01
One-on-One from Day One
You are never placed into a group class with a fixed pace. Every online lesson is private, so your teacher can focus on your pronunciation, questions, learning style, and goals from the very first class.
Study live with a China-based CLI teacher from anywhere. Share your goals and schedule, and we’ll match you with a private Mandarin instructor in Guilin.
With CLI Online, you can learn Chinese from anywhere in the world. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a video platform such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WeChat, or VooV Meeting.
Your teacher connects with you live and holds class in a virtual one-on-one classroom. Because every lesson is private, your teacher can adjust the pace, materials, examples, homework, and speaking practice to match your current Chinese level and your goals.
Whether you are starting from zero, preparing for the HSK, supporting school coursework, improving conversation, or reconnecting with Chinese after time away, CLI Online gives you a flexible way to keep making progress.
CLI Online combines the flexibility of remote study with the personal attention of a private Chinese classroom.
You are never placed into a group class with a fixed pace. Every online lesson is private, so your teacher can focus on your pronunciation, questions, learning style, and goals from the very first class.
Conversation, characters, tones, reading, writing, HSK preparation, school support, professional Chinese, travel, and culture can all be built into your study plan.
CLI’s online teachers are connected to our language-learning community in Guilin. You study remotely while learning with instructors based in China.
Share your time zone, country, preferred platform, and weekly availability. CLI helps coordinate the teacher match and lesson time so you can focus on learning.
Purchase lesson hours in advance, then use them as classes take place. Larger packages receive lower hourly rates, and CLI can help you track your remaining balance.
The Chinese Language Institute is based in Guilin, China, and has helped students from around the world build Chinese proficiency through one-on-one instruction, personalized support, and focused language learning.
Getting started is simple. Tell us about your schedule and goals, meet your teacher online, and continue with a lesson package that fits your pace.
Complete the free trial form with your time zone, country, preferred platform, current Chinese level, and requested lesson time. Please request your trial at least 48 hours in advance whenever possible so CLI can confirm teacher availability.
Let us know what you want to work on: speaking, listening, reading, writing, tones, characters, HSK, school support, business Chinese, travel, or another goal. The more you share, the better your teacher can prepare.
CLI helps match you with a China-based teacher and confirms the meeting details. Your lesson can be held on a platform such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WeChat, or VooV Meeting, depending on availability and your preference.
After your trial, CLI can help you choose a lesson package and schedule ongoing classes. Your teacher can use your current textbook, recommend materials, or create a blended plan based on your goals.
Online students purchase lesson hours in advance. As lessons take place, class time is deducted from your account balance. CLI can remind you when your balance is low, and you can contact us anytime for an update.
Most students meet once or twice per week, but lesson frequency can be adjusted based on your goals, schedule, and teacher availability. Intensive schedules may also be arranged when available.
Your online class schedule is tailored to fit your weekly availability, and we work directly with you to design your personalized study plan.
Build a balanced foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Your teacher can help you develop core vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and confidence step by step.
Strengthen your ability to understand native speakers and respond naturally. Lessons can include conversation practice, pronunciation correction, tones, listening drills, and everyday scenarios.
Preparing for the HSK or a school Chinese exam? CLI teachers can help you review vocabulary and grammar, work through textbook materials, practice speaking, and build confidence with test-style tasks.
CLI can support children, teens, professionals, and culture-focused learners with customized lessons in school support, business Chinese, travel Chinese, Chinese history, traditions, literature, food, and daily life.
CLI’s online Chinese lessons are scheduled to fit your personal availability, and our teachers are based in China. When you sign up, you’ll share your local time zone, the country where you’ll be during class, and the date and time you would like to meet.
Our team will work directly with you to assess your scheduling preferences, confirm teacher availability, and help avoid time-zone confusion. If you are not sure what time works best, use a time-zone converter or send us a few options and we’ll help coordinate.
Most online students study part-time alongside work or school, while others prefer a more intensive schedule. We’ll help you structure your weekly class hours in a way that suits your needs, availability, and learning goals.
Teachers are generally available during daytime and evening hours in China. The free trial form asks students to choose times within 8:00 AM–10:00 PM China Standard Time.
Share your preferred platform when you sign up. CLI will confirm the final lesson link or teacher contact details before class.
Weekend availability may be limited and depends on teacher schedules. Share your availability and CLI will help explore the best available options.
If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please notify your teacher as early as possible. Lessons canceled too late or missed without notice may be deducted from your balance.
CLI Online students purchase lesson hours in advance. Your balance is reduced as you complete lessons, and larger packages receive lower hourly rates.
30-minute one-on-one trial lesson
A practical first package after your trial.
