Chinese-English Language PDX Practice Group 2026
中文英文练习群二零二六年 | 中文英文練習群二零二六年
Are you learning Mandarin Chinese? Or do you want to continue your studies of Chinese?
你想學國語？還是想一直學中文？
你想学国语？还是想一直学中文?
Are you a native Chinese speaker who would like to practice English with Americans?
你是中國人想聯繫跟美國人說話練習英語？
你是中国人想联系跟美国人说话练习英语？
We welcome you. The first step is to get in touch!
歡迎你！首先，聯繫吧！
欢迎你！首先，联系吧！
Portland Chinatown Museum sign
Look for this sign outside the front door
You are welcome to join us at the Chinese Conversation Table 練習中文!
We are currently meeting alternating Thursdays and Saturdays, noon to 1 PM, or as long as people want to stay. Our first meeting at this new location was June 19, 2025.
May Meeting Schedule:
All levels welcome. This is an informal, fun group for anyone interested. We have beginners through advanced speakers. Our participants include English and Chinese speakers of all abilities. We hold practice Chinese, and conduct our meetings in both English and Mandarin.
Location: Portland Chinatown Museum, 127 NW Third Avenue (NW Davis and NW 3rd Avenue). Meet outside the front door. You'll be let in by staff.
Parking: On-street parking available ($3/hr); often easy to find on the same block, e.g., Davis & 3rd (read more about public parking; you can pay with Parking Kitty.). There's also a SmartPark garage about 2 blocks away at 33 NW Davis St, which costs $2.20/hr (read more about SmartPark).
Public Transportation: Portland Chinatown Museum is located in the city center in Old Town/Chinatown. TriMet buses and Max (light rail) take you within a few blocks. A regular ticket costs $2.80 and can be used multiple times within 2.5 hours (learn more about fares).
Ad for the 2025 group based at PSU
Photos used With permission.
The Chinese Conversation Table started at Portland State University, which used to offer a full major in Chinese (Mandarin) for those students wishing to earn a bachelor's degree in Chinese. Because practice is so essential to developing listening and speaking skills, our Chinese professors would encourage us to meet informally to practice conversation, and set up a regular meeting time for us on campus. In the spirit of building a learning community, we opened it up not only to current students but also alumni of the Chinese program and even community members — anyone interested.
In 2021, PSU put its Chinese language program on moratorium, and although the moratorium was not intended to lead to program closure, PSU started reducing course offerings in the Chinese program. Although at first it seemed that at least first and second year Chinese would still be offered, in early 2025, PSU finally decided to discontinue offering all classes in Chinese as of Fall 2025.
Although we lost our original "home" it was the perfect opportunity to increase community ties.
Please sign up for our emails to stay in touch. That way, you can take part in any discussions about our plans, and you'll receive any updates about when and where we plan to meet. We will never abuse your personal information. The email list is hosted on Gaggle Mail, which makes it easy for you to manage or unsubscribe at any time.
For anyone seeking to take classes, we're providing some options we know of locally for adults seeking to learn Mandarin Chinese. The below are online classes; you can also view in-person options.
Bodhi Tree Center is a private not-for-profit language school located in Southeast Portland, offering adult Chinese language classes which meet online via Zoom. Bodhi Tree also offers Chinese immersion for children, in-person. Textbook: Practical Audio-Visual Chinese.
Northwest China Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon. NWCC offers Mandarin Chinese classes for students of all ages, absolute beginners through advanced speakers. Adult Chinese language classes are online via Zoom. Textbook: Integrated Chinese.
ICLS is an independent language school founded in 1966, based in Washington, D.C. They offer student-centered language programs that develop authentic target language use and enable students to be successful in a global environment. Textbook: Integrated Chinese, 4th Ed.
We're providing the few options we know of locally for adults seeking to taken a class in person, below. You can also view online options above.
Portland Community College (Sylvania Campus) offers both non-credit and courses for credit in Mandarin Chinese. Some are in-person and some have online options. Search for "Chinese" classes at PCC.
Reed College is a small independent college located in Southeast Portland, Oregon, known for its excellent reputation in arts and science, founded in 1908. Community members and outside students may apply to audit one class per term. Cost is $500 per class, if accepted. Fall 2025 classes start Sep 2nd!
Kristina Knight teaches Chinese to both adults and children, some in-person and some online.
Many Chinese Immersion Programs are available at our local schools, including public schools and private schools.
Privately run Chinese weekend programs in the Portland area.
Books, Movies and Learning Platforms in Chinese are offered through our local libraries, and there are many Chinese community-related nonprofits in the area, as well.
These are just a few of the many local nonprofits that focus on Chinese culture/community.
Coursera offers access to all sorts of classes around the word. Asynchronous online courses mean they are self-paced on your own schedule because you access the materials, such as videos and interactive quizzes, on demand. Many classes are free or low cost; others have a free trial.
A Chinese dictionary an essential tool, especially at intermediate and advanced levels.
Apps, love them or hate them, how can you tell until you try? Everyone has their favorites; some that some like, others think are terrible. Here are some popular ones. Also see Public Library resources, above.
Questions? Comments? Email Charissa Yang, organizer
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May 21; May 28; Jun 04; Jun 11; Jun 18; Jun 25;
Next meeting is: Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, Noon to 1 PM (PDT)