Introducing Mandarin Adventure Volume 1: A Beginner Mandarin Workbook You Can Use at Home

One question kept coming up in our conversations with parents: “How can I help my child practice Mandarin at home if I don’t speak it myself?”

Today we’re releasing Mandarin Adventure Volume 1, our answer to that question. It’s our first e-workbook for families: 10 beginner Mandarin lessons you can do with your child at home, even if you don’t speak a word of Mandarin.

Why we made a workbook

Parents told us they wanted to be part of their child’s Mandarin learning, but felt stuck the moment a Chinese character appeared on the page. Without pinyin or an English meaning to lean on, it’s hard to know whether a word is being said right, let alone help with practice.

We also kept meeting families who were curious about Mandarin but not ready to sign up for classes yet. They wanted a low-pressure way to start and see if their child enjoys it.

And for our own students, it’s one more way to revisit what they learn in class, alongside the homework their teachers already give.

One workbook could serve all three.

How we built it

Instead of starting from scratch, we turned to the curriculum our teachers already use in class. Mandarin Adventure Volume 1 takes the core topics of Levels 1 and 2 and reshapes them into lessons a child can work through with a parent beside them, no teacher needed.

That meant adding what a parent needs to follow along: pinyin and an English meaning for every new word, a short story to open each topic, and a QR code on every writing page that shows each character being written, stroke by stroke.

Made for parents who don’t speak Mandarin

Each lesson takes about 20 minutes. Read the story together, say the new words out loud, then let your child try the activities and the writing page while you check the answers using the pinyin and English.

What’s in every lesson

• A story that introduces the lesson’s theme
• New words, each with pinyin and English
• A grammar point, explained simply
• Practice activities to use the new words
• A character-writing page with a QR code

Scan the QR code with your phone to watch each character being written, stroke by stroke. Try the Lesson 1 stroke-order page.

What your child will learn

• Numbers and saying how old you are
• Names and introductions
• Telling the time
• Where you’re from
• Days of the week
• School and the classroom
• Home
• Food
• Fruit and vegetables

The workbook covers the core topics of Levels 1 and 2 of our curriculum and uses simplified characters with pinyin, the same as our classes. It works on its own or alongside classes.

Common questions

Do I need to speak Mandarin?

No. Every word has pinyin and English, so you can follow along with your child.

What age is it for?

Children aged 6 and up who are just starting Mandarin.

How do I get it?

It’s a PDF. You can download it right after checkout, then print the pages you need or use it on a tablet. Each copy is for one family’s personal use.

Is there a printed version?

We’re planning a spiral-bound edition. Join the waitlist on the workbook page and we’ll let you know when it’s ready.

Where to start

We made this workbook so any family can enjoy Mandarin at home, whether your child is already in classes or just getting started. If you’d like to see how your child takes to it first, Lesson 1 is free. If you’re ready for all ten, the full workbook is below.