Beginner Chinese: Mandarin Immersion for Ages 9-11, Twice a Week

Ready to start your Mandarin language journey? In Mandarin for Beginners, students ages 9-11 will build a solid foundation in the Chinese language through engaging, interactive lessons. This comprehensive class focuses on all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Learners will practice essential vocabulary for greetings, family, school, and daily life, while gradually developing confidence to use Mandarin in real-world situations.

This ongoing, twice-a-week class is perfect for upper elementary and middle school students with some basic knowledge of Mandarin. It’s best suited for learners who know simple phrases like greetings and numbers, ensuring they can follow along without feeling lost. Through immersive activities like role-playing, conversations, and simple writing exercises, students will gain a deeper understanding of both the language and Chinese culture.



★★Class Topics★★

- Basic Greetings: Learn how to say hello, introduce yourself, and ask simple questions (e.g., 你好 Nǐ hǎo – Hello, 我叫... Wǒ jiào... – My name is...)

- Family Members: Learn words for family members and practice introducing your family (e.g., 爸爸 bàba – Dad, 妈妈 māma – Mom, 兄弟姐妹 xiōngdì jiěmèi – Siblings)

- School Vocabulary: Explore common words used in school settings (e.g., 书包 shūbāo – Backpack, 老师 lǎoshī – Teacher, 同学 tóngxué – Classmate)

- Daily Life Vocabulary: Practice useful phrases for everyday conversations (e.g., 我饿了 Wǒ è le – I'm hungry, 我喜欢... Wǒ xǐhuān... – I like...)

- Numbers and Dates: Learn how to say numbers, days of the week, and months in Mandarin (e.g., 一二三 Yī, Èr, Sān – 1, 2, 3, 今天是... Jīntiān shì... – Today is...)

- Simple Sentence Structures: Begin forming simple sentences using subject, verb, and object patterns (e.g., 我去学校 Wǒ qù xuéxiào – I go to school)

- Colors and Shapes: Recognize and name colors (e.g., 红色 hóng sè – Red, 蓝色 lán sè – Blue) and basic shapes (e.g., 圆形 yuán xíng – Circle, 正方形 zhèngfāngxíng – Square)

- Time and Weather: Discuss time-related concepts (e.g., 现在几点? Xiànzài jǐ diǎn? – What time is it?) and weather conditions (e.g., 今天下雨 Jīntiān xià yǔ – It’s raining today)

- Food and Drinks: Learn common food and drink vocabulary (e.g., 苹果 píngguǒ – Apple, 牛奶 niúnǎi – Milk) and practice ordering food (e.g., 我想要... Wǒ xiǎng yào... – I want...)

- Hobbies and Interests: Talk about favorite activities and hobbies (e.g., 我喜欢画画 Wǒ xǐhuān huà huà – I like to draw)

- Chinese Cultural Elements: Discover cultural insights, such as traditional greetings, festivals, customs, and holidays, including Lunar New Year (春节 Chūnjié), Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 Zhōngqiūjié), and Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duānwǔjié).




★★Class Structure★★

Each 40-minute session will include:
- Welcome & Greeting (5 minutes): Interactive Mandarin greetings and a quick review of previously learned phrases.
- Vocabulary and Sentence Practice (15-20 minutes): Introduction of new words and phrases through conversation and role-playing.
- Interactive Activity (10-15 minutes): Games, story reading, or simple writing exercises to reinforce learning.
- Wrap-Up & Review (5 minutes): Review key vocabulary and phrases, with time for questions and feedback.



★★Language of Instruction★★
This class will be taught primarily in Mandarin Chinese, and learners should have a basic understanding of common phrases and numbers to get the most out of the immersion experience. English support will be provided when needed to ensure comprehension. Learners will be encouraged to use Mandarin as much as possible during class to build speaking confidence. The class is designed to be ESL-friendly and welcoming to students from diverse language backgrounds.



★★Interactive Elements to Keep Learners Engaged★★

Our teachers create a supportive and interactive environment where learners can:
- Explore Chinese culture through topics like holidays, zodiac animals, customs, and traditions
- Practice Mandarin phrases through conversation and role-playing
- Participate in interactive games to reinforce vocabulary
- Engage in short reading and writing exercises to build literacy skills
- Explore Chinese culture through traditional stories and customs
- Ask questions and practice Mandarin in a fun, low-pressure setting

This class also meets once a week: https://outschool.com/classes/mandarin-for-beginners-fun-chinese-immersion-for-ages-9-11-I2I5OXZy