Learn Chinese in China

Learn Chinese in ChinaJoin the Chinese Language Institute (CLI) and learn Chinese through guided conversation and daily practice. Progress with one-on-one lessons, either online or in person at the CLI Center in Guilin, China. CLI Homepage Photo Grid Rebuild — Responsive Program Options Testimonials Guilin The CLI Team Our Story Why CLI Learn Chinese Online Resource Library Apply Now × The Chinese Language InstituteCLI empowers students to learn Chinese and connect with China.The Chinese Language Institute, based in scenic Guilin, China, delivers immersive Chinese language programs at the CLI Center, expert-led travel seminars throughout China, and print and online learning resources for students worldwide. “I appreciate CLI’s size, flexibility, and ability to accommodate students. Because it is a small community, it is easy to build relationships with the teachers and staff. I truly felt at home in Guilin.” ~ Daniel Del Bosque, Yale University Our ProgramsChinese Language and Culture ProgramsChinese ImmersionOne-on-one instruction and complete immersion within a safe, friendly language environment is among the most direct paths to Chinese fluency. Begin your stay in Guilin anytime and improve your Chinese each day within a focused and welcoming learning community.Learn Chinese OnlineCLI’s online Chinese lessons bring the classroom to you, providing the flexibility to continue your school or work commitments while learning Chinese. Our online lessons are held to the same high standard as courses taught at the CLI Center in Guilin.Faculty-Led ProgramsCLI partners with a select number of schools and organizations to lead customizable study and travel experiences throughout China. Explore this section to learn more about joining a travel group or arranging a custom program of your own.View All Programs The Chinese Language Institute CLI at a Glance CLI is a Community CLI fosters a vibrant and welcoming community for students, team members, friends, and family to advance their language skills and make connections with China and each other. Flip for photo Friends made in Guilin last a lifetime. See the gallery Back CLI is a Chinese Language School At our core, CLI is a school for the study of Chinese language and culture. Since 2009, we’ve hosted students from over 50 countries for our Chinese Immersion Program in Guilin. Flip for photo One-on-one Chinese classes in Guilin, every Monday through Friday since 2009. Explore the Immersion Program Back CLI is a Resource in China The CLI team has connections in virtually every industry and province in China. Our network is yours to utilize. If you need help navigating China, we’re here to make it happen. Flip for photo Our network across China is yours to utilize. Get in touch Back CLI is an Online Learning Platform CLI connects online students with qualified Chinese teachers and Guilin-based conversation buddies. We facilitate classes and conversations that accelerate your path to fluency. Flip for photo Live lessons with Guilin-based teachers, wherever you are. Learn Chinese online Back CLI is a University Affiliate CLI is an official affiliate of Guangxi Normal University (GXNU), a leading research university with historical strengths in teacher education, the humanities and international exchange. Flip for photo 17+ years as an official GXNU affiliate. Study abroad in China Back CLI is a Custom Programs Provider Each year, CLI partners with schools and associations to create customized group study experiences in China, managing everything from program design to in-country logistics. Flip for photo Group programs designed around your goals. Faculty-led programs Back Since 2009 · Guilin, China Trusted by students from 50+ countries and 400+ institutions worldwide 4.96/5 GoOverseas 5,000+ Students 50+ Countries 400+ Institutions Represented 17+ Years Running Join 5,000+ CLI alumni 1 / 10 Community in GuilinMeet the CLI TeamAbby Huang 黄郁萍School DirectorA native of Nanning, Guangxi's capital city, Abby first discovered her passion for international Chinese language education in 2006 as a Hanban (汉办) teacher in Thailand. After teaching international students at Guangxi Normal University, she joined CLI in 2015 and has grown alongside the organization over the past decade. Since 2021, Abby has served as CLI School Director.Anna Liang 梁琨漫Academic DirectorAnna grew up in the coastal city of Beihai, Guangxi, and made her way to Guilin to study at Guilin University of Electronic Technology. She joined CLI in 2016, and what began as a teaching role has since evolved into leading the organization's academic program. As Head of Teaching Staff, Anna oversees scheduling, faculty meetings, and teacher development.Sunny Xu 许云花Mandarin InstructorSunny joined the CLI team in 2010 as one of the school’s first Chinese teachers. In her 16+ years since, she has contributed to nearly every aspect of CLI's development. Over the years, Sunny has traveled extensively in her role at CLI, including stints