Help your child learn Mandarin at home, one short lesson at a time. Each lesson has a story, new words, one grammar point, practice and character writing, so your child always knows what comes next and you can see exactly what they are learning.
Mandarin Adventure Volume 1 is our beginner workbook, covering the core topics of Levels 1 and 2. It’s made for children aged 6 and up to work through at home with a parent. You don’t need to speak Mandarin: every lesson has an English summary and pinyin for every new word.
A Clear Structure for Every Lesson
Beginners learn best with a routine. Every lesson follows the same five steps, so children know what to expect and build listening, speaking, reading and writing in order.
1. Story 课文
A short dialogue about everyday life, like school, family or food, with an English summary so parents can follow along.
2. New Words 生词
The key words from the story, each with pinyin and its English meaning.
3. Grammar 语法
One or two sentence patterns explained simply, with example sentences your child can copy.
4. Practice 练习
Matching, fill-in-the-blank, drawing and speaking activities that use the new words.
5. Writing 写字
Character tracing grids, with a QR code to watch the correct stroke order.
A Mandarin Workbook for Beginners: Mandarin Adventure Volume 1
Ten lessons in simplified Chinese with pinyin, for beginners aged 6 and up working through the book with a parent. Here are some of the pages:
A story page from Lesson 2
New words with pinyin and English
Writing practice with a stroke-order QR code
The 10 Lessons
- 你几岁？ How Old Are You?
- 你叫什么名字？ What Is Your Name?
- 现在几点？ What Time Is It?
- 你从哪里来？ Where Are You From?
- 今天星期几？ What Day Is Today?
- 我的学校 My School
- 小明的家 Xiaoming’s House
- 你喜欢吃什么？ What Do You Like to Eat?
- 我喜欢蔬菜 I Like Vegetables
- 我们去买水果 Let’s Buy Fruit
Four Levels, Step by Step
Each level builds on the one before it, so your child is confident with the basics before moving on.
Level 1
Greetings and tones, saying your name, nationality, numbers and telling time.
Level 2
Measure words, fruits, vegetables, meals, home, school and animals.
Level 3
Asking what something is, ten common measure words (个 只 双 张 杯 碗 瓶 台 把 家), choosing and describing things, and numbers and money.
Level 4
Family, colors and shapes, clothes, daily routines, feelings, our community and transportation.
Get the Beginner Mandarin E-Workbook
The e-workbook is a PDF of all 10 lessons that you download and print at home, with a QR code in every lesson that opens an animated stroke-order page for that lesson’s characters. Not sure yet? Get Lesson 1 free below, or join the waitlist for the printed, spiral-bound edition.
Get Lesson 1 Free
Try the first lesson with your child at home. We’ll email you the PDF right away.
Join the Print Waitlist
Want a printed, spiral-bound copy? Leave your email and we’ll tell you when it’s ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do your classes follow this curriculum?
Yes. Our regular group classes follow these four levels. Mandarin Adventure Volume 1 practices the core topics of Levels 1 and 2, so it works alongside class or on its own.
Does the curriculum use simplified or traditional characters?
We teach simplified characters with pinyin. If your child’s school uses traditional characters or zhuyin, our Chinese school tutoring can follow your child’s school lessons, subject to teacher availability.
Can my child use the workbook without joining a class?
Yes. It’s designed for a parent and child to work through together at home. Each lesson has an English summary, pinyin for every new word and QR codes for stroke order. A teacher adds what a book can’t: speaking practice and feedback on tones.
Do I need to speak Mandarin to help my child?
No. The English summaries, pinyin and animated stroke-order pages are there so you can guide your child even if you don’t speak Mandarin.
What’s the difference between the e-workbook and the printed version?
The e-workbook is a PDF you download and print at home. The printed version will be a spiral-bound book. Join the print waitlist and we’ll message you when it’s available.
Which level should my child start with?
Most beginners start at Level 1. Book a trial class and our teacher will recommend the right level for your child.
How do the levels relate to HSK?
Our four levels are separate from HSK. Students who want to work toward HSK certification can join our HSK-1 Review Course, which is launching soon.
Try a Beginner Mandarin Class
Book a 45 to 60 minute trial class and see how your child learns with one of our teachers.
