That’s Mandarin Joins IALC: Five Cities, One Integrated Chinese Learning Experience

IALC is delighted to welcome That’s Mandarin as a new member school, bringing its established Chinese language programmes in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and online through its in-house learning platform, NihaoCafe, to the IALC network.

Each That’s Mandarin location offers students a distinct cultural and lifestyle experience, allowing them to choose the environment that best suits their learning goals. Students can study in Beijing, China’s historic and cultural capital; Shanghai, the fast-paced international metropolis known as the “Paris of the Orient”; Suzhou, an elegant and tranquil ancient city often called the “Venice of the East”; Hangzhou, a green and energetic hub surrounding the beautiful West Lake; or Chengdu, a southern city known for its laid-back charm and as the home of the giant pandas.

All campuses are located in central, convenient, and international-friendly areas, making it easy for students to integrate into daily life, interact with locals, and fully immerse themselves in the Chinese language environment.

That’s Mandarin stands out through a combination of high academic standards, innovative teaching methods, and a fully integrated learning system. With over 20 years of experience teaching Chinese to international students, the school has developed a structured yet flexible approach focused on real-life communication and measurable progress.

A key part of this approach is NihaoCafe, the school’s in-house learning platform, which connects students and teachers beyond the classroom. The platform provides digital class notes, 24/7 access to learning materials, homework and progress tracking, and additional exercises for self-study and exploration. This allows students to continue learning anytime, anywhere, supported by That’s Mandarin’s dedicated in-house IT team.

The school’s teaching methodology combines proven techniques with innovation. The Link Words method helps complete beginners pick up new vocabulary more easily, while the Story Telling method gives students real-life context and makes language acquisition more engaging and effective. Teachers are carefully selected, professionally trained in teaching Chinese as a second language, and supported by a dedicated academic team including course coordinators and head teachers.

Popular programmes include Intensive Group Classes, the school’s most popular option, offering 20 classes per week for students seeking fast progress through interactive group learning and consistent practice. One-to-one Private Chinese Classes offer a highly flexible and fully customised learning experience, with content tailored to each student’s goals, pace, and schedule — from business Chinese and exam preparation to daily communication. For younger learners, Chinese Summer and Winter Camps welcome students aged 10 to 17, combining systematic Mandarin learning with hands-on cultural experiences in a safe and engaging environment.

Students often say what they value most is not only the learning itself, but the full immersion experience that surrounds it. At That’s Mandarin, Chinese language and culture are experienced in everyday life. Weekly cultural activities include calligraphy, paper-cutting, tie-dye, Chinese songs, table tennis, badminton, shuttlecock, Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, dumpling making, zongzi, mooncakes, and traditional sugar painting.

Each month, the school also organises cultural gatherings such as mahjong nights, Chinese tea experiences, KTV evenings, city walks, hiking trips, and group dinners. Learning extends beyond planned activities too, with teachers regularly bringing students into real-life environments around the city — from ordering fruit at local markets to buying coffee or bubble tea, or visiting pharmacies — helping them communicate naturally with locals and use Chinese in authentic situations.

IALC warmly welcomes That’s Mandarin to the association and looks forward to supporting its continued growth within a global community united by quality, dialogue, and international connection.