Kathleen moved to Shanghai with her family as a complete beginner. No Chinese, no local connections, no idea what to expect. Six months later, she stood at GoEast's 14th anniversary celebration and gave a speech, entirely in Mandarin But the moments she remembers most weren't the big ones. It was telling her nanny, in Chinese, that she was sorry to hear her family was ill. It was taking her daughter to the doctor and explaining the symptoms herself, without a translator. It was hearing her 14-month-old call children on the street "哥哥" and "姐姐", and realising her family was no longer just living in Shanghai. They were becoming part of it. That's what six months of full-time study can actually look like.
Why Intensive Study Works
The key isn't studying more. It's using the language before it feels ready.
GoEast's Intensive Program runs Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 11:50 AM. Small classes, high speaking intensity, immediate feedback from teachers. Every session is built around practical, real-life language: navigating work situations, social settings, everyday Shanghai life.
Around week 4 to 6, most students notice the same shift. Chinese stops feeling like something they're studying and starts feeling like something they're using. Not because it gets easy overnight, but because daily practice builds a different kind of confidence.
Outside the classroom, that language gets tested in real life. On the commute, at the market, with colleagues, with neighbours. That back-and-forth between class and daily life is what creates momentum.
Who This Program Is Designed For
The program runs from complete beginner to advanced, so it fits a wide range of people:
- Complete beginners starting from zero
- Intermediate and advanced learners pushing toward fluency
- Professionals working in China
- Accompanying spouses settling into a new city
- Gap year and career break student
Nine Levels. No Fixed Batches. Start Any Month.
There are 9 structured levels, from complete beginner to upper-intermediate and advanced. You're placed at the level that matches your current ability. And because new classes start every month, you don't have to reorganize your life around a semester calendar. You start when your situation is ready.
Life Outside The Classroom
Intensive students also have access to a small, active community outside class hours. Mahjong nights, Chinese corner sessions, outdoor day trips, casual sports. These aren't formal activities. They're low-pressure spaces to use what you've learned, meet other students going through the same experience, and start building connections in Shanghai beyond the classroom.
How Long Is The Intensive Course?
Some start with one month to test the pace, then extend once they settle in. Most students choose either 3 or 6 months. The reason is simple: once you have momentum, you don't want to stop.
Pricing starts from 6,800 RMB per month.
If you need a student visa, GoEast can provide documentation support for student visa applications.
Ready to Find Out More?
If you're considering full-time study, or just curious whether it's the right fit for where you are right now, the easiest next step is a short conversation with a course consultant. They'll ask about your current level, your goals, and your timeline, and help you figure out what actually makes sense.
Talk to a course consultant on WeChat and find the right level for your situation
