Teenager learn Chinese in China?

[Knigge]

After we went on a family holiday last year to the PRC my 14 year old decided he wants to learn Mandarin. He has some classes at school, but the progress is rather slow. He now wants to spend his summer vacation studying Mandarin. Does anyone have any suggestions for good schools/programs/summer camps in Beijing or Shanghai that would be suitable for a 14 year old, almost complete beginner? I do not think we will be able to travel with him, so it would need to be a special program for juniors.

[OrchardWarrior]

I think the bigger private language schools in Beijing usually offer summer camps for teenagers. When I went last July I remember at my school there seemed to be a special camp for teens going on - I am an adult though and their classes are (thank God!) separate, so I did not pay that much attention.

[Knigge]

Thank you for the reply. Which school did you go to and did you find them trustworthy? I know you have no experience with the teenage programs, but from your experience would you feel comfortable sending a teenager there? Just in case you heard anything about their summer camp program, any other feedback or other information about the school, teachers, accommodation?
All information very much appreciated - would be good to be able to narrow down the search a bit.

[OrchardWarrior]

I went to LTL Mandarin School in Beijing http://www.livethelanguage.cn/learn-chinese-in-china/. I cannot say anything about teen program as I really had no contact with them. The school is trustworthy though and the Chinese course I studied there was good. There is a good social community at the school and the service for adults at least was very good, though for a teenager I am sure you are looking for more supervision and so on. I studied 1-on-1 classes and my teacher was great. It is not a very big school and felt quite cosy, so if thats what you are looking for, they might fit.