Online Chinese Lessons for Heritage KidsFor children who hear Chinese at home but answer in English
NetChai is an online Chinese school with native Chinese tutors, teaching online since 2010. Our 1-on-1 lessons help children from Chinese-speaking families speak Chinese with confidence and grow their reading and writing — from age 6 through high school.
Sign up as a trial member and your child's first 2 lessons are free. Prices in US dollars.
Is this for your child?
- Understands Chinese but usually answers in English
- Speaks some Chinese but reads and writes very little
- Goes to weekend Chinese school and needs more practice — or has no Chinese school nearby
- Talks with grandparents or relatives in Chinese, and you want them to keep up
- Is between age 6 and high school
Two ways to learn
Yuwen course — reading and writing
Uses the Yuwen (语文) textbooks from People's Education Press — the books children use in schools across China — grade by grade. Reading aloud, characters, comprehension, and writing, along with the poems and stories every Chinese child knows.
See the Yuwen courseConversation & Free Talk — speaking
Your child talks with the tutor about school, hobbies, and daily life. The tutor keeps the conversation in Chinese and helps turn what your child wants to say into natural Chinese sentences.
See the Free Talk courseFor younger beginners, NetChai's Kids' Chinese course (aligned with YCT Levels 1–4) adds step-by-step vocabulary and grammar.
Which one fits your child?
| If your child… | Start with |
|---|---|
| understands Chinese but rarely speaks it | Conversation & Free Talk |
| speaks comfortably but reads and writes little | Yuwen course |
| is 6–8 and just starting to read | Kids' Chinese course or Free Talk |
| attends weekend school and wants stronger reading and writing | Yuwen course |
Not sure? Tell the tutor in the trial lesson. They check your child's level and suggest where to start, and you can change courses later.
How lessons work
- One-on-one with a native Chinese tutor, 25 minutes per lesson — a good length for children's attention.
- Lessons are in Chinese, with simplified characters. Some tutors can also explain in English when your child gets stuck.
- For children aged 9 and under, we recommend that a parent sit in for the first few lessons until your child feels comfortable.
- Join from a computer, tablet, or phone using VooV Meeting, WeChat, or NetChai Meeting. NetChai Meeting runs in your browser — nothing to install.
- In the trial lesson, the tutor gets to know your child's level and interests, then chooses material that fits.
Lesson times in the US
Lessons run from 6:00 a.m. to midnight Japan time (UTC+9; the last lesson starts at 12:30 a.m.). The booking page shows Japan time, and Japan is a day ahead — so a Monday 6 p.m. lesson in New York appears as Tuesday 7 a.m.
| Eastern (ET) | Central (CT) | Pacific (PT) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekdays after school | 5–9 p.m. → 6–10 a.m. Japan time, next day | 4–9 p.m. → 6–11 a.m. next day | 2–9 p.m. → 6 a.m.–1 p.m. next day |
| Weekend mornings | 9–11:30 a.m. → 10 p.m.–12:30 a.m. Japan time | 8–10:30 a.m. → 10 p.m.–12:30 a.m. | Not available — choose weekend afternoons from 2 p.m. |
Times above are for daylight saving time (March to early November). From November to March, Japan time is one hour later — 5 p.m. ET becomes 7 a.m. Japan time. Weekday evenings on the East Coast are popular and fill up first; weekend mornings and Pacific-time afternoons usually have more open slots.
Pricing
After signing up as a trial member, your child gets 2 free lessons. Choose a plan only if you want to continue.
- Point plans: 1 point = one 25-minute lesson. From $13.00 for 2 points — book only on the days that suit your family.
- Monthly plans: Daily, Weekday, and Weekend plans. The Weekend 25-minute plan starts at $56.00 a month.
All prices include tax and are as of October 2026. See all plans and prices.
Frequently asked questions
What ages do you teach?
From age 6 (first grade) through high school. For children aged 9 and under, we recommend a parent sit in for the first few lessons.
Do the tutors speak English?
Lessons are in Chinese — that's the point for heritage kids. Some tutors can also explain in English when needed; add a note when you book if you'd like that.
Do you teach traditional characters?
No. Lessons use simplified characters.
Can a parent join the lesson?
Yes. For children aged 9 and under, we recommend it for the first few lessons until your child is comfortable.
How is this different from weekend Chinese school?
A weekend school teaches a class at one pace. A 1-on-1 lesson follows your child's pace and gives them 25 minutes of speaking — hard to get in a group. Many families use both.