Gap Year Taiwan Programs - LTL Mandarin School Taipei

Gap Year Taiwan

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with our Gap Year Taiwan programs and discover this truly unique part of the world whilst learning Chinese.

Choose from a number of gap year programs. Enjoy the help of our expert teachers to help you become fluent in Chinese as you explore what Taiwan and the Mainland have to offer.

We have a total of four gap year programs including the ability to build your very own gap year in Taiwan.

Gap Year Taiwan

Gap year in Taiwan and China
Choose from four gap year programs
Learn Chinese, Travel Taiwan
Make friends to last a lifetime
Study abroad and become fluent
Support from the LTL staff anytime

You will have the chance to discover what Taipei, Taiwan and China have to offer from it’s incredible cultural and historical side, to the more modern aspects of China at the likes of Beijing and Shanghai

Terrific Taipei

Simplified or Traditional – Choose what type of Mandarin you'd rather learn, we teach both at LTL!

Taipei 101 – Formerly the World's tallest building and a sight to behold

Explore – Get to know this wonderful island with LTL
Beautiful Beijing

Cultured – Chinese culture is at the forefront of Beijing

History – Chinese history is oozing through the veins of Beijing

Hutongs – Discover and stroll through these ever so Chinese alleyways

Cheap – Cost of living in China's capital is cheap and affordable
Stunning Shanghai

Metropolis – China's biggest city in size and population

International – A whole host of nationalities live in Shanghai

Social – Endless lines of bars, restaurants and nightclubs to explore

Great location – School is in the heart of the old French Concession
Chilled out Chengde

Immersion – Enjoy full Chinese immersion in relaxed Chengde

24/7 Mandarin – No English speaking or foreigners at all

Fast progression – Improve your Chinese fast in this city

No foreign brands – Chengde is "real China", no foreign shops in sight

China Gap Year Programs

We have four Gap year Taiwan programs in total, each with something different to offer. Feel free to chat to us about your options if you aren’t sure which is best for you. Likewise, we have also given you the option to combine what you want most from your Gap year in Taiwan and China with the “Build your own” Gap year program. Find out more below

Full Immersion Gap Year - Taipei & Chengde

Explore two polar opposites whilst studying Mandarin with LTL. Start your Full Immersion Gap Year in Taipei, the biggest city in Taiwan, before heading to the Mainland and enjoy total immersion in Chengde. The latter is a city little known to foreigners and with good reason as no foreigners live there!

Your Chinese studies in Taipei will build the foundation of knowledge for your Chinese, even if you are a complete beginner. Choose to study in either a small group class, or individually to allow for quicker progress and in your spare time, enjoy the wonderful city of Taipei which has so much to offer.

Once your time in Taiwan is complete it’s time to head over to the Mainland and visit Chengde where you will be thrown into the most immersive Chinese environment available in any language course. Study individually and even live with a Chinese family whilst enjoying a slower pace of life, but a much speedier progression when it comes to learning Chinese.

Calligraphy Lesson at LTL

Immersion Gap Year – Starting Dates

Our courses are all flexible so if you wish to discuss the length of your program just contact us and we’ll gladly assist. Here are the prices and starting dates for the popular three month and six month full immersion courses in China. Bare in mind the starting dates are for complete beginners. Anyone with some Mandarin knowledge can start any Monday.

20 April 2020
11 May 2020
1 June 2020
22 June 2020
13 July 2020
27 July 2020
10 August 2020
24 August 2020
14 September 2020
5 October 2020
26 October 2020

16 November 2020
7 December 2020
28 December 2020
04 January 2021
01 February 2021
21 February 2021
08 March 2021
29 March 2021
19 April 2021
10 May 2021
31 May 2021

21 June 2021
12 July 2021
26 July 2021
09 August 2021
23 August 2021
13 September 2021
04 October 2021
25 October 2021
15 November 2021
06 December 2021
27 December 2021

Full Immersion Program Prices (New Taiwan Dollars)

Total Duration	Taipei	Chengde	Price in New Taiwan Dollars
3 months Immersion	6 weeks small group class	6 weeks 1-on-1 class	160,785
6 months Immersion	12 weeks small group class	12 weeks 1-on-1 class	305,235

Price includes Taipei and Chengde survival kit including SIM card, maps, rental bike, bank account and a host of other useful things you’ll need when coming over to study Chinese with LTL.

