林肯公园中文学校 · Chicago, IL

Helping children grow in Mandarin, culture, and confidence.

Lincoln Park Chinese Language School supports school-aged learners of Mandarin Chinese, especially children with Chinese heritage in Chicago, through immersive language learning, cultural engagement, and a warm community.

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Abstract modern Chinese-inspired illustration with six children playing and four moms talking in a flowing green, white, and gold landscape.

About Us

We are a community-based weekend school located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, serving families with school-aged children who want to sustain and deepen their Chinese linguistic and cultural heritage.

Mission

Language, heritage, and global citizenship

Our mission is to empower school-aged learners of Mandarin Chinese, especially those with Chinese heritage in Chicago, through immersive language education and meaningful cultural engagement. We strive to foster bilingual proficiency, cultural pride, and cross-cultural understanding by creating a dynamic learning environment where students connect with their linguistic and cultural heritage, deepen their awareness of cultural identity, and grow as confident, compassionate global citizens.

History

Founded by local families

Lincoln Park Chinese Language School was established in September 2024 by a group of volunteer moms who reside in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. The school was created to provide school-aged children with opportunities to continue developing both oral and literacy skills in Mandarin Chinese on weekends.

The school also provides a supportive community for children with Chinese heritage to connect with one another and sustain Chinese cultural and linguistic heritage. Over time, we have started offering classes beyond Chinese language, such as Art and Singapore Math. New classes may be created based on student demand and the availability of qualified instructors.

Leadership

Our school is led by parent volunteers and community professionals committed to language education, cultural learning, and family partnership.

Li Jin President

Ph.D., Vincent de Paul Professor of Chinese, DePaul University

Liming Singhal Treasurer

Supports school finance and operational coordination.

Sharon Shi Legal Consultant

J.D., Law Offices of Sharon Shi

Madison Zhu Secretary

Supports school communications, coordination, and family outreach.

Programs & Classes

Classes are offered quarterly in small-group settings. Students are expected to complete assigned homework before each class meeting.

文

Chinese Language 中文课

We offer K–2 Chinese language classes on a quarterly basis. Classes are designed for students who already have basic listening and speaking skills in Mandarin Chinese and have a Chinese-speaking home environment.

Focus on expanding vocabulary and overall Mandarin communication proficiency.
Students practice both verbal communication and text-based language skills.
Small-class-size approach with 7–8 students per language class.
Daily homework is required during the week before each class meeting.

∑

Singapore Math 新加坡数学课

Singapore Math is a challenging educational approach that builds number sense and deep conceptual understanding through the concrete-pictorial-abstract method, mental math strategies, and rigorous problem solving. All math classes will be taught in English.

Fall 2026 offerings include Levels 1-3 Singapore Math.
Students should have basic primary math understanding before enrolling in Grade 1 Singapore Math.
The teacher uses a tutoring approach to help students understand the concepts covered in each class.
Weekly homework is required before each class meeting.

棋

Chess

We offer a beginner friendly Chess class for any child looking to learn the basics, and those looking to continue developing their skills and knowledge of the game. Each class consists of a group lesson, followed by time for each student to practice with each other, paired with students of similar skill level. The class size will be 8~12. The class will be taught in English.

Location

Classrooms on DePaul University Lincoln Park Campus

Exact classroom information and arrival instructions will be shared with enrolled families before each quarter begins.

Teaching Staff

Our teachers bring classroom expertise, subject-matter knowledge, and a commitment to engaging children in meaningful learning.

Zhang Yizzy 张意如 Chinese Teacher

Miss Yizzy is a Montessori Chinese language teacher who enjoys children's natural curiosity, joy, and innocence, and values building trust with each child while respecting their individual pace of learning and growth. Outside of school, she enjoys music, walking by the lake, exploring Chicago's neighborhoods, cooking, and discovering different cultures and languages. She looks forward to inspiring her students to develop genuine interest in Chinese language and enjoy discovering the language and culture.

Dr. Michelle Guan 关元颖 Singapore Math Teacher

Dr. Guan is Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematic Science and the Department of Finance at DePaul University. She earned her Ph.D. in Financial Mathematics at Florida State University in 2011 and BS in Financial Mathematics at Peking University in 2006. She has been teaching at Lincoln Park Chinese Language School since Fall 2025. Her teaching philosophy is to engage young children in mathematics by sparking their curiosity and creativity through interactive and fun activities. 关老师是德保罗大学数学系及金融系副教授。她于2006年获得北京大学金融数学学士学位，于2011年获得佛罗里达州立大学金融数学博士学位。她于2025年秋季开始在林肯中文学校教授新加坡数学课程。她的教学理念是通过互动式，富有趣味的数学活动来激发学生对数学学习的好奇心与创造力，让孩子们在探索和实践中感受数学的乐趣和魅力。

Grayson Kamel Chess Coach

Grayson is a lover of all games and has been teaching young students a variety of such skills for many years. In every classroom he endeavors to foster an attitude of respect and fun. He has been teaching chess since moving out to Chicago 2 years ago and delights in making sure those in his classroom understand not just the rules of the game, but how to apply them strategically. While winning is the goal of each game, an important lesson he likes to focus on in his classroom is that endeavoring in any practice will involve failure, and through we may not win every game, we can always take those opportunities to learn and better ourselves.

News & Events

School announcements, cultural events, holiday closures, and quarterly updates will be posted here.

Announcement

Quarterly Registration

Fall 2026 class registration has started! Please click the Registration tab on top of the page to access the registration system. All Fall 2026 classes will be held on Saturdays, September 12-November 14. Early bird rate for registration fee ends at 11:59PM, August 31. All class registrations end at 11:59PM, September 12.

Events

Cultural Activities

Future cultural celebrations and family activities will be announced as dates are confirmed.

Schedule

Holiday Closures

Holiday closures and schedule changes will be posted before each quarter begins.

Regulations & Rules

Families are expected to review school policies before enrollment. Please read the full Lincoln Park Chinese Language School Family & Students Handbook in the registration form.

Policy

Missing Class Policy

Please let us know if your child has to miss a class at least by the morning of the class. It will help the instructor plan for the class activities accordingly. No refund will be provided unless the class is cancelled due to the school issues.

Contact Us

info@lpchinese.org

Please email us for registration questions, quarterly class updates, and WeChat group information.

Location

Chicago, IL

Classes are held in classrooms on DePaul University Lincoln Park Campus.