From connecting with over a billion speakers to exploring rich cultural traditions, learning Mandarin offers unparalleled rewards.

Yet despite being the second most spoken language globally, its complex characters and tonal nuances make it a significant challenge for learners, especially those from a completely different alphabetical system. Below are some strategies to overcome these hurdles, featuring insights from Dulwich College Beijing’s (DCB) DUCKS (Dulwich College Kindergarten School) Chinese Coordinator Laura Lu, Junior School Chinese Lead Amanda Cui, Head of Senior School Chinese Lu Chen and Senior School Mandarin teacher Sarah Guo.

As the adage goes, practice makes perfect. So remember to celebrating effort, small accomplishments, and milestones – and not just the results. Language learning is a journey and not a race!“Non-Mandarin speaking parents can also try to learn Mandarin and model this attitude to their children,” said Ms Guo. “There are many ways to practise together or support children, such as flashcards, games, online quizzes, or finding opportunities within our environment to help encourage continuous learning. Providing students with opportunities to use Chinese at home with their parents or guardians allows them to discuss topics they’re interested in.” Junior School-aged students also learn to read and write a large number of Chinese characters during this period, making it essential for parents to actively support their language development. According to Ms Cui, this is the ideal time to build a strong foundation in Chinese, so Mandarin language learning students should focus on strengthening their skills.

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03: Have a robust curriculum that fits the children.

Once students are placed in suitable classes, it’s crucial to have a robust but flexible curriculum that teachers can manoeuvre around to adapt to students’ interests, needs, and learning styles. In DUCKS’ Dual Language Learning Programme, for example, the Chinese curriculum not only develops children’s language capabilities but also deepens their understanding of daily life in China. DCB’s Junior School Chinese curriculum is aligned with the Chinese National Curriculum and personalised based on the students’ Chinese language proficiency. So, students not only learn about Chinese culture, but also encounter different literary genres, structure their language and communicate their ideas clearly using Chinese language conventions and thinking.Ms Chen shared an example of how content is tailored to students at DCB. Recently, some Senior School students were surprised to find an article in their textbook about universities using facial recognition to track attendance. What amazed them was not just the article’s content, but how recent news had been incorporated into their textbook. Ms Chen explained that DCB’s Chinese textbooks often include up-to-date content to reflect students’ interests and make the material more relevant and engaging.

Learning Mandarin involves mastering complex characters, a challenge for many non-native Mandarin students who have described the learning process as ‘drawing pictures’ rather than writing words, requiring students to spend more effort and time memorising every radical’s stroke. According to Ms Guo, this is why teachers need to be creative and use a variety of motivational techniques, such as creative incentives, challenges, competitions and more.

DCB’s curriculum also stands out for its community aspect. With guest speakers, cultural events, and group collaborations, the curriculum fosters a collaborative learning environment that allows students to gain knowledge not just from their textbooks, but also from interacting with each other and their surroundings.

Photo from Evan Y about a their tour to the Dunhuang Grottoes. Read all about it here.

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04: Use language as a window to culture

“Mandarin is hard,” admitted Ms Chen. With a friendly expat community in Beijing and more locals learning how to speak English, it can be tempting for English-speaking foreigners to choose comfort over challenge. But taking up Mandarin shows an individual’s determination to make the most of their life in China, because “…learning a language gives students access to culture beyond translated explanations.”At the heart of the DCB Chinese Curriculum is an unwavering resolve to infuse cultural experiences into the frame of language learning, and students undertake a cultural journey with each lesson. Chinese lessons for little learners can be broadened through various traditional Chinese culture-related activities and themes. Older students such as those in Junior School can take a deeper dive by learning Chinese historical sites and famous figures. Ms Cui explained, “Chinese class is more than learning language; it’s a conduit for students to understand Chinese history and culture.”And curious kids learn better. “Last Spring Festival, students made intricate sugar paintings and learned the art of dumpling making,” Ms Chen recalled. “This led them to ask in-depth questions about local customs, such as Spring Festival couplets, that may not exist in their own countries.”Ms Guo also shared how, for the Dragonboat Festival, teachers used a variety of ways to introduce the culture to students, such as introducing classical poems, breathtaking visuals of local sceneries, and even images of animals. Co-curricular activities, including student-led initiatives and service projects, residential trips, field trips, and service trips, help further promote cultural understanding.

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05: Apply language in real-world contexts

Learning doesn’t end at the classroom door; it extends into the streets of Beijing, its aroma-rich restaurants, rejuvenating teahouses, charming labyrinthine hutongs, and even the picturesque outskirts and beyond. “We have many classroom activities that allow students to use Chinese to address real-life problems find solutions in authentic contexts,” said Ms Cui. For older students, Ms Chen shared how immersions provide a closer look at Chinese culture and an opportunity to engage with locals while honing their language skills in authentic settings. There are no grades to be earned, only new experiences to be discovered through the students’ own self-driven exploration. 

Students on the Yunnan Service Trip

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06: Build community support

As mentioned earlier, parents’ support in language learning is vital to their children’s progress. But as the adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and a school environment with a strong community means more resources to help encourage students to learn.

Both Ms Guo and Ms Chen spoke of when parents volunteered to become guest speakers, sharing their talent in poetry, cultural arts, and more. Students benefit from our parent-guests’ professional advice, deepening their interest in the culture and simultaneously developing their language skills.

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 Language learning should go beyond rote memorisation. Empowering students with language and cultural competence to navigate an ever-changing global landscape not only helps our students with their language capabilities but also to become future-ready. It is a trip worth taking in a world where bridges are more needed than ever.

This interview was originally conducted by DCB student Jason L.

