Chinese courses for children in Zurich

Learn Chinese for children aged 4 to 12

More and more families are discovering Chinese for their children, whether as a bridge to their heritage language, an investment in the future, or out of curiosity about a fascinating culture. At Wordculture, children learn Mandarin in mini-groups with a maximum of 6 participants: age-appropriate, interactive, and completely without the stress of grades.

Why should children learn Chinese?

Mandarin is a language of the future, as China is the world’s second-largest economy, and Mandarin is steadily gaining importance. Children who learn Mandarin today gain an advantage that will undoubtedly benefit them during their studies or later in their careers.

Furthermore, learning Mandarin trains cognitive skills that go beyond language: tone differentiation sharpens hearing, characters promote visual memory, and dealing with a completely different language structure strengthens analytical thinking.

For Chinese-speaking families in Zurich, our courses also offer the opportunity to systematically maintain the children’s heritage language, especially when Mandarin is spoken at home but not written.

During the summer holidays, we also offer a wide range of summer camps for children aged 4 to 15.

Where and how do I want to learn?

In-person

Online

Group course

Private course

Preschool and Kindergarten
你好,小朋友们!

Age group: 4-6 years

Mandarin is a tonal language, and that is exactly what fascinates children. At this age, they pick up the different tones with an ease that leaves adults in awe. Our native-speaking teachers work with flashcards, songs, rhymes, and movement games. The children learn their first words and simple sentences in the process ‒ in a completely playful way and according to the immersion principle.

1st-3rd Grade
First characters!

Age group: 6-9 Years

From school age, the lessons become more structured. Children expand their vocabulary, learn simple dialogues, and are introduced to Pinyin transcription. First characters are playfully added: writing one's own name in Chinese characters is a real highlight for many children. In addition, calligraphy exercises train fine motor skills and concentration.

4th-6th Grade
Even more characters!

Age group: 9-12 Years

Older children work with simple texts, conduct short dialogues, and learn to talk about their daily lives, families, and interests in Mandarin. Their character vocabulary is systematically built up. Cultural backgrounds are also integrated into the lessons, and if necessary, we also prepare them for the HSK exam (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), the internationally recognized certificate for Chinese as a foreign language.

HSK Exam Preparation Courses in Zurich: 汉语水平考试 A1–C2

The HSK exam is a language test for Chinese as a foreign language and is divided into six different levels: HSK1 to HSK6 (A1-C2). This certificate allows one to study or work in China. In Switzerland, these language tests can be taken in Zurich at the Asia-Orient Institute of the University of Zurich. We offer targeted preparation courses for successfully passing the exam.

Why Wordculture?

Small groups for
maximum results

Max. 6 children for individual support and rapid progress

Native-speaking
teachers

Pedagogically trained and experienced
in working with children

KulturLegi Discounts
Family Discounts

Discount on all language courses for all ages

Student review

Our daughter is half Chinese. Although I am Swiss and my husband is Chinese, I wanted our daughter not just to hear and parrot Chinese, but also to be able to read and write it. She now reads children’s books that her grandparents give her, and the weekly calligraphy lessons are the highlight of the week for her.

The Chen family from Zurich

The initial consultation and trial lesson are completely free and without obligation. Get in touch to book an appointment.​

Frequently Asked Questions

From age 4. We distinguish between 3 age groups: 4-6 years, 6-9 years, and 9-12 years. This is the only way to design age-appropriate lessons. Additionally, anyone who wants to learn Chinese cannot start early enough. The Chinese tonal and writing system is complex, but little explorers soak up new knowledge like a sponge.

Yes, the children gradually learn Hanzi, the Chinese character system.

No, the child does not need any prior knowledge.

Yes, the child can take the HSK exam in Zurich or Geneva, and we can provide targeted preparation for it.