boy learning to write chinese characters

Youth Programs

Chinese Program

This onsite Chinese language program is open to PreK to 5th grade students and takes place on Saturdays. The program offers classes in Mandarin and Cantonese languages and provides a fun and interactive environment for students to learn, making language learning an enjoyable experience. The goal of the Wah Mei Chinese Program is to help children develop their language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a fun, interactive, and immersive way.

Highlights

Irving Location

Judah Location

Hours & Fees

Apply

FAQ

  • Thematic Based Activities and Games

  • Listening and Speaking Skills Practice in a Small Group Setting

  • Reading with Teacher in a Big GroupWriting Practice with Strokes

  • Chinese Culture and Community Building

  • Storytelling/Chinese Songs/Dance/Art & Crafts/Experiments/Role Play

  • Chinese Homework/Quizzes/End-Of-Year Assessment

Location

1555 Irving St. Building

Mandarin & Cantonese Level 1-3
K-5th Grade

1555 Irving Street (cross street 17th Avenue)
San Francisco, CA 94122

(415) 603-2409
chineseschool@wahmei.org

Our new location features 6 rooms, a community space, and a reception area. We look forward to welcoming our new participants in this space, as we have been busy working on getting the space ready with everything they will need to be successful.

Location

1400 Judah St. Building

Beginner Chinese Class
K–5th Grade

1400 Judah Street
San Francisco, CA 94122

Preschool-aged (3-5 yrs old)

Beginning Mandarin Saturday at 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM (75 mins)
Beginning Cantonese Saturday at 11:00 AM - 12:15 AM (75 mins)

Plan Bundle Price *
Monthly rate for one class $140
Bundle rate for both classes $245

Kindergarten - 5th graders

Cantonese OR Mandarin Saturday at 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (2 hr 30 mins)

Plan Bundle Price *
Monthly Rate $185

Virtual 1 on 1: All grade levels - Cantonese OR Mandarin

Four 50-min Zoom Classes - Schedule TBD

Plan Bundle Price *
Monthly Rate $190

* Fees Subject to Change

2024-2025: Open Enrollment right now!

If you are interested in applying to our Chinese Program for 2025 and beyond, please fill out the interest form.

“Ensuring that I could instill Chinese values in my bi-racial children (they are half Chinese and half Indian) was also very important to me, and it was a bonus that they could also learn Chinese. So finding WMS was such a hidden treasure that taught bi-lingual education, had a long history in SF, reinforced Chinese values, and the staff reminded me of the aunties and uncles I grew up with.”


— Christina Singh, WM Parent & Board Member

  • Wah Mei’s Chinese Program aims to provide a variety of content including Chinese dialogue, Chinese character writing practice, skits, and role play, and more contained in theme-based activities and curriculum.

    • The Virtual Class option is a good choice for your child/children if you need one on one tutoring and lessons. The lessons will be facilitated in either Cantonese or Mandarin with one of our Chinese teachers. The schedule for virtual classes will be based on the availability of the teacher. The cost of virtual classes will be $190 for four classes.

    • Virtual classes will be held over Zoom and a link will be provided to you via email. Each class will be about 50 minutes long and will be tailored to the needs of your child which can range from Chinese homework support, dialogue practice, Chinese language lessons, etc.

    • Virtual classes will be scheduled in advance, and it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to have their child/children attend each class on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, the class will be canceled and will be considered an unexcused absence. Unexcused absences will not be refunded or rescheduled. Please notify us two days in advance if you need to reschedule as we have limited availability.

  • The class groupings will depend on registration. We will do our best to divide groups by grade (Pre-K to 5th grade).

  • The program will provide snacks such as fruits or crackers. All snacks will be nut free. If you are planning to bring your own snacks, please make sure it’s nut-free as well. Please include food allergy information in your application.

    • The Wah Mei Chinese Program will begin at 9:30 AM or 11:00 AM (Cantonese PreK) which is the time parents/guardians can start to drop off their child/children. The program ends at 10:45 AM (Mandarin PreK), 12:00 PM (Mandarin/Cantonese Levels 1, 2, 3), or 12:15 PM (Cantonese PreK). Late fees will accrue every minute aer pick-up me at $5 per minute per child. Late fees will be added to your monthly tuition fees.

    • For our Mandarin/Cantonese Levels 1-3, the Chinese Program begins at 9:30 AM and we will keep the doors open unl 9:50 AM. For safety reasons, doors will be locked past 9:50 AM. As the program is only 3.5 hours long we will also not be allowing students to be dropped off past 9:50 AM. Please make sure to drop off and pick up your child/children on me.