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About DCB’s Chinese programme:

Dulwich College Beijing is a leading international school in Beijing for students aged 3 to 18. DCB takes pride in its Chinese curriculum, which is designed with differentiated learning pathways to fit students from native to novices and those from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This approach fosters a deep interest in Mandarin and Chinese culture, ensuring each learner receives the support needed to excel.
DCB students have actively embraced opportunities in several external Mandarin writing competitions for international school students. Notably, in the 2023-2024 academic year alone, they achieved several impressive accomplishments, including:

• Being shortlisted for the Hong Kong Young Writers Awards (HKYWA) 2024
• Six students received Certificates of Achievement in the third Global Chinese Writing Competition for Young Writers, with two of them winning second and third place
• The poetry works of four students were published in the collections of the 7th International School Chinese Poetry Contest.

Jingwu F’s work was shortlisted for HKYWA 2024

To learn more about DCB’s Chinese programme, please contact our admissions officers at admissions.beijing@dulwich.org, or join us at our upcoming Open Day this weekend:

Images: Dulwich College Beijing

Whether you want to or not, living in China means you and your kid are going to have to pick up some measure of Chinese.

Even as a Chinese speaker, I still struggle with helping my child learn the language, especially since my own fluency is a bit of an embarrassment, as my uncle loves to point out at every Chinese New Year reunion dinner. But I’m not giving up without a fight. So I found ways that I could boost my child’s Chinese language skills using readily available resources.

Free introductory online Chinese classes

Culture Yard is a familiar name to most expats in Beijing, but you may not know that they offer free introductory Chinese classes!

Try out online Chinese learning, get to know their teachers, meet fellow students, and learn some useful Chinese for daily use, all from the comfort of your own home – and for free! Topics change weekly and include an introduction to Chinese characters and pronunciation; daily Chinese for life in China, such as taking a taxi and ordering food; Chinese culture classes; business Chinese; HSK classes, and much more. To join their Free Classes group, message “Free Classes” on WeChat (@ cultureyardoffice).

Watch Chinese language cartoons and films

With China’s foray into the international film industry making waves, there are plenty of films that are either made in Chinese or have Chinese audio available. Pixar’s recent animated film Turning Red which features a 13-year-old female protagonist whose onset of puberty unlocks her genetic ability to turn into a giant red panda is a great example, and another would be Dreamworks’ Abominable (2019). My son and I have watched both these films in English first, then Chinese, so that we know the plot and characters to better understand the films when we re-watch them in Chinese.

Another method would be to turn on the Chinese language for familiar cartoons that your kids might enjoy repeatedly. such as PJ Masks, Paw Patrol, or any other series on streaming platforms that support dual languages like Netflix. Since they already know these cartoons so well, it may be time to turn the language setting to Chinese (with English subtitles)! This is a 2-in-1 as it exposes the kid to hearing more Chinese while affording them the opportunity to practice reading the English subtitles. The fact that they’ve already watched the series before also means they’ll have a sense of what is happening and won’t be totally lost.

Download free Chinese learning apps on the iPad

Yes, I’m thrisfy, so I sourced free digital apps for my kid to work on his handwriting, build up vocabulary, and listen to stories.

Below are just a few apps suitable for beginners. LinguPinguin is particularly useful because it has different app versions that support different native languages. For example, you could have German to Chinese, or Spanish to Chinese. If your kid is old enough to navigate it, Duolingo is great for learning practically any language on Earth!

Bilingual books

Many Beijing expat educator has taken it upon themselves to write children’s books that are in two languages, which usually contain a bit of local culture to boot! While it may be tricky for you to read the Chinese parts, a translation app can help with that.

Otherwise, you might want to buy a cup of tea for your Chinese-speaking friend in exchange for helping you with the reading and pronunciation of the characters. If not, you could also consider cornering your kid’s Chinese teacher after class and ask for help, or just drop her an email with pictures of the book. Here are a few recommendations:

This Read Aloud! series, available on Taobao for less than RMB 100, features a number of familiar English titles such as The Ugly Duckling, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Rabbit and the Turtle, with a simple Chinese translation. As you can see, I’ve annotated my own copy to help me with the characters!

北京是个好地方 běi jīng shì gè hǎo dì fāng What a Place! was written by Lana Sultan, a long-time Beijing expat. I picked up this copy from Roundabout but you can also find it on Taobao.

北京哈巴狗-疫情中的历险记 běi jīng hǎ ba gǒu: yì qíng zhōng de lì xiǎn jì Peking Pugs: A Covid Caper is probably my favorite of the lot, as it even pertains to the recent Covid crisis, albeit in a light-hearted fashion suitable for its intended young audience. This cute read was written by Janice Stewart-Yates and it is through her that you can also purchase copies of the book. Scan the QR code below to do so!

KEEP READING: How Difficult Is It for International Students To Learn Chinese?

Images: Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Whether you want to or not, living in China means you and your kid are going to have to pick up some measure of Chinese. Even as a Chinese speaker, I still struggle with helping my child learn the language, especially since my own fluency is a bit of an embarrassment, as my uncle Danny loves to point out during every Chinese New Year reunion dinner. But I’m not giving up without a fight. So I found ways that I could boost my child’s Chinese language skills using readily available resources.

Turn On Chinese Language for Netflix cartoons 
If your child is into PJ Masks, Paw Patrol, or any other series on streaming platforms that support dual languages like Netflix, and has watched the cartoons multiple times, it may be time to turn the language setting to Chinese (with English subtitles)! This is a 2-in-1 as it exposes the kid to hearing more Chinese while affording them the opportunity to practice reading the subtitles. The fact that they’ve already watched the series before also means they’ll have a sense of what is happening and won’t be totally lost.

