Does any of this sound familiar?
- You grew up in the U.S. with immigrant parents and sometimes feel stuck between two cultures, trying to raise bilingual kids while still struggling with your own Mandarin?
- Do you find yourself stuck mid-sentence, unable to find the words in Mandarin, especially when you’re trying to create a Chinese environment at home?
- Is it hard to talk about important life topics like parenting, marriage, or boundaries with your parents because you just can’t find the right words in Mandarin, and their English is limited?
You’re not alone!
A few months ago, I came across a funny video on Instagram where a creator shared some relatable moments about struggling to get beyond her “Chinglish.” That creator was Angela Lin, the founder of Real You Mandarin, who offers online courses created specifically for ABT (American Born Taiwanese) and ABC (American Born Chinese) heritage speakers who can speak Mandarin but lack the vocabulary for deeper conversations. Since then, I’ve been really enjoying her content, and in this post, I’m sharing why I think you will too.
Save 10% with Promo Code jeanne10
Get 10% off any of Real You Mandarin’s online courses with promo code jeanne10
Why Real You Mandarin Is Exactly What You Need
Real You Mandarin, founded by Taiwanese-American educator Angela Lin, empowers ABCs and ABTs to speak Mandarin confidently. She experiences the same struggles that we have, stumbling over words, code-switching between English and Mandarin, and the constant fear of sounding like an idiot. Because we are heritage speakers, people expect us to know the language like it’s part of our DNA.
What makes Real You Mandarin Different
There are countless Chinese courses out there. I’ve started many and barely made it past the first couple of lessons. Why? They’re typically made for absolute beginners with zero knowledge of the language or culture. For those of us who already know the basics, those early lessons get boring fast. On the other hand, the advanced Chinese courses are often designed for business professionals or filled with old-fashioned textbook vocabulary that isn’t useful in real life.
How Real You Mandarin works
- Watch the Videos: Learn through conversational, real-life Mandarin lessons you can stream anytime.
- Follow Along: Use the transcripts in traditional or simplified characters with pinyin for easy reading.
- Learn at Your Own Pace: Rewatch lessons as often as you need, whenever it fits your schedule.
- Review Vocabulary: Download the module’s vocabulary to keep important words at your fingertips.
- Practice Anywhere: Take your Real You Mandarin Anki flashcards on the go! Each card includes audio pronunciations and sample sentences using the vocabulary. Ask ChatGPT
Mandarin for Life’s Most Important Conversations
The Self-Expression online Chinese course by Real You Mandarin is made for heritage speakers like you who can hold a basic conversation, but when it comes to deeper topics, you feel unsure of the right words. Whether you’re trying to talk to your parents about big life decisions or raise your kids in a Mandarin-speaking home. Self-Expression takes you from conversational survival and true adult communication through relatable, conversation-style videos.
The Self-Expression course includes 5 modules:
- Expressing Your Feelings
- Interpersonal Relationships & Dynamics
- Fertility Journey & Parenting
- Caring For Aging Parents
- Self-Growth Journey
Mandarin Vocabulary for Fertility and Parenting
Module 3: Fertility Journey & Parenting was inspired by the many parents and soon-to-be parents who expressed how much they wish they had the words to talk about this part of life in Mandarin. If you’re trying to start a family, navigating pregnancy, or trying to explain fertility frustrations and gentle parenting to your own parents, this module is for you!
What are you talking about? That’s how we raised you and you came out fine!
Sound familiar? It’s not just about family traditions; there’s a generational and cultural divide that can make talking to our parents really difficult. One thing this module helped me realize is that many of the parenting ideas we use today are completely new to our parents. Some of the parenting words we use didn’t even exist in Mandarin when they were raising us. Understanding this has made me try to be more patient when my mom is driving me nuts.
Each module includes over 180 vocabulary words, but Module 3 has more than 460 words!. That’s more than double modules 1 and 2, which had around 180+, because Real You Mandarin is dedicated to covering the wide range of topics that parents, especially moms, have been asking for.
Fertility Journey & Parenting topics include:
- Fertility Testing, Challenges, & Emotional Impact
- Birth Plan
- Setting Boundaries with the Grandparents About Your Parenting Style
- Daily Routines with Kids
- Getting Ready For School
- At the Dinner Table
- Bathtime
- Bedtime
- Gentle Parenting: Encouragement & Building Self-Confidence
- Gentle Parenting: Working Through Big Feelings When You’re Triggered
- Culture: Explaining Why Learning Chinese is Important in the West
- Culture: Explaining Holidays:
- Lunar New Year
- Mid-Autumn Festival
- Dragon Boat Festival
Not sure if this course is for you? Watch this.
In this video, Angela and Crystal talk about fertility and the challenges of having family planning conversations with parents when there’s a cultural and generational gap compounded by a language barrier.
Course Fees and Discounts
You can purchase Module 3: Fertility Journey & Parenting in the following ways:
- Module 3 only $59
- Saver Bundle (Module 3 + any other module of your choice) – $79
- Full Course Access – Save $30 (Modules 1–5) – $169
For a limited time, join now and save $30 off the full course. The regular price will be $199 after Module 5 is released.
See what’s inside: view the full course overview or sign up for a free trial lesson.
Don't forget your exclusive discount!
Get 10% off any Real You Mandarin’s online course with promo code jeanne10
Not Ready to Join? Listen In for Free
If you’re not quite ready to take the course, you can listen to the Real You Mandarin Podcast and get to know Angela and her story. The show features relatable conversations with native speakers, language teachers, and other heritage learners. In each episode, Angela stumbles over words and laughs through the cringey moments we ABCs and ABTs know too well! I find it so helpful to listen as the guest (often a language teacher) corrects and guides her speaking. It doesn’t feel like a Chinese lesson podcast, but conversations between friends. And you’ll feel like you’re part of the conversation. (I’ve caught myself replying out loud more than once.)
Listen for free on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Want to follow along and deepen your Mandarin learning? Join the free Podcast Transcript Membership for full transcripts in Traditional, Simplified, Pinyin, and English text that highlight as you listen.
To connect with Angela, follow @realyoumandarin on Instagram and TikTok.
