Classes
South Bay Chinese School offers diverse language programs in Cantonese (廣東話), Taiwanese Hokkien (臺語), and Mandarin (國語), expertly tailored for students at all proficiency levels. Our thoughtfully structured curriculum adapts to each learner’s unique journey and goals.
Beyond language instruction, we invite the entire community to explore Chinese culture through our specialized Guzheng (古筝), Wing Chun Kung Fu (詠春功夫), and Tai Chi (太極拳) classes—no language course enrollment required. Join our community of expert instructors who are passionate about helping you develop language skills while experiencing the richness of Chinese heritage.
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Chinese School Classes
- Cantonese 1 (C1)
- Cantonese 2 (C2)
- Mandarin Conversation (MC)
- Hanyu Pinyin 漢語拼音 Level Kindergarten (HLK)
- Hanyu Pinyin 漢語拼音 Level 1 (HL1)
- Hanyu Pinyin 漢語拼音 Level 2 (HL2)
- Level Kindergarten Mandarin (LK)
- Level 1 Mandarin (L1)
- Level 2 Mandarin (L2)
- Level 3 Mandarin (L3)
- Level 4 Mandarin (L4)
- Level 4 Mandarin + AP Level (L4/AP)
- Level 5 Mandarin + AP Level (L5/AP)
- Advanced
Cantonese 1 (C1)
SBCS is proud to be the only Chinese school in Los Angeles area that offers Cantonese. Students in this class learn to read traditional Chinese in Cantonese and to write traditional Chinese characters in addition to learning Chinese culture. Typically, students stay in this course for two years before transferring to C2.
Cantonese 2 (C2)
C2 is a continuation of C1. Students continue to deepen their skills in reading comprehension and writing traditional Chinese characters in Cantonese in addition to learning Chinese culture. Upon completion of this class in two years, students typically transfer to L3 or L4.
Mandarin Conversation (MC)
We offer two Mandarin Conversation classes: one for children and another for adults.
The conversation class is open to anyone who has none or little Chinese language at home. The focus of the class is conversation but students will be able to recognize some Chinese characters and write some simple ones.
Hanyu Pinyin 漢語拼音 Level Kindergarten (HLK)
The Pinyin class centers on teaching early elementary schoolers Pinyin phonetic system. Students will learn how to pronounce sounds/words with Pinyin and to write out each sound phonetically using Pinyin in an engaging learning environment with both indoor and outdoor activities/lessons.
Hanyu Pinyin 漢語拼音 Level 1 (HL1)
Simplified Chinese level 1 is the first class in which students learn to recognize and to write simplified Chinese characters after they have mastered Pinyin in the previous year. Students start with Chinese characters which have fewer strokes but in context and gradually move on to characters with more complicated strokes. The vocabulary words are supported with Pinyin for pronunciation purpose.
Hanyu Pinyin 漢語拼音 Level 2 (HL2)
Level 2, HL2 is a continuation of HL1. Students continue to deepen their skills in reading comprehension and writing simplified Chinese characters supported by Pinyin phonetic system in addition to learning Chinese culture.
Level Kindergarten Mandarin (LK)
The LK class centers on teaching early elementary schoolers the Chinese phonetic alphabet, Zhuyin. It focuses on introducing the students to the Zhuyin phonetic system. Students will learn how to pronounce sounds/words with Zhuyin and to write out each sound phonetically using Zhuyin in an engaging learning environment with both indoor and outdoor activities/lessons.
Level 1 Mandarin (L1)
Traditional Chinese level 1 is the first class in which students learn to recognize and to write traditional Chinese characters after they have mastered Zhuyin in the previous year. Students start with Chinese characters that have fewer strokes but in context and gradually move on to characters with more complicated strokes. The vocabulary words are supported with Zhuyin for pronunciation purpose.
Level 2 Mandarin (L2)
Level 2 (L2) is a continuation of L1. Students continue to deepen their skills in reading comprehension and writing traditional Chinese characters supported by Zhuyin phonetic system in addition to learning Chinese culture.
