Looking to learn Mandarin for kids? Help your child achieve their Mandarin language learning goals with one of these popular online platforms. Prefer learning in-person? No worries, we’ve also included a selection of our favourite Mandarin classes for kids available right here in Hong Kong.
Many parents struggle with the question, “When should my child start learning a new language?” Studies suggest that the earlier a child is introduced to a language the better (to most, that means starting before the age of 10). This is because children of a young age do not only have the brainpower but also the time to learn a new language from scratch (language learning being a very time-consuming task). Much has been written about the numerous benefits to learning a new language as a young child, from improved problem-solving abilities and various learning advantages to enhanced future career opportunities and improved empathy and tolerance. As the second most spoken language in the world, it’s no wonder that Mandarin is at the top of many parents’ lists.
But actually signing up your child to start learning Mandarin is a big decision. And making sure to choose the right courses, programs or tutors can be a daunting task. With the profusion of Mandarin classes, schools, and online platforms readily available to us, it’s easy to understand why some parents feel swamped and unsure of which direction to go. So let us help. Read on to discover which course or tutor is the right fit for your children, as well as our pick of Mandarin classes for kids.
Technology has transformed the way people learn and access education. Today, online websites and applications are an essential part of learning any new skill. Globally recognised apps Babbel and Duolingo have opened up new avenues for language learning, empowering budding linguists that may not otherwise have had access to a foreign language education. In this list, we’ve included some of our favourite applications and websites for children looking to brush up on their Mandarin Chinese language skills, so that parents can be sure that they’ve made the right choice for their children.
Want to improve your vocab? Look no further. Famed for its vocabulary-focused flashcards, Quizlet offers students the opportunity to choose between creating their own vocab sets or using readymade multilingual databases already available on the site. Quizlet’s built-in dictionary also helps to make the process of inputting vocab faster and more efficient. There are multiple formats to learn vocab on Quizlet, including several studying methods such as the traditional “Learning Mode”, where students can pair the Chinese characters with their English meanings, or “Match” where students can have fun playing a timed matching game featuring scattered terms where they match Chinese characters to their English meanings. These various learning models make learning Mandarin fun for younger audiences and can boost the memorization of the new vocab. Something important to note is that Quizlet not a standalone product and works best alongside another curriculum for instance a language course or a tutor.
Age Range: 4+
Platforms Available: IOS, Android, & Browser
Price: Free with the option to upgrade to Quizlet Plus USD$41 annually
Another helpful language program similar to Quizlet, is Duolingo, which provides a more rigid course approach to learning languages. The course forces users to follow a strict schedule, needing to achieve level 1 for each theme in order to move on to newer topics. Some critics have found this feature to be troublesome for learners trying to seek specific skills and learners who already have an intermediate or advanced level. Though the website does not focus uniquely on teaching children Mandarin, Duolingo’s Chinese course has been used by over 5 million students. Each vocabulary set is themed around a common topic, for example, greetings, with each set including multiple different ways to test the students, such as audio, matching, and writing quizzes. Duolingo’s courses have lately become a go-to resource for beginner students, however, as mentioned above the courses are less suited to a more advanced demographic, leading many more advanced learners to use other programs.
Age Range: 3+
Platforms Available: IOS, Android, & Browser
Price: Free with the option to upgrade to Duolingo Plus USD$6.99/month
Mandarin Matrix is an award-winning online education solution specifically designed for children learning Mandarin as a foreign language. Mandarin Matrix’s online learning platform supports students from kindergarten age through high school and even university, and can be accessed anywhere and anytime via a range of devices. There are over 1,000 captivating books across multiple devices that have fun, entertaining, engaging illustrations. The various genres allow readers to choose which book to read whether it’s to prepare for the GCSEs, to read stories that reflect the day to day life of students or even an action packed contemporary culture comic. This unique library of books allows students the opportunity to be motivated to read books in genres that they like!
Age Range: 3+
Platforms Available: Mandarin Matrix Website
Price: 3-month subscription – USD$30, Annual subscription – USD$99
Looking for an app that covers all aspects of the Mandarin Language? Then consider HelloChinese. HelloChinese strives to make users’ learning experience informative and enjoyable, and has become a dominant application for learning Mandarin on Apple. Displayed as a Mandarin learning game where users get lives, HelloChinese can specifically focus on vocabulary that troubles users and ensure mistakes aren’t repeated. Due to this feature, learners find themselves easily memorizing Mandarin characters and improving their Mandarin language skills as a whole.
