Finding the right online Chinese class for your child can feel overwhelming. In-person tutors are expensive, and teachers from gig websites like italki, Preply, or Outschool can be unreliable. You finally find a teacher your child loves, only to have them disappear from the platform. As a parent, you want more than just a class. You want something fun and engaging that actually helps your child want to learn Chinese. If you’ve been searching around, you’ve likely heard of Lingo Bus Chinese classes.
Want to know if Lingo Bus is the right fit for your child? I’ve put together all the details you want to know, including pricing, age requirements, and teacher qualifications.
Start with a Free Trial
As a special thanks for checking out my blog, I've partnered with Lingo Bus to get you an exclusive deal. Use this link to sign up and get 1 FREE trial class PLUS 2 bonus classes with any package purchase!
What Age and Level is Lingo Bus For?
By Age
Lingo Bus is designed for children ages 4–15. The starting age can vary depending on your child’s readiness, including how well they follow instructions, stay focused during class, and their ability to use the device to complete each lesson.
By Level
Beginner (Listening & Speaking)
25-minute classes focused on listening and speaking. Suitable for absolute beginners and heritage learners with some exposure to Mandarin. Lessons use immersive, visual methods, so no prior knowledge is required.
Advanced (Reading & Writing)
25- or 50-minute classes designed for overseas Chinese children who already speak Mandarin. The program focuses on reading and writing skills while bridging the gap between spoken fluency and advanced literacy, with emphasis on complex character recognition, comprehension, and sophisticated conversation.
My Personal Feedback
My kids started Lingo Bus at ages 6 and 4. Because she enjoys online classes, I didn’t have any issues with my 4-year-old, though at this age, I did stay nearby to help with tech or assist if needed.
If your child isn’t ready, don’t push them. On average, children are ready around age 6. I’ve heard from parents who spend most of the class trying to get their child to stay in the chair. That’s why the free trial is important, and why you might start with a smaller package. The best part is that Lingo Bus packages don’t expire, so your child can resume classes when they are ready.
Pro tip: For younger children, use a touchscreen device, which is more intuitive for lessons. Younger kids may not know how to use a mouse.
Why the Lingo Bus Curriculum is Effective
Lingo Bus teaches Beijing Mandarin (Putonghua) using Simplified Chinese characters. Classes are one-on-one with live teachers, not AI or recordings, and taught on Lingo Bus’s own video platform. This makes lessons secure and reliable. Every class is recorded so parents can watch later and track progress.
The curriculum is structured with clear goals. Students move through lessons in order, making it easy to see their growth. All teachers use the same high-quality materials, so no matter which teacher you choose, your child gets a consistent learning experience.
- Beginner program: follows ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) standards and prepares children for the Youth Chinese Test (YCT)
- Advanced program: aligns with international reading standards (CCSS and PIRLS), helping kids build from speaking fluency to strong reading and writing skills for future academics
Learning also happens before and after class
- Before class, students preview words with animated flashcards that include visuals and audio
- After class, they read audiobooks, do worksheets, and take quick flashcard quizzes
This approach is based on spaced repetition (reviewing material at the right intervals to boost memory) and active recall (practicing by pulling information from memory). Together, these methods make it easier for kids to remember and use Mandarin naturally.
Lingo Bus Teacher Qualifications
Lingo Bus advertises that their teachers are native Mandarin speakers based in China and have overseas teaching experience. Over 50% hold a Master’s degree or higher, and 80% majored in Chinese International Education or Chinese Language and Literature. At a minimum, teachers have a Bachelor’s degree and a Level 2-A or higher Certificate of Putonghua Proficiency.
My Personal Feedback
My children have completed over 240 Lingo Bus classes. It’s a joy to hear them have fluent conversations in Mandarin with their teachers. My daughter, in particular, loves to chat, and I appreciate how the teacher guides her back on track while still making each lesson feel personal and engaging.
What truly stands out is the genuine connection between my children and their teachers. I often hear laughter during class, and my daughter even prepares a show-and-tell to share what she’s done since her last lesson. My kids truly looked forward to each session, and it was sad when they advanced to the next level and had to switch teachers.
Flexible Online Booking
One of Lingo Bus’s biggest advantages is its flexible booking system. Unlike many competitors that require you to commit to a set day and time each week, Lingo Bus uses a self-service open booking system. You can schedule classes any time there is an available slot with any teacher. Your child can learn whenever and wherever it’s convenient. All you need is a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Bonus Learning Resources
Get access to a huge library of supplemental Chinese learning resources for free! All you have to do is sign up for a Lingo Bus account. No purchase necessary, and we have had access for years.
Inside the resource library, you’ll find:
- 400+ illustrated e-books
- 1000+ animated flashcards
- 700 podcasts with transcripts
- 100 videos of music and daily vocabulary
- Worksheets, coloring pages, and games
Lingo Bus E-Book Features
- Read in a browser or on the student learning app
- There are 6 reading levels and over 400 e-books to choose from
- The Pinyin guide is displayed by default, but can be turned off
- The text is highlighted along with the audio so that children can read along
- The pages can flip automatically or manually
Lingo Bus Flashcards
- Visual examples include real-life images and illustrations
- Click on the character to hear the audio or phrases
- Selecting “I don’t know” keeps the character in the flashcard rotation for further review
Lingo Bus Pricing
This is often the first question parents ask. Like many Chinese companies, the pricing and discount structure can be confusing. The per-lesson price drops significantly when you purchase a larger package.
25-Minute Classes
- 25-class package: $500 USD ($20 per class)
- 200-class package: $2,450 USD ($12.25 per class)
50-Minute Classes
- 25-class package: $799 USD ($31.96 per class)
- 200-class package: $4,299 USD ($21.50 per class)
Since prices can change, be sure to check the official website for the latest packages and promotions.
Sign up for Your Free Trial
Most parents agree that Lingo Bus offers affordable and effective Chinese lessons for kids. With many satisfied parents, the company doesn’t need to rely on heavy marketing. Pricing has remained stable for years, and Lingo Bus’s growth has come largely from word of mouth, as happy parents recommend it to others.
Try Lingo Bus for Free! Every child learns differently, and a trial class helps you see:
- How your child responds to one-on-one lessons with a live teacher
- Whether they enjoy the learning style and pace of Lingo Bus
- How they handle the technology and interactive tools in the portal
For younger children, it’s especially helpful to test attention span, comfort with online learning, and device readiness.
As a special thank-you for visiting my blog, I’ve partnered with Lingo Bus to offer you an exclusive deal. Sign up using this link and get 1 free trial class, plus 2 bonus classes when you purchase any package!
