The following classes are held at Piedmont Middle School 740 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont CA.

This class is designed for our youngest learners who have little or no prior experience in Mandarin.

Students must be at least 4 years old and able to use the restroom independently. In this class, students will be introduced to the Mandarin language through songs, stories, interactive activities, drawing, crafts, and hands-on learning. They will learn basic vocabulary such as fruits, animals, and body parts while developing listening and speaking skills in a fun and supportive environment.

This class is designed for Kindergarten and/or 1st grade students who have little or no prior experience in Mandarin. The class builds a fun and engaging foundation for learning Mandarin at higher levels. A textbook is not used at this level; instead, instruction is theme-based and incorporates singing songs, simple crafts, rhymes, storytelling, and games to actively engage students. Through themes such as “About Me,” students are begin to develop listening and speaking skills in a natural and enjoyable learning environment.

This class is designed for Kindergarten students who have attended a Mandarin-immersion preschool or speak Mandarin at home with a parent. Instruction is conducted primarily in Mandarin, with minimal use of English. A textbook is used in this class, and instruction is theme-based, incorporating singing songs, simple crafts, rhymes, storytelling, and games to actively engage students. Students will recognize basic Chinese characters and practice fundamental stroke writing skills while continuing to develop listening and speaking fluency.

Pre-Level 1 class is designed for students who have completed the K class or have been assessed by East Bay Mandarin School administration as ready for Pre-Level 1. This class continues to build a strong foundation in recognizing Chinese characters and using simple phrases while preparing students for Level 1. Students will learn to write characters beginning with basic strokes and develop an appreciation for the structure and beauty of Chinese characters.

Pre-Level 1 Immersion class is designed for students who have completed the K Immersion class or have been assessed by the East Bay Mandarin School administration as ready for Pre-Level 1 Immersion. Instruction is conducted primarily in Mandarin, with minimal use of English. A textbook is used in this class. This class continues to build a strong foundation in recognizing Chinese characters and using simple phrases while preparing students for Level 1. Students will learn to write characters beginning with basic strokes and develop an appreciation for the structure and beauty of Chinese characters.

The focus of the Level 1 class is to make learning Mandarin enjoyable while fostering a love for the language and developing students’ listening skills and pronunciation. Students will learn to introduce themselves and talk about their family members, interests, and activities using simple sentences. Instruction uses different levels of workbooks and textbooks based on each student’s Mandarin proficiency. Classes incorporate art, crafts, and hands-on activities to support learning. Students will also have 10–15 minutes of light, age-appropriate homework each week to reinforce classroom learning.

The focus of the Level 2 class is to make learning Mandarin enjoyable while continuing to foster a love for the language and further develop students’ listening skills and pronunciation. Students will learn to describe topics such as their parents’ jobs, locations, and how they feel when they are sick, using complete sentences. Instruction uses different levels of workbooks and textbooks based on each student’s Mandarin proficiency. Classes incorporate art, crafts, and hands-on activities to support learning. Students will also have 15–20 minutes of light, age-appropriate homework each week to reinforce classroom learning.

The Level 3 class is designed for more advanced learners and represents a more academic stage of Mandarin language learning. Students focus on applying the language in practical and meaningful ways, with an emphasis on functional communication. They will learn to describe their extracurricular activities, participate in real-life scenarios such as shopping, and explore cultural topics including Chinese New Year. Weekly homework of approximately 30 minutes is consistently assigned to reinforce classroom learning. The overall goal of this class is to help students confidently use the Mandarin they have learned in everyday situations.

The Level 4 class is designed for advanced learners and begins preparing students who plan to enroll in Mandarin at Piedmont Middle School in 8th grade. Instruction is partially aligned with the Mandarin textbook used at Piedmont Middle School, and some lessons are based on this material to support a smooth academic transition.