Asia Society Mandarin Programs
Provide the most effective Mandarin programs to learners of all backgrounds.
Is your school or district:
- Looking to explore offering Mandarin?
- Having issues finding a Mandarin teacher?
- Have parents asking for more language or after-school programs?
- Exploring ways to offer Mandarin to more students?
The Asia Society Mandarin Program is here to help!
Asia Society Mandarin Programs provide opportunities for students from all backgrounds and ages to learn about the Chinese language and culture via online classes. All courses are delivered via the Zoom platform and require basic technology. Instruction is delivered virtually by a highly qualified instructor based in the US and can be offered in a classroom environment or as an after-school, home-based course. Our mission is to provide the most effective Mandarin learning experience to students of all backgrounds. Learners gain connection, communication, curiosity, and confidence by learning a foreign language.
Mandarin Launchpad—Introductory Course for Grades K-8
Designed to get individual schools or districts started on the path of offering Mandarin as an afterschool exploratory program. Launchpad is an effective way to begin introducing Mandarin to students who are interested in learning while also gauging overall interest in a school or district.
Mandarin Pipeline—Afterschool Program for Grades K-8
This program is ideal for schools or districts that want to offer Mandarin long term to maximize student potential toward proficiency. The pipeline is also ideal for districts that want to offer their students a head start on proficiency before joining full-time, school-day instruction at the middle and high school levels.
Mandarin Boost—Afterschool Program for Grades K-12
This afterschool program is designed for students in AP Chinese during the academic year and wish to have extra exposure to AP content and preparation before they sit for the exam. Boost will incorporate Mandarin instruction and focus on the structure and content found in AP Chinese.
Mandarin Parent—Designed for Parents of Mandarin Learners
This program will provide online instruction to parents of students in Mandarin programs. Instructors will focus on basic Mandarin as well as daily terms and phrases used both at school and at home. Courses will also include time to meet other parents of Mandarin learners to share experiences and build community.
See how our Mandarin program compares to traditional programs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the instructors?
All teachers are native Chinese speakers, have graduate-level training related to language education in the US, and are based in North America.
Target students
No previous Chinese language proficiency required, for middle and high school students new to Chinese.
Model
Two virtual settings:
- Students gather in a shared space with a big screen.
- Students attend virtually from their individual device.
Frequency of Classes
Weekly classes based on your school or cohort's schedule and calendar.
Timing of Weekly Lessons
Schools and cohorts decide when students are available to join at the same time each week. Consistent participation is the single most important factor in advancing proficiency.
Please contact us at <mandarinprograms@asiasociety.org> to learn more about our programs and to get started on your Mandarin language journey today.
About Asia Society Education: Asia Society Education partners with leaders and institutions from around the world to tackle one of the most critical education challenges today: how to educate all students for employability and citizenship in a global era. We are working to achieve UN SDG target 4.7 on Global Citizenship Education, and published Teaching for Global Competence in a Rapidly Changing World with OECD in 2018. ASEDU transforms education to prepare young people for a global 21st century by bringing together the most influential educators, businesses, and government officials; commissioning research and publishing insights; and partnering with schools and education systems to change policy and practice. Our vision is that in an interconnected global era, all youth from all countries and cultures will have the capacity to create, participate in, and benefit from a peaceful and prosperous world. Our mission is to develop global competence in students, young leaders, and educators as the foundation for understanding between people in the US, the Asia Pacific region, and throughout the world.
About iCanMandarin: iCanMandarin’s mission is to provide the best Mandarin learning experience to students of all backgrounds—through learning a foreign language learners gain in connection, communication, curiosity, and confidence. Proven by our classes with existing school partners, our program helps maintain and increase social interaction, especially during this period of unusual challenge.