Level 3 Mandarin (L3)
Level 3 (L3) is a continuation of HL2 and L2. Students continue to deepen their skills in reading comprehension and writing simplified Chinese characters or traditional Chinese characters with Pinyin or Zhuyin whichever the student prefers in addition to learning Chinese culture.
Level 4 Mandarin (L4)
Level 4 (L4) is a continuation of L3. Students continue to deepen their skills in reading comprehension and writing simplified Chinese characters or traditional Chinese characters with Pinyin or Zhuyin whichever the student prefers in addition to learning Chinese culture.
Level 4 Mandarin + AP Level (L4/AP)
Level 4AP (L4AP) L4AP reviews the material in Meizhou Chinese 4 and emphasizes using the Chinese learned in L1-4 in a practical way. Students will practice speaking, listening, writing, and typing in a style that helps prepare students for the Chinese AP exam. Oral cultural presentations will be prepared and given. Idioms will be learned and used. Students will read sample e-mail and craft responses to them. Students will use class time to prepare written stories based on pictures and type these stories up for homework. In this way, the material already learned will be further reinforced through practical use. This is also great preparation for future AP Chinese exam takers. This class is a good supplement for middle and high school students currently enrolled in Chinese 2 at school.
Level 5 Mandarin + AP Level (L5/AP)
Level 5AP (L5AP) L5AP reviews the material in Meizhou Chinese 5 and emphasizes using the Chinese learned in L1-5 in a practical way. Students will practice speaking, listening, writing, and typing in a style that helps prepare students for the Chinese AP exam. Oral cultural presentations will be prepared and given. Idioms will be learned and used. Students will read sample e-mail and craft responses to them. Students will use class time to prepare written stories based on pictures and type these stories up for homework. In this way, the material already learned will be further reinforced through practical use. This is also great preparation for future AP Chinese exam takers. Textbook used will be Meizhou Chinese 5, which students should already have, and Meizhou Chinese SAT & AP Test Preparation Level 5. This class is a good supplement for middle and high school students currently enrolled in Chinese 2 & 3 at school.
Advanced
The Advanced Class is intended for students who have mastered Meizhou Chinese levels 1-6. Textbooks used will include Integrated Chinese 3, Meizhou Chinese SAT & AP Test Preparation Level 7, and Barron’s AP Chinese Language & Culture. This is good preparation for eighth graders who hope to test into Chinese 4 in high school and also good practice for high school students preparing for the Chinese AP Exam. The teacher will guide students in preparing and giving oral cultural presentations that are required on the AP text. Students will also become adept at using Chinese idioms in their speaking and writing. Under teacher guidance, students will read sample e-mails and craft responses to them and prepare written stories based on pictures in AP exam style.
Guzheng (古筝)
We are planning to offer a guzheng (古筝) class in Fall 2025. You do not have to enroll in South Bay Chinese School classes to participate! All ages and levels are welcome!
If you’re interested, let us know by signing the interest form today!
Mommy/Daddy & Me
We are planning to offer a Mommy/Daddy & Me class to the community in Fall 2025 for parents and their children from birth to 5 years old. You do not have to enroll in South Bay Chinese School classes to participate!
More info coming soon!
Wing Chun Kung Fu (詠春功夫)
We are planning to offer a Wing Chun Kung Fu (詠春功夫) class to the community in Fall 2025. You do not have to enroll in South Bay Chinese School classes to participate! All ages and levels are welcome!
More info coming soon!
Tai Chi (太極拳)
We are planning to offer a Tai Chi (太極拳) class to the community in Fall 2025. You do not have to enroll in South Bay Chinese School classes to participate! All ages and levels are welcome!
More info coming soon!
Taiwanese Hokkien (臺語) Conversation
[Update, 4/2025]: We are pleased to announce that we are offering our inaugural Taiwanese Hokkien class in Fall 2025 for children (12 years and older) and adults! You do not have to enroll in South Bay Chinese School classes to participate!
Please sign our interest form and we’ll email you when registration opens!