About the schedule
Week 1:
The new arrivals can explore Taiwan on their own as they have to adjust themselves to the time difference and another totally different life style in this new culture. In the first week, the students undergo a guided tour of the city to help them familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. They will visit Taipei 101 (the highest building in the world), experience the local life of the night markets unique to Asian cultures, and just relax by learning ceramics and enjoying the spa and/or hot springs. While learning Chinese expressions, the students begin their interaction with the Chinese culture by learning to shop and introduce themselves in Chinese language.
Week 2:
One week later, when they have acquired some basic language skills, the students will begin to have some free time to go out on their own. Week Two is focused on more practical language skills. Besides the indoor classes, we plan many outdoor classes for the students. The students have to apply what is learned in the classroom to the real life by solving problems and looking for answers. We will introduce the essential parts of the Chinese culture to the students by taking them to the National Palace Museum or the Asian Art Museum and to attend traditional activities such as a tour around the old streets or cooking traditional Chinese cuisines.
Week 3:
After Week Two, the students, with some Chinese proficiency, will experience many adventures with us. As Week Three begins, we plan a three-day trip to the scenic spots or resorts in Central and Southern Taiwan, where the students will feel the ancient ambiance and the wide nature. During the trip, our teachers and professionals will accompany the students but only help if necessary. They will have to independently make their own arrangements by applying what they have learned. For instance, the students are expected to make their own hotel reservations and travel accommodations and to interact with the local culture.
While the students get more confident and capable in the three weeks, our teachers will slowly change the role of guides into companions on the students’ explorations: The focus of the curriculum will change. In this week, the students will get to know the cultural monuments like National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and go shopping in the malls popular in Asia so as to get engaged in the local life style of another culture step by step.
Week 4:
Week Four will cover cultural classes such as calligraphy or Tai-chi and outdoor activities to relax the students in the busy schedule. An examination will be arranged in the end to test the students on their knowledge before they may graduate. That examination will mark the end of the memorable one-month trek of this island.
Like the purpose of the Grand Tour, the experiences in life are the most valuable in journeys.
Since Chinese language is a tool to discover the culture, we arrange different daily schedules according to how the students proceed in Mandarin Chinese.
Step by step, the students will leave their tracks on this Oriental island and acquire in-depth experiences from each trip. Unlike the ordinary tourists as passersby, the students acquire the valuable experiences in life by interacting with the local cultures in reality.
We are very proud of our perfect combination of tourism and language learning.
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