GCE's Programs' Advantages

So what sets us apart from all those other guys who purport to offer "immersion" Chinese language classes in an "authentic" learning environment? Not only do we take our commitment to quality language and cultural instruction seriously, we offer a number of advantages that our competitors struggle to match:

• Complete immersion in the Chinese language
• Small classes with 5-8 students*
• Levels range from Beginner to Advanced
• Short Term programs: Each segment of a short term program lasts four weeks -
  a student's program may be as short as four weeks, or as long as 8, 12, 16, etc. weeks.
• Long Term programs: Semester or full academic year
• Free after-class language tutoring
• Extracurricular activities, both language- and non-language-based
• Language exchange facilitated by GCE's exclusive Language Mate program
• Highly experienced faculty
• Our International Freeperson Club offers opportunities to exchange
  language and culture with locals that cannot be found anywhere else.

The Language Mate System

GCE's primary goal as an center of foreign language education research and language learning is to provide our students with an experience that is as immersive intensive, and interesting as possible. It is our hope that students who attend BCCLS will have the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in an authentic Chinese language learning environment while attending structured language classes, enabling students to realize a rapid increase in their level of language proficiency. Thus BCCLS not only provides intensive core language classes in the morning and cultural extension classes in the afternoon, we also provide each student with his or her own personal language mate, a first in the field of Chinese as a second language education.

The Language Mate is a completely new concept in the current field of teaching Chinese as a foreign language. In contrast with traditional methods of classroom teaching or after-class supplementary instruction, the Language Mate system provides students with additional opportunities to interact and exchange language and culture with local Chinese similar in age to each student. This new system of learning emphasizes students' ability to apply their Chinese in "real world" situations, giving students additional opportunities to practice spoken Chinese while greatly increasing students ability to communicate and interact with others in the Chinese-speaking world. At the same time, the Language mate system will give students an opportunity to increase their overall awareness and competence in past and present Chinese society and culture.

BCCLS's Language Mates are selected from Chinese students attending our English language program, all of whom are genial, enthusiastic, have a solid educational background and possess an excellent natural ability to communicate, allowing students and their respective Language Mates to engage in effective language exchange through discussion of topics of mutual interest.

GCE's International Freeman TM Club provides each student and his or her language mate with a superior environment for exchanging language and culture. The IF Club is both stylish, modern and comfortable - providing an environment suitable for a range of activities: from holding parties and reunions, to simply chatting and making friends. At the same time, the IF Club will provide table tennis, Go, chess, internet terminals, and cafe service to members.

By interacting in the immersive language environment provided by the IF Club with their Language Mates, students can not only refine their oral fluency, listening comprehension, as well as ability to communicate with local Chinese, they will also have the opportunity to more deeply appreciate and understand Chinese society and culture as well as the "Chinese mode of thought." In doing so students will naturally have an increasing number of opportunities to make friends in China .

Programs

GCE enjoys great working relationship with famous universities in China.

GCE's education center is located in the Haidian district of Beijing, which is at the center of both Beijing's university hub as well as Beijing's high-technology center. It is a short walk to eight different universities as well as several high-tech company research offices such as Google and Microsoft. In addition, with a large international student population in the area, the Haidian location is extremely convenient with great restaurants, bars, fitness centers and subway access all within a 5 minute walk.

GCE creates the best possible environment to help students master Chinese.

GCE's programs provide the most up-to-date lessons and text books to ensure that even beginner students will learn practical Chinese and be able to communicate with Beijing locals and get around town easily within the first few weeks of starting Chinese lessons. All GCE's teachers are highly experienced in teaching Chinese to foreigners, and free tutoring sessions are offered to students to help them use and speak what they have learned in class.

Students are also encouraged to choose homestay accommodation. Living with well-to-do Chinese families, students will be provided with a private room and free meals with the family. Combining Chinese lessons while being exposed to the language at home everyday really can't be beat as a method of learning the language.

GCE provides students with new and exciting extracurricular activities every week.

GCE offers students a wide array of activities ranging from Chinese Calligraphy in the classroom to weekend excursions to historical sites in Beijing. In addition, students are invited to activities such as going to famous Peking Duck restaurants all free of any additional charges.

GCE helps students take care of their needs while living in Beijing from beginning to end.

GCE guarantees help to students with their living needs from the time of airport pickup to the time of departure. Visas, accommodation and working opportunities are all fully taken care of by GCE's staff to make sure that students have an easy time adjusting to their new surroundings. In addition, GCE's staff are available by telephone 24 hours a day for any emergencies students may encounter.

GCE is a reliable company with recommendations from Chinese government organizations.

GCE is 100% reliable with recommendations from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education. In addition, GCE enjoys a strong relationship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which helps to answer any visa questions and aids in solving any visa problems at Chinese embassies and consulates worldwide. GCE also has worldwide representatives in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and many other countries to help students with their needs before arriving in China.