Looking back at 2025: December at That’s Mandarin

Before we step into 2026 and start working toward new goals, let’s take one final look back at 2025 — and all the wonderful moments from 去年12月 qùnián shí’èr yuè, last December ✨

Graduating, or 毕业 bìyè-ing

Graduation is always a milestone for our students.

And when Intensive Group students graduate – it’s also a celebration!

Completing an intensive program is no easy task. Showing up five days a week, staying focused, and keeping your 脑子 nǎozi 🧠 sharp to absorb large amounts of information in a limited time takes real dedication and effort.

Well done, and congratulations to all our graduates of 2025 — we’re so proud of you!

Warming Up with 茶 chá

Have you heard of 围炉煮茶 (wéilú zhǔchá) – stove-boiled tea?

Our students in Suzhou experienced it first-hand 🍵

Perfect wintertime activity – and a nice company ✨

Singing songs, or 唱歌 chàng gē-ing 🎤

A recurring activity at That’s Mandarin:singing Chinese songs during the class break 🎵

At our Shanghai campus, students filled the room with music, laughter, and plenty of good vibes — just look at those smiles!

Sports Time 🏸

Air getting colder? No problem – let’s move!

Our Shanghai students hit the badminton court together — warming up, cheering each other on with 加油 (jiāyóu), and having a great time.

…and (of course) Celebrating 🥂

From Beijing to Shanghai, from Hangzhou to Chengdu – all our students and teachers gathered to experience the magical atmosphere of the winter holidays together.

In Hangzhou, it was a lovely party with gift exchange and cozy conversations 🎁

Chengdu

In Chengdu, all dressed up in festive colors, our students had a feast – fulfilling the wish to:

🧁 吃好 (chī hǎo),
🥂 喝好 (hē hǎo),
🎁 玩好 (wán hǎo) ✨

Shanghai

Meanwhile in Shanghai, the students celebrated by 干杯 gān bēi-ing – drinking up! – together with our teachers at the Wine Tasting party by night:

Suzhou

Suzhou went creative too – and DIY-ed their own winter toys together in a very cozy setting 🎄

Beijing

And in Beijing, keeping up the tradition, we celebrated with a Secret Santa party, games, and lots of lively conversations 🎁

Bonus: Gift Time

All the students who came to campus on December 25th were in for a surprise — Santa had left lots of presents!

We shared the holiday cheer, learned how to wish each other happy holidays in 中文 Zhōngwén, and read the wishes out loud — all the right ingredients for a wonderful holiday on campus ✨

What’s Next?

See you at the next one!