Personalised Chinese courses
At Regina Coeli, you follow a personalised Chinese course that suits your goals, level and situation. Beginners learn the basics of Mandarin, while advanced learners refine their skills in complex situations.
Pronunciation and pinyin
Pronunciation is central to the training. With the pinyin system – the representation of Chinese sounds in Latin letters – you practise tones, rhythm and intonation. This makes you understandable and gives you confidence in conversations.
Vocabulary that suits you
You build your vocabulary around situations that are important to you and that you encounter in real life, such as greetings, short conversations and business meetings. This gives you immediate experience of how to use Chinese in your daily work and life. The trainers pay close attention to tone and pronunciation, so that you speak clearly and with confidence.
Choose the course format that suits you
At Regina Coeli, you always follow a personalised language training programme tailored to your goals, level and work situation. Choose the format that best suits your schedule and learning style:
Individually or with a group of colleagues
At least 2 days
Which training is right for you?
Quickly discover which language course best matches your learning goals, level and preferences. Our short test helps you choose with confidence, so you can be sure you’ll get the most out of your training at Regina Coeli.
Culture as the key to success
During your training, language trainers pay attention to cultural aspects of life in China. You learn when to be formal, how to show respect and how to avoid misunderstandings. This not only develops your language skills but also gives you insight that opens doors in personal and business relationships.
At Regina Coeli, you will be taught by language trainers who grew up in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong. They know Mandarin through and through and will show you how the language is used in different contexts.
Your language trainers will let you experience how language and culture come together in China. They will show you which greetings are appropriate in a formal setting and how to convey closeness and warmth in an informal situation. With their guidance, you will discover how to choose words that show respect and how to connect naturally with your conversation partner in different contexts.
Learn the basics of the Chinese language
You can learn a great deal in just one week, even if you have absolutely no previous knowledge of the Chinese language. After having had a week of Chinese language training with a total of twenty private lessons, you will be able to confidently express yourself in Chinese. Just as importantly, you and your Chinese counterpart will understand one another.
Combination of intensive days and online lessons
You can structure your Chinese course so that intensive days of lessons in Vught are alternated with online one-to-one lessons. This allows you to combine the concentration and immersion of the training in Vught with the flexibility of online sessions. This way, you can continue learning at your own pace and get the most out of your training.
Day 1: Pinyin and greetings
At the end of the day you will be able to:
- greet someone and introduce yourself,
- apologise,
- part ways,
- and you will have used pinyin and intensively practised the tones and sounds of the language.
Day 2: Pinyin and identity
At the end of the day you will be able to:
- explain who you are, where you come from, where you live and where you work;
- introduce another person;
- explain why you are in China, the kind of work you do and describe your department and family;
- and you will have used pinyin and intensively practised the tones and sounds of the language.
Days 3 and 4: Numbers and amounts
At the end of day 4 you will be able to:
- use numbers and amounts to inquire into prices at shops and purchase items in a typical Chinese 24-hour shop;
- bargain and ask for a discount;
- order food and drink in a restaurant;
- exchange currency at a bank;
- compare the cost of living in both countries.
Day 5: Time and travel
At the end of the day 5 you will be able to:
- explain how you travel to work,
- describe your flight itinerary and delays,
- describe a business trip itinerary,
- book a flight,
- discuss a variety of transportation options and ask the way,
- take care of the details related to a hotel stay.
Chinese course for advanced learners
Perhaps you can already get by in simple conversations but find longer conversations difficult. Or maybe you already have experience in business settings and want to communicate with more confidence and precision. Whatever your level, Regina Coeli will take you one step further.
A tailor-made programme
You start with an intake interview to assess your current level and learning goals. Together with your language trainer, you determine where the focus lies. For some, this means better pronunciation and more fluent speech, for others it means more confidence in business correspondence or a broader vocabulary. During the one-to-one lessons, you practise practical situations that are relevant to your context, so that you can immediately apply your Mandarin in real life.
Culture and communication
In addition to the language, attention is also paid to the cultural side of communication. You will learn how to greet people respectfully, how to navigate hierarchical structures and how to build trust with nuance. This will not only make you more proficient in the language, but also more effective in dealing with Chinese conversation partners.
Flexible learning
Your training can consist of intensive days in Vught, combined with online lessons that you take throughout the year. This allows you to learn at your own pace and keep the language alive, even after your stay in Vught.
What a training day in Vught looks like
During a training day at Regina Coeli, you will be fully focused on learning Chinese in a quiet and inspiring environment.
The daily schedule
- Morning & afternoon: Two lesson blocks with a language trainer, alternated with self-study and assignments.
- Monday: Meet & Greet: a relaxed introduction to other students.
- Tuesday & Thursday morning: Optional yoga class for a fresh start.
- Tuesday & Thursday evening: Group activity and language table. Practise speaking Chinese in an informal setting.
- Friday: Social drinks to end the course week with another opportunity to speak Chinese.
Whichever day you join, your Chinese course will be fully tailored to your goals and schedule. This way, you will learn Mandarin quickly and effectively, exactly as you need it.
Course members about their language training
A pleasant place to learn
Regina Coeli Language Institute originated from an international monastic order. We are still known as the “Nuns of Vught”. The lessons are now given by professional language trainers, but the influence of the sisters is still noticeable in the tranquillity, regularity and dedication with which we work.
Our institute is designed to allow you to fully focus on learning. During intensive days, we take care of everything: from healthy meals to good coffee and tea. You can stay overnight in our guesthouse or in a hotel nearby, with a taxi service between the hotel and the institute. This allows you to fully concentrate on your Chinese training and enjoy a learning environment that offers peace and inspiration.
Read more about our location
Frequently asked questions about a Chinese course at Regina Coeli
Isn't Mandarin too difficult to learn?
Mandarin often sounds complicated because of the tones and characters. At Regina Coeli, you start with the pinyin system, which helps you quickly build up your pronunciation and listening skills. You learn step by step, always at your own pace. Many students find that they can hold conversations more quickly than they had expected.
I have already learned some Chinese. How do you determine my starting level?
You will have an intake interview with one of our native speakers beforehand. Together, you will assess your current level and learning goals. This will result in a personal learning plan that is tailored to your current level and your goals.
Can I also learn business Chinese with you?
Yes. Many students take a course for business purposes, such as negotiations, presentations or networking conversations. During your course, you will practise situations that are relevant to you. Attention is always paid to the cultural context of doing business in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
How flexible is a Chinese course?
You can choose between intensive days in Vught, online one-to-one lessons, or a combination of both. This allows you to tailor the training to suit your needs.
Will I also learn to write Chinese characters?
The emphasis in the training is on speaking, listening and communicating clearly. You will be introduced to the first characters so that you can build up your recognition. If you want to go further, we will adapt your programme accordingly.
How long will it take before I can really get by in Chinese?
That varies per student. Beginners often have the basics to hold simple conversations after just a few days of training. For advanced students, the main benefit is more fluent and confident communication. During the intake, the language trainer will advise you on how many days you will need.
Can I combine my course with a busy work schedule?
Yes. Many of our students are professionals with busy schedules. That is why we offer flexible learning methods and plan lessons in consultation with you. Online sessions make it possible to continue practising, even when you are travelling or have little time.
How much do Chinese courses at Regina Coeli cost?
The costs depend on the type and duration of the training. You can find an overview on our rates page. After your intake, you will receive a tailor-made proposal.
Will I receive a certificate at the end of the course?
Yes. After the training, you will receive a certificate stating your level for each skill according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).