Which Online Chinese Course is Best in 2025? Overseas Parents’ Guide

Currently, in the online Chinese course market, there are numerous different types of courses, including various difficulty levels, content, and teaching methods. So, which online Chinese course is the best? And how to select an online Chinese course suitable for overseas children has become a challenge for many parents. To help overseas parents choose suitable online Chinese courses for their children, this article will share some methods to teach overseas parents how to select online Chinese courses. To help everyone make objective judgments, below we will also share some real trial class experiences from overseas parents regarding online Chinese teaching institutions such as WuKong Chinese, Lingoace, pptutor, etc., for reference.

Part 1: Why to Learn Chinese?

There are many reasons for learning Mandarin to gain proficiency in it. It is among the most widely spoken languages in the world. There are over one billion native Chinese speakers who encourage others to learn and communicate effectively. Learning Chinese for beginners needs consistency to become proficient and excel in your career. 

The Chinese Class to learn the language is a better investment in boosting your academic performance and career growth. Besides these benefits, it can help you understand the literature and philosophy of Chinese history.

Thus, learning Chinese can give you the freedom to understand the culture and eliminate the language barriers during communication. 

Part 2: How Overseas Parents Select Suitable Online Chinese Courses for Their Children?

Clarify Chinese Learning Goals and Outcomes

First, when selecting online Chinese courses, clarify the learning goals the child hopes to achieve through the online Chinese course, such as improving speaking, reading, listening, etc. Carefully review the teaching syllabus and content provided by the course to ensure it covers the areas and knowledge points the child wants to learn. Understand the course’s teacher qualifications, teaching experience, and reputation; an experienced teacher can provide better teaching outcomes.

Trial Classes to Select Suitable Chinese Course Types

Secondly, select course types suitable for the child’s level and needs, such as beginner courses, advanced courses, business Chinese, etc. On this basis, understand the course’s learning mode, including whether there is real-time interaction, online discussions, homework, etc. Choose courses suitable for the child’s schedule to ensure the child can fully participate in the learning. Some courses provide trial classes, where children can try one class to understand the teaching style and materials. Consider whether the course provides rich learning resources, such as textbooks, exercises, videos, etc.

Select Suitable Chinese Teachers

When selecting online Chinese courses, understanding the teachers’ backgrounds is very important. The level and teaching experience of online Chinese teachers directly affect the child’s learning outcomes. Some teachers may hold teaching certifications, such as the Chinese Teacher Certification (CTCSOL), which is a measure of their teaching ability. Understand whether the teacher’s teaching style suits the child’s learning method. Some people prefer interactive teaching, such as using Chinese learning games to enhance interest in learning Chinese through interactive games. Others may prefer traditional teaching. Some teachers may have professional backgrounds in specific fields, such as business or travel, suitable for children with specific learning needs. Teachers sharing their teaching views and experiences on social media can also provide more insights through these channels.

Understand Course Reviews and Feedback

Finally, be sure to check other children’s reviews and feedback on the Chinese courses, and make the final decision after understanding their learning experiences and feedback. The course’s official website may provide sections with children’s reviews and feedback, where you can find their comments. Online forums, communities, or websites (such as Reddit, Quora, etc.) may have many children sharing their course experiences and reviews. Additionally, some Chinese courses may have official accounts on social media platforms, where you can view other children’s comments and interactions on these platforms.

Chinese Learning Resources

Confirm whether the course provides learning resources, such as textbooks, exercises, audio or video materials. Check if there are interactive learning opportunities, such as online discussions, homework, and quizzes. Chinese textbooks and course books can provide systematic Chinese learning materials. Some popular books include “HSK Standard Course,” “New Practical Chinese Reader,” etc. There are also popular Chinese learning apps like Duolingo, HelloChinese, Pleco, etc., which provide interactive learning experiences, including vocabulary exercises, grammar tutorials, and practice questions. Online Chinese courses usually provide guidance from mentors and structured learning plans; you can find various courses on the platform, including free and paid ones.

WuKong Chinese

“WuKong Chinese” online Chinese learning platform aims to help overseas teenagers and children improve their Chinese proficiency. This platform provides rich teaching resources and online Chinese courses suitable for children of different levels, from beginners to advanced, with corresponding content. It builds an interactive learning platform with personalized, adaptive learning tutoring services for children learning Chinese.

