Mandarin Chinese Classes Online
Learn Mandarin Chinese in a live online group, from your first lesson or after an introductory course. Compare complete and low beginner levels, class dates, and tuition below before you register.
The people behind the classes
Meet our Mandarin instructors
Meet the wider Mandarin teaching team. The current class listings above identify their assigned instructors; ask us about other teachers and individual availability.

Catherine Tan
Catherine has more than 20 years of Mandarin teaching experience and gives beginners a practical foundation in Pinyin and tones.
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Catherine Tan has taught Mandarin for more than two decades to learners from kindergarten through university and adulthood. Her experience includes a California state university and both in-person and online teaching.
She tailors lessons to each learner’s goals, interests, and pace. In beginner classes, she introduces Pinyin, pronunciation, and tones with clear guidance, then builds confidence through guided speaking, interactive practice, and everyday exchanges such as greetings and introductions.

Xin
Xin is a native Mandarin speaker with more than a decade of language teaching and graduate training in Chinese pedagogy.
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Xin earned a degree in English Language and Literature at Yanbian University of Science and Technology, a master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a second master’s in Chinese Language Pedagogy from Indiana University Bloomington. He has taught college English and integrated Chinese courses.
A native Mandarin speaker with over ten years of teaching experience, he draws on linguistic comparison and task-based learning to help students use language actively and progress toward higher proficiency.

Li (Julie)
Li (Julie) teaches Mandarin and Japanese with a cross-cultural perspective shaped by study and teaching in China and Japan.
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Li (Julie) grew up in China and lived in Japan for more than seven years. She earned a B.A. in Japanese Studies from Shanghai International Studies University, an M.A. in English Translation from Xiamen University, and a Ph.D. in Chinese and Japanese language and literature from Nagoya University.
While working at a Japanese bank, she volunteered to teach Japanese to colleagues. She later taught Chinese language and literature during her doctoral studies. Her research in Japanese literature and cross-cultural communication informs lessons that combine language with a deeper understanding of China and Japan. She adapts instruction to students’ goals and current level.
The programme
Build a foundation for speaking Mandarin
The current group listings are complete and low beginner classes taught live online. You can see the next dates, one-hour class times, instructor, and tuition in each card above. The store also lists an individual online lesson by arrangement.
Pronunciation matters early in Mandarin. Beginner study introduces Pinyin and tones alongside practical words and sentence patterns, then gives you regular opportunities to listen and speak. Open the class details for the exact syllabus and any character work.
Which Mandarin option fits?
Complete beginner
Start here if Mandarin is new to you. Learn how Pinyin represents sounds, practise tones, and begin simple introductions and exchanges.
Low beginner
Continue after an introductory course or equivalent study. Add vocabulary and sentence patterns while strengthening listening and speaking.
Individual online lesson
Consider one-to-one study for a particular goal or a different pace. Check the listing for the current teacher and arrangements.
Why learn Mandarin Chinese?
Mandarin study can deepen conversations with people and give you more access to media, food, literature, and traditions across Chinese-speaking communities. A steady grounding in sounds and tones supports the conversations you want to have.
Mandarin class questions
Do I need to know Chinese characters first?
No prior Chinese is expected for a complete beginner class. Check that course’s description for its exact approach to characters.
Are these classes held in Berkeley?
The current Mandarin group listings are live online. Check each card for its format before registering.
Which beginner level should I choose?
Choose complete beginner for a first start. If you have studied before, compare low beginner or tell us what you know and ask for placement guidance.
Can I book an individual lesson?
An online individual Mandarin lesson is listed by arrangement. Review its details and confirm instructor and scheduling before booking.
Find your Mandarin starting point
Compare the online listings above, or ask us to help match your experience to a class.