Chinese Classes In Hong Kong: Where To Learn Mandarin And Cantonese

Looking to brush up on your Chinese? Here are the best language centres, courses, schools and classes to learn Cantonese and Mandarin from in Hong Kong.

If your knowledge of Cantonese doesn’t extend far beyond “mm goi” and ordering your favourite dishes, or you’ve been missing out on Mandarin-speaking clients at work — it may be time to bite the bullet and learn a Chinese language. Whether you’re looking to pick up some survival phrases, brush up on what you’ve learned in the past, or add a new Chinese language skill to your resume, here are the best language centres, courses, schools and classes to learn Cantonese and Mandarin from in Hong Kong.

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Featured Chinese Learning Centres And Schools In Hong Kong
Our Favourite Chinese Learning Centres And Schools In Hong Kong

Featured Chinese Learning Centres And Schools In Hong Kong

New Concept Mandarin – Mandarin and Cantonese training centre with professional teachers and extensive supplementary resources to help you maximise your learning in and out of the classroom

Master a Chinese language in no time with the help of New Concept Mandarin’s innovative “Flipped Learning Approach” which maximises your learning outside of the classroom with supplementary video tutorials, online materials and apps. Combined with guidance from professional teachers and textbooks specially created by the centre, you’re sure to make real progress. Learn one-on-one or in a small group, face-to-face or online, with any of the language courses structured to suit all proficiency levels and learning needs.

• Private One-On-One Classes
  When: Mondays to Saturdays, 8am to 9pm
  How much: $360 to $600 per hour — you can enquire here
• Small Group Classes
  When: Mondays to Saturdays, 8am to 9pm
  How much: $238 to $280 per hour per person — you can enquire here

New Concept Mandarin, 13/F, Fortune House, 61 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong, 2850 4332, www.newconceptmandarin.com

Mandarin Time School – Mandarin learning school with in-person and online video lessons and AI-empowered exercises

Mandarin Time School boasts the biggest full-time Mandarin teaching team in the city, with all tutors here holding a master’s degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. Group classes are small for optimal learning (three to six students) and the experienced staff use interactive methods to teach. And, the school has developed 600+ HSK curriculum video lessons as well as 2,000+ AI-empowered exercises, making it one of the largest online Mandarin learning platforms globally.

• Part-time Evening Group Class
  When: One weekday evening, 7pm to 9:15pm (45 minutes per lesson, 3 lessons per class; 30 in-person group lessons or 32 video lessons in total; to complete 1 Mandarin level in 10 weeks)
  How much: $8,800 — you can find out more here and enrol here
• Part-time Weekend Group Class
  When: Every Saturday, 10:30am to 12:45pm (45 minutes per lesson, 3 lessons per class; 30 in-person group lessons or 32 video lessons in total; to 1 Mandarin level in 10 weeks)
  How much: $8,800 — you can find out more here and enrol here
• Intensive Group Class
  When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:30am to 12:45pm (30 in-person group lessons or 32 video lessons in total; to complete 1 Mandarin level in 4 weeks)
  How much: $8,800 — you can find out more here and enrol here
• In-Person Private Class (Business Chinese, Conversational Chinese, Comprehensive Chinese, HSK Preparation and more)
  When: Flexible
  Where: Flexible
  How much: From $450 per lesson — you can find out more here and enrol here

Get a free trial class by mentioning you’re a Sassy reader. Make sure to sign up for two levels or two types of courses upfront to receive a $600 discount.

Mandarin Time School (Central Campus), 14/F, World Trust Tower, 50 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong

Mandarin Time School (Discovery Bay Campus), South Plaza, Discovery Bay, 6153 7108, www.mandarintimeschool.com

iMandarinChinese – Online language-learning school providing bespoke Mandarin and Cantonese courses and private classes

An online language-learning school suitable for all ages, iMandarinChinese provides tailored courses and private classes for anyone looking to pick up Mandarin and Cantonese. Whether you’re preparing for the HSK or IB, have a work-oriented goal in mind or are just looking to expand your language skills, the flexible and creative teachers here are all highly-qualified (they all hold a degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language!) and will tailor the course specially to suit your needs and learning style. It’s an efficient and reliable platform that promises to be easily accessible to everyone.

Classes are typically one-on-one private lessons ($90 for 50 minutes) and take place over Zoom or Skype. You can book a lesson according to your schedule. Courses include, but are not limited to:

• Business Mandarin
• Travel Mandarin
• Intensive Short-term Course
• Mandarin Reading and Writing
• Advanced Mandarin

How Much: From $90 a class if you sign up for six classes per week.

Sassy Tip: Book a free first trial class by getting in touch with the coordinator.

Use the code SASSY when you enrol and get 10% off your first three months of courses. Valid until Friday, 30 June, 2023.

iMandarinChinese, 9225 6669, Instagram: @imandarinchinese, www.imandarinchinese.com

Linguabox – Online Mandarin learning platform that emphasises pronunciation and intonation

Online Mandarin learning platform Linguabox provides tailored classes taught by experienced native Chinese teachers, designed to improve your oral communication skills and really train students to use correct pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary, grammar and writing. Whether you’re hoping to reach fluency or pass the HSK exam, flexibility is at the heart of Linguabox. Students can sign up for smaller packages at competitive prices rather than committing to a full year of classes. Sign up for a free one-on-one trial class now.