Free Trial Class (0 RMB) + 30-Minute Precise Level Assessment

• After booking, a dedicated course advisor will add you on WeChat/WhatsApp within 24 hours to confirm the time difference.
• The trial class is not a superficial “performance demo”; it’s a real, full lesson taught by a certified professional teacher (choose between 25 or 60 minutes).
• 5 minutes before class starts, the teacher will conduct a dual AI + human level assessment (covering speaking, listening, character recognition, and reading comprehension).
• On the same day the trial ends, you will receive an 8–10-page “Child’s Chinese Proficiency Diagnostic Report” + “Most Suitable 6-Month Learning Path Recommendation” tailored just for your child.

This “test first → customize later” experience completely avoids the awkward situation of buying a full course only to find the level is either too easy or too difficult for your child.

Click here to book your free trial class now and get your child’s exclusive report!

100% Customized Course Based on Your Child’s Actual Level

• Ages 3–6, Zero Foundation → Picture book immersion + nursery rhymes & games + natural phonics method
• Ages 7–10, Beginner / Weak Foundation → In-house developed WuKong Chinese Language curriculum + animated interactions + daily speaking check-ins
• Ages 11–18, Intermediate–Advanced / AP / HSK Prep → Original classical poetry & prose + writing feedback & corrections + dedicated idiom story modules

All courses are fully modular. After the trial class, your dedicated advisor will instantly build the perfect course package for your child on the spot based on the diagnostic report — never any forced or pre-packaged bundles!

Real Reviews from Parents

Overseas Parent (studylink) Review:

WuKong Chinese was the first institution I tried. Headquarters in New Zealand, with an office in Chengdu as well. Uses their own developed textbooks. One-on-one 30 minutes, small group 60 minutes, uses the WuKong App for classes. The trial class felt the teacher was pretty good, good interaction, and there was a short communication at the end. In terms of price, compared to other institutions, WuKong Chinese’s price is moderate.

Regarding the author’s trial class experiences with Lingoace, pptutor, New Oriental, Mi Tuan Chinese, and other online Chinese courses, parents can view the original article through the following link.

Review source: https://huaren.us/showtopic.html?topicid=2748543

Review title: “Personal Trial Class Experiences with 6 Online Chinese Courses: WuKong Chinese, ECL, pptutor, Lingoace, New Oriental, Mi Tuan Chinese”

Overseas Parent (Overseas Kids Learning Chinese Review) Review:

WuKong Chinese has relatively reliable teachers. The trial class first left a deep impression on me with their classroom setup. The teacher adopted an immersive, interactive teaching method, using various fun games and activities to let children learn Chinese in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Even though it was just a free trial, the consultant patiently introduced the course arrangements to me. What surprised me the most was WuKong Chinese’s follow-up services. But like other learning platforms such as Lingoace and pptutor, sometimes there might be some content in the class that is a bit difficult for zero-foundation children.

Review source: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/653563740?utm_campaign=shareopn&utm_medium=social&utm_oi=1268787884205006848&utm_psn=1744047018593624064&utm_source=wechat_session

Review title: “Which Overseas Chinese Online Course is Strong? ABC Mom’s Actual Test!”

edX

EdX is among the best free Chinese courses online that provide beginner to advanced-level opportunities. It is a famous learning platform that collaborates with universities and institutions from all over the world. These sectors offer a variety of courses on edX, including Chinese learning. 

Features

• These courses are from the specific institutions along with the certificate.
• You can have both free and premium access with specific privileges.
• You can earn a certificate from the institution from which you are learning Chinese.

Price

You can access the free or premium courses based on your preferences. If you choose the free version, you’ll have limited access to the course, and you won’t earn any certification at the end. However, the premium access can cost you about 340.20, based on the course you are choosing. 

Pros

• Certificate from an institute: edX is a platform that has agreements with different universities and institutions to provide courses with certifications.
• Opportunity of free classes: Although these courses are paid, you still have the opportunity to access the free version for a limited period. 

Cons

• Recorded lectures: After joining the course, you’ll have modules with the recorded lectures. With this, you can only learn the basic language without any in-depth knowledge.
• Expensive: As per the course style and content, the courses on edX are expensive. 

Reviews 

“I can understand the courses are quite informative, but I think for professional certificates, at least the first modules should be free so learners can try it out and see if they fit their needs. There should also be a provision for discounts or financial aid like those Coursera provides.” 4/5* sam jacks-Trustpilot

There are courses for different levels to meet the needs of every learner. However, before enrolling in the course, ensuring it aligns with your preferences is recommended. As most of the courses on edX are free, you can explore the overall content before entering the course. 

Coursera

Whether you are preparing for the HSK or Business Chinese, you can find the best online Chinese courses for adults on Coursera, as it offers content for all levels.

Most courses here are paid, but you can access free courses by applying the filter. These are best for beginners, but if you want an advanced course, you will need to pay a fee.

