Lesson series

BEST CHAPTER BOOKS Beginner/Lower (6/1-6/28) Sat 8-10AM PST

Increase reading comprehension with the most popular chapter books — from funny and lighthearted to meaningful and deep. We spend hundreds of hours hunting down the best books so you don't have to. Discussions, idioms, and writing to level up your Chinese!

We'll be reading the most highly rated books from Asia, bestsellers, and award-winning titles while learning important vocabulary, terms, and idioms along the way.

There will be a little writing each session to keep up with daily writing practice. Those who prefer not to write will spend time discussing with the teacher instead.

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Course Options and Schedules

Our classes run from May 4, 2026, to August 16, 2026

Reading

  • Guided & independent reading of a hand-picked chapter book each week
  • Discussion & Q&A with the teacher about the story, characters, and themes
  • Note: No repeats throughout the session — feel free to join any month!

Vocabulary & Idioms

  • Pace: ~10 vocabulary words + 3 idioms per class
  • All words and idioms pulled directly from that week's chapter book
  • Learn words in context — not from a list, but from a real story!
  • Build a rich vocabulary bank week by week

Writing Practice

  • Short writing exercise every class to reinforce new vocabulary
  • Keeps up daily writing habits in a low-pressure, fun setting
  • Students who prefer not to write will discuss with the teacher instead
  • Consistent practice builds confidence and fluency over time
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

We're More than Chinese...

We give kids...

  • Methods to Learn
  • Friends
  • Coolness
  • Culture
  • Self motivation
  • Charisma

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Our courses are best done with a BUNDLE with a different subject each day. Each course has:

  • 3-6 terms and 10 characters/lesson
  • Vocabulary, discussions and games
  • Use stories to learn Mandarin
  • Conducted 100% in Mandarin
  • Make cool friends and immerse
  • Zoom sign on, recordings for review, worksheets all conveniently in your dashboard.
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Why BUNDLES are best!

500/Year | FAST Results | Consistency | Entire Ecosystem

What Happens in Class

This is the Mandarin learning experience families have been searching for, authentic, rich, warm, and built on world-class literature.

We invite you to register and join the community!

Excellence & Recognition

  • We are fully WASC accredited, ensuring academic quality and high standards.
  • We have received multiple Innovation and Social Impact Awards from the University of Pennsylvania for our unique approach to education.
  • Our teachers are trained through the rigorous Motherly Notes methodology, known for making Mandarin learning fast, joyful, and conversation-driven.
At Motherly Notes, your child steps into a true native-language environment unlike any other bilingual program. Most classmates come from Mandarin-speaking households, giving students natural exposure to authentic tones, expressions, and high-level discussion. This immersive atmosphere consistently helps our learners skyrocket their Chinese abilities, quickly and joyfully.

Shared Reading

Teachers guide students through beautiful, bestselling children’s literature carefully selected from Asia. Our curriculum draws from a private library of over 20,000 books, making us true experts in children’s Mandarin literature.

Discussion & Vocabulary Exploration:

As stories unfold, students pause to unpack new terms, images, and ideas. They discuss meanings, connect concepts to their own experiences, and learn how native speakers express themselves.

Creative Language Use:

Students compose sentences, craft short responses, and participate in comprehension conversations that build confidence and fluency.

Daily Writing Practice:

We read and teach fully in Traditional Chinese, with full support for Simplified Chinese, especially when children write. All teachers are trained in both systems.

In our Foundations weekend classes, students learn both Simplified and Traditional in a structured approach.

Our Philosophy

At Motherly Notes, we believe learning Chinese should feel like an adventure, not a chore. Our approach is all about immersive, meaningful learning that connects language with real-world knowledge. In our classes, kids explore subjects through engaging stories, thought-provoking texts, and lively discussions—all in Chinese. We focus on building fluency naturally, making Chinese a tool for discovery, not just memorization. With idioms, character learning, and social-emotional insights woven in, kids gain confidence in both language and critical thinking. Learning should spark curiosity, and at Motherly Notes, we make sure it does.
  • Advanced methods for memorizing characters.
  • Scientifically proven methods for learning.
  • Fully interest driven so your child will never get bored.
  • Building people magic so it feels like a playdate.
  • Award winning curriculum design (UPenn, Wharton, Jacobs Foundation awards). 

Time Conversion Chart

Use the charts on the right to convert to your local time zone: 
  • North America West Coast
  • North America East Coast
  • Europe
  • Australia
  • Asia

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About Sign on and Flex Times

Motherly Notes courses are conducted online. All zoom links will be in your dashboard upon sign on. If there are multiple times listed, students are allowed to sign on at any of the given times listed for that day, as all zoom links will be provided in your dashboard.