Sure you may know your nǐ hǎo and xièxiè, but if you don’t want to sound like an automated chatbot, you can take up regular Putonghua or Mandarin classes for adults in Hong Kong to become a pro in no time.
Learning an extra language is always advantageous. It may come in handy at work, school, or while travelling (or any thinkable situation really). Whether you want to learn Korean, Spanish, French, or the local lingo of Cantonese, there are plentiful ops in the city. Grab your pens and notebooks – here are our recommendations for the best Putonghua and Mandarin classes for adults in Hong Kong.
The best adult Mandarin classes in Hong Kong
1. Q Language
Mindful about adults with busy schedules, Q Language offers flexible timing for their class packages. For those looking to waste no time, you can join the intensive sessions in which you will be learning for either 24 or 15 hours a week. If that’s a bit much, you can join a one-on-one class or gather your friends and join a small group class. Go anytime between Monday and Saturday, then decide how many hours you want to take in a week.
Q Language, 14/F, Wing On Cheong Building, 5 Wing Lok Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2540 0552
2. Mandarin Time School
With China’s growing economy, it’s become increasingly important to be able to converse in Putonghua for business. At Mandarin Time School, there are tailor-made Mandarin classes for business, corporate, and lawyers. Of course, there are also beginner-friendly classes for those just simply wanting to master the basics.
You can sign up for a private class in which the tutor comes to your preferred location (or you can drop in at their centre); for heightened flexibility, you can opt for online classes as well. The membership comes with conversational video and audio lessons, as well as HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Exam) Preparation Video Lessons (including mock tests).
Mandarin Time School, 14/F, World Trust Tower, 50 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 6153 7108
3. New Concept Mandarin
New Concept Mandarin offers all levels of Mandarin classes for adults in Hong Kong: from beginner to advanced, from business to exam prep, and full-time or part-time. There are also online classes for those who prefer a more fluid timing and in case you may be out of Hong Kong before the course finishes. You can sign up for a free trial lesson with a tutor before committing to learning the language. Next, you’ll be assessed on your level and placed in the right programme.
This centre offers an immersion programme which is the best way to advance your Putonghua skills. As they say “practice makes perfect”, to become fluent in a language you need to practise, practise, practise. Real world activities are organised as a valuable and fun opportunity to engage in conversation outside the classroom. So yes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to converse with native speakers.
New Concept Mandarin, 13/F, Fortune House, 61 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2850 4332
4. Hong Kong Institute of Languages
Hong Kong Institute of Languages offers a wide range of general and business courses from Foundation to Advanced levels. These courses are for people who wish to communicate in Mandarin for social or business purposes and/or travelling in Mainland China. They also prep students that are taking the HSK examinations. If you’re eager to improve your Putonghua as quickly as possible, you can even go to the centre seven days a week; the interactive classes will have you fluent in no time!
Hong Kong Institute of Languages, 6/F, Wellington Plaza, 56-58 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2877 6160
5. Hong Kong Language School
Learning to speak a language is one thing, but being able to read and write will always boost one’s competitiveness in the job market. Hong Kong Language School designs its courses to cover all levels of language proficiency. There are group classes and individual one-on-one sessions which you can easily enrol online.
Hong Kong Language School, Room 1701-2, Tung Chiu Commercial Centre, 193 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 3622 2558
6. Learn Chinese With Vicky
Established in 2021, Learn Chinese with Vicky is the largest Chinese learning page on Instagram, with over 126,000 students worldwide. Vicky is a TEFL-certified teacher, and a five-time winner of the world’s top English-Chinese translation awards. While Vicky isn’t based in Hong Kong at the moment, we love that her online platform is easily accessible and allows you to join fellow students on your Mandarin journey. With self-paced courses like the Beginner Masterclass; lessons that focus on handwritten Chinese, such as the HSK Elementary Level Character Collection; a private community for advanced learners; and more, you’ll be able to learn accurate, relevant, and culturally respectful Mandarin from Vicky!
Find out more about Learn Chinese with Vicky.
