Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Huang.
Hi Cindy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in China, Cindy’s mom prioritized her English language learning, strongly believing in the opportunities it could bring. Cindy began learning English in kindergarten, and as a result, her speaking skills flourished, eventually leading her to present at the US Model UN during high school. Her language abilities opened doors to internships in Romania, Morocco, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Today, she works in the US—a journey that proved her mother right about the power of a foreign language.
In 2017, after university, Cindy decided to pursue a graduate degree in international education at University of Pennsylvania. After that, she found a job at a private school in Washington, DC that combined Chinese immersion with project based and experiential learning. Here, she discovered fun and effective approaches to teaching Chinese to young students in an immersive environment, which differed from traditional Chinese methods. She specifically believed in and learned to make language learning enjoyable and meaningful, emphasizing hands-on experiences, practical use, and real interactions. While working at various schools throughout the district, she discovered a gap in Chinese language education among elementary schools and overseas internship opportunities in Asia for high school students.
These experiences made Cindy realize the power of language and its impact on a person’s life. She wanted to bring the same opportunities to students in the DC area. Cindy soon began offering after-school lessons, and her interactive, fun, and engaging project- based teaching methods quickly became popular among parents and students alike. Encouraged by positive feedback, Cindy took a bold step and founded Chia Chinese Learning in 2022, aiming to create a fulfilling learning space where every child’s potential is nurtured by teachers who love teaching Chinese, raising the next generation of global leaders and superstars.
At Chia Chinese Learning, we believe that true language learning comes from real-world
experiences. Cindy’s journey from a determined English learner to a pioneering educator reflects this belief and inspires many students and families. Chia Chinese Learning has grown to include weekend classes, immersion camps, summer immersion trips, and internships in Asia. Today, we are known for our unique approach to nurturing engagement, communication, and cultural understanding.
Chia Chinese Learning becomes one of the largest Mandarin enrichment providers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We offer immersive, project-based Mandarin Chinese programs for children ages 2–18, helping students develop confidence in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding Chinese through engaging, hands-on experiences.
We partner with more than 20 leading public and independent schools, including Aidan Montessori School, Sidwell Friends School, Georgetown Day School, Washington International School, Horace Mann Elementary School, Janney Elementary School, Stoddert Elementary School, St Patrick, Bullis School, etc.
We now serving more than 1,500 students through after-school enrichment, in-school instruction, weekend programs, summer camps, cultural events, and international educational experiences in China. Our dedicated team of 12 experienced Mandarin educators creates dynamic learning environments where children build language proficiency, cultural understanding, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been much harder than I ever expected. If I had known how difficult it would be, I probably never would have started. Looking back, though, I’m grateful I did.
One of our biggest challenges has been building the right teaching team. We are not a full-time school, so we cannot offer immediate full-time positions. Yet we are looking for exceptional teachers—people who genuinely love children, are passionate about teaching Chinese, and believe in our educational philosophy.
One of our biggest inside jokes is that many people think, “If I speak Mandarin, I can teach Mandarin.” In reality, teaching young children is a completely different skill. It requires far more than language proficiency. Our teachers must know how to make learning joyful and engaging while still achieving meaningful learning outcomes within just one or two hours each week. They need to quickly build trust, inspire curiosity, and create an environment where children feel excited to participate.
We believe that relationships are the foundation of learning. Before children are willing to take risks, speak a new language, or embrace challenges, they need to feel seen, supported, and connected to their teacher.
As an education organization, our greatest asset is our people. Building a team of outstanding educators has been the foundation of everything we do. We often tell our teachers, “If we want our students to grow, our teachers need to grow first.” We invest heavily in training, collaboration, and continuous professional development because the quality of our teachers ultimately shapes the experience of every child we serve.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Founded in 2022, Chia Chinese Learning is one of the largest Mandarin enrichment providers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We offer immersive, project-based Mandarin Chinese programs for children ages 2–15, helping students develop confidence in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding Chinese through engaging, hands-on experiences.
Today, Chia proudly partners with more than 20 leading public and independent schools, including Aidan Montessori School, Sidwell Friends School, Georgetown Day School, Washington International School, Horace Mann Elementary School, Janney Elementary School, Stoddert Elementary School, Bullis School,etc.
Each year, CHIA serves more than 1,500 students through after-school enrichment, in-school instruction, weekend programs, immersive summer camps, cultural events, and international educational experiences. Our dedicated team of 12 experienced Mandarin educators creates dynamic learning environments where children build language proficiency, cultural understanding, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Beyond the classroom, CHIA extends language learning through immersive summer experiences. Our Mandarin Immersion Summer Camps provide students with full-day, hands-on opportunities to learn Chinese through themed projects, STEM activities, arts, cooking, music, games, field trips, and cultural exploration in an all-Mandarin environment. For older students, CHIA also leads educational trips to Taiwan and China, where participants engage in volunteer service, internships, cultural immersion, language practice, and homestay experiences. These life-changing programs allow students to experience Chinese language and culture in authentic settings while developing independence, leadership, and a global perspective.
At CHIA, we believe language is best learned through meaningful experiences. Our unique curriculum combines immersive communication with project-based learning, storytelling, music, movement, STEM, arts, and cultural exploration, enabling students to use Mandarin naturally while developing the confidence and cross-cultural understanding to thrive in an interconnected world.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love collaborating with people and organizations that share our passion for education, culture, and building meaningful communities.
One of the best ways to work with us is through cultural partnerships. We are always looking for museums, libraries, cultural organizations, businesses, artists, and community groups that want to create fun, authentic Chinese language and cultural experiences for children and families. Whether it’s a festival, cooking workshop, performance, field trip, or hands-on cultural event, we believe learning comes alive when families experience it together.
We are also excited to partner with more schools. In addition to our immersive Mandarin Chinese programs, we offer enrichment classes such as Chinese cooking, K-Pop dance, calligraphy, arts and crafts, and other culturally enriching experiences that bring language learning to life. Our goal is to make Chinese education engaging, accessible, and joyful for students of all ages.
One thing that surprises many people is that we have never focused on marketing. Almost all of our growth has come through word of mouth from families, schools, and educators who believe in what we do. We see that as one of our greatest accomplishments because it reflects the strength of the relationships we’ve built within our community.
Most importantly, we simply enjoy learning alongside like-minded people. If you have an idea for a collaboration, a school that may be interested in partnering with us, or a creative way to help children discover the Chinese language and culture, we’d love to connect. Together, we can create meaningful experiences that inspire the next generation of global citizens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chiachinese.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chia_chinese_learning/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chialearning/
