Self-paced · screen + paper
A learn-to-read Chinese program for heritage kids
A starting point for your child, with character lessons, leveled books and practice arranged in order. Your child learns in the Boba Chinese app, at times that suit your family.
10 quick questions · free first lesson · no card needed
See how a lesson works
Learn. Read. Play. Print.
Follow 家 from a character lesson to a story, a game and paper practice.
1Learn
Hear the character, trace its strokes and practice recognizing it.
2Read
Read 我在家 in the leveled book Me, with narration when needed.
3Play
Choose a character game and practice words from the lesson.
4Print
Print tracing, paper games and short reading activities for 家.
How does the lesson change as my child progresses?
This is a content example. The starting lesson depends on your child’s level. Most lessons take about 10–15 minutes; some later lessons focus on reading after the level’s characters have been covered.
20 levels · 500+ most-used characters · 500+ leveled books
Take a look inside the Boba Chinese app.
Lessons, books, games and your child’s own space, with a separate area for parents.
Each level has a map of lessons. Choose the next stop to continue.
Devices, printing and access
Use the Boba Chinese app on iPad, iPhone, Android or in a web browser. Lessons are self-paced; you choose when to open them, without booking a live class.
The Print Center creates PDFs for a lesson, a level or your choice of characters. Use your home printer or keep learning on screen.
A starting point for your child. A next lesson ready.
Their Chinese, goals and weekly routine help us suggest where to begin and arrange what comes next.
Different starting points, different support
Some children speak Chinese confidently. Others understand more than they say, or need help understanding it. We ask about spoken Chinese as well as reading experience; one doesn’t tell us the other.
English guidance, pronunciation support and read-aloud practice can be selected for the child. The program focuses on characters and reading; the plan uses Boba Chinese’s levels today, with textbook paths still in development.
A busy week is fine. Pick up where your child left off.
Sample plan · dates estimated from lessons per week
Mia’s plan is ready
Mia’s plan: 91 new characters and 36 books, aiming for February 20.
At 3 lessons a week.
Lessons a week
- TodayLevel 3, lesson 1
- Target: February 20Level 5 done91 characters · 36 books
Keep the routine. See the progress.
The next lesson is arranged; the weekly email shows the practice.
- Set the starting point together
- Make a little room for practice
- See what they did, and listen sometimes
What do I need to do as a parent?
Set the starting point together — Answer the questions about your child’s Chinese, goals and routine. Check the starting level and choose how many lessons a week.
Make a little room for practice — Help your child open the lesson and use the controls. Stay nearby while they learn the routine; print the worksheets if paper suits your family.
See what they did, and listen sometimes — The weekly email shows activity, characters and books. The parents’ area has progress and settings; occasionally ask your child to read a familiar page to you.
Use the activity records and a page read aloud together to see what still needs practice.
Inside the weekly email
From families learning with Boba Chinese
“Adam asks to read every day now. Boba Chinese has become part of his life.”
— Adam’s mom
Adam is 7
“Sophia wants to play Boba Chinese even when we travel. Before, she knew characters on flashcards but couldn’t read a book. Now, working through the Boba Chinese levels, she can slowly read ordinary picture books on her own.”
— Sophia’s mom
Sophia is 5
“My daughter read to grandma on FaceTime last week. She’s 5. She went from refusing Chinese to asking for ‘one more book’ every night.”
— Angela W.
mom of a 5-year-old
Try a lesson free. Continue with Boba+.
The first lesson is free. Continue with the full program when you’re ready.
Boba+
$99.99/ year· $12.99 / month
- Every lesson, all 20 levels — 500+ most-used characters
- The whole library — 500+ leveled books, plus read-along stories
- Character worksheets to print at home
- A weekly progress email
The first lesson is free. No card details needed.
Ready for Boba+?
Start a 7-day free trial →The Boba+ trial starts at checkout. After 7 days, your selected subscription is charged and renews automatically unless you cancel.
A program with the next step arranged.
Character lessons, leveled books, games and printable practice, together in an ordered path for your child.
Not ready to try a lesson? Start with a story.
A Chinese story,
every two weeks. Free.
Read-aloud books by email every two weeks. Sometimes printables or games; festival packs on holidays.
Free · one email every two weeks · unsubscribe anytime
The two newest books · tap to read them free
Would you like a Cantonese reading path?
Today’s guided program uses Mandarin. Register your interest to help us plan Cantonese learning content.
Still scrolling?
See where your child can start.
Find your child’s first lessonA starting level, a plan and a free lesson. No card needed.