Download Free Chinese learning apps on the iPad
Yes, I’m cheap so I sourced free digital apps for my kid to work on his handwriting, build up vocabulary, and listen to stories. Below are just a few apps suitable for beginners. LinguPinguin is particularly useful because it has different app versions that support different native languages. For example, you could have German to Chinese, or Spanish to Chinese.

Bilingual Books
Many a Beijing expat educator has taken it upon themselves to write children’s books that are in two languages, which usually contain a bit of local culture to boot! While it may be tricky for you to read the Chinese parts, a translation app can help with that. Otherwise, you might want to buy a cup of tea for your Chinese-speaking friend in exchange for helping you with the reading and pronunciation of the characters. If not, you could also consider cornering your kid’s Chinese teacher after class and ask for help, or just drop her an email with pictures of the book. Here are a few recommendations:

This Read Aloud! series, available on TaoBao for less than RMB 100, features a number of familiar English titles such as The Ugly Duckling, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Rabbit and the Turtle, with a simple Chinese translation. As you can see, I’ve annotated my own copy to help me with the characters!

北京是个好地方 běi jīng shì gè hǎo dì fāng What a Place! was written by Lana Sultan, a long time Beijing expat. I picked up this copy from Roundabout but you can also find it on TaoBao.

北京哈巴狗-疫情中的历险记 běi jīng hǎ ba gǒu: yì qíng zhōng de lì xiǎn jì Peking Pugs: A Covid Caper is probably my favorite of the lot, as it even pertains to the recent Covid crisis, albeit in a light-hearted fashion suitable for its intended young audience. This cute read was written by Janice Stewart-Yates and it is through her that you can also purchase copies of the book. Scan the QR code below to do so!

KEEP READING: Being In China Brings Out The Tiger Parent In Me

Images: Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

If you’re in desperate need of a Chinese name and all you can come up with is something like 安吉拉 ān jí lā – i.e. a homophonic translation of your English name, in this case, Angela – you’re not alone. And if you still think you can get away with something like 小红 xiǎo hóng or 小明 xiǎomíng, basically the Chinese equivalents of Anna and Bob, then it’s time to come up with a better Chinese name for yourself.

宇涵 yǔ hán

The female name, Yuhan, has a beautiful meaning. The word yu represents grace, heaven, and earth, while han represents inclusivity and moisture. The five lines of yu are earth (土), symbolizing confidence and sentimentalism. But the five lines of han are water (水), symbolizing the wisdom of the lord, intelligence, and kindness. Therefore, the person bearing this name is confident, sentimental, intelligent, and kind, and he/she will enjoy a prosperous life free from hardship.

梓淇 zǐ qí

The interpretation of zi refers to deciduous trees and often implies respect and obedience towards your parents and elders. Qi refers to various water sources which signify the intelligence and gift of the child. Together, Ziqi represents precious talent and beauty. The person bearing this name is thought to possess outstanding talents and cherish his/her hometown. Lastly, Ziqi can be used for both boys and girls alike.

欣怡 xīn yí

This name is common among girls and features prominently in Chinese dramas. Xinyi symbolizes joy, excitement, and happiness. When used as a name it expresses a parent’s wish that their child will be happy and carefree. It also means that the girl will grow up to be lucky, beautiful, generous, and happy.

梦瑶 mèng yáo

Mengyao is a beautiful female name with rich Chinese roots. The word meng means dream and refers to the innate psychological phenomenon. Meanwhile, yao comes from the ancient Chinese adage: “The beauty of stone.” The meaning of this word refers to precious gems such as jade and is used as a metaphor to suggest that the girl will be very outstanding and bright. Girls bearing this name are prophesied to have successful futures and will have the courage to pursue their dreams.

浩宇 hào yǔ

Haoyu is a popular name for boys. The word hao comes from an old Chinese saying, “In the vastness of man, and in the midst of a great crowd.” It symbolizes greatness, being handsome, and having good manners. Yu is commonly used for a boy’s name, which highlights his demeanor. Therefore, the person bearing this name is thought to be extraordinary, just, courageous, open-minded, inclusive, generous, and elegant.

俊杰 jùn jié

When taken together, the two words Junjie mean handsome in Chinese, making it the perfect name for a boy. The five lines of jun are fire (火) meaning that he has a hot temper and is overly confident in his abilities. The five lines of jie are wood (木), signifying that the person is very sentimental, accepting, and a lover of the world. Therefore, the person bearing this name is kind, optimistic, sincere, organized, and inclusive. They are patient with others and work hard.

KEEP READING: Having Difficulty Learning Chinese? Try the New Xinhua Dictionary!

Images: Baidu Hanyu, Unsplash

This Halloween, make sure you scare your neighbors with your costumes rather than your failing Chinese. These freaky phrases will have you chatting confidently about the scariest time of year in no time.

Even better, these terms will help you out if you need to stock up on last-minute Halloween costumes on Taobao or Jingdong.

The basics

Halloween 万圣节 wànshèngjié
Happy Halloween 万圣节快乐 wànshèngjié kuàilè
Halloween costume 万圣节服装 wànshèngjié fúzhuāng
Jack o’ lantern 南瓜灯 nánguā dēng
Trick or Treat 不给糖就捣蛋 bù gĕi táng jiù dăodàn
Decorations 装饰 zhuāngshì

Spooky things to do

Haunted house 鬼屋 guĭwū
Ghost stories 鬼故事 guĭgùshì
Horror movies 恐怖电影 kŏngbù diànyĭng
Bobbing for apples 咬苹果游戏 yăo píngguŏ yóuxì

Scary monsters and spooky sprites

Monster 怪物 guàiwù
Witch 女巫 nüwū
Vampire 吸血鬼 xīxuèguĭ
Werewolf 狼人 lángrén
Frankenstein 科学怪人 kēkuéguàirén
Ghost 鬼 guĭ

