12 weeks
A focused term
$8,375Private room at CLI · about $698 a week
- About 240 one-to-one hours
- A January 11 start ends April 2
- Homestay: $9,985
Spring Term 2027 · Guilin
Spend a spring term learning Chinese in China
Twelve weeks to five months in Guilin, with 20 hours of one-to-one Mandarin each week, three dedicated teachers and housing included. Start any Monday from January to March, follow a plan for the whole term, and leave with a report of how far your Chinese has come.
For students 18 and over, and 17-year-old high-school graduates with parent or guardian involvement. Complete beginners are welcome.
What the Spring Term is
A term, not a trip
The Spring Term is a 12-week, 4-month or 5-month stay in Guilin, built on the Chinese Language Institute (CLI)'s Immersion Program and priced at standard tuition. You take four hours of one-to-one Mandarin each weekday with three teachers, live in housing CLI arranges, and work to a plan: a placement assessment when you arrive, a goal for the term, a midpoint review and a level report at the end.
Four weeks is enough to start. A term gives you time to get past the first adjustment, settle into a routine in Chinese, and keep building on it with the same teachers for months rather than weeks.
Who it suits. Students between school and university or taking a term off; university students with a free spring; professionals and career changers who can step away for three to five months; and returning CLI students ready for the next level.
学期 · xuéqī
term; semester
What's included
Everything in the Immersion Program, plus a plan for the term
Spring Term students get the full Immersion Program at standard tuition, with two additions: a written term plan with an end-of-term level report, and five online lessons before they fly.
CLI Immersion Program
Starts January to MarchA spring of Chinese study in Guilin
Twenty hours a week of one-to-one instruction with three coordinated teachers: reading and writing, listening and speaking, and comprehensive review. Lessons start at your assessed level, from complete beginner to advanced.
12–22weeks in Guilin
20class hours weekly
1:1Chinese instruction
Standard tuitionCLI scholarships of 10–20% may be available to eligible students; housing, timing and application conditions apply. See the CLI Scholarship.
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A term plan and level reportA goal for the term, a midpoint review and a written report of your level at the end.
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Five online lessons before you arriveOne-to-one with a CLI teacher, so you land already knowing some Chinese.
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Housing and utilitiesA private room at the CLI Center or a homestay, with Wi-Fi, heating, air conditioning and weekly cleaning.
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Arrival and orientationAirport or train-station pickup, orientation and a Guilin tour, and a welcome dinner.
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Community lifeSome weekly activities, and a farewell dinner at the end of your term.
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Visa guidance and 24/7 supportDocuments for your X2 student visa, and a Guilin team available when you need help.
Not included: airfare, visa fees, insurance, personal spending, the optional meal plan, and direct costs of optional excursions.
Lengths and prices
Twelve weeks, four months or five months
All three are the same program at CLI's standard tuition. The longer you stay, the lower the weekly rate.
4 months
The full spring
$11,420Private room at CLI · about $656 a week
- About 350 one-to-one hours
- A January 11 start ends May 7
- Homestay: $13,600
5 months Best weekly value
The longest spring
$13,860Private room at CLI · about $637 a week
- About 435 one-to-one hours
- A January 11 start ends about June 11
- Homestay: $16,490
Tuition current as of September 2026, and it includes everything listed above. A $300 deposit reserves your place; the rest is due three weeks before you start. See the full Immersion Program tuition table.
The term plan
A plan for the whole term, not just the next lesson
Every Spring Term student works to a written plan. You and your teachers agree what the term is for, check it halfway, and finish with a level report you can share with a university, an employer or your family.
Your goal can be an HSK level, conversation for work, reading fluency or something of your own. HSK preparation is available when it fits, and you can join CLI's Language Pledge for Chinese-only time.
Need university credit? Some students arrange credit with their home institution, and CLI can provide syllabi, class-hour records, assessments and completion documents. For a set credit package or Guangxi Normal University courses, see Study Abroad in China.
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Before you fly
Five online lessons with a CLI teacher, so you arrive already knowing some Chinese and who will teach you.
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Week one
A placement assessment across speaking, listening, reading and writing, and a written goal for the term.
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Every week
Twenty one-to-one hours with three teachers, who coordinate their classes around your goal.
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Midpoint
A review against your goal, and changes to the plan if you're ahead or behind.
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Final week
An end-of-term assessment and a written level report.
Spring in Guilin
Why spring is a good time to come
Spring is the quietest time of year at the CLI Center, which means more choice of rooms and class times. January starters are in Guilin for Spring Festival on February 6, 2027, one of the best times to see everyday life in China.