Age Range: 5+
Platforms available: IOS, Android
Price: Free, HelloChinese premium USD$9/month, HelloChinese premium+ USD$20/month
Long an industry staple, YoYoChinese is a much-loved website for beginners. Using this website, students will get an in-depth understanding of Chinese through a multitude of courses that vary based on the needs of the learners. The website uses multiple detailed videos to give clear explanations for each topic. Something particularly helpful for beginners is the slow pace of the course, as the founder YangYang really takes time to explain each topic to ensure comprehension. Though the course may seem a bit outdated stylistically, the majority of the course content is still relevant and it’s definitely one to check out!
Platforms available: Browser, Responsive Design (Works on phone apps like Chrome/Safari)
Price: Multiple subscription options
With so many tutoring centres and Mandarin language schools on offer both in Hong Kong and online, it’s no wonder that so many parents feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right one for their child. Let us help to cut through the noise by sharing our pick of the best online and in-person tutors, as well as our favourite Mandarin classes for kids here in Hong Kong.
We start our list with Preply, an online website that offers over 400+ Chinese tutors all over the world. This website puts students in touch with teachers that can give classes online through a unique browser classroom, with parents able to organize times for the classes. The sheer number of teachers available enable each parent to find the “perfect” Tutor and teaching style for their children’s Mandarin learning journey. To source the best teachers, simply click on each teacher’s profile to view other parents’ ratings of the teacher’s capability in order to see which teacher has the rankings and quality that you desire.
Age Range: Each teacher chooses which ages they desire to teach
Platforms available: IOS, Android, and Browser
Price: Prices vary based on teachers
Each new student goes through an assessment at Mini Mandarins to gauge which level the student should start at. From that point, the child will be placed accordingly into a group to learn with other students. The numerous courses they offer are based on children’s age and the needs of the parents. For example, certain classes only focus on Oral comprehension while others lead them to learn how to recognize or write Chinese characters. This course is mainly aimed at a younger age bracket. The school also offers several different styles of learning such as small classes, private classes, and their special holiday camps to suit your needs. Go onto their website and fill out a short survey on their main page to find out which class will best suit the needs of your child.
Age Range: 1.5+ years of age
Address: 3/F Capital Commercial Building, 26 Leighton Road, Learning Center: Mid-Levels, Room 1703, 17/F, Universal Trade Centre, No 3-5A Arbuthnot Road
Price: Prices vary based on courses
For a more intensive program, Kumon is your best choice. With its numerous centers sprawled all over Hong Kong, Kumon has long been recognized worldwide as a great quality school and a go-to for Mandarin classes for kids. Kumon’s focus is on self-learning. Students are given a worksheet and are to complete them during the week, then return them to be graded the next time they go to the center. Their Mandarin learning program focuses on Chinese characters, vocabulary, grammar, writing, and reading. When at the center, the graded assignments are then returned to the students for the teachers to explain the mistakes and enable them to learn and improve. Learning Mandarin for kids is sometimes difficult but Kumon helps the process become a lot easier and autonomous for not only children but adults too.
Age Range: ~3+
Address: Schools in numerous Locations
Price: Prices vary based on levels and needs
Mandarin Time School offers courses both to adults and children, the children’s program at Mandarin Time School is highly decorated. All of the school’s tutors have numerous years of experience and Master degrees in teaching Mandarin as a foreign language. Offering everything from private tutoring and regular group classes to summer camps, unique family teacher program for 2-6 year olds, and toddler playgroups in Discovery Bay, Mandarin Time School can really suit the needs of any child. The Family Mandarin Teacher is a fun program that provides a “fully immersive Mandarin-speaking environment” that will have a Chinese tutor teach and converse with up to two kids. Mandarin Time School is a superb choice and is extremely recommended by us and many of their clients!
Age Range: 5+ for most courses, 2+ for the Family Teacher program
Address: Mandarin Time School Central campus: 14/F, World Trust Tower, 50 Stanley Street, Central.
Mandarin Time School Discovery Bay campus: South Plaza, Discovery Bay
Price: Prices vary based on courses and duration
Learning Mandarin for kids is a daunting task and figuring out which course is best is difficult. Hopefully, this list can help parents trying to find a suitable course or program for their children and that their learning Mandarin journey will be both fun and effective!
Feature photo courtesy of Shutterstock; Photo 1 courtesy of The Journal; Photo 2 courtesy of Uisources, Photo 3 courtesy of Lingodeer; Photo 4 courtesy of HelloChinese; Photo 5 courtesy of YoYo Chinese; Photo 6 courtesy of Preply; Photo 7 courtesy of Mini Mandarins; Photo 8 courtesy business.google.com; Photo 9 courtesy Mandarin Time School via Facebook
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