Features

• Beginners can learn the basic language course without paying a penny.
• It has courses for all levels.
• You don’t have to pay a penny as a beginner if you want to learn the basics of Chinese.

Price

If you subscribe to the course, you have to pay from 💲20.35 to 💲41.41, depending on the course you want to choose. But if you want to pay on a monthly basis, you have to pay 💲60.69.

Pros

• Online resources: Whether you are learning basic or advanced Chinese, you’ll be provided with resources to practice your learning.
• Certification: When you complete the course, this platform provides you an option to have certification of the skills you learn during the course.

Cons

• No live classes: After purchasing the course, you’ll get the excess to the specific level of learning in the form of recorded lectures. 

Reviews 

“GOOD BECAUSE THEY HAVE MANY NICE COURSES AND TERRIBLE BECAUSE THEY DON’T VALUE EFFICIENCY AND TIME. THE VIDEOS FEATURE IS NOT GOOD. WE CAN’T EASILY PAUSE WITH A SINGLE CLICK LIKEYOUTUBE.

EVEN SIMPLE THINGS LIKE LOADING PAGES OF PRACTICE QUIZZES TAKE TIME!” 3/5* A. S. R.-Trustpilot

The beginner classes include video lectures, quizzes, and assignments for learning and practicing Chinese. This platform also provides certification but only on purchasing the course. Free enrollments don’t provide certification, but you can still learn from them. 

Beijing Language and Culture University

BLCU is an online Mandarin course university with amazing Chinese language programs. The University of China focuses on promoting Chinese culture by teaching Chinese language. The online lessons can be scheduled as a one-to-one or group system. 

Features

• Native teachers to help you understand the topics in depth.
• Availability of online resources to help practice and discuss what has been learned.

Price

If you are choosing a 12 week course, you’ll be charged 20 per week. But if you want 1 on 1 class, you have to pay 748.58 for 30 hours. 

Pros

• Online resources: During learning, you’ll get online resources to discuss and practice your learnings.
• In-depth learning: This course will help you learn the Chinese language from beginner to advanced level. 

Cons

• Expensive: You have to pay a lot of dollars for one week of classes as compared to the knowledge they provide. 

Reviews 

“BLCU is hands down, the best university to apply for anything related with Chinese language and culture, the level is the highest in this. The university is located in the WUDAOKOU area, a very big student zone of Beijing. The only problem with BLCU is the dorms, they have a terrible quality, during my studies there I had to rent an apartment with my friends, because living with the dorm was impossible” 3/5* Anna Sophia-eduopinions

It is a language program for 12 weeks, with each module per week. There are 3 options to sign up for the course: 12 weeks, 1 year, or 2 years. The resources for this course include WeChat discussions, live tests, and question-answering sessions.  

Duolingo 

This is a free Chinese learning app that is ideal for beginners. The app primarily focuses on Chinese characters, which are the fundamental elements of the language. With its user-friendly design, users can learn while enjoying various mini-games.

Features

• This app is beginner-friendly for those who want to focus on learning Chinese characters and vocabulary.
• You don’t need to pay a penny for learning via this app.

Price

It is a free Chinese learning app where you can learn characters and basic vocabulary. Here, you play mini games to practice your learnings. 

Pros

• Ease of access: Duolingo is easily accessible on various devices, making it convenient for learners to practice Chinese anytime, anywhere.
• Gamified learning: The app provides gamification techniques, making the learning process engaging and motivating for users.

Cons

• Lack of comprehensive knowledge: Duolingo alone may not be sufficient for achieving fluency, as resources and real-life practice are often necessary.

Reviews 

“It’s ok as a quick supplement to more detailed learning.

I use the free app, which is a very short daily lesson.

Even when I’ve practiced that day, it sometimes claims I haven’t – maybe the time difference between the USA and UK? A bit odd.

And the animated characters eg giving a high five are a bit annoying even if jokey.

The only colour I’ve been taught after about a year is pink!” 3/5* Anne Robinson-Trustpilot

The fundamental elements include pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence structures. There is also the audio integration to let you pronounce the characters and words accurately. They provide the Chinese class online as per the individual’s growth in learning.

Summary

Beyond the place and time, you can learn Mandarin Chinese from various online resources. These online platforms provide flexibility, a global community, and effective learning strategies. These will help you have a good grip on the language. As a beginner, you can choose the best platform, like WuKong Education.

But you also have other opportunities if you are not suitable with them. Each platform provides unique features that match the preferences of different learners. Thus, you can enjoy your mandarin Chinese Class as a beginner because of such perks. 

FAQs