Mandarin Chinese Lessons in Columbus — with a Teacher Kids Love
A certified Chinese teacher and Ohio-licensed, background-checked educator with real district experience — in person, during the day, for K-8 kids, plus teens and adults.
Serving Columbus, Gahanna, New Albany, Westerville, Dublin, Powell & Upper Arlington.
Who’s learning Chinese?
Every family starts in a different place. Pick the path that fits yours.
Homeschoolers
Weekly co-op classes, pods, and daytime 1:1 — a real world-language program during school hours.
Explore homeschool Mandarin →
Kids K-8, After School
Private lessons and sibling/friend pods that kids look forward to — games, songs, stories, real progress.
Explore kids’ lessons →
Teens: AP & HSK
Focused test prep for AP Chinese and HSK — college credit and internationally recognized certification.
Explore test prep →
Adults
Evening lessons for professionals, travelers, and heritage learners. Practical, conversation-first.
Explore adult lessons →
Schools & Preschools
Contracted weekly Mandarin enrichment for preschools, Montessori, and private schools.
Explore school programs →
你好! I’m Teacher Penny.
For four years I taught the Gahanna-Jefferson School District’s Chinese language program — more than 100 students across six elementary schools and two middle schools. Before that, I led international language education at a top kindergarten in Zhuhai, China.
Now I bring that same joyful, sequenced Mandarin program directly to Columbus families — at co-ops, kitchen tables, libraries, and schools across Central Ohio.
Why families choose Teacher Penny
Real credentials
Ohio-licensed and state background-checked, certified by China’s Ministry of Education, with 12+ years in education and 5+ years teaching Chinese to K-8 students.
Kids actually love it
Games, songs, stories, and real conversation — a communicative method built for how young kids learn, refined across hundreds of district classroom hours.
Daytime & flexible
The rare certified Mandarin teacher available during homeschool hours — plus after school, evenings, and at your co-op, library, or school.
How it works
Book a free trial
Meet Teacher Penny, see how she teaches, and let her get a feel for your child’s level. No obligation.
Get a personalized plan
A recommended format, schedule, and starting point matched to your child’s age, goals, and experience.
Learn & see progress
Sequenced levels, parent progress reports, and an annual Lunar New Year showcase.
Your Child’s First 50 Mandarin Words
A printable starter pack for Columbus families — the same first words Teacher Penny introduces in her K-8 classes, with pinyin and simple pronunciation tips.
Ready to give Mandarin a try?
The first lesson is free — meet Teacher Penny, see the method, and get a personalized plan for your child.