Happy NeuLingo

Engaging Design for Children with Little to No Mandarin Language Exposure

What is Happy NeuLingo?

A program for beginners, Happy NeuLingo is designed by a team of American and Chinese pedagogical experts who have devoted themselves to language-learning. Happy NeuLingo serves children aged 5–12 with no background in Mandarin. NeuLingo meets the learning styles and interests of this age group by applying the pictographic literacy method in teaching the building blocks of language: understanding word composition, communicating smoothly in daily conversations, recognizing frequently-used Chinese characters, and writing short paragraphs.

In this way, Happy NeuLingo helps students gain the confidence to speak Mandarin and to achieve the learning objectives of daily communication, clear and accurate expression, and even writing short essays.

Syllabus Overview

Happy NeuLingo curriculum framework is structured and designed in accordance with ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) as well as YCT (Youth Chinese Test). Our goals are designed to help students move from a novice learner to an intermediate learner. We have 7 levels to suit learners from various levels. Each level has 52 lessons to be aligned with ACTFL to build a solid foundation for our enthusiastic Chinese language learners.

Novice Low

Starter Level – Level 2

YCT Level 1

I can express basic preferences or feelings, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals.

Novice Mid

Level 3 – Level 4

YCT Level 2

I can express my own preferences or feelings and react to those of others, using a mixture of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions.

Novice High

Level 5

YCT Level 2

I can interact with others to meet my basic needs related to routine everyday activities, using simple sentences and questions most of the time.

Intermediate Low

Level 6

YCT Level 3

I can interact with others to meet my basic needs in familiar situations by creating simple sentences and asking appropriate follow-up questions.

Our Unique “Can-Do Statement”

Aligned with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, The Can-do statements are organized according to the Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication as described in the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages:

Interpretive Communication: Learners understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.
Interpersonal Communication: Learners interact and negotiate meaning in spoken, signed, or written conversations to share information, reactions, feelings, and opinions.
Presentational Communication: Learners present information, concepts, and ideas to inform, explain, persuade, and narrate on a variety of topics using appropriate media and adapting to various audiences of listeners, readers, or viewers.

"I love my Mandarin teacher Jessie! She is so fun and she made me laugh every time! I’m proud to be able to greet her and introduce myself after 4 weeks learning!”

"I love talking to my NeuLingo teacher. She makes learning Mandarin fun with games and fun on-screen rewards.”

"I love your class!!”

"My teacher is kind and patient. Mandarin can be tricky, but she helps me learn in a way that gives me time to practice and feel confident.”

"I want to give my teacher Joe 700 stars!”

#1	Program Can-Do Statement (Interpersonal)	I can introduce my name and age. I can introduce family members and pets. I can count 1-12 in Chinese. I can ask and answer basic questions related to myself.
#2	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can greet and ask people’s basic information politely. I can introduce the days of a week.
#3	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can name some fruits and animals. I can connect two simple sentences into one complex sentence.

Level 1

#1	Program Can-Do Statement (Interpersonal)	I can introduce others with the correct pronouns. I can express what I have/ You have/ He has/ She has. I can ask “What do you have?” I can ask and answer about quantities. I can introduce my country and nationality. I can introduce the languages that I could speak.
#2	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can discuss and express like/ dislikes. I can name some colors.
#3	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can name say where someone is from and his/her nationalities. I can name some food and drink.

Level 2

#1	Program Can-Do Statement (Interpersonal)	I can describe the size of the item using basic descriptive words. I can describe the quantity of the item. I can express my preference. I can ask and answer questions about basic locations. I can talk about what I like to do.
#2	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can differ and say here/ there. I can write and label some simple Chinese characters. I can recognize and spell words with Pinyin system.
#3	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can name and label some locations. I can ask and answer simple questions related to where I plan to go. I can tell and label different sizes of items.

Level 3

#1	Program Can-Do Statement (Interpersonal)	I can describe the location of an item. I can describe different weather situations. I can say numbers 11-99. I can ask and answer “What’s the date today?” I can ask and answer “Where is…”
#2	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can name some common occupations. I can introduce and describe my friends to others.
#3	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can name some cities. I can differ and say today/ tomorrow. I can write and label more Chinese characters.

Level 4

#1	Program Can-Do Statement (Interpersonal)	I can introduce my daily routine. I can ask and answer “What’s the time now?” I can ask and answer, “How many people are there in your family?” and introduce them to others. I can express my needs. I can make a comparison between two people or objectives.
#2	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can name some common occupations. I can express “I want…/ don’t want…”
#3	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can express “I can…/ can’t…” I can tell time. I can express “I think…” I can express the person/ location that I know/ don’t know. I can express “so…” I can write and label more Chinese characters.

Level 5

#1	Program Can-Do Statement (Interpersonal)	I can say and tell the length of time or period. I can ask and answer questions in selling and buying situations. I can give suggestions on what to do/ where to go. I can carry on a short phone call conversation. I can ask for permission politely with word “please”.
#2	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can make sentences with “together”. I can express how much I like about something.
#3	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can ask questions “…or not?” I can ask and answer questions about colors of something. I can write and label more Chinese characters.

Level 6

#1	Program Can-Do Statement (Interpersonal)	I can say which grade I am and introduce my school subjects. I can say and tell what I did for today. I can give suggestions on what to do/ where to go. I can say “I’m going to + verb”. I can ask and answer “why not…” questions. I can make explanations with “因为”. I can express and introduce my feeling with “太”.
#2	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can express couple of ways to travel and introduce how I go to school.
#3	Program Can-Do Statement (Presentational)	I can express couple of ways to travel and introduce how I go to school. I can ask and answer questions with “…, right?” I can ask and answer questions “Have you ever…?” I can make sentences with “it/ its”. I can write and label more Chinese characters.

3 Easy Steps to Get Started

Happy NeuLingo

What is Happy NeuLingo?

Syllabus Overview

Novice Low

Starter Level – Level 2

YCT Level 1

Novice Mid

Level 3 – Level 4

YCT Level 2

Novice High

Level 5

YCT Level 2

Intermediate Low

Level 6

YCT Level 3

Our Unique “Can-Do Statement”

Starter Level

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

3 Easy Steps to Get Started

1.
Select a package.

2.
Create an account.

3.
Book a lesson.

Happy NeuLingo

What is Happy NeuLingo?

Syllabus Overview

Novice Low

Starter Level – Level 2

YCT Level 1

Novice Mid

Level 3 – Level 4

YCT Level 2

Novice High

Level 5

YCT Level 2

Intermediate Low

Level 6

YCT Level 3

Our Unique “Can-Do Statement”

Starter Level

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

3 Easy Steps to Get Started

1. Select a package.

2. Create an account.

3. Book a lesson.

1.
Select a package.

2.
Create an account.

3.
Book a lesson.