Boost your Mandarin skills this summer with our 8-week online Summer class! Designed for intermediate students, our program builds confidence in speaking, writing, and AP-style test preparation. Small group lessons focus on real-world topics like hobbies, travel, and health, with flexible support for different levels. Perfect for middle school and early high school learners looking to sharpen their language skills and stay ahead. Scholarships available. Enroll today with Language Leap Consulting, a nonprofit committed to accessible, high-quality education.

8-Week Summer Mandarin Class Syllabus

Target Level: Intermediate (Grades 4–9, Mandarin Immersion or equivalent)
Focus: Speaking, Writing, AP Chinese Alignment, Real-Life Topics
Format: Small Group Classes, 60 minutes, twice per week

Group A: Tuesday and Friday, 9:00 am Sold Out

Group B: Monday and Thursday, 4:00 pm

Group C: Tuesday and Friday, 6:00 pm

Weekly AP-Aligned Themes and Skills

Week 1: Personal Introduction 个人介绍

• AP Theme: Personal and Public Identities

• Skills: Self-description, family introduction, school and interests.

Week 2: Food and Ordering 食物与点餐

• AP Theme: Contemporary Life

• Skills: Ordering food, making requests, polite conversation.

Week 3: School and Education 学校与教育

• AP Theme: Contemporary Life

• Skills: Discuss school life, compare education systems.

Week 4: Travel and Transportation 旅游与交通

• AP Theme: Global Challenges

• Skills: Describe past trips, discuss transportation choices, use of comparison 比 structures.

Week 5: Shopping and Money 购物与金钱

• AP Theme: Contemporary Life

• Skills: Shopping conversations, bargaining, sequencing events (先...再..., 然后...).

Week 6: Hobbies and Free Time 爱好与休闲

• AP Theme: Personal and Public Identities

• Skills: Talk about hobbies, free time, reasons for preferences (因为...所以..., 虽然...但是...).

Week 7: Health and Wellness 健康与生活

• AP Theme: Science and Technology / Contemporary Life

• Skills: Talk about health habits, give advice, discuss balanced lifestyles.

Week 8: Holidays and Celebrations 节日与庆祝

• AP Theme: Families and Communities

• Skills: Present and compare cultural traditions (e.g., Dragon Boat Festival, Spring Festival) — practice cultural presentation format.

AP Skill Alignment:

• Interpretive Mode: Reading short passages, listening comprehension.

• Interpersonal Mode: Paired conversation, role-plays, opinion exchanges.

• Presentational Mode: Short essays, structured cultural comparisons.

• Grammar Patterns: 不仅...而且..., 因为...所以..., 虽然...但是..., 除了...还..., 有的...有的..., 也, 然后, 还有 — all commonly used on the AP exam.

Program Highlights:

• 📚 AP Vocabulary Themes integrated each week.

• 🗣️ AP Speaking Practice: Weekly interpersonal and presentational speaking tasks.

• ✍️ AP Writing Practice: Focus on narrative and comparative writing.

• 🎯 Real AP Exam Skills: Build fluency, organization, and cultural knowledge.

• 🎓 Differentiated Support: Heritage learners and diverse proficiency levels welcome.

Skills Focused Each Week:

• Speaking: Structured conversation practice + AP-style speaking prompts

• Writing: Short essays using weekly vocabulary and grammar patterns

• Vocabulary: Thematic word lists for everyday and AP-aligned topics. Differentiate based on the students’ level.

• AP Skills: Cultural comparison, interpersonal speaking, narrative writing

• Key Grammar Structures:

  • 也 (also) — Adding information

  • 不仅...而且... (not only... but also...) — Expanding ideas

  • 因为...所以... (because... therefore...) — Cause and effect

  • 虽然...但是... (although... but...) — Contrast

  • 除了...还... (besides... also...) — Adding more

  • 有的...有的... (some... some...) — Listing categories

  • 一边...一边... (doing two actions at the same time)

  • 如果...就... (if... then...) — Conditionals

  • 比较 (comparative degree)

  • 越来越... (more and more...) — Gradual change

  • 先...再... (first... then...) — Sequence

  • 一...就... (as soon as... then...) — Immediate sequence

  • 还是 vs. 或者 (choices — question vs. statement)

  • 连...都... (even...) — Emphasis

  • 把字句 (把 construction) — Emphasizing the object

  • 被字句 (被 construction) — Passive voice

  • 趁... (take advantage of...)

  • 既然...就... (since... then...) — Logical reasoning

  • 通过... (through/by means of)

  • 不是...而是... (not... but...) — Clarifying

Special Notes:

• Differentiated Output: Tasks scaled for different student levels

• Heritage Learner Friendly: Support for varied language backgrounds

• Scholarships Available: Contact us for reduced tuition options