Our weekend classes currently include the following options:

1. Introduction to Mandarin 国语入门课 [AKA Words & Phrases Level 单词和短语阶段]: 9am - 10:25am Saturdays at Chinese Church & 10:30am - 11:55am Sundays at UCSB. These introductory classes are designed for children (preschool and up, must be potty-trained) with little or no prior background in Mandarin Chinese, who generally do not have a chance to speak/hear Mandarin at home. The focus of these classes is to cultivate interest in learning the Chinese language through cultural activities, song, storytime, and play. Some English may be used in the process of translating commonly used vocabulary and phrases. 零起点课程针对无中文基础的幼儿和学龄期儿童，旨在弥补没有中文家庭语言环境的困境。该级汉语课程本着学以致用，寓教于乐的原则，以现实生活中的各种话题为基础，采用儿歌，民间故事，游戏等方式，循序渐进地培养学生对中文和中国文化的兴趣。我们致力于让学生在愉快地学习的同时，高效地掌握中文知识，并将其运用到实际生活中。

2. Intermediate Entry Level with Pledge to Speak Only Mandarin 中级入门班 全程汉语 [AKA Sentences Level 句子阶段]: 1:00pm - 2:25pm at UCSB. This class is open to TK and elementary school students who have some basic knowledge of Mandarin already under their belt, either from exposure at home or from previous Chinese lessons. As we continue to cultivate interest in Chinese language learning, we focus on how it applies to our daily lives. Class time will emphasize speaking and reading, while chaining together full complete sentences. The use of English instruction will be gradually phased out. Chinese language learning resources and homework are assigned in these sessions. 本课程为有中文基础知识的幼儿园和小学学生而设立，他们可能在家中习得中文或曾参加过中文课程。我们除了继续培养学生对中文学习的兴趣，还注重如何将中文应用于日常生活中。课堂着重口语和阅读练习，学习表达完整的句子。老师将逐步减少使用英语作为媒介语辅助教学。本课程有指定的教学资源和课业。

3. Intermediate Mandarin with Pledge to Speak Only Mandarin in Class 中级班 全程汉语 [AKA Conversationalist Level 能说会道阶段]: 1:00pm - 2:25pm at UCSB. This series is designed for elementary school students who actively speak Mandarin at home and can read and write some basic sentences in Chinese. Therefore, class is conducted 100% in Mandarin. The focus of these classes is to fine-tune reading, writing, and speaking skills while zooming in on various aspects of Chinese culture through text and activities. Students here are looking to deepen their existing knowledge of Mandarin for improved fluency. Idioms and more sophisticated features of the Chinese language will be introduced into the materials learned. Chinese language learning resources and homework are assigned in these sessions. 本系列适合在家积极使用普通话交流，并能读、写简单中文句子的小学生。教学全程使用普通话，全面训练学员们的听、说、读、写能力，并通过文本学习、课堂活动等，融入中华文化元素。通过学习，学员们可以提高汉语水平，做到表达流畅。本阶段的教学材料涉及成语等略有难度的汉语表达。课程还将发布汉语学习资源，布置家庭作业

4. Advanced Mandarin for the Proficient 高级班 全程汉语 [AKA Literati Level 文人阶段]: 2:30pm - 3:55pm at UCSB. This class - often catered to middle-school to high-school students - is more textbook and workbook-heavy, utilizing materials and digital applications from Ma Li Ping’s advanced Chinese learning suite. Chinese classical literature, poetry, and more sophisticated popularly referenced materials are studied in class. Students at this level are encouraged to read between the lines, think critically, understand basic Chinese cultural nuances, and put their Mandarin to practice as occasional tutors for our zero beginners during Chinese Club gatherings. 高级班将使用马立平四年级作为教材。在这一阶段，以中国传统的“直接认字法”为主要手段，以孩子们喜闻乐见的历史小故事为载体，通过高频复现的方法培养语感。课程原则是认字领先，阅读跟上，直接认字，多认少写。我们鼓励这个级别的学生读懂字中的含意，进行批判性思考，理解基本的中国文化差异，并偶尔在中文俱乐部担任初级学者的辅导。