Lesson series

DEBATE Middle/Upper (6/29-7/26) Thur 4PM / 7PM PST

Our Summer Debate Program is designed to teach middle to upper level students the powerful art of structured argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking in a ridiculously fun, high-energy environment. Whether you want to conquer your fear of speaking, learn how to respectfully dismantle an argument, or just love a good intellectual challenge, this program gives you the exact tools to succeed!
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What to Expect in Class

In July, we hit the big leagues: we transition from simply arguing "what is right" to arguing "how to fix it." Welcome to Policy Debate! This month, students will act as policymakers tackling complex, real-world (or school-world) problems. They will brainstorm root causes of systemic issues and propose structured, step-by-step solutions. However, every solution has a cost! We’ll play "Shark Tank" to find the unintended consequences of each other's plans, culminating in a highly structured showdown where students must prove their policy does more good than harm.

The Summer Lineup:

Debate isn't just one format it's an entire toolkit! We’ve structured our summer to cover a completely different pillar of debate each month. You can join at any time! Because each month introduces a completely new debate style, beginners can drop directly into any session and learn the foundation immediately. At the same time, returning students are constantly challenged with brand new, exciting frameworks.
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Session 1 (May)

The Classic Clash
(Mastering Logic & Public Forum)

Session 2 (June)

The Persuaders
(Appeals, Rhetoric & Mock Trial)

Session 3 (July)

The World Changers
(Policy & Real-World Solutions)

Session 4 (August)

The Hot Take Blitz (Impromptu & Fast-Prep Speaking)
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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.