How much do Chinese classes cost?
Pricing depends on your level and whether you choose group or 1-on-1 — get in touch and we'll share the details. No card needed to ask.
Do I need to know any Chinese to start?
No. Many of our beginners start at zero — Level 1 covers basic vocabulary, greetings, and simple conversational phrases. The free placement chat is also where we figure out what fits you, even if you've never said 你好.
How do I enroll in Chinese classes?
Email us. If it's your first time, we'll set up a free placement chat and a consultation — no card needed. We'll find your level, talk through your goals, and share the class plan that fits.
What if I live outside Taiwan?
Our classes are online, so you can join from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. Get in touch and we'll find a class time that works for your timezone.
I've never learned online before — will it work for me?
Yes — and most learners are surprised how natural it feels. All you need is an internet connection, so you can join from home, while travelling, or anywhere that suits you. Our teachers have years of experience teaching online, and every lesson is built for the format — focused, interactive, and an efficient way to make real progress.
What are the benefits of learning Chinese online?
You learn from anywhere with Wi-Fi, on a schedule that works for you, with the same teacher every week. Class notes go to your WhatsApp class group, so review is built in — and for A0 to A2 you also get our at-home AI tool for speaking practice.
Why should I choose Taiwan Lounge for learning Chinese?
We're an online Mandarin Chinese learning center built from Taiwan, focused on Taiwanese Mandarin specifically. Small classes — up to 5 students — or 1-on-1. Five levels from Beginner to Advanced, with live classes, structured curriculum, and real conversation every week.
What makes Taiwan Lounge Chinese lessons effective?
Lessons are built around practical conversation, cultural context, and feedback you can act on. Every class is live with a real teacher — not a recorded module — and you keep the same teacher week to week. Class notes go to the WhatsApp class group, so review is built in.
What is the difference between Traditional and Simplified Chinese?
Most characters are identical in both. Around two thousand were simplified in China from the 1950s onward, cutting stroke counts and in some cases merging characters that had been distinct; Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau kept the Traditional forms. Taiwan also teaches pronunciation with bopomofo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ) rather than pinyin. We teach Traditional Chinese — it is the script used in Taiwan, and learning it first leaves you able to pick up Simplified later, which is easier than going the other way.
Is Chinese (Mandarin) hard to learn?
It's different from European languages, so the first weeks feel new. The script and tones take time, and there's no shortcut around them. What we can promise: a teacher who'll meet you where you are, and a level that fits.
What is the difference between Taiwan Mandarin and Chinese Mandarin?
They are the same language and speakers understand each other without effort — the gap is about as wide as British and American English. Two things differ in practice. Script: Taiwan writes Traditional characters, China writes Simplified. Pronunciation: Taiwanese Mandarin softens the retroflex initials, so zh, ch and sh sit closer to z, c and s, and it uses far less of the -r ending common in Beijing. We teach Traditional Chinese — it is the script used in Taiwan, and learning it first leaves you able to pick up Simplified later, which is easier than going the other way.