About Us / Our Approach
Your Child Is in Great Hands
Come “play” Mandarin with us!
At Play Mandarin, we believe that the best way to learn is through play. We are an Ofsted-registered Mandarin language school offering immersive, engaging, and interactive classes for children under 18. Whether you're just starting your Mandarin journey or continuing to explore the language, we make learning Chinese fun, natural, and meaningful.
Learning through Play, All Year Round
Our core teaching approach blends the CLIL methodology (Content and Language Integrated Learning) with playful, weekly themes tailored for young learners. We don’t follow traditional term schedules — we stay open even during school holiday weekends — because we believe language learning should be continuous and flexible.
Our curriculum includes over 100 tailor-made learning games, carefully designed to support not just language acquisition but also your child’s growth in confidence, community awareness, and cultural appreciation.
A Flexible Mandarin Journey for Modern Families
We know that family life can be busy and unpredictable — that's why we offer flexible membership packages. With us, you can:
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Cancel up to 24 hours or 2 hours before class (based on your package)
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Book classes just 30 minutes in advance
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Roll over any unused credits into the next month
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Mix and match classes that suit your child’s age and interests
Each theme is explored through multiple games and activities throughout the week, so your child can review, repeat, and retain their learning — no more forgetting what happened last week or falling behind!
More Than Just a Language Class
At Play Mandarin, we don't just teach Mandarin — we help children connect with the world. Our classes nurture curiosity, empathy, and respect for different cultures and communication styles. As your child grows with us, they'll not only develop Mandarin fluency, but also a deeper understanding of the beautifully diverse world around them.
Let’s Begin Today!
With no need to wait for the next term, your child can start their Mandarin journey anytime. Join our Play Mandarin community and experience how joyful, flexible, and rewarding learning Chinese can be — for both children and parents.
Why are we different from other language schools?
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FLEXIBLE BOOKING- Our membership gives you access to our brilliant app. You can book at the last moment, only 30 minutes before class begins, or cancel with only 24 hours' notice (or 2 hours based on your package). All can be done within a few clicks on our app.
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NO TERMLY INTAKES- No more paying up-front for the whole term. You can sign up anytime to get started. And we open all year (except from bank holidays) as we believe language learning should continue throughout the year.
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NO MORE MONEY WASTING- Unused credits can roll over into next month, so you can enjoy and make the most of the classes you’ve paid for.
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A GENUINE IMMERSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT- We have a minimum of 8 classes a week, combining online and face-to-face classes. Play Mandarin takes an extra step to make sure we provide an immersive learning environment and easy booking accessibility to our fun-filled sessions.
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WE CATER FOR THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS- Our online classes are here to make sure your child absorbs all the content and can progress into our next weekly theme, even while you are away.
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MONTHLY WORKSHOPS- We have monthly workshops such as Chinese calligraphy writing, Children's Folklore & Folkgame Festival, Chinese cooking, Mandarin Drama, Hand Puppet Show, Sports Day, Artwork, Folk Dance, and Music workshops, etc.
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FLEXIBLE PLANS FOR ALL- From monthly classes and afternoon clubs to online sessions and all-inclusive packages, we have it all!
Founder / Eve Chen
From Taiwan, with Love – A Journey of Language and Heart
Hi, I’m Eve – the founder of Play Mandarin. I’d love to share a piece of my story with you.
I grew up on the beautiful island of Taiwan, where Mandarin was the melody of everyday life. My journey into learning a second language, English, began when I was just a little girl. I still remember those early days so clearly – not just the ABCs, but the warmth of my mum's hand as she walked me and my sister from one language school to another, tirelessly searching for the right place.
She wasn’t just looking for a “good” school – she was looking for one where we’d feel inspired, confident, and curious. She worried that a harsh or rigid approach might crush our excitement, and she was right. It wasn’t until we stepped into a language school filled with colour, laughter, and play that everything clicked. It didn’t feel like studying – it felt like an adventure. And I loved it.
Looking back now, I realise how lucky I was. My mum’s belief in joyful, child-centred learning shaped not only my love of languages, but my view of the world. Learning English didn’t just give me a new set of words – it opened my heart to different people, ideas, and cultures. It helped me grow.
That’s the magic I want to pass on through Play Mandarin.
Why Play Mandarin?
As a teacher living in the UK, I’ve seen how hard it can be for children to find a place where they can hear, speak, and feel Mandarin in their daily lives. It’s not just about learning vocabulary or grammar – it’s about keeping that spark alive. I created Play Mandarin to be that space: a place where children can play, explore, express, and fall in love with the Mandarin language.
We don’t follow a traditional classroom model. We follow a child’s natural way of learning – through movement, creativity, imagination, and joy. Whether your child is just starting their Mandarin journey or continuing to grow, I hope Play Mandarin becomes a happy part of their week, and a meaningful part of their childhood.
Let’s raise confident, curious, and compassionate little world citizens — one playful Mandarin class at a time.
With heart,
Eve