Heritage Chinese（马立平中文） is a Chinese heritage-language curriculum and online homework system designed for children in overseas Chinese-speaking families. It covers K through Grade 9 as well as AP. Rather than a typical live class or 1-on-1 tutoring service, it is a long-term learning program built around textbooks, workbooks, summer assignments, character cards, and online homework. It can be used by weekend Chinese schools and After School programs, and is also suitable for parents or private tutors to use alongside instruction.
The curriculum emphasizes both culture and literacy. In the lower grades, the main goal is to help students break through the character-recognition barrier, using approaches such as direct character recognition, learning pinyin later, recognizing before writing, and recognizing more characters than they are required to write. In the middle grades, it strengthens reading and writing while aligning with YCT/HSK proficiency levels. In the upper grades, the focus shifts toward Chinese culture, AP Chinese, and mock exam preparation. The online homework includes text reading, writing demonstrations, character and vocabulary games, audio-recording assignments, and more. Teachers can create online classrooms, track progress, check vocabulary accuracy, review recordings, and grade assignments. The materials also mention an iPad version, suggesting that its digital practice system is relatively mature.
The program is edited by Dr. Ma Liping. She holds a doctorate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Education and has been conducting Chinese-language teaching experiments for overseas Chinese-heritage children at Stanford Chinese School since 1994. The team also includes staff responsible for online homework development, teaching support, and teacher resources. As for certificates, the materials do not indicate that students receive an official certificate after completing the curriculum, but the learning goals are clearly connected to AP Chinese, SAT II Chinese, and proficiency above HSK Level 4.
Pricing is mainly based on grade-level sets: in the online store, K is USD 70, Grades 1–9 are mostly USD 80, AP materials are USD 100, and the AP mock exam Code is USD 50. Traditional Chinese editions are mostly USD 60–70. The Walk-In page shows slightly lower prices for some items, while group purchases are often USD 58 per copy. Payment methods include credit card except in California, check, and cash or check for local pickup. All textbook sales are final; only defective or incorrectly bound items can be replaced within 30 days.
The main strengths are its complete system and solid research-and-development background, making it especially suitable for overseas Chinese-heritage children learning Chinese over the long term. The combination of printed materials and online homework also makes classroom management easier for teachers. The downside is that it functions more like a curriculum and homework platform than a service with verifiable live teaching or 1-on-1 instruction. Purchasing, shipping, and returns are relatively traditional, and international shipping may also be slow. It is best suited for overseas families with an existing Chinese-language environment, Chinese schools, and private tutors. It is less suitable for complete-beginner adults studying independently.
The website lists China as an available shipping destination, but it does not provide information on access speed from mainland China, payment availability, or ICP filing status. As a result, access from China is unknown. If using it in mainland China, it is recommended to test connectivity to both the website and the online homework platform first. Alternatives may include local Chinese textbooks, Chinese school programs, or online Chinese platforms designed for children.
⚠ This review is compiled from public sources and does not constitute a purchase recommendation. Verify all facts on the vendor's official site. Verify on heritagechinese.com official site.
heritagechinese.com is an United States Education provider. TG4G tracks its product information, an overall rating of 6.0/10, and a China-accessibility score of China direct-connect friendly. Click "Visit Official Site" to reach heritagechinese.com directly.