Strong fit for weekly or twice-weekly lessons.
| Hours Purchased | Cost Per Hour | Example Total | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–19 hours | $20/hour | 5 hours = $100 | Light weekly study or trying a short package after your trial |
| 20–59 hours | $18/hour | 20 hours = $360 | Consistent weekly lessons and steady progress |
| 60–99 hours | $17/hour | 60 hours = $1,020 | Long-term study, HSK goals, school support, or intensive progress |
| 100+ hours | $16/hour | 100 hours = $1,600 | Highly committed students and long-term language plans |
All prices are listed in USD. The minimum purchase is 5 hours. Lesson time is deducted from your prepaid balance as classes take place.
The secure Enrollment Form is the recommended way to purchase lesson hours. Alternative payment methods may be available by request.
CLI Online is designed around prepaid hours, personalized scheduling, and direct support from our team.
After each lesson, your class time is deducted from your prepaid account. CLI can remind you when your balance is low, and you can contact us anytime to ask for an update.
Please notify your teacher at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule. Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed without notice, may be deducted from your balance.
If your schedule changes, let CLI and your teacher know. Remaining hours can stay in your account for future study, subject to CLI’s current policy.
Purchased lesson hours are generally non-refundable. In many cases, unused hours can be saved for future use or transferred to a friend or family member. Contact CLI for help with your situation.
Online Chinese lessons are a flexible way to begin, maintain, or accelerate your Mandarin study from anywhere in the world. They can also be a powerful stepping stone to studying Chinese in China.
CLI is based in Guilin, a southern Chinese city known for its karst mountains, walkable neighborhoods, and welcoming pace of life. If you later decide to join CLI’s in-person Immersion Program, your online lessons can help you arrive with stronger vocabulary, more confidence, and a clearer sense of your learning goals.
Yes. CLI Online’s primary format is one-on-one private instruction. Your teacher can tailor each lesson to your level, goals, pace, interests, and preferred learning style.
Complete the free trial form at the bottom of this page. You’ll share your name, email, time zone, country, preferred platform, current Chinese level, and requested date and time. CLI will then follow up to confirm teacher availability and lesson details.
One-on-one online lesson packages start with a 5-hour minimum. The current package structure is $20/hour for 5–19 hours, $18/hour for 20–59 hours, $17/hour for 60–99 hours, and $16/hour for 100+ hours. All prices are listed in USD.
Lessons are usually held through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WeChat, or VooV Meeting. CLI will confirm the final platform, meeting link, or teacher contact information before class.
CLI’s teachers are based in China, and lessons are coordinated around China Standard Time. The free trial form asks students to choose times within 8:00 AM–10:00 PM China Standard Time. Availability depends on teacher schedules, and CLI will help confirm a time that works.
That depends on your goals and schedule. Many students meet once or twice per week, while others prefer a more intensive schedule. Consistency matters: the more regularly you study and review, the faster your Chinese will improve.
Yes. You can share textbooks, school assignments, HSK materials, vocabulary lists, or other resources you want to use. Your teacher can also recommend materials or build lessons around a mix of conversation, grammar, reading, writing, and review.
Yes. CLI teachers can help you review vocabulary and grammar, practice speaking, work through textbook materials, and prepare for test-style tasks. Share your target exam, level, timeline, and current materials when you sign up.
Yes. CLI can support young learners and teens with customized online Mandarin lessons. Parents should share the student’s age, grade, current Chinese level, school curriculum, preferred script, and goals so CLI can help match the student with an appropriate teacher.
CLI’s standard online lessons are one-on-one. Small private classes for two or three learners may be possible in some situations, depending on goals, level, schedule, and teacher availability. Contact CLI to discuss current options and pricing.
Please notify your teacher at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule. Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed without notice, may be deducted from your lesson balance.
If you need to pause, let your teacher and CLI know as early as possible. Remaining lesson hours can stay in your account for future study, subject to CLI’s current policy. CLI can help you restart when your schedule allows.
In many cases, yes. If you would like to transfer unused hours to a friend or family member, contact CLI and our team will help review the request.
After your free trial, CLI can help you choose a lesson package, share the enrollment form, and coordinate an ongoing schedule with a teacher. You can also tell us what worked well in the trial and what you would like to focus on next.
Absolutely. Online lessons can help you build vocabulary, improve listening and speaking confidence, and clarify your goals before arriving in China. Many students use online study as a stepping stone toward in-person immersion in Guilin.
Sign up for a free 30-minute trial lesson and meet one-on-one with a qualified Chinese teacher based in Guilin, China.
Try a Free LessonSign up for a free 30-minute trial lesson and learn Chinese online with your own qualified Chinese teacher based in Guilin, China. We bring the classroom to you.
“I appreciate CLI’s size, flexibility, and ability to accommodate students. Because it is a small community, it is easy to build relationships with the teachers and staff.”~ Daniel Del Bosque, Chinese Immersion Program
Enroll today in your trial Chinese lesson. With CLI Online, learn Chinese from anywhere in the world. All you need is a reliable internet connection.
Ready to continue after your trial? Enroll in online Chinese lessons