Mummy 木乃伊 mùnăiyī
Zombie 僵尸 jiāngshī
Skeleton 骷髅 kūlóu
Demon 恶魔 èmó
Devil 魔鬼 móguĭ

Making (creepy) conversation

What are you doing for Halloween? 你打算怎么过万圣节？nĭ dăsuàn zĕnmeguò wànshèngjié?
Are you going to a Halloween party？你去万圣节派对吗？nĭ qù wànshèngjié pàiduì ma?
Do you like scary movies? 你喜欢看恐怖电影吗？nĭ xĭhuān kŏngbù diànyĭng ma?
What’s your favorite scary movie？你最喜欢哪部恐怖电影？nĭ zuì xĭhuān nă bù kŏngbù diànyĭng?
What are you going to dress up as? 你要打扮成什么？nĭ yào dăbàn chéng shénma?
I’m going to dress up as… 我要打扮成… wŏ yào dăbàn chéng… 

Images: Unsplash

No matter you are planning to come back to Beijing, or already on the way back, anxieties, frustrations, and concerns about having to stay in designated hotels are mounting. If you or your friends are in any group chat with expats, you will have likely seen the question, “Does anyone know what staying in those hotels are like?”, and if you are still abroad, are probably thinking the same thing.

As more information stream in from various people’s experience about staying in these hotels, one common thread that we often see is the undeniable fact that knowing some Chinese will make your experience much easier. So to help you be as comfortable as possible under these circumstances, here are some words and phrases to make your mandatory hotel quarantine bearable.

Before you reach your hotel

The Civil Aviation Administration of China just announced on Mar 22, that starting from 00:00 on Mar 23, Beijing Time, all international passenger flights bound for Beijing will be diverted to the following twelve (12) designated first points of entry: Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Hohhot, Shanghai Pudong, Jinan, Qingdao, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Zhengzhou and Xi’an. After you arrive in the airport, it is better to be mentally prepare for the unknown, especially for where (which hotel) you will stay for the 14 days quarantine.

Hi, do you know which hotels I can choose?
你好，请问我可以选择有哪些酒店？Nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn wǒ kěyǐ xuǎnzé nǎxiē jiǔdiàn?

Can I stay in a hotel near Chaoyang District?
我能呆在朝阳区的酒店吗？Wǒ néng dāizài cháoyáng qū de jiǔdiàn mā?

Can you tell me how much is the hotel per night? 
你能告诉我这个酒店多少钱一个晚上吗？Nǐ néng gàosù wǒ zhègè jiǔdiàn duōshǎo qián yígè wǎnshàng mā?

Should I pay for all the fee at once, or can I pay the room day by day?
我需要一次性付完全款，还是说可以按天结算？Wǒ xūyào yícìxìng fùwán quánkuǎn, háishì shuō kěyǐ àntiān jiésuàn?

Are three meals included?
包含三餐吗？Bāohán sāncān ma?

Can I order food or any deliver things to this hotel?
我可以点食物或其他任何外卖吗？Wǒ kěyǐ diǎn shíwù huò qítā rénhé wàimài ma?

When you check in

When you check in, the hotel staff will ask you to fill some documents. You will need to prepare your name, passport number, nationality, the original place you live in Beijing, job information, and flight information. They might ask more information, so prepare for that too.

My name is  _______ .
我的名字是  _______ 。Wǒ de míngzì shì  _______ . 

I’m from  _______ .
我是 _______ 国人。Wǒ shì  _______ guó rén.

My passport number is  _______ .
我的护照号码是  _______ 。Wǒ de hùzhào hàomǎ shì  _______ . 

My flight number is _______ 。Wǒ de hùzhào hàomǎ shì  _______ . 
我的航班号码是 _______ 。Wǒ de hángbān hàomǎ shì  _______ . 

I flew out of _______ , had transition in _______, and arrived in Beijing.
我从_______飞到_______转机，然后到达_______。Wǒ cóng  _______ fēiào _______zhuǎnjī, ránhòu dàodá _______. 

My phone number is _______ .
我的电话号码是  _______ 。Wǒ de diànhuà hàomǎ shì  _______ . 

When can I finish my quarantine and leave the hotel?
请问我什么时候可以结束隔离并离开酒店？Qǐngwèn wǒ shénmē shíhòu kěyǐ jiéshù bìng líkāi?

During your stay

Usually you are allowed to order daily necessities online, such as vegetables, fruits, hygiene products, and etc. However, in most of hotels they don’t allow meals to be delivered for safety reasons. In some places they even provide access to a hotline for mental health and well-being. So far I heard the hotel staff are usually really friendly and cordial to people under quarantine. So don’t worry too much, rest well and stay safe!

(Call the reception) Hello, my name is  _______, and my room number is  _______.
（打电话给前台）你好，我的名字是，我的房间号码是_______. Nǐ hǎo, wǒ de míngzì shì  _______, wǒde fángjiān hàomà shì _______.

It’s a little bit cold in the room, could I have an extra blanket?
房间有点冷，我能要一床被子吗？Fángjiān yǒudiǎn lěng, wǒ néng yào yíchuáng bèizǐ ma?

I’m running out of trash bags, can I have more?
我的垃圾袋快用完了，能再给我一些吗？Wǒ de lājī dài yòngwán le, néng zài gěi wǒ yíxiē mā？

I ordered some snacks and the delivery guy is here, can you help bring it to me?
我点了一些零食，快递人员到了，你能帮我取一下吗？Wǒ diǎn le yìxiē língshí, kuàidì rényuán dàole, nǐ néng bāng wǒ qǔ yìxià mā?