• Mandarin Conversation and Speaking Classes
  When: Flexible, 25 minutes per class, 4 weeks in total
  How much: $480 (4 classes plan), $880 (8 classes packages), $1,200 (12 classes plan) — you can enrol here
• Tailored Mandarin Tutoring Courses
  When: You can enquire for more details
  How much: You can enquire for more details

Linguabox, WhatsApp: 9685 8939, Facebook: Linguabox Group, Instagram: @linguaboxgroup, www.linguaboxgroup.com

Q Language Centre – Mandarin and Cantonese classes for all levels with practical understanding of the language, culture and nuances

Premier government-licensed Q Language Centre has been around for over 20 years! The Central-based language centre provides a wide range of intensive Mandarin and Cantonese courses for all levels (in private one-on-one or group classes) that help to strengthen your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Whether you have a work, academic or social learning goal, the courses here give you a practical understanding of the Chinese language, cultural aspects and linguistic nuances that can be applied in real-world situations.

• Intensive Mandarin/Cantonese Course
  When: Monday to Friday, flexible time (15 or 24 hours per week)
  How much: Contact directly for fee details and to enrol
• Corporate Mandarin/Cantonese Course
  When: Monday to Saturday, flexible time
  How much: Contact directly for fee details and to enrol
• Private Mandarin/Cantonese Class (one-on-one or small group)
  When: Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm (choose from 1 to 20 hours per week)
  How much: Contact directly for fee details and to enrol

Sassy Tip: When booking, keep in mind that intensive group courses start at the beginning of each month and last one to 12 months while business training and individual packages are offered year-round.

Get 10% off a course or package when you book with code SASSY 22. Available until Tuesday, 11 July, 2023.

Q Language Centre, 14/F, Wing On Cheong Building, 5 Wing Lok Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2540 0552, Facebook: Q Language Hong Kong, Instagram: @qlanguagehongkong, www.qlanguage.edu.hk

Our Favourite Chinese Learning Centres And Schools In Hong Kong

HKU SPACE

Once you complete its Introductory Cantonese Course, HKU SPACE promises that you’ll be able to use the basic Cantonese Romanisation System and engage in simple conversation, while its Introductory Mandarin Course will familiarise you with the four tones of the language and the building blocks for daily conversation. HKU SPACE also provides intermediate and advanced language courses, along with a Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) if you’re in want of certification!

HKU SPACE, various locations across Hong Kong, 2975 5692, hkuspace.hku.hk

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Hong Kong Institute of Languages

Established in 1985, the privately-owned Hong Kong Institute of Languages offers interactive classes with a maximum class size of seven, all taught by qualified native instructors. Besides general courses catering to varying levels of Cantonese or Mandarin proficiency, it also offers crash courses, business courses, and reading and writing courses.

Hong Kong Institute of Languages, 6/F, Wellington Plaza, 56-58 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2877 6160, www.hklanguages.com

Hong Kong Language Learning Centre

Offering flexible daytime and evening courses for Cantonese, Mandarin and HSK preparation, HKLLC ensures that all teachers undergo training programmes before being assigned to conduct courses. In-house training programmes are also available for companies looking to enhance their employees’ language abilities. See the full list of courses and programmes offered here.

Hong Kong Language Learning Centre, 16/F, Toi Shan Centre, 128 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2385 5331, WhatsApp: 6494 9331, hkllc@netvigator.com, www.hkllc.com

Hong Kong Language School

This language school specialises in Mandarin and Cantonese learning programmes for both locals and expats, offering a range of courses and covering all levels of language proficiency. Whether you prefer learning one-on-one, in a group or are looking for corporate training, HKLS will have something to suit your needs and schedule, offering half-day and full-day courses.

Hong Kong Language School, Room 1701-2, 17/F, Tung Chiu Commercial Centre, 193 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 3622 2558, hkls.com.hk

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Hong Kong Pro Language School

Hong Kong Pro Language School specialises in providing both face-to-face and online Mandarin and Cantonese courses for individuals of all language proficiencies, as well as local SMEs and multinational companies. Using an interactive and student-centred approach to teaching, its courses are designed to help you build up a strong foundation in Chinese and equip you to use the language in real-life situations.

Hong Kong Pro Language School, 2/F, Dah Sing Life Building, 99-105 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2287 5057, WhatsApp: 5624 1828, www.hkpls.com.hk

International Language Centre

Founded in 2006, this Hong Kong-based professional language school offers a full range of language learning programmes. Its clients include the likes of HSBC, Cathay Pacific, MTR Corporation and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, to name a few. The centre offers a range of group and private lessons for both Mandarin and Cantonese, taught by qualified and experienced teachers.

International Language Centre, 2/F, Dah Sing Life Building, 99 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2287 5118, www.international-lan.com

The Chinese University Of Hong Kong

If you’re looking to learn Cantonese, CUHK offers different programmes ranging from part-time evening classes to workshops and summer intensives. Its Mandarin course includes instruction in reading and writing simplified Chinese characters, in addition to speaking and listening. CUHK now also holds online evening classes for both Cantonese and Mandarin that are taught over Zoom.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Fong Shu Chuen Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, 3943 6727, www.cuhk.edu.hk

Editor’s Note: “Chinese Classes In Hong Kong: Where To Learn Cantonese And Mandarin” was originally written on 15, August 2018 by Rachel Au and most recently updated in July 2022 by Team Sassy.