Choose a live online Mandarin class if you want to learn from home, save commute time, or live outside the area. Choose in person if you learn best face to face and want a dedicated space away from distractions. Our Conversational Mandarin Chinese, Level 1 class offers both: live online from anywhere in the U.S., or in person in downtown San Bernardino, with the same speaking-first lessons.
The case for live online
- Learn from anywhere in the U.S. You do not need to live near San Bernardino.
- No commute. Roll out of bed, grab a coffee, and join.
- Close-up audio. Many learners find it easy to hear the instructor's tones clearly through headphones.
- Morning time slot. The online section meets 9:00-11:00 AM Pacific (12:00-2:00 PM Eastern), leaving the rest of your Saturday free.
Live online is not the same as a recorded video course. You see the instructor, speak in real time, and take part in role-play with classmates.
The case for in person
- Face-to-face practice. Role-play feels natural when your partner is sitting next to you.
- Fewer distractions. No email pop-ups or family interruptions.
- Seeing mouth shapes up close. Watching how the instructor forms sounds can help with tricky pinyin sounds.
- Local community. You meet other Inland Empire learners who can become study partners.
The in-person section meets 11:30 AM-1:30 PM at our downtown San Bernardino location.
Questions to help you decide
- Where do you live? If you are outside Southern California, online is the clear choice.
- How do you learn best? If screens make your attention drift, try in person.
- What does your Saturday look like? Morning online or late morning in person, pick the slot you can keep for 8 weeks.
- Is your home quiet? Online works best with a quiet spot, a camera and a microphone.
- Do you want local connections? In person makes it easier to meet nearby classmates.
What stays the same either way
Both formats follow the same speaking-first Level 1 plan: pinyin, the four tones, greetings, numbers, time, shopping and directions, with role-play every class. Both run 8 Saturdays, 16 hours total, and both cost $297. Classes are taught in English, so explanations are always clear.
Tips for success in either format
- Treat class time as a firm appointment.
- Speak up, even when you are unsure. Mistakes are how you learn tones.
- Review for 15 to 20 minutes on a few weekdays.
- Get the textbook, Developing Chinese: Elementary Comprehensive Course 1 (2nd Edition), early. You buy it separately.
Class details
- Class: Conversational Mandarin Chinese, Level 1, taught in English by The Ayangbah Foundation
- Dates: Saturdays, October 17 to December 12, 2026 (no class November 28). 8 weeks, 16 hours total.
- Live online: 9:00-11:00 AM Pacific (12:00-2:00 PM Eastern), from anywhere in the U.S.
- In person: 11:30 AM-1:30 PM at 255 N. D Street, Suite #200-XXVII, San Bernardino, CA 92401
- Tuition: $297
- What you get: speaking-first lessons covering pinyin, the four tones, greetings, numbers, time, shopping and directions, with role-play in every class. The textbook is Developing Chinese: Elementary Comprehensive Course 1 (2nd Edition), which you buy separately.
Required textbook
Speak Mandarin with Dr. Ayangbah uses Developing Chinese: Elementary Comprehensive Course 1 (2nd Edition, with MP3 audio), 发展汉语 初级综合 (I), by Rong Jihua (Beijing Language and Culture University Press). Get the 2nd Edition of Elementary Comprehensive Course 1 and have it by the first class. Buy it on Amazon.
How to enroll
- Apply online. It takes about 2 minutes.
- Pay $297 through the Mandarin class pay link or on our tuition page.
- We confirm your seat within 2 business days.
Want to ask questions first? Join our free info session and orientation, online every Monday from 5:00 to 5:45 PM Pacific. Register on the enroll page to get the link.
FAQ
Is the online class live or recorded?
Live. You join the instructor and classmates in real time, speak, and take part in role-play.
Is the price different for online and in person?
No. Both formats are $297 for 8 weeks, 16 hours total.
Can I switch between online and in person?
Please contact us at (909) 454-7076 before you enroll so we can tell you what is possible for the current cohort.
Questions? Call or text (909) 454-7076, or email info@ayangbahfoundation.org.