“I only know ni hao.”
Perfect place to start. Get to know pinyin, tones, and useful everyday words before putting simple sentences together.
The full beginner course · Adults 18+
Super FUN Chinese Course 😂
Chinese
from zero.
Tones giving you trouble? Let’s make them click. Start from zero with short lessons, funny stories, and Chinese you can actually use. We’ll laugh. You’ll learn.
- No previous Chinese needed
- 100+ videos to watch at your own pace
- Lifetime course access with teacher support
14-day money-back guarantee. Adult humor, swear words, and candid cultural discussions included. 😉
Press play. Meet Lia. Have a laugh. 😉
Fun lessons. Experienced teacher.
Big laughs. A solid foundation.
100+
Video lessons
Short, practical lessons to fit your schedule.
2,000+
Students enrolled
Join learners in the Chinese With Lia community.
1M+
Social followers
A love of Chinese that reaches around the world.
8+
Years teaching
Learn with a certified, native Mandarin teacher.
Real Chinese. Lia’s sense of humor.
Serious about teaching.
Very unserious in class.
Ni hao, I’m Lia! I’m a native Mandarin speaker and certified Chinese teacher. I help beginners make sense of Chinese through practical examples, funny stories, and plenty of laughs.
We’ll build the basics together—then explore the slang, cultural taboos, and unexpected stories that make the language come alive.
Made for adults: expect swear words, cheeky humor, and occasional dark historical topics. 😉
The qualifications behind the laughs
- CTCSOL certifiedCertificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages
- Bachelor’s degree in TCFLTeaching Chinese as a Foreign Language
- China Teacher Qualification CertificateLicensed teacher qualification
- PSC Level 1-BChina’s official Mandarin proficiency test
- 8+ years of teaching experienceTeaching Chinese in China and America
- Native Mandarin speakerBorn and raised in China; Chinese language educator
Sound like you?
New to Chinese?
You’re in the right place.
You don’t need a head start or a perfect study routine. We’ll begin with the basics and build from there.
“I get bored with textbooks.”
Learn through funny explanations, real-life examples, and cultural stories—with quizzes and games to help you review.
“My schedule is all over the place.”
Watch short, recorded lessons when you have time. Pause, replay, and return to the course at your own pace.
“I want someone to ask.”
Bring your questions to Lia and connect with fellow learners in the private student community.
Inside the full beginner course
Start with “ni hao.”
Discover so much more.
Your full beginner course brings the foundations of Mandarin together with real-life culture and Lia’s unmistakable sense of humor.
A foundation you can build on.
- Get comfortable with pinyin and the four tones.
- Build simple sentences for everyday conversations.
- Understand cultural dos and don’ts.
- Explore real-life slang and cheeky expressions.
And a few unexpected extras…
Why my grandpa ate human flesh 😱—a family story from World War II, alongside other surprising cultural stories.
What you’ll learn
What You Will Learn
Build your Mandarin foundation one lesson at a time—with practical language, memorable stories, and a few things your textbook probably left out.
Basic pronunciation
Build your foundation with pinyin, the four tones, and tricky Mandarin sounds.
A super FUN teaching style
Learn through funny explanations, creative examples, and plenty of laughs.
Your first 100 characters
Explore characters through pictures and stories that help you recognize and remember them.
Hidden histories
Discover the surprising, sometimes dark stories behind Chinese words and expressions.
Cultural no-nos
Learn why context matters, what to avoid, and how expressions come across in real life.
Real-life dialogue
Put useful vocabulary and sentence patterns into practice through simple everyday conversations.
Your foundation comes first. The goal is to help you understand the basics and practice simple conversations. Replaying lessons and practicing aloud will help you build confidence along the way.
Your beginner learning kit
What’s Included
Watch, practice, review, and ask questions. Your course comes with tools to help you keep going between the laughs.
100+ video lessons
Explore 10+ hours of recorded lessons. Watch on your phone, tablet, or computer, and replay whenever you need.
80+ quizzes
Check your understanding after lessons with short quizzes that help you see what to review.
Study games
Practice vocabulary and grammar through games—and try the leaderboard when you feel competitive.
Downloadable PDFs
Keep lesson recaps, word lists, tracing sheets, and slides handy for your study sessions.
Lesson flashcards
Review what you’ve learned with flashcard sets for each lesson, whenever you have a little time.
Learning materials
Your study resources are included. There’s no extra textbook or workbook to buy.