at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC and with the China Fieldwork Semester in Yunnan. Sunny holds an MA in Teaching Chinese from GXNU.Dayong 大勇Mandarin InstructorDayong joined the team in the summer of 2009 and is CLI’s longest-serving Chinese teacher. He is from Harbin (哈尔滨), capital city of China’s chilly northeastern province of Heilongjiang (黑龙江). When asked to produce a bio for the CLI homepage, Dayong said, “At CLI, I’ve learned that the world is a big place, and every single person in it can be your teacher in some way.” Now in 2026, he remains one of CLI's most active Chinese teachers.Anias Stambolis-D’Agostino 昕梅Program DirectorAfter a summer in the coastal city of Qingdao, Anias vowed to return to the Middle Kingdom to improve her language skills and deepen her understanding of contemporary Chinese society. She moved to Guilin with CLI’s Teach in China program in 2016 and joined the team as Program Manager in 2017. As of this writing in 2026, Anias resides in Tainan, Taiwan, where she leads CLI’s Taiwan expansion. Anias is fluent in Chinese.Summer Liu 刘春平Student Activities ManagerAfter earning her MA in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Summer began her career at China’s prestigious Hanban (汉办), the parent organization of the Confucius Institute, and taught Chinese at Thailand’s Ministry of Education. Fortunately for CLI, Summer’s next move was to return to her hometown of Guilin and join the CLI team as Student Activities Manager, where she organizes the out-of-class components of CLI’s language learning system. Meet the Team What's Happening at CLI 最新动态 Stories, Guides & Updates From student life in Guilin to practical guides for learning Chinese, explore what's new at CLI. Community February 18, 2026 CLI's 2025 Year in Review 36,000 hours of one-on-one Chinese lessons. Students from 35 countries. A look back at CLI's best year yet. Read more → Campus Update February 16, 2026 CLI Upgrades Student Living Facilities for the Year of the Horse CLI enters 2026 with rebuilt student bathrooms, new keycard-entry doors, and upgraded air conditioning across its residence floors in Guilin. Read more → Study Guide February 10, 2026 HSK Levels Explained: Complete Guide to All 9 Levels What each HSK level means, what changed in 2026, and which level makes sense for your goals. Read more → Explore the Full Library TestimonialsInsight from Students More Testimonials Continue Exploring 继续探索 Student Resources Explore more resources to prepare for your journey to China. Language and Culture Library Learning resources, articles, and guides → Meet Our Team Your support team in China, 24/7 → Student Stories First-hand reviews and alumni reflections → Reviews Read verified reviews on GoOverseas ↗ Apply Now Ask a Question 21 photos 1 / 21 "Most Beautiful Under Heaven"Welcome to GuilinNestled along the banks of the Li River, speckled with tens of thousands of karst peaks, and bustling with the arts, customs, and songs of southern China’s thriving ethnic minority groups, Guilin is a destination like no other.The people, serene landscape, ease of transportation — the list goes on. Yet at CLI, we tend to view Guilin through the lens of language learning. This is where Guilin really shines: as a place to learn Chinese. Explore Guilin The Case for Immersion 沉浸式学习 Why Learn Chinese in China with CLI? At CLI, Chinese does not end when class ends. Focused instruction, everyday life in Guilin, and repeated opportunities to speak help turn what you study into language you can actually use. “ One month in Guilin was more productive than an entire year of coursework in a normal class. — Allie R., CLI Student Explore the Immersion Program Contact CLI Immersion connects learning with real-world use. A phrase introduced during class may come up again while ordering lunch, taking a taxi, visiting a market, or talking with someone in the neighborhood. When an interaction does not go as planned, you can bring the problem back to class, receive focused feedback, and try again. Simply living in China does not guarantee meaningful immersion. Program structure matters. Learners make the most progress when their days include substantial speaking time, attentive listening, useful correction, and regular opportunities to apply what they have studied. CLI was founded in Guilin to create that kind of environment. Personalized instruction provides structure and feedback, while daily life gives students practical reasons to use Mandarin beyond the classroom. Want a closer look at how immersion affects speaking, listening, confidence, and cultural understanding? Explore the benefits of learning Chinese in China. Contact Us 联系我们 Your Journey toChina Starts Here Have a question about our programs, daily life in Guilin, or how to get started? Our team responds within 48 hours — often much sooner. info@studycli.org +1 888-781-8383 WeChat: Scan QR Send Us a Message We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form and we'll be in touch. Ready to apply? Start your application