Photo: Wendy Xu

Even if you’ve only been living in China for a short while, chances are that you’ve acquired a couple of super-useful phrases that just don’t quite translate into your native tongue. As English speakers, here are our favorite examples:

麻烦 – Máfan

“Ugh, it’s just so much mafan” is a phrase you’ll hear many a Chinese expat saying, mafan translates to ‘troublesome,’ but as ‘troublesome’ is quite an outdated word in English, there’s no good contemporary translation. Mafan can be used to describe an annoying/impractical situation, thing, or person. 太麻烦了 – Tài máfanle, literally meaning too much mafan, could be translated as ‘Can’t be arsed’.

差不多 – Chàbùduō

This translates literally to ‘different not much.’ meaning ‘roughly/almost/about the same.’ On a scale going from the complete opposite to kind of similar, to pretty similar, to exactly the same, chabuduo would fit in just before ‘exactly the same.’

Āiyā!!

啊呀 Āiyā

Aiya is not technically a word, it’s more of a verbal ‘tsk,’ or a ‘tut,’ or shake of the head, and expresses general exasperation. I find myself using this in whatever language I’m speaking in – and even if my interlocutors don’t speak Mandarin, they get my meaning. Alternatively, this can also be used to express excitement and surprise, or as a cry of adoration at something super cute.

随便 – Suíbiàn

This has many meanings, but pretty much means ‘do as you please,’ ‘as one pleases,’ or simply, ‘it’s all good for me.’ Basically, ‘whatever.’ 随 suí can also be added to other things such as time and place. For example,  随时 (suíshí) anytime, 随地 (suídì) anywhere.

慢走 – Màn zǒu

This handy little phrase literally means ‘walk slowly’ (慢 màn = slow, 走 zǒu = walk), but in reality, it has many other meanings. You’ll hear it most often when leaving shops, or leaving somebody’s house as a guest. It is a nice way of saying goodbye to somebody, e.g. ‘take it easy.’ ‘have a nice trip.’

Bonus phrase: 加油 – Jiā yóu

Speaking of Chinese words that should exist in English… Well, this one actually does, officially at least. Earlier this year the Oxford English Dictionary added jia you into the dictionary.  Literally meaning ‘add oil,’ it’s real meaning is far from this. It is simply a way to encourage somebody, e.g. ‘You can do it!’ ‘Go on!’ ‘Don’t give up!’

If English isn’t your first tongue, do equivalents to any of these phrases exist in your native language? And what other Chinese phrases do you wish you could use all the time? Tell us in the comments section below.

Learning Chinese can be a real pain in the pigu.
Get some common idioms under your belt, here.

Photos: news.hallacura.com, Giphy

Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add KippWhittaker or anp3rd on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.

Classes, Workshops, and Training

Essential Skills: Negotiating Success Through Creating Value, Aug 16
Adults. This one-day, English language course will help anyone who needs to build their negotiation abilities. Develop a strategic mindset for negotiation and learn from real life examples and case studies to understand the ‘how and why’ of negotiation success and failure. Learn how to add value, manage expectations, set goals and develop power. For more information or to register, click/tap here. RMB 2,000 for AmCham members, RMB 2,500 for non-members. 8.45am-5pm. The American Chamber of Commerce. 6/F, Tower AB, The Office Park, 10 Jintongxi Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际AB座6层.

Leadership and Management Training: Transform Your Goals, Aug 22
Adults. This English-language half-day seminar by Tom Watson helps leaders create extraordinary execution and engagement. Learn the leadership principles that will help you produce results, including focus, leverage, engagement, and accountability and compete and succeed in today’s markets. For more information or to register, click/tap here. Free for employees of AmCham member companies, RMB 450 for non-members. 1-4.30pm. The American Chamber of Commerce. 6/F, Tower AB, The Office Park, 10 Jintongxi Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际AB座6层.

Essential Skills Training: Writing for Results, Aug 25
Adults. This English-language course looks at written communication for a multi-national staff. Participants will learn useful skills for cross-department and cross-cultural written communication and will be able to think and write clearly, persuasively and professionally to senior managers, and overseas colleagues. For more information or to register, click/tap here. RMB 2,500 for employees of AmCham member companies, RMB 2,800for non-members. 8.45am-5pm. The American Chamber of Commerce. 6/F, Tower AB, The Office Park, 10 Jintongxi Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际AB座6层.

Arrival Survival, Aug 28
All ages. Come and join the International Newcomer’s Network (INN) for a fun and informative morning with guest speakers discussing ways to survive and thrive in Beijing. Some topics covered include safety in the city and counterfeit money, the stress of settling into life in Beijing, water and air purification systems, health insurance, WeChat Pay, and financial planning. Afterwards, indulge in a lunch bunch in a nearby restaurant and enjoy delicious traditional Chinese cuisine. Foreign passport holders only. RMB 75. Capital Mansion Athletic Club. Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nan Road, Chaoyang 100004. 北京市朝阳区新源南路6号，京城大厦50层100004.

Weekly Drawing Classes, until Nov 25
All ages. The weekly art sessions will run until November 25. They’re perfect for families with children that have a passion for art. Students at The SLab can learn correct drawing techniques, how to draw portraits and even papier mâché. Come join the Academic Drawing Class from 1-3pm, and/or the Creative Drawing Class from 4-6pm. RMB 290 per class. The SLab. (138 1121 8031). R102 Building 5, No.15 Dongzhimenwai Street Dongcheng. 北京东城区东直门外大街15号楼5单元102室.

