Adult Chinese Language Classes

Spring 2024 Registration is Now Open!
Classes start on April 8, 2024!
 
Register by March 5 to receive $30 discount off tuition!

China Institute’s immersive group classes, led by experienced language teachers, offer a wide range of Chinese language courses at every proficiency level, from beginner to advanced. Our feature courses include but are not limited to Chinese literature, Classical Chinese, and Chinese philosophy, among many others.

This Spring, China Institute will provide both IN-PERSON and ONLINE learning options. In-person classes will be offered at CI and online classes will be via Zoom. Watch a clip of our online class.

Please note:

  • Textbooks are not included in the tuition fee.
  • We run small-sized classes. Registration will be closed when a class is full.
  • Class schedules are subject to change. A class will be canceled if registration is low.

Contact us today for any questions regarding classes! 

Spring 2024 Course Listing

Classes Start the Week of April 8, 2024

Filter by Level
Course Level Filter
Filter by Time
Course Time Filter
Filter by Day
Course Day Filter
Beginner Intensive I (Levels 101 – 102)
Beginner

This class is designed for students who are interested in studying Mandarin Chinese at a faster pace, i.e., completing Beginning Chinese 101 and 102 in 10 weeks. Upon completion, a solid foundation will be established both in pronunciation (initials, vowels and most importantly, the tones) and fundamental knowledge of the Chinese characters. Students will be able to carry out conversations on daily activities and master about 100 Chinese words and expressions.

The textbooks required for this course are Road to Success: Threshold and Lower Elementary, Vol. 1.

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
April 9 – June 13
20 sessions (40 hours)
$950 member / $990 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Tuesday & Thursday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Level 101
Beginner

This course is designed for absolute beginners with little or no knowledge of Chinese Mandarin. This class will introduce the phonics of Chinese Mandarin, sounds and tones, using the pinyin Romanization system. Upon completion, students will be expected to establish a solid foundation in Chinese pronunciation (initials, vowels and most importantly, the tones). In addition, students will easily master about 80 basic Chinese characters, most of which are very commonly used to construct other characters. Students are also expected to be able to conduct short daily conversations, including greetings, expressing gratitude, and introducing themselves and others, etc.

The textbook required for this course is Road to Success: Threshold.

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 11 – June 13
Saturday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
April 13 – June 15

10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Thursday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Situ Jia
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructor: Ping Wang
Level 102
Beginner

This course is a continuation of Beginner Chinese 101. This class will continue to build on the pronunciation and tones taught in Beginning Chinese 101. In addition, this course will cover the topics of making acquaintance, describing oneself, making appointments, discussing everyday situations, asking various types of questions, making suggestions or comments, etc.

The textbook required for this course is Road to Success: Lower Elementary, Vol.1 (Lessons 1-6).

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 9 – June 11
Saturday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
April 13 – June 15

10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Tuesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Rency Qu
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructor: Xiaolin Lin
Level 103
Beginner

This course is a continuation of Beginner Chinese 102. This class will continue to introduce new vocabulary and sentence patterns. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to communicate about daily necessities, including shopping, making a purchase, and going to the bank, among many others.

The textbook required for this course is Road to Success: Lower Elementary, Vol.1 (Lessons 7-12).

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

[In-Person] Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 11 – June 13
[Online] Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 10 – June 12

10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Thursday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Shouwen Pan
Wednesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Fei Xue
Level 104
Beginner

This course is a continuation of Beginner Chinese 103. This class will bring students to a high beginner level. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to talk about daily activities, going to the movies, taking classes, and discussing sports.

The textbook required for this course is Road to Success: Lower Elementary, Vol.2 (Lessons 13-17).

*Upon completion of this level, students may be eligible to take the HSK 1.

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Monday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 8 – June 17 (No class 5/27, Memorial Day)
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Monday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Fei Xue
Level 105
Beginner

This course is a continuation of Beginner Chinese 104. This class will continue to introduce new vocabulary and sentence patterns. Topics to be covered include directions and locations, talking about personal skills, and describing sickness.

The textbook required for this course is Road to Success: Lower Elementary, Vol.2 (Lessons 18-22).

*Upon completion of this level, students may be eligible to take the HSK 1.

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Monday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 8 – June 17 (No class 5/27, Memorial Day)
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Monday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Xiaohong Hou
Heritage Chinese Beginner I
Beginner

This course is designed specifically for heritage Chinese students who possess speaking skills but limited reading and writing skills in Chinese. It will introduce basic vocabulary, sentence patterns and phrases, and fundamental grammar rules in Chinese. Writing is also an important part of the training in this class.

