Lesson series

Hanzi 2000: 1001-1250 Beginner to Middle (6/29-7/26) Sat 8-10AM PST

Welcome to the Ultimate Hanzi Challenge! Join our highly interactive online character recognition classes this summer. Whether you are a beginner or at the middle level, our program is designed to challenge you to master up to 1,250 Chinese characters.

We offer three flexible sections, taught in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. Students are welcome to hop into any month or session depending on their interest. For the ultimate challenge, you can take all sessions concurrently to learn all 1,250 characters throughout the summer!

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Course Options and Schedules

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

Hanzi 1000 - First 500 characters

  • Schedule: Mondays through Thursdays, 50 minutes a day
  • Pace: ~10 characters/class (40 characters/week)
  • Note: No repeats throughout the summer, feel free to join any month.

Hanzi 1000 - Second 500 characters

  • Schedule: Mondays through Thursdays, 50 minutes a day
  • Pace: ~10 characters/class (40 characters/week)
  • Note: No repeats throughout the summer, feel free to join any month.

Hanzi 2000 - Characters 1001-1250

  • Schedule: Saturdays 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST (2 hours a lesson, with two 10-minute breaks)
  • Pace: ~20 characters/class
  • Note: No repeats throughout the summer, feel free to join any month.

What to Expect in Class

Who It’s For?

Our classes are aimed at language learners and their parents who want to challenge themselves in Hanzi recognition at beginner to intermediate levels. All classes are fit for online learning.

Learning Outcomes

  • Master up to 1,250 essential Chinese characters in both Simplified and Traditional formats.
  • Complete weekly interactive challenges and self-study manual exercises to ensure high retention.
  • Enhance reading fluency and build a solid foundation for further Chinese study.

Books & Materials

  • Hanzi 1000 (First 500): Hanzi 1000, Book #s 1-5 on Amazon.
  • Hanzi 1000 (Second 500): Hanzi 1000, Book #s 6-10 on Amazon. Note for Hanzi 1000 courses: If you want to follow along the whole summer, buying the books will significantly help. Otherwise, you can make your own flashcards during class. For extra writing help and explanations, we highly recommend purchasing the books.
  • Hanzi 2000: All materials are provided during class.

    • Assessment Option & Rewards

    All classes can be taken separately. However, if you take any of the sections for the ENTIRE summer, we offer a Final Assessment.

    • Requirement: You must have attended your levels and be registered for all sessions for the entire summer.

    • Reward: Students who score 95% and above on our final assessment will receive:

      • $150 Reward for Hanzi 1000 students (plus ultimate bragging rights!)

      • $100 Reward for Hanzi 2000 students. Note: Assessments will be given after all summer sessions are over.

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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

    Be Sure To Follow!

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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.