Classes
Chinese Culture Class
Are you interested in Chinese culture, Chinese art and music, history, traditions, and food? This is an introductory class for children and adults who would like to explore this ancient country from the past through the present time in a variety of ways.
Students will learn to speak simple Mandarin in a relaxed atmosphere, understand Chinese traditions and cultures through ancient legends and folk tales, make authentic Chinese food, learn Chinese knotting and paper folding, play traditional toys and puppets, and appreciate the beauty of Chinese art and music.
In addition, students will take trips to visit local Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, live shows, Chinese art museums, China Town, and celebrate Chinese holidays with food, music, and dance.
Young Children’s Beginning Mandarin Class
play group for young children (3-5)
This is an introductory class for children who are under the age of five with little or no foundation in Mandarin Chinese.
Students will learn Mandarin through songs, rhymes, finger plays, arts & crafts, body movements, stories, and games.
Our lesson begins with basic concepts of numbers, colors, shapes, daily vocabulary, and simple greetings.
Overall themes include telling time, body parts, animals, plants, family members, seasons, holidays, weather, weeks & months, foods, occupations, and so on.
Chinese Lessons
for school age children (5-12)
Children will be immersed in a totally play-based Chinese environment. They will learn to write simple traditional Chinese characters and recognize words and sentences at the beginning level, then gradually practice Chinese speaking and listening skills with teachers and friends.
Children will learn Chinese songs, finger play, games, traditional arts & crafts, ancient poems, and be introduced to some popular children’s literature and folk tales.
Our curriculum is based on “My First Chinese Words” along with many hands-on activities designed by our experienced teachers. Our curriculum is tailored with age-appropriate developmental levels in mind.
This class will cover listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills.
Semi-Private and Private Lessons
private classes
We work with your schedule and you will learn at your speed and at the place you prefer (home, coffee shop, or office). You can learn faster and re-schedule your classes.
semi-private classes
Based on two or three students (maximum of six) at a mutually-convenient place (coffee shop or office).
You find a friend or we will provide someone at your level to maximize learning. This course is an 10 week session (one hour class).
Simple Chinese Cooking
for adults
In this class, we will teach you how to use simple ingredients to make tasty Chinese food. You will also learn to recognize and pronounce many different Chinese dishes and their ingredients. It is easy and fast to start learning, and soon your children will be amazed by your delicious dishes!
Each class will have a focal ingredient, which we will learn how to select, prepare, and combine into a beautiful appetizer or entree. Many of these are kids’ favorites, and you can include your children as you demonstrate your new cooking skills at home.
We will have children’s entertainment available during our class, so your child can be entertained in a warm environment while you develop your kitchen skills.
So bring your family and enjoy your personalized Chinese food with us!
Mandarin Enrichment Program
for schools without Mandarin programs
Our Mandarin Enrichment program can be offered at your school during the school hours or after school. We recommend students to take two, one hour-sessions per week, or a minimum of one hour session a week. Classes should have a minimum of 6 students but no more than 12 students per group to ensure success. Each group will be divided into levels of ability.
Fun Mandarin has created motivational techniques for children to learn Mandarin while having fun with interactive activities such as games, songs, body movement, and stories etc. We also emphasize repetition to achieve correct pronunciation. The students will have the chance to interact with their peers to practice communicating in their new language.
*We advise a one year program so that the child will realize success in learning a new language.
current schools with FunMandarin program
- Appleseed Montessori in Sunnyvale
- Playcamp in Burlingame
- Milpitas Montessori in Milpitas
- The Nueva School in Hillsborough
- South School in Hillsborough
- North School in Hillsborough
- Friends to Parents Preschool
Fun with Hanyu Pinyin
young children’s Saturday class (5-8)
Pinyin, more formally Hanyu Pinyin, is the Standard Mandarin romanization system used in Mainland China for teaching school children to read, and it is widely used in teaching materials designed for Westerners who wish to learn Mandarin.
Through out the classes, children will learn the correct pinyin (sound) and tone system through songs, games, stories, body movement, and other hands-on activities. They will recognize more Chinese characters with pinyin system and be able to read and pronounce Chinese the proper way by themselves at the end of the class session.
for any questions or inquiry, please contact Tracy