Watch Your Child Shine: Mandarin Immersion in ChinašØš³
Mandarin Crush: When Learning Mandarin Turns Into a Real-Life Adventure in China
Over the past few months, Iāve been receiving more and more messages from families around the world. Their kids have been learning Mandarin abroad⦠but theyāve never actually been to China. They want something real, something immersive, something unforgettable.
Thatās how the Mandarin Crush experience has become one of my favorite things to host.
Recently, I welcomed several families visiting Shanghai with their children, and together we created something magicalā
a full Mandarin world where kids didnāt just practice the language⦠they lived it.
Day One: The Moment Everything Clicks
When we first met, I spoke only Mandarin.
Wide eyes. Nervous giggles. Whispering in English to each other:
āWait⦠she really doesnāt speak English?ā
Their parents watched quietly, curious to see what might happen.
Some kids were a little shy at firstāshoulders slightly tense, voices soft.
But with patience, friendliness, and a lot of warmth, we became comfortable fast.
Before long, they were chatting, asking questions, laughingā¦
and completely forgetting to be shy.
One magical thing happened repeatedly:
Kids loved getting attention from locals.
Everywhere we went, people were surprised:
āåļ¼ä½ äøę诓å¾čæä¹å„½ļ¼ā (Wow, your Chinese is so good!)
Their faces lit upā
that mixture of pride, surprise, and excitementā¦
That moment alone is worth the whole trip.
Exploring Shanghai, One Mandarin Moment at a Time
We explored lilong alleys, skyscrapers, hidden food streets, and neighborhood markets.
Our Mandarin was woven naturally into everything we did.
We talked about:
favorite gifts they brought from home
āčæęÆęęå欢ē礼ē©ļ¼ātheir room tour and little things in their suitcase
āęę„ä»ē»äøäøęēęæé“ćātheir daily lives, their hobbies, their stories
āę平常å欢ā¦ā
All in very natural, very warm, and very excited Mandarin.
Not scripted.
Not memorized.
Just real conversations about their world.
The more they shared, the more connected we felt.
Local Life, Local Food, Local Confidence
We ate in small, delicious local restaurants where everything was in Chinese.
The kids ordered their own meals.
They asked questions.
They chatted with waiters.
They were seen and heard by the local community.
And the compliments didnāt stop.
Strangers turned around with big smiles:
āä½ ēäøę儽ę£åļ¼ā
āYou speak so well!ā
That positive energy builds confidence faster than any classroom ever can.
High-Speed Trains and Low-Pressure Learning
We hopped on high-speed trains to Suzhou, Hangzhou, and nearby cities.
They learned to:
read signs
find their seats
navigate the stations
talk to conductors
explore the cities using Mandarin
They also learned how modern China functionsā
from ordering meals through the phone to watching deliveries arrive in minutes.
The best part?
They werenāt learning because they had to.
They were learning because it was fun.
Guided by a Professional Mandarin Coach
This is where the experience becomes truly special.
This isnāt just a Mandarin immersion tour.
This is Mandarin immersion guided by a professional Mandarin coach.
I know how young learners think.
I know how to speak to them in a way they instantly understand.
I know how to build confidence gently and naturally.
Every Mandarin sentence I use is intentionalā
simple enough for kids to understand,
but rich enough to help them grow.
Soon, they find themselves speaking Mandarin:
confidently
naturally
without hesitation.
Why Choose NanNan?
Iām NanNan Lee, founder of Mandarin Plus.
Iāve spent over 12 years helping students and families from all over the world learn Mandarin in meaningful, practical, and joyful ways.
With me, youāre not just getting:
a tour guide
a tutor
or a translator
Youāre getting a friend in Shanghai.
Someone kids feel safe with.
Someone they can chat with.
Someone they can trust.
This isnāt just a tour.
Itās also the chance to have a real friend here in Shanghai and China.
Many families stay connected long after their trip.
Kids send me voice notes, updates, photos, homework, and Mandarin messages.
The friendship continues.
A Journey Kids Remember Forever
Children who learn Mandarin abroad suddenly see everything click together here.
They return home with:
deeper confidence
real-life speaking skills
unforgettable memories
cultural understanding
and a friend they can always visit in Shanghai
For parents, itās heartwarming to watch.
For kids, itās life-changing.
For me, itās an honor every single time.
If your family dreams of an experience where Mandarin becomes alive, warm, fun, and truly immersiveā
the Mandarin Crush tour may be the perfect adventure.
And Iād love to welcome you to Shanghai soon.