The textbook required for this course is Contemporary Chinese for Heritage Learners: An Introductory Text Simplified Character Version 2nd Edition, Lessons 1–8.

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon.

Monday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 8 – June 17  (No class May 27)
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Monday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Level 201
Intermediate

This course will bring students to the intermediate level courses, and covers topics of phone conversation, renting an apartment, going out to eat in a restaurant and watching TV programs, among many others. Upon completion, students will be able to discuss different aspects of daily life and use more complicated structures for language expressions.

The textbook required for this course is Road to Success: Elementary, Vol. 1 (Lessons 1-4).

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

*Upon completion of this level, students may be eligible to take the HSK 2.

Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 11 – June 13
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Thursday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Lan Yang
Level 205
Intermediate

This class is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese 204. Topics covered include sports and health. Students will be able to express their ideas using deeper vocabulary words and more complex but authentic grammatical patterns.

The textbook required for this course is Road to Success, Elementary Vol 2 (Lesson 17-20).

*Upon completion of this level, students may be eligible to take the HSK 2 or 3.

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Tuesday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
April 9 – June 11
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Tuesday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructor: Fei Xue
Level 206
Intermediate

This class is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese 205. Topics covered include entertainment and culture, etc. Students will learn grammatical points such as “把” structure in a more comprehensive way, the probable complement, and the passive patterns, among many others.

The textbook required for this course is Road to Success, Elementary Vol 2 (Lesson 21-24).

*Upon completion of this level, students may be eligible to take the HSK 2 or 3.

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 11 – June 13
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Thursday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Xiaohong Hou
Heritage Chinese Intermediate II
Intermediate

This course is a continuation of Heritage Chinese Intermediate I. It is designed specifically for heritage Chinese students who possess speaking skills but limited reading and writing skills in Chinese. It will introduce more functional vocabulary and sentence patterns and phrases. It will also provide a systemic review of grammar through reading texts on various cultural related topics. Writing is also an important part of the training in this class.

The textbook required for this course is HSK Standard Course, HSK 4A (Lesson 6-10).

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Monday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 8 – June 17 (No class 5/27, Memorial Day)
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Monday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Xiaoling Dong
Heritage Chinese Intermediate IV
Intermediate

This course is a continuation of Heritage Chinese Intermediate III. It is designed specifically for heritage Chinese students who possess speaking skills but limited reading and writing skills in Chinese. It will introduce more functional vocabulary and sentence patterns and phrases. It will also provide a systemic review of grammar through reading texts on various cultural related topics. Writing is also an important part of the training in this class.

The textbook required for this course is HSK Standard Course, HSK 4B (Lesson 16-20).

* Please purchase the required textbook(s) on Amazon or directly from the publisher’s US office, Phoenix Tree Publishing, and enter code DSTY15 at checkout for a 15% discount at www.phoenixtree.com.

Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 9 – June 11
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Tuesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Charlene Wang
Intermediate Conversation
Intermediate

This class is designed for students who have learned about 1,000 words and structures or have taken intermediate-level classes at China Institute but want to improve conversational skills. The class will help students speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in informal conversational and business settings. The class is highly conversational and interactive, with a focus on live conversations and discussions to achieve fluency in spoken Chinese.

NO textbook is required to purchase for this class. Materials will be provided in class.

[In-Person] Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 11 – June 13
[Online] Saturday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
April 13 – June 15

10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Thursday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Steve Zhang
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructor: Steve Zhang
Level 301
Advanced

This course will bring students to advanced-level classes. It is designed for students who have finished Level 209 at China Institute or anyone who has achieved an overall high intermediate level of proficiency in the Chinese language.

The textbook required for this course is HSK Standard Course 4A (上) (Lessons 1-5).

*Upon completion of this level, students may be eligible to take the HSK 3 or 4.

Saturday, 12:30 – 2:30 PM
April 13 – June 15
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Saturday
12:30 - 2:30 PM
Instructor: Lan Yang
Advanced Reading I
Advanced

This course is designed for those who have completed advanced course Levels 301 ~ 304 at CI or for anyone who has achieved an overall advanced level of proficiency in the Chinese language and seeks to continue their studies by reading more advanced texts. The class will be highly interactive with students participating in discussions on a wide range of thought-provoking topics on contemporary China. A reader series, Reading into a New China, published by Cheng & Tsui (2017) will be used to replace a traditional language textbook. Students will read articles reflecting various social issues in contemporary China, such as population and housing. Advanced skills in reading comprehension will be developed, along with professional speaking skills, such as discussion and oral presentation.