Speak Mandarin Fluently in Three Months, every day
All ages. Sophia Zhang is putting expats to the test and challenging to learn to speak Mandarin fluently in just three months. Join us to enhance your Chinese skills daily and conquer this difficult language once and for all. Requires an application; sign up here.  5.30am-10.30pm. Mandarin House Beijing. Suite 317, Tower 16, China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Road, Shuangjing. 朝阳区建国路89号华贸商务楼16号楼317室

Dumpling Cooking Class, Wed and Thu of the month
All ages. Come to the courtyard KUCINA Cooking Studio to learn how to make traditional Chinese dumplings. Come on your own or bring your friends for a dumpling cooking class, which includes a meal around the table. Call to make a reservation one day in advance (150 1133 7590). 10.30am. 44 Liushui Xiang, Dongsi Wutiao, Dongcheng District. 东城区 东四五条流水巷44号.

Creative Writing Workshop, second and last Saturday of the month
Ages 14-19. Join the Beijing Youth Literary Review (BYLR) for creative writing workshops to learn about Blackout Poetry, Collaborative Stories and more. 2pm. For more information, follow BYLR on Facebook, Instagram (@beijingyouthlit), and WeChat (beijingyouthlit). #13 Unit 6, Building C, Xiangjiang Bei An, Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing. 北京市朝阳区香江北路香江北岸C座6单元底商13号

Events for the Competitive

Youth Photography Contest: Truth or Dare
Ages 14-19. Truth or Dare: Reveal a Truth or Capture a Daring Image. Enter this photography contest to win a mentorship with Mark Leong, Sharron Lovell, or Wu Hao. For submission details visit: https://www.beijingyouthlit.com/contest

Hold Vertical Run 2017, Aug 26
Adults. Don’t get left behind during this year’s race to the top, taking place at the China World Summit Wing, Beijing on August 26. This is the fifth time that the Vertical World Circuit has hosted their official race at the tallest building in Beijing. The elite winners of the event will take home a total of USD 5,000, while the fastest amateur male and female climbers will have a chance to win a free round-trip ticket to Europe supported by Qatar Airways. Click/tap here for more info on signing up. China World Summit Wing, Beijing. No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue.

Beijing Marathon at BJU, Sep 17
Adults. Running enthusiasts, Beijing Marathon is for you!  The event will take place on Sunday, September 17 and the route will take runners past iconic Beijing landmarks like Tiananmen Square and Beijing’s Olympic stadiums. This year, like last year, Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) will be supporting the event as the main medical sponsor. BJU will also serve as the main point of access for foreign nationals wishing to sign up for the race in person. You can sign up for the race at your nearest BJU location, whether it be the main hospital or one of BJU’s satellite clinics. When you come to BJU to register, please bring a photocopy of your passport, as well as the original copy for verification and cash for the registration fee. If you are registering other runners on their behalf, you will need to bring their passports and a photocopy, as well as your own ID and a photocopy of that. RMB 340 per person. Click here for more info on registering. Beijing United Family Hospital.

Shows, Exhibitions, and Fairs

Heart of the Tin Man, until Aug 10
All ages. The ubiquity of new technologies in daily life serves as a backdrop for the diverse positions presented within Heart of the Tin Man. Twelve artists, with unique understandings of the world and its forces, embrace alternative modes of creativity and unprecedented languages of expression that underline dramatic shifts occurring in the realm of human experience. Incorporating virtual reality, digital mechanics, and interactive installations predicated on the latest in scientific achievement, Heart of the Tin Man stimulates the senses of sight, smell, touch, and sound, drawing predominantly from the M WOODS Collection and the post-internet focus of co-founder Michael Xufu Huang. RMB 60, RMB 40 for students. 10.30am-6pm. M Woods. D-06, 798 Art Zone, 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 酒仙桥路2号798艺术区，D-06.

Experience the Avengers, until Aug 20
All ages. One of the world’s favorite comic series comes to Beijing! Following stops in Times Square, Paris, Las Vegas and Singapore, this interactive comic book experience hits Beijing, giving kids, families, and fans a chance to see Avengers memorabilia up close and to learn more about their favorite heroes. RMB 198 on weekdays, RMB 258 on weekends. Chaoyang Park West Gate. 8 Square, 4th Gate West Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang, Beijing. 北京 朝阳区 北京朝阳公园西4门－－08广场.

Discount Tickets for Panda Kungfu Show – Shichahai Theater, every night
All ages. The Kungfu extravaganza “Shichahai” combines some of China’s most treasured performance arts including martial arts, Peking opera, and acrobatics.Led by Kungfu masters, many of who are champions of various martial art tournaments, “Shichahai” plays nightly at Shichahai Theater. Cute Kungfu pandas make this show a big hit among kids. 5.30-6.30pm. “bookingticket” offers discounted tickets for the Panda Kungfu Show as well as others. Click here for more info.

Living Digital Forest and Future Park, Tue-Sat until Oct 10
All ages.  ‘Living Digital Forest’ is an exhibition of twelve digital works, which includes ‘Future Park’, an interactive, dynamic playground where kids can explore, experiment and play. Click/tap here for more details about the exhibition. Click/tap here to buy an e-ticket (page in Chinese) or follow Pace Beijing’s WeChat (ID: pace_service). RMB 80 (weekdays), RMB 150 (weekends). Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-6pm. Pace Beijing, 798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区酒仙桥路2号798艺术区8502信箱

Roundabout Book Fair at BSB Shunyi 2017, Aug 26-30
All ages. This is probably the biggest Roundabout Book Fair every year held at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi! Thousands of gently used books for the whole family in many languages & genres. Paperbacks from RMB 10, Hardbacks from RMB 20, Kid’s books from RMB 1. Pick up some late summer & holiday reading at this fair. Every single RMB you pay will directly help a child in need. Aug 26: 10am-3pm (open to the public); Aug 27: 12-3pm (BSB families); Aug 28-30: 3.30-5pm (open to public daily). Roundabout. (WeChat ID: Roundabout666, www.roundaboutchina.com). The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi. South Side, No. 9 An Hua Street, Shunyi District. 北京市顺义区天竺开发区安华街9号南院. (8047 3588, brenda.leung@britishschool.org.cn).