Teacher support
Ask Lia your course questions and get help as you work through the lessons.
Course updates
Get access to improvements and fresh course content as Lia adds them.
Included bonuses
Come for the lessons.
Stay for the people.
Learning on your own schedule doesn’t mean learning alone. Meet your fellow students and make Chinese part of your world.
Your student community
Connect with fellow learners, share your progress, and join study challenges. A little encouragement goes a long way.
Private group chat
Practice with other students and bring your questions to a friendly, supportive space.
Live meetups with Lia
Sign up for monthly live classes to practice speaking, play games, and connect with Lia and other learners.
A Chinese name for you
Get a Chinese name chosen for you—a personal way to begin your Mandarin learning journey.
Your course lessons are recorded, so you can study anytime. Live meetups are an additional opportunity to practice together; check the community for dates and sign-up details.
From the student community
The laughs are real.
So is the feedback.
See what learners say about the lessons, explanations, and learning at their own pace.
More student stories → Scroll or swipe to explore
★★★★★
“I can’t believe how fun this is from the start :) I actually found myself smiling and laughing but the lessons work really well and sink in straight away!”
Michaela
★★★★★
“Lia’s lessons are very engaging, you will have fun learning from the basics on up, plus the community is very supportive.”
auniauni3
★★★★★
“I’m happy to say that your way of teaching kept me interested the whole time.”
Morgana
★★★★★
“I always thought the Chinese tones were so complicated! But you made it really easy. Thank you!”
Anna D.
★★★★★
“Love your funny explanations, so much easier to remember, thank you!”
Luis
★★★★★
“I am really enjoying this group! It’s very useful. I can’t thank Lia enough for these great courses!”
Neya
★★★★★
“Lia is amazing! You not only learn the language, but history behind the words and characters. Plus you learn all the fun swear words! 🤣”
teawithaunicorn
★★★★★
“I joined about 6 months ago and am enjoying learning at my own pace.”
Dilton
★★★★★
“Lia is an amazing and fun teacher!”
archar77
★★★★★
“Her courses are very well designed and are a lot of fun.”
Victor Amezcua
★★★★★
“Big plus- her lessons are super fun!”
odiemena
★★★★★
“After following you for years I finally joined your class! 😭❤️”
hxly
Excerpts from student reviews on Chinese With Lia. Profile circles show reviewer initials.
Take a look inside
Course Content
See how the course is organized and what you’ll explore in the lessons.
Your next step
Ready for your first ni hao?
Choose how you pay. Both options include the same full course and lifetime access.
Pay once
$39750% OFF
$197
One payment. No recurring course fee.
- Full Total Beginner course
- Lifetime course access and updates
- Quizzes, games, flashcards, and PDFs
- Teacher support and student community
- Included community bonuses
- 14-day money-back guarantee
Monthly payment plan
$77 / month50% OFF
$37 / month
6 monthly payments of $37
A six-payment plan, not an ongoing subscription.
- Full Total Beginner course
- Lifetime course access and updates
- Quizzes, games, flashcards, and PDFs
- Teacher support and student community
- Included community bonuses
- 14-day money-back guarantee
Try it. You have 14 days to decide.
If the course isn’t for you, request a full refund within 14 days of purchase. No questions asked.
Before your first ni hao
Good questions.
Clear answers.
A few things to know before you start your Chinese journey.
Do I need to know any Chinese?
No. This course starts from zero, introducing pinyin, tones, and basic sentence patterns before moving into simple conversations.
Are the lessons live or recorded?
The core lessons are recorded, so you can watch whenever it suits you. Monthly live meetups are an additional opportunity to practice and connect; check the student community for dates and sign-up details.
How long does the course take?
The course includes 10+ hours of video content. Your overall study time will depend on how much you practice and review. There is no need to rush—learn at your own pace.
Can I revisit the lessons?
Yes. The course includes lifetime access, so you can return to lessons and review the material.
Do I need to buy a textbook?
No extra textbook or workbook is required. The course includes learning materials, downloadable PDFs, flashcards, quizzes, and study games.
Is this course suitable for children?
This course is designed for adults 18+. Lessons include swear words, adult humor, cultural taboos, and occasional dark historical topics.
What if the course isn’t right for me?
You can request a full refund within the first 14 days of purchase, no questions asked.
Can I get help when I’m stuck?
Yes. You can ask Lia course questions and connect with fellow learners through the private student community.
