Immersive Mandarin Summer Program

July 6 – August 14, for children ages 2-15!

Early bird discount! Sign up before Monday, June 10, 2024 and receive a $50 discount.
Sibling Discount! Each sibling enjoys additional 2 hours of private tutoring class ($200 value)

Join us for six weeks of immersive Chinese language and culture in an authentic classroom experience at China Institute in America’s “Immersive Mandarin Summer Program for Children”. Located in the heart of Downtown Manhattan, students will gain an in-depth understanding of China’s rich cultural heritage.

Our 6-week Chinese Immersion Summer Camp invites children to travel across China with our friendly guide, Little Panda. Each week, campers “visit” a different region of China, discovering its people, places, food, and traditions — all through age-appropriate, play-based Chinese immersion.

Open to all language proficiencies.

Students will be appropriately placed in mixed age groups of similar language levels and gain fluency in reading, writing, and speaking amongst their peers! Each age group follows the same weekly theme, with developmentally appropriate language goals, activities, and expectations.

Our dynamic and interactive classroom offers hands-on activities through a student-centered approach involving art, science, storytelling, and more! Our accredited educators are equipped to teach students at any language level to encourage students to gain confidence and make significant progress in Mandarin through this unique perspective into China.

Flexible Scheduling! We accommodate families’ summer plans by offering weekly enrollment options, with the choice of half-day or full-day classes.

Read our summer program blog here, an example of a typical day schedule here and watch testimonials by parents here.

Age Groups

Mandarin Munchkins & Toddlers (ages 2-4)

Through music, movement, games, and other interactive, teacher-led activities, toddlers will gain impactful early exposure to Chinese language and culture in an immersive language classroom. Our teachers are talented and creative early-childhood educators, with experience engaging with young children through clear and direct communication, fun songs and dances, interactive animation, and more. Young children will learn to respond to basic instructions and use simple expressions in Chinese while continuing to develop critical social and emotional skills through communication and interaction with their teacher and classmates.

Children (ages 5-8 years)

In an immersive language environment, students will be sorted into learning groups based on each individual’s language level and age group. By actively participating in the exploration of interactive, educational themes, students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of China’s culture and language. Moreover, students will explore the contemporary cultures of the cities through foods, traditions and customs, traditional and modern architecture, and historical sites. In addition to becoming familiar with topics relating to each session, students will learn to express their feelings, preferences, and opinions in Chinese, according to their individual language levels.

Pre-teen and Teens (ages 9 and up)

With a student-centered approach to learning, students will gain confidence and further their knowledge of Chinese language by engaging in dynamic language classes paired with a theme-based curriculum featuring cultural workshops lead by local artisans. In addition to building students’ reading and writing skills based on a series of topics related to the weekly theme, students will participate in group-based activities and peer discussions to promote social and conversational skills. Students will be confident in their ability to read advanced passages independently and write paragraphs and short essays in Chinese.

Registration

July 6 – August 14, for children ages 2-15

See Our Testimonials

Lingyi Chen

2023

Everyone was great to my son during the summer program. This was his first time in a school. The teachers there were very patient and helped him adapt to the environment in just a few days. He is very happy. I'm also happy to see him learning more Chinese words, especially some that involve things he doesn't often do with us. This has been a great addition to his Chinese learning.

Joseph B.

Summer 2021 – Fall 2022

I think it is incredibly important for people to learn Chinese these days. Children should learn when they can because it’s a lot easier for them to learn a language when they are young. My daughter seems to be learning a lot from the classes at China Institute. She was correcting my Chinese. Well, this is a definitely a positive direction! Let’s keep going with this!

Vincent R.

Summer 2022

I was told the best Chinese language classes in NYC are at the China Institute. So I registered to take both weekly classes AND private classes. The staff and teachers are truly professional and absolutely first class! I am forever grateful!

Wilson L.

Summer 2021

My daughter made friends at China Institute’s summer program. She’s always smiling. She’s happy. She talks about what they did in class, so I know she’s having a good time. The amazing thing is like we would come home and she start speaking to us in Chinese. If you are interested in Chinese culture, and China Institute is a great place to learn more.

Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye

Summer 2022-2024, traveling from Ghana

We are so grateful for the China Institute's Summer Program. Every year it deepens our daughter's cultural connection to China and her understanding of Mandarin. The programming and curriculum is thoughtful and engaging. I highly recommend it!

FAQ

Will you take the students to China?

This year, we offer a two-week study tour for American high school students to connect with their Chinese peers, creating opportunities for deep and meaningful dialogue. We are accepting applications until Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM (ET).

For more information, please visit our Youth Leadership Trip page:
https://chinainstitute.org/school/youth-leadership-in-china/

What’s special about your program?

We are the longest running immersive Mandarin summer program in New York City that offers young students maximum exposure to authentic Chinese language and culture through theme-based curriculum. Housed in the School of Chinese Studies at China Institute of America since 1933, our goal is to strengthen students’ language skills while deepening their understanding of Chinese cultural traditions and values and applying it to new development in China today. We invite cultural specialists and artists join our program’s teaching team to further enrich our curriculum through special workshops i.e. Chinese music instruments, shadow puppet theatre, cooking classes, etc.

What discounts do you offer?

Early bird discount! Sign up before Friday, June 6, 2025, and receive a $100 discount, reflected in the check out page.

Sibling Discount! Each sibling enjoys additional 2 hours of private tutoring class ($200 value)

What’s more! We give additional private tutoring hours!
Book 2 full-day sessions enjoy additional 4 hours of private tutoring class ($400 value)
Book 3 full-day sessions enjoy additional 6 hours of private tutoring class ($600 value)
Book 2 half-day sessions enjoy additional 2 hours of private tutoring class ($200 value)
Book 3 half-day sessions enjoy additional 4 hours of private tutoring class ($400 value)

Sessions

Week 1: July 6 – July 10 北京 Beijing – The Great Wall

The capital of the country, and home of the famous Forbidden City, Beijing is one of the most emblematic cities of China. Its rich history and culture provide a great starting point for our little explorers to dive into experiencing and learning! Campers will “visit” some of the most famous sites in the city, explore the nearby sections of the Great Wall, and learn about food and traditions connected to this region.

Week 2: July 13 – July 17 西安 Xi’an - Ancient China

In this unique city, history is very much part of everyday life. Once the capital of the country, it has some of the oldest architecture and a very popular old town. This week, our campers will “travel” to this historic city to learn about life in ancient China. They will uncover the secrets of the Terracotta Army, and visit some centuries-old famous sites in and around the city.

Week 3: July 20 – July 24 成都 Chengdu – Pandas and Food

Who doesn’t like pandas? These lovely creatures became a symbol of China, and they are treasured by locals and visitors alike. This week, campers “travel” to the home of the pandas, the bamboo forests of Chengdu. Learning about the local culture and the world-famous cuisine, students can start to compare them to the Northern cities they visited before, noticing the similarities and differences in local traditions.

Week 4: July 27 – July 31 上海 Shanghai – Modern China

With its skyscrapers lighting up the night sky, Shanghai is a symbol of China’s modern side. This week campers will “visit” this bustling megalopolis, the biggest city in China, and they will learn about modern city life. As a port city, and an important trading and financial center, Shanghai has a unique cosmopolitan culture, while still proudly preserving its rich history and local foods and traditions.

Week 5: August 3 – August 7 桂林 Guilin – Mountains and Rivers

Breathtaking landscapes of mountains and rivers make Guilin a special destination. So emblematic, that it is featured on the 20 Yuan bill, the natural beauty of this area draws visitors from all over the world. This week, campers will “visit” this green paradise of Southern China, to learn more about geography, and nature. Students will explore village life in China, and experience the local traditions and delicacies.

Week 6: August 10 – August 14 云南/西藏 Yunnan/Tibet - Ethnic Culture

Moving far West, this week we are visiting the great mountains of Yunnan and Tibet. Campers will “travel” to these scenic places, to learn what life is like near the Western borders. Students will also explore the rich culture of the numerous ethnic groups living in China, all preserving their unique traditions of clothing, food and culture.