Dining

Fresh Imported Oysters at Xian
All ages. Now at Xian, we have also prepared freshly imported oysters from France. Among the selections are: largest oyster-producing region Fine de Claire – Fine de Claire #3, and the most famous oyster in the world Belon – Belon #2. For parents, Michel Lynch Sauvignon Blanc White Wine and Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne have been prepared as well to pair with your oysters. Xian operating hours: Monday-Sunday. 5pm-2am. Unity live show: every Wednesday to Sunday, 9pm-midnight. For more information or reservations, call 8414 9810. EAST, Beijing Hotel. No. 22 Jiuxianqiao Road, Choayang District, Beijing, China 100016. 北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路22号100016.

Ron Mexico’s Taco Tuesday, Tuesday nights
All ages. Taco Tuesday’s are back at Ron Mexico! Choose from 3 different tacos. Buy 1 or buy 6. Eat as much as you want. Dine in only. See ya there! 7-11pm. RMB 10 per taco. Ron Mexico. 113-02 Jiaodaokou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District. 东城区交道口东大街113-02

Couscous Fridays at Caravan, Fridays
All ages. Couscous is a Moroccan classic that comes in many forms: meat, vegetables, fish, royal, sweet, salty, etc. However, most people don’t realize that in Morocco, people generally eat couscous on Fridays for lunch and maybe for some special events. Caravan is bringing that tradition to Beijing. Choose between various weekly vegan and meaty options. RMB 85 per person. 11am-11pm. Caravan. 44 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. 光华路44号.

Savour the Ocean with New Seafood Delicacies at Feast, until Aug 31
All ages. Feast (Food by EAST), the award-winning all-day dining destination at EAST, Beijing is pleased to present its all-new Surf & Turf semi-buffet dinner and weekend semi-buffet brunch to celebrate the summer season. Available from July 28, the semi-buffet will offer more of an extensive selection of fresh seafood, premium beef and other irresistible delicacies that will leave guests feeling spoiled for choice, including freshly shucked imported oysters，Boston lobsters, mussels, snow crab legs and much more. The Surf & Turf semi-buffet dinner is available every Friday to Sunday, 5.30-10pm, priced at RMB 388 per person. The weekend semi-buffet brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am till 3pm, priced at RMB 388 per person. For reservations, please call 8414 9820. Feast (Food by East). EAST, Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district. 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号.

Nature

Middle Route of Switchback Great Wall, Aug 2
Ages 5+. This stretch of Great Wall in Yanqing County is extremely picturesque, and seldom visited, but its steepness can prove difficult for casual hikers. On this visit we’ll do the “middle route,” cutting out the toughest parts to make it a little easier. There are still some steep climbs to do, but overall this hike isn’t long enough to rate as difficult – we’ll take our time climbing up and down and make sure that we have a relaxed and enjoyable visit. Bring your passport / ID card (or a copy) with you on this hike in case the border crossing guards decide they want to check us on the way home. RMB 420, RMB 380 (members). 8am-5:30pm. Beijing Hikers. (info@beijinghikers.com, http://www.beijinghikers.com)

The Dowager and the Dynasty: A Walk and Discussion at the Summer Palace, Aug 5
All ages. The Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was one of the most notorious figures of Modern Chinese history. For nearly a half century, she used her cunning and connections to rule China from behind the throne. Even today, many still blame her for spending money on an elaborate pleasure garden at a time China faced grave threats from without and within. But the real story of the Empress Dowager Cixi – and the Summer Palace she built – is more complicated. As we stroll along the shoreline and hillsides of her magnificent creation, we will discuss the life and legacy of this fascinating historical figure. RMB 300 (RMB 260 for members of The Hutong) includes all guide fees, boat ride, tips, and admission tickets. 10am-1pm. Summer Palace. Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian Distric. 海淀区 颐和园路

Dragon Cloud Mountain and White River Hike, Aug 6
Ages 5+. A fresh take on our White River hike: We skip the commercial end of the White River for a hike over Dragon Cloud Mountain, before joining the river at the big bend that marks the start of the quietest and most scenic part of the trail. We’ll hike up Dragon Cloud Mountain and join on to the narrow concrete road that is the only access to a tiny village, and follow an old road from the village down to the river side. We’ll then begin the river hike, fording 6-7 times on the way to the end. RMB 380, RMB 340 (members). 8am-5:30pm. Beijing Hikers. (info@beijinghikers.com, http://www.beijinghikers.com)

4 Days Wild Great Wall Trekking /Camping From Chen Castle to General Xu Great Wall, Aug 7-10
Ages 7+. An amazing 45km Great Wall trekking on long forgotten & rarely seen wild sections of China’s Great wall. Hikers will pitch their tents twice on the Great Wall and stay once overnight with a local farmer. This Great Wall trek starts on the crumble staircases of the Chen Castle Great Wall from where hikers head to the highest Great Wall watchtower of Beijing. After passing through the long forgotten but amazing Border Defense Great Wall, hikers will pitch their tents on the General Xu Great Wall. Once you conquer this hiking trail you can truly say you hiked China’s wild Great Wall. Hike level: 4 strong. Follow ChinaHiking on Wechat and get last minutes’ discount: ChinaHiking_Beijing. RMB 3,300. ChinaHiking Beijing. (156 5220 0950, info@chinahiking.cn, http://www.chinahiking.cn/)

Fun for the Little Ones

Little Toys Orchestra – children/family performance from France, Aug 23-Sep 10
Ages 2-6. Two musicians will joyfully lead this unusual orchestra. Their luggage is filled with toys and various unusual instruments such as a pink pig, a green pig, a witch, a guitar, a toy-piano, a mandolin, dog toys… all sorts of funny bits and pieces necessary to a sound like a fantasyland. This concert takes the audience on a journey through a musical parade. Make way for an imaginary world! 4-6.30pm. From RMB 180. Ticketing Hotline: 134 6654 2185. Tong Production. (WeChat ID: tongtiyan, www.tongproduction.com)

Anatole’s Little Saucepan – A contemporary family puppet theatre, Aug 24 -26
Ages 3+. Anatole, a warm-hearted, sensitive, and gentle person, is always dragging around his little saucepan. It fell on him one day and nobody really knows why. Since then, it gets stuck everywhere and it keeps him from going forward. Anatole feels so depressed and miserable until something beautiful happens…..Adapted from French author Isabelle Carrier’s award winning picture book, Anatole’s Little Saucepan, this puppet show brings the audience through a child’s mental journey of dealing with something unbearable in his life – the saucepan attached to his arm. From seeing it as a dragging burden that he tries so hard to get rid of, to knowing how to live with it in harmony, and to finally transcending it to something to be proud of…. Ticketing hotline: 134 6654 2185. RMB 180-240. 5-7pm. Theatre M, Oriental Media Center, Beijing.  (WeChat ID: tongtiyan, www.tongproduction.com)

Safari Song Time, every Friday and Saturday
Ages 3-18 months. All babies – from the quietest to the most vocal – love singing and rhymes! It stimulates their brains and development, and makes them happy! Bring your little ones to The Bookworm and take them on a fun safari where they can learn songs and rhymes from around the world. RMB 60 per child. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm. Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District.

Summer Camps

French Immersion Summer Camp, Aug 7-25
Ages 4-10. All Levels – New learners encouraged! Introduce your child to French and experience a new language and culture. This summer camp gives your children a chance to immerse themselves into a French language environment through fun activities with Native French teachers. RMB 2,500 per week (lunch/snacks included). 9-4pm. For more information, email frenchcampbeijing@yahoo.com.

Sports Beijing Aqua Warriors Summer Swim Camp, Aug 7-11
Ages 4-16. Aqua Warriors Summer Swim Camp is designed to provide competitive and near-competitive swimmers with a great opportunity to improve their overall swimming abilities. The camp will focus on developing stroke technique, increasing stamina, optimizing turns, and introducing video analysis. Not only is this camp a great opportunity for swimmers to receive high quality training, but it is also a great chance to make new friends and have fun in the pool! RMB 1,600 per child. To sign up, visit http://www.sportsbj.org/product/aqua-warriors-summer-camp/. Zhongjia Xinyuan Hot-spring Hotel. 200 meters East of Gu Cheng Village, Hou Sha Yu, Shunyi District 顺义区后沙峪镇古城村村委会东200米

Picasso Workshop with Atelier, Aug 14-18
Ages 5-12.  Discover the protean oeuvre of Pablo Picasso, a universally famous artist who painted, sculpted, and drew for more than 70 years. Explore the birth of cubism, the blue and pink period, the paintings that marked Art History, and the portraits of his beloved ones through painting, sculpture, drawing, linocut, and pottery. This summer camp is a journey through almost one Century of Art History. RMB 1,800 per week. 10am-noon (ages 5-8); 1.30-4pm (ages 9+). Atelier Art School. (WeChat ID: atelier_apas, 6416 1614, www.atelier.cn.com). Room 10L , Building 7 (middle entrance),  Julong Garden No.68, Xinzhong Street Chaoyang district. 北京市东城区新中街68号聚龙花园7号楼10L室.

Summer Camp with Flips & Kicks Plus and Kerry Sports, various dates in Aug
Ages 4-12. Due to the positive response regarding previous summer camps, FLIPS & KICKS PLUS in proud cooperation with KERRY SPORTS will host additional ones. Upcoming camps will take place during August 7^th to 11^th, and August 14^th to 18^th. Registration is required. RMB 3,200-4,500. 9am–2.30pm. For more information or booking please contact the Kerry center (8565 2460, hbkc@thekerryhotels.com)  Guang Hua Lu no. 1. 光华路一号

Sea Touring Kayak Training Summer Camp, various dates in Aug
Ages 8-18. Beijing Warren Kayak Club is organizing the first kayak summer camp in Beijing history. The purpose of the camp is to teach ACA (American Canoe Association) sea touring kayak level 1 and level 2 lessons. Students will learn and master long distance paddling, practice rescue drills, and learn about kayak trips. At the end, the students’ learning will be assessed, and their skill levels will be certified by ACA. English is the main language of the kayak summer camp, but the instructors are more or less able to communicate in Chinese. Dates: July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18, and August 21–25. (WeChat ID: Kayaking_China, 151 0166 2018, boston5678@qq.com).

Parkour Camp by Imagine, various dates in Aug
Ages 7-16. Develop exciting parkour skills by leaping into foam pits, jumping on trampolines, balancing on a slack line, climbing on a bouldering wall, and so much more! Parkour is a great way to build foundation skills for all other freestyle action sports. Dates: Aug 7-11, 14-18, 21-25. RMB 700 per day including transport. Imagine. (5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com )

Survival Camp by Imagine, various dates in Aug
Ages 7-14. This camp teaches kids the essentials of survival in the wilderness: making fires, building rafts, crossing rivers, making traps and tools, cooking, building shelters and more! Survival Camp takes you to the great outdoors to learn what nature has to offer. Dates: Aug 7-11, 14-18, 21-25. RMB 750 per day. Imagine. (010 5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com)

Photos: natic_ua, leoleobobeo, Skitterphoto, dolvita108 via Pixabay; other photos courtesy of the organizers

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