Accommodation Prices (New Taiwan Dollars)

Total Duration	Taipei	Chengde	Price
3 months	6 wk shared apartment	6 wk homestay	116,852
3 months	6 wk homestay	6 wk homestay	139,743
6 months	12 wk shared apartment	12 wk homestay	212,220
6 months	12 wk homestay	12 wk homestay	236,520

All homestays in Taipei and Chengde include Breakfast and Dinner. There are also options for vegetarians, vegans and those with special dietary requirements. Just chat to us and we’ll find a solution to make you comfortable.

If progressing with Chinese fast is your main goal then we wholeheartedly recommend the Homestay accommodation in both locations. Over 80% of our students choose this option. It allows you to practice your Chinese all day every day and enjoy wonderful home cooked food everyday with your Chinese family. The shared apartment option is great if you are on more of a budget.

Chinese Language Gap Year

Enjoy a double Semester at LTL totalling to 36 weeks of Chinese language study. You will study Mandarin in small group classes with four hours of lessons every Monday to Friday. The program is very similar to a university style semester but provides much smaller classes giving you as a student much more chance to speak up, get involved and improve faster.

Our classes also last longer than the standard 45 minute university style lessons, with a full 55 minutes per group class making this an excellent value for money selection. After two semesters many of our beginner students reach HSK4 level of Chinese, and some even reach as high as HSK5 which is considered fluency in Chinese.

Chinese Language Gap Year – What do I get?

All your Chinese Course Books and Study Materials
20 hours of small group classes every week
Lessons from Monday to Friday
Two 18 week semesters. 36 weeks overall
Survival Kit
Around the clock support from LTL staff

Language Year – Starting Dates 2020/2021

Semester Program in Taiwan	Starting Date	Price
Spring Semester Taiwan	17 February 2020 – 19 June 2020	120,306 NTD
Fall Semester Taiwan	14 September 2020 – 15 January 2021	120,306 NTD

Language Year – Prices

Program with no accommodation: 240,696 TWD
+36 weeks accommodation (Shared apartment – small room): 499,896 TWD

You can also upgrade to a larger apartment or a Chinese Homestay at an additional cost.

Mandarin + English Gap Year

Our Mandarin + English gap year is a fantastic option if you are on a tighter budget but still want to enjoy learning Chinese in an immersive environment. The program totals 22 weeks. The first four weeks you’ll spend at LTL Taipei where you will enjoy our small groups classes and study Chinese. You’ll get to know your classmates, other students and discover the great city of Taipei outside of lessons. You can even live with a Chinese family if you wish also.

After completing your first four weeks you will move to a different city in Taiwan and teach English for the next 18 weeks. You will be provided with an apartment which is paid for by LTL and also monthly spending money in New Taiwan Dollars of 9000. This will help cover the cost of living outside of the classroom.

Mandarin + English Gap Year – What’s Included

Study abroad for four weeks of Small Group Class study at LTL Taiwan
Shared apartment in Taipei
18 weeks of teaching English to local students in another city in Taiwan
Accommodation is also included for your teaching English stint
A stipend of New Taiwan Dollars (9000 NTD/month) whilst you teach to cover the cost of living
Transport to your school everyday
Around the clock support from LTL
Airport pick up

LTL Students studying Chinese

Mandarin + English Gap Year – Starting Dates

20 April 2020
11 May 2020
1 June 2020
22 June 2020
13 July 2020
27 July 2020
10 August 2020
24 August 2020
14 September 2020
5 October 2020
26 October 2020

16 November 2020
7 December 2020
28 December 2020
04 January 2021
01 February 2021
21 February 2021
08 March 2021
29 March 2021
19 April 2021
10 May 2021
31 May 2021

21 June 2021
12 July 2021
26 July 2021
09 August 2021
23 August 2021
13 September 2021
04 October 2021
25 October 2021
15 November 2021
06 December 2021
27 December 2021

Homestay Program Price – 72,000 TWD / Apartment Program Price – 56,250 TWD

Build your own Gap Year

Explore Taiwan and China with the LTL Gap Year

If you’d rather tailor a Taiwan Gap Year exactly how you want, of course there is also the option to do this with LTL Taiwan. Below is a list of building blocks you can put together to make you very own, perfect Gap Year with LTL. Talk to us about your options and we can help advise what we think are the best solutions for you also.

The whole gap year totals to 36 weeks with LTL. This is broken down into two 18 weeks semesters but there is much flexibility when you build your own Gap Year in Taiwan with LTL.

For example, you could enjoy 12 weeks of studying Mandarin in Taipei and follow this up with 12 weeks of further study in Beijing, but moving from Group to Individual classes.

The conclude your journey you will head to Chengde to really kick on your Mandarin and experience something completely new to Beijing or Taipei.

Instead of that how about enjoying Taipei, Beijing and Shanghai for a total of 6 weeks each before spending the second half of the year teaching English to Chinese students? The Taiwan Gap year really gives you optimum room for flexibility.

You can boost enhance your Chinese further by staying with a Chinese Homestay where you will be speaking Mandarin to your family in the morning and at night over food.

This really is a once in a lifetime chance and we strongly advise you take it, 80% of our students do just that. Accommodation is completely up to you and of course you have a budget to adhere to also. You are welcome to arrange your own.

What do our Students think about LTL Homestays?

Frequently Asked Questions

I am travelling alone. Will I be safe and will I meet people?

There is no reason to be concerned on either front here!

Safety – Luckily for you, Taiwan and China are two of the safer places you can travel too. Crime rates are low and the people are generally very helpful and friendly towards foreigners. Even if you are alone, you have no reason to be concerned for your safety in Taiwan or the Mainland.

Meeting Friends – The community feel at LTL is a very strong one and you are never alone here. Even if you study abroad in Taiwan individually you are always in touch with other students and staff at LTL. China has a host of opportunities to meet new people also, whether it be foreigners or local Chinese nationals. Our connection kit is another simple and easy way to meet people.

Can I travel around also?

Yes you can do whatever you please! There are so many things to do and we could talk for hours about them. We organise social events for the students at our schools every week. This can involve going for food together, going to see one of the local sights, enjoying some drinks or the nightlife and so many other activities. Of course if you wish to taste a little more of Asia then why not grab a flight to the likes of Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul, Tokyo or South East Asia for a few days?

Is it expensive day to day?

Generally the cost of living throughout Taiwan and the mainland is much cheaper than many of the other big cities around the world. Take Shanghai for example, one of China’s most expensive cities, but it’s still not a patch on the likes of Hong Kong or London. We compared the cost of living in Shanghai in a blog which might also be of use. A good website to compare cost of living between cities is Numbeo.

Do we have lessons during Christmas holidays?

In China, Christmas is not an official holiday so lessons continue as normal. Most offices and schools remain open for business during this time. The main holidays celebrated in China are Golden Week (October 1^st-7^th) and Chinese New Year (varied dates in February typically). Of course however, you are welcome to go home for Christmas and visit your families. Please speak to us well in advance if you plan to do this so we can create a study schedule for you to work around this.

Which program is the right one for me?

This is so person dependant and really, there is no right or wrong answer regarding this. The best thing to do in this situation is chat to us. We can get a feel for what your goals are for coming to Taiwan and the Mainland. We have been placing students in Chinese classes for over a decade so we know what’s best even if you don’t! Use the live chat feature below or contact us above via email.

How long is a Gap Year Taiwan program?

A gap year program in Taiwan and the Mainland lasts 36 weeks overall but there is an area of flexibility of course. You are welcome to join us and study abroad for as long or little as you want. Communicate with us exactly what you want and we’ll get everything sorted for you as quickly as possible so you can come and enjoy the experience of a lifetime!