two weeks) where my listening and speaking skills were intensely worked on. Exactly what I needed! Compared to before my visit my listening and speaking skills are much improved.
I also have an interest in the skill of writing/painting the characters, so I did a course learning the intricacies of producing the right strokes to make characters. My teacher had great patience and gave me a very good insight into different styles of writing characters.
My husband also came with me to Omeida. He was a beginner in Mandarin and had an enjoyable one on one class with his teacher in the afternoons. The mornings he spent in a lovely village a short bike ride away learning Tai Chi with a Tai Chi Master.
The school also organises a lot of extracurricular and social activities which immediately gives you an introduction to people and culture.
I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who has an interest in Chinese language, culture and food. Although we are vegan we had no problems with getting lovely food. The fact that the school also provide lunch and dinner makes life simpler.

Learning and experiencing a lot here in Yangshuo as I return for the second time to this lovely school in this lovely place. I would recommend this to anyone interested in China, Chinese culture or learning Chinese. The town is small and has a,local feel with everything you need and easy to get to on train or by aeroplane.
The school is very friendly and helpful with great activities and resources for learning and experiencing the country. And of course the teachers are really good. You'll learn a lot.

Omeida's courses are totally flexible. You can start any Monday and spend anything from a week to ten years at the school, choose between a standard course (only morning or afternoon classes) and an intensive one (both), and pick up your Mandarin journey at exactly your level, even if that means a class of one. My teacher was attuned to my needs, professional and fun, following her lesson plan or indulging me in free conversation as the mood dictated. I only experienced one teacher, but swapped stories with fellow students and never heard anything but praise for the other half-dozen Mandarin teachers.

Because they operate an English academy as well, Omeida staff can usually match you a language partner, whom you will meet after class, as frequently and for as long as suits you both. This is an opportunity not only to learn more Mandarin for free, but also to befriend someone you'd never have crossed paths with in the normal course of your life, and learn about their story, hopes and dreams. Most likely your language partner will introduce you to other English-language students, and you'll soon be part of a bigger social group, with opportunities for cultural exchange every evening (if you have time -- students are expected to do their homework.)

Omeida provide accommodation, lunch, weekly cultural events (learn májiàng, Chinese painting) and weekend outings to local villages and scenic spots. There is a lounge-cafe where students mingle before and after class, also you can buy the best coffee in Yangshuo. In addition the staff support students in many ways, helping with transport and bureaucracy, or just making conversation in whichever language you feel like in the moment. From the instant you arrive you're part of the family. Many of the foreigners studying at Omeida were multiple return customers; I'll be one myself.

The staff is fantastic, always kind and helpful. The language partner program is a great way to improve your Chinese and exchange with Chinese students learning English. There are many things to do around the area and the staff is always ready to help with the organization. The teachers are obviously passionate about their job. I also loved the cultural classes. There is a very relaxed and very nice atmosphere in the school. The accommodation is very close to the school. It has been a fantastic experience!!!

I spent 1 week studying in Yangshuo with Omeida. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and were picked up at the train station and brought to the accommodation. The accommodation was conveniently located a 2 minute walk from the school. The staff was so friendly and made us feel at home. The teachers made the lessons interesting and I learned a lot. The staff was also very helpful organizing rock climbing for us and I highly recommend trying this in your free time. I wish we could have spent more time at Omeida!

I stayed for three weeks. I liked the small class size. In my first week I had one on one tuition. The learning was placed well and the teaching fun and engaging. I had 3 hrs of classes each day in the mornings before my class I walked out cycled into the countryside. Yangshuo is an absolutely stunning place. I could stare at the mountains all day but in the afternoon I had classes. The school also provides meals at the cafeteria and the food is excellent. You eat with the other students including the Chinese students who are learning English it's a great cultural Exchange. I also chose the option of staying at the school hotel which is only 1 minutes away from the school. The school is in a lovely laid back part of town. After school you can watch the locals getting on with their lives it's a fascinating experience.

I have currently been studying for over three months. This Chinese school is fantastic. Not only have I exceeded my objectives, I have also made unforgettable friends, I have learned about Chinese culture and most of all I have spent my time, in Yangshuo along with its astonishing sceneries, having fun. The school is perfectly situated; I can get peace time by climbing mountains, wandering or jogging around the city, and when I want to socialize, I can go the gym, go to KTV’s and bars at night and all the activities that Yangshuo has to offer me. I like studying in Yangshuo because people are very pleasant to talk to and confortable to speak chinese to. Furthermore I always feel safe walking outside at night. The teachers at school are very competent and competent. The subjects of the lessons given are very interesting and useful in daily life. Day by day I have seen myself and my classmates progress and achieve goals that we had far from expected. The staff and teachers are very kind and always willing to speak Mandarin with you. Therefore, I gain every day in confidence, assurance and knowledge. I have five more months to go and I’m sure that I will continue enjoying my time at Omeida.

This is my third week at the Omeida Chinese Academy and already, it has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Never have I felt more at home in a foreign land and more comfortable living amongst so many strangers. After my initial minute culture shock of new tastes and absurd driving etiquette, it was a piece of cake to settle into this rural way of life. Undoubtably, it helps that this small town of Yangshuo is a breathtaking paradise of green jagged mountain peaks and glistening blue rivers. The school itself is as well its own sort of paradise; a friendly and engaging atmosphere that cultivates strong connections between the students and teachers. This place has allowed me to make many friends of all different backgrounds and ages from all over the world. Everyday I meet someone new and can easily connect through our shared interest of learning a new language.
As a complete beginner to Mandarin I was a little hesitant to dive head first into the language at a school so far away from home, but this did not prove to be a difficult struggle. My only issue is finding enough time in the day to do all that I want to do! From swimming at the river and studying on the beach to volunteering at the school and going out at night with friends, I have learned many valuable lessons about how to balance work and play. I’m rarely bored for I find that there is always something to do. Every morning I have three hours of classes, then volunteering in the afternoon and many school-organized activities and personal excursions around Yangshuo.
The staff is very dedicated and committed to each and every student’s learning progress. They are constantly trying to improve the language experience. The small class sizes are extremely advantageous, this way the lessons can be personally tailored to fit your learning style. The teachers are very understanding and helpful, in and out of class. Thanks to them, I have progressed very quickly and now can have basic conversations with the locals I interact with on the daily. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to talk to your favourite shopkeeper and ask them about their day.
In conclusion, have nothing but good things to say about my experience thus far, and look forward to my next 6 months of learning here at Omeida!