From Our Families

What parents say.

Hello, Mandarin! is trusted by families from 30 of New York City's most selective schools. These are their words — unedited, unprompted, and entirely their own.

5.0

Google Reviews

Reviewed by families of Brearley, Spence, Horace Mann, Trinity, and 30 of New York City's most selective schools.

"Our daughter has been with Hello, Mandarin! for a number of years — starting in nursery and growing through the program with joy. The approach is playful and immersive, rooted in music, storytelling, and cultural activities. It is particularly wonderful for young learners with no prior Mandarin background. This spring, she received an offer from The Brearley School. We are so grateful."

— 92nd Street Y Nursery family · Spring 2026 Brearley admission

"It has been such a joy — three years with Hello, Mandarin!, and our daughter has grown in ways that go far beyond language. This spring, she received an offer from The Spence School. We are so grateful for Dr. Lyu and everything this program has given our family."

— St. Thomas More Play Group family · Three years enrolled · Spring 2026 Spence admission

"With a full schedule and so many commitments, our daughter doesn't make it every semester — but Hello, Mandarin! is always the one she refuses to give up. She talks about her Chinese class to everyone, calls it her favorite, and asks for it every single day. The one program she never wants to miss. This spring, she received an offer from The Nightingale-Bamford School."

— 92nd Street Y Nursery family · Spring 2026 Nightingale-Bamford admission"

"We moved to New York from London, specifically looking for a rigorous Mandarin program for our son. Hello, Mandarin! was recommended by three different family friends before we had even unpacked. The reputation speaks for itself.”

— Parent · Enrolled age 8 · Now in 华 Brilliance cohort

"Our son attends Hunter College High School, where Mandarin is a rigorous subject with frequent quizzes, tests, and examinations. He was struggling to keep up. Dr. Lyu took the time to understand exactly what Hunter required, tailored his curriculum entirely around the school's vocabulary and exam format, and built confidence from the ground up. He now studies twice a week with Hello, Mandarin! His grades at Hunter have improved significantly — but more importantly, he walks into every Mandarin class ready, instead of dreading it. That change is everything."

— Hunter College High School family · 16 years old · Twice-weekly sessions

"Our boys have been taking Hello, Mandarin! classes outside of school — a wonderful program for them to learn Mandarin, and also to connect with their heritage. This spring, our older son received an offer from St. Bernard's School. We couldn't be prouder."

— Brick Church School family · Spring 2025 St. Bernard's admission

"Our two children have been taking Mandarin with Dr. Lyu since age 2 — both from a non-Chinese-speaking home. We are amazed to say that what emerged from her joyful, music-and-arts-based approach is two children who speak Mandarin with the confidence of native speakers. Our daughter received an offer from The Brearley School in Spring 2024, and our son from The Buckley School in Spring 2026. Hello, Mandarin! does not just teach language. It builds it from the inside out."

— Madison Avenue Presbyterian Day School family

  • Two children enrolled since age 2

  • Spring 2024 Brearley admission

  • Spring 2026 Buckley admission

"My daughter has studied with Dr. Lyu since age 6 — now a student at The Hewitt School and one of Hello, Mandarin!'s most accomplished alumni. Over the years, she has performed at Bryant Park, the Museum of Chinese in America, Cipriani 42nd Street, and New York University, and has been broadcast globally via SinoVision. This summer, she has been accepted to Georgetown University's Summer Medical Academy, the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania, and has completed Year 1 of Columbia Law School's High School Law Institute. Mandarin was the foundation. Dr. Lyu built it."

— The Hewitt School family · Enrolled since age 6 · 10+ years with Hello, Mandarin!

Where Hello, Mandarin! Children Shine