The textbook required for this course is Reading into a New China, 2nd Edition Vol. 1 (Lessons 1-3), published by Cheng & Tsui: https://www.cheng-tsui.com/browse/reading-into-a-new-china-2e

Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 10 – June 12
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Wednesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Ping Wang
Advanced Reading II
Advanced

This class is a continuation of Advanced Reading I. The class will be highly interactive with students participating in discussions on a wide range of thought-provoking topics on contemporary China. A reader series, Reading into a New China, published by Cheng & Tsui (2017) will be used to replace a traditional language textbook. Students will read articles reflecting various social issues in contemporary China, such as the education system and employment. Advanced skills in reading comprehension will be developed, along with professional speaking skills, such as discussion and oral presentation.

The textbook required for this course is Reading into a New China, 2nd Edition Vol. 1 (Lessons 4-6), published by Cheng & Tsui: https://www.cheng-tsui.com/browse/reading-into-a-new-china-2e

Saturday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
April 13 – June 22 (No Class April 27)
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructor: Karen Ma
Anything Goes 无所不谈: An Advanced Reading & Speaking Course
Advanced

This course is designed for individuals who have completed the advanced course Levels 301-308, and preferably, the Advanced Reading course (Book: Reading into a New China) as well at CI. It is also suitable for those who have attained an overall advanced proficiency in the Chinese language and wish to further their studies by engaging with more advanced texts. The selected textbook for the course, Anything Goes (《无所不谈》), is part of one of the most popular book series published by Princeton University Press. Anything Goes is an advanced modern Chinese language textbook that focuses on newspaper commentaries. The text selections are primarily sourced from local and overseas Chinese newspapers and magazines, covering topics related to economic, cultural, social, and political changes since the reform and opening up of China in the early 1980s.

The class will feature a highly interactive format, with students actively participating in discussions centered around a wide range of thought-provoking topics on contemporary China. The course aims to develop advanced skills in reading comprehension and enhance professional speaking abilities, including discussion and oral presentation.

The required textbook for this course is the Revised Edition of Anything Goes (《无所不谈》), published by Princeton University Press in 2011.

Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 10 – June 12
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Wednesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Xiaoling Dong
Literature and Society: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese V
Advanced

This class is a continuation of Literature and Society: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese IV. This course is designed for those who have completed advanced courses Level 301~308 at CI, and other advanced-level courses such as Advanced Reading series. It is also a course for anyone who has achieved an overall advanced level of proficiency in the Chinese language and seeks to continue their studies by reading more advanced texts. The class will be highly interactive with students participating in discussions on a wide range of thought-provoking topics on contemporary China.

The selected textbook, Literature and Society: An Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese, adopts an innovative way for students to sharpen their Chinese language abilities while learning more about important areas of Chinese culture. The students will be introduced to a variety of genres including essays, short stories, and one play, written by China’s most well-known writers such as Lu Xun 鲁迅, Lin Yutang 林语堂, Liang Shiqiu 梁实秋, and Wang Meng 王蒙. From a sociological perspective on China, the selections of literary works and essays explore the most up-to-date social issues that contemporary China has faced in recent years such as population issues, ethics, marriage, the lives of intellectuals, and challenges faced by minorities in China.

Required textbook:
Literature and Society: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese, published by Princeton University Press, revised edition, 2016. Society: Lessons 7-10.

Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 9 – June 11
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Tuesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Xiaoling Dong
Hot Topics in China
Advanced

This course is designed for those who have achieved an overall advanced level of proficiency in the Chinese language and wish to enhance their speaking fluency and sophistication.  Students will be fully engaged in discussions on a variety of reading topics about China’s economy, politics, social problems, and cultural issues. The instructor has designed this course to help students not only to improve Chinese language proficiency but also to understand the magnitude of influence these trends have on China’s business world and society.

NO textbook is required to purchase for this class. Materials will be provided in class.

Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
April 10 – June 12
10 sessions (20 hours)
$485 member / $525 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)

Registration

Wednesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Instructor: Wei Tang
Not sure which level to register for?
Schedule an appointment for a quick assessment! Please contact Tina Fang at tfang@chinainstitute.org, or call (212) 744-8181, ext. 150.

Click here to view and download our refund policy.

Click here to meet our language class instructors.

RECEIVE NEWS AND EVENT INVITATIONS

Adult Classes Interest Form

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Classes You're Interested In*
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors