Like many parents, I’ve tried almost every online Chinese class for kids I could find. Some classes were so bad that we never went back after the free trial. Thank goodness for free trials! We stuck with Lingo Bus and LingoAce for a while, and while they are ok for beginners, my heritage learners needed something more, especially during summer break when they were home all day. Summer camps where we live are about $600 per week per child, and they aren’t learning much. So that summer, I decided to build a camp at home, which included online classes from Motherly Notes. Online classes are much more affordable than in-person ones and can be done without changing out of pajamas.
Try a class and join the Motherly Notes community of little leaders.
Get 10% off all classes with promo code MAMA10 at motherlynotes.com
Class Format
The classes are on Zoom and in small groups. I like that my kids see other kids from all over the U.S., and even other countries, learning Chinese together. They were surprised to see non-Chinese kids speaking Mandarin so fluently. It made them feel like they had better try harder! In a group setting, there’s always a lot of chatter, and you can often hear Julie, the founder of Motherly Notes, making jokes and laughing. My kids are quiet by nature, and the teachers make sure they get a chance to speak and participate.
Is Motherly Notes Right for Your Child?
Motherly Notes offers classes for beginner to advanced Chinese language learners. With a wide variety of topics such as arts and crafts, comics, pop music, speaking, writing, and more, there is something for every child, including yours! Classes are tailored for all learners, including gifted children who find traditional methods boring or neurospicy kids who need a different approach.
We survived a year of online school during the pandemic and had our share of issues with online learning, the biggest being boredom and wandering off during class time. Another challenge we experienced with Asia-based online Chinese classes was the limited class times. Motherly Notes fixes these issues with fun and engaging classes that keep kids connected, plus many class times for flexible scheduling.
About Julie Liu, The Founder of Motherly Notes
Julie Liu is the founder of Motherly Notes, a global online Chinese school helping children achieve native-level fluency through joyful, research-driven instruction. She holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and is currently completing a Master’s in Education Entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
Under her leadership, Motherly Notes has received multiple awards, including the Wharton Innovation Fund, the Wharton Venture Lab Accelerator Program, and the Jacobs Foundation Award for Social Impact — recognizing the school’s role in reshaping bilingual education and expanding access to high-quality language learning.
Julie’s approach blends academic rigor with warmth, empathy, and a deep understanding of what it takes to make learning both effective and magical. Through Mandarin, she’s building not just fluent speakers, but the next generation of compassionate, curious, and connected global leaders.
How Motherly Notes Is Transforming Chinese Learning — A Message From Julie
The Call to Adventure: A Career with No Crib
I was 26 years old, thriving in the high-stakes world of hedge funds. From the outside, it looked like I had it all. But behind closed doors, I carried a heartbreak I couldn’t trade away. I was told by my doctor I could never get pregnant. The words shattered me.
Years passed. I tried everything. Nothing worked. Eventually, I stepped away from my finance career, moved out of the States, and tried to start over emotionally and physically. And that’s when something miraculous happened. I became a mom.
Crossing the Threshold: Motherhood Meets Mandarin
That moment changed everything. I became obsessed, in a good way (semi-tiger ex-hedge fund manager mode?), with learning everything about child development, language acquisition, and literacy. I read every paper I could find, combed through bilingual parenting forums, and tested every method on the planet.
By the time my baby was one, she could recognize hundreds of Chinese characters. Yes, before she could even talk properly, she could read.
It wasn’t magic. It was the result of following research-based methods, designing systems around how babies actually learn, and infusing joy into every moment. I began sharing tips online, and soon, a little community formed: Motherly Notes.
Trials and Transformation: The Accidental School That Worked 10x Better
When COVID hit, parents everywhere were desperate for alternatives. Someone said, “Can you teach a fun class online?” I said, “Why not?”
That first class changed everything.
The kids had fun, and they were learning 10 times faster than traditional methods. Within weeks, they were mastering complex characters, reading, and speaking fluently, not with worksheets, but with laughter, comics, and native-level stories.
What started as a one-off became a movement. And that movement became Motherly Notes School.
A School Where Every Child Belongs
One of the most beautiful parts of Motherly Notes is the types of students we attract. Many are gifted. Many are neurodivergent. Some have struggled to connect in traditional classrooms. But here, something changes.
Because we’re interactive, fun, and community-based, students who once stayed silent are suddenly leading debates, telling jokes in Mandarin, and lighting up with confidence. Parents tell us that for the first time, their child feels seen and heard.
This isn’t accidental. It’s intentional.
Our teachers undergo rigorous training to not only teach well, but to deeply respect each child. They’re trained to honor diverse minds, cultural backgrounds, and unique learning styles. This is a safe space, academically and emotionally, for every child to shine.
Beyond Mandarin: Teaching Curiosity, Leadership, and Growth
At its core, Motherly Notes is more than a language school.
Yes, we teach Mandarin, and we do it exceptionally well. But what we’re doing is teaching kids how to learn anything. We’re building curiosity, resilience, and a growth mindset. We’re fostering future leaders who ask better questions, connect across cultures, and understand the power of community.
Mandarin is simply our medium. Through it, we teach students to think critically, express themselves boldly, and engage with the world meaningfully.
Motherly Notes is a leadership school (just taught in Mandarin).
Driven by Research, Built on Love
Everything we do is grounded in research:
- Catherine Snow (Harvard) emphasized the power of rich, meaningful language input, which is why we use native-level literature from the start.
- Plato’s Meno reminds us that learning is about drawing out knowledge, not drilling it in. We create spaces where discovery happens naturally.
- Goodenow (1993) and Deci & Ryan’s work on intrinsic motivation shows that students thrive when they feel like they belong and have control over their learning, exactly what our community-based model provides.
Return with the Elixir: A New Kind of Mandarin School
Today, Motherly Notes is a fully accredited online school (WASC), approved by the College Board to offer AP Chinese, and trusted by families around the globe.
We combine a serious, high-impact curriculum with fun, punchy lessons that make Mandarin feel effortless, even joyful, to acquire. Our kids don’t just memorize characters, they connect deeply with culture, develop fluency, and most importantly, love learning.
We’re proud to be the home for children who think differently, dream big, and want to grow in Mandarin and life.
Ready to see the Mothery Notes difference for yourself? For a limited time, get 10% off all classes (even bundles!) with promo code MAMA10 at motherlynotes.com