Classes continue through the holiday, sometimes with substitute teachers for a few days while staff are with their families, and homestyle lunches pause for about two weeks. Every room has heating and air conditioning for Guilin's cool winter and warm spring, and a spring term still leaves your summer free.
春节 · chūnjié
Spring Festival
Dates and visa
When to start, and when to apply
You can start any Monday. These are the suggested spring 2027 starts, with the time you need for the visa. Acceptance usually comes within a day or two of applying.
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1
January 4, 11 or 18
Apply by early November 2026. X2 visa application between November 20 and December 4. 12 weeks ends March 26 to April 9; 4 months, April 30 to May 14.
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2
February 22, after Spring Festival
Apply by late November 2026. X2 visa application by January 8. 12 weeks ends May 14; 4 months, June 18.
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3
March 1, 8 or 15
Apply in December 2026. X2 visa application between January 15 and 29. 12 weeks ends May 21 to June 4; 4 months, June 25 to July 9.
Which visa? Most students staying 12 weeks or more come on an X2 student visa, which covers study of up to 180 days. CLI provides the documents after acceptance, and the application usually goes in 45 to 90 days before you start. Short visa-free or tourist entries don't cover a stay this long, and requirements depend on citizenship. Read CLI's X2 Visa Guide.
Where you'll live
A room at the Center, or a Guilin family
Housing is included in tuition. Apartments need a stay of six months or more; see the Chinese gap year.
Private room at CLI On site
- Live in the renovated five-story CLI Center, with your classrooms and shared student spaces
- A private bedroom, with a shared kitchen, lounge and laundry
- The simplest transition, and the easiest access to teachers and classmates
Homestay With a family
- A private bedroom in the home of a local Guilin family
- Chinese at every meal, and a closer view of family routines
- Subject to availability; tell us early if you'd like one
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Spring Term a separate program?
No. The Spring Term is CLI's Immersion Program for 12 weeks, 4 months or 5 months, starting between January and March, with a term plan, an end-of-term level report and five free online lessons before arrival. Classes, teachers, housing and support are the same as for any Immersion student.
When can I start?
Any Monday. For spring 2027 the suggested starts are January 4, 11 or 18, February 22 (after Spring Festival), and March 1, 8 or 15. Apply early enough for the X2 visa, which is usually applied for 45 to 90 days before the start.
How much does the Spring Term cost?
With a private room at CLI, 12 weeks is $8,375 (about $698 a week), 4 months is $11,420 (about $656 a week) and 5 months is $13,860 (about $637 a week). Homestay prices are $9,985, $13,600 and $16,490. Tuition includes instruction, housing and utilities, airport or train-station pickup, orientation, some activities, visa guidance and support. Prices current as of September 2026.
What happens during Spring Festival?
Classes continue through the Spring Festival holiday, sometimes with substitute teachers for a few days while staff are with their families. Homestyle lunches pause for about two weeks. In 2027 Spring Festival falls on February 6.
Which visa do I need?
Most students staying 12 weeks or more come on an X2 student visa, which covers study of up to 180 days. CLI provides the documents after acceptance. Short visa-free or tourist entries do not cover a stay this long.
Do I need to know Chinese before I arrive?
No. CLI accepts complete beginners through advanced learners, and one-to-one lessons begin at your assessed level.
Can I receive university credit?
Some students arrange credit with their home institution. CLI can provide syllabi, class-hour records, assessments and completion documentation, and the Spring Term adds an end-of-term level report. Students who need a set credit package or Guangxi Normal University courses should look at Study Abroad in China.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes, subject to room availability. Talk to the team during your stay.
Are scholarships available?
CLI offers scholarships of 10 to 20% for eligible Immersion Program students enrolled for four weeks or longer. Terms, housing conditions and application timing apply.
How do I pay?
A $300 deposit reserves your place, due about three weeks after you're accepted. The tuition balance is due three weeks before your start date. CLI's published terms cover cancellations.
Start the conversation
Plan your spring term in Guilin
Tell us when you'd like to start, how long you can stay, your current Chinese level and any questions about housing, visas or daily life. We'll check rooms and reply with next steps.
This is an inquiry, not an application. If it's a good fit, the next step is the Immersion Program application, and acceptance usually comes within a day or two.
Spring Term inquiry
A phone number, school, GPA and essay are not required.
We read every inquiry and reply personally, usually within a few weekdays. Ready to apply? Start the Immersion Program application.
