What ages does Nihao Institute teach?

Age groups are not published on the website. Ask the provider which class suits your child.

How much do Mandarin classes cost?

Fees are not published. The website mentions group (POD) learning with discounts of up to 40%, so ask the provider for current prices.

Can my child take classes online?

The institute says it uses a hybrid model that blends in-person and online lessons; ask whether your child's class can be joined online.

Is there a trial class?

A trial class is not mentioned, but the institute offers a free consultation with an education counsellor. Ask the provider about trying a class.

Where is Nihao Institute in International City?

Indigo Optima 1, International City, 2nd floor, rooms 213 and 214. There is also a branch in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (Armada Tower 2, Cluster P, 7th floor, #706). The website does not say which branch runs each class, so ask the provider.

Nihao Institute: Mandarin and Chinese culture classes for kids, International City and JLT

Q: What can children learn at Nihao Institute?

The institute lists kids' language training in Mandarin, English and Arabic, child skills development training, education support services, and fine arts including arts and crafts and Chinese painting. The website does not say which branch runs each class, and it was last updated in February 2025, so confirm current classes with the institute.

LanguagesMandarin

New to Waha

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

International City

Nihao Institute is a Chinese language and culture school founded in December 2012, with a branch in Indigo Optima 1 in International City (2nd floor, rooms 213 and 214) and another in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Its aim is to help students of all backgrounds learn Mandarin across reading, writing, listening and speaking. For children, the institute lists language training in Mandarin, English and Arabic, child skills development, education support, and fine arts including arts and crafts and Chinese painting. The website does not say which branch runs each class, so ask which one suits your child. The institute says it uses a hybrid model that blends in-person and online lessons. Besides its classes, it describes an annual recitation competition held under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE (last listed on its site in May 2024). It also organised a Chinese Cultural Camp at Dubai schools in October 2024, with teachers from Guangdong. Ages, fees and class times are not on the website, so message the institute to ask.

nihaoinstitute.ae

The activity

Mandarin, explained

Mandarin is the most widely spoken form of Chinese, and learning it as a child means getting used to two new things at once: tones, where the pitch of a word changes its meaning, and characters, which are learned by shape rather than spelled out letter by letter. Children's classes usually mix listening and speaking with songs, games and stories, then build up reading and writing of simple characters. Cultural activities such as festival crafts, painting and performances often sit alongside the language work. Children practise memory, careful listening and fine motor control. Many families start in the early primary years, but each school sets its own age groups, so ask about the right class for your child.

Who it's for

Children and adults: the institute lists a KIDS section (Mandarin, English and Arabic language training, child skills development, education support services, and arts and crafts and Chinese painting) alongside adult and professional courses. It says it teaches students of all backgrounds, including non-native speakers. The website does not say which of its two branches runs each kids' class. Age groups and levels are not published; ask the provider.

What to expect

The website describes immersive lessons that cover reading, writing, listening and speaking Mandarin, and says the institute uses a hybrid model that blends in-person and online learning; ask whether your child's class can be joined online. Class length, how often classes run, group size, what to bring and whether a trial class is offered are not published, so ask the provider. The site offers a free consultation with one of its education counsellors, which is a sensible first step to find the right class, branch and level for your child. You can reach the institute by phone or email.

Highlights

Chinese language and culture school founded in December 2012 (nihaoinstitute.ae)
Kids' classes in Mandarin, English and Arabic, plus arts and crafts and Chinese painting; ask which branch runs each (nihaoinstitute.ae)
Describes a hybrid model blending in-person and online lessons; ask whether your child's class can be joined online (nihaoinstitute.ae)
Annual recitation competition held under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE, last listed in May 2024 (nihaoinstitute.ae)
Free consultation with an education counsellor before you sign up (nihaoinstitute.ae)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

Nihao Institute has a 5.0 rating on Google from 1 review (one five-star rating).

The facts

Not published yet: Ask about ages, prices and trials
Where: Indigo Optima 1, International City, Dubai - 2nd Floor, Room 214 & 213
How to book: nihaoinstitute.ae · +971 52 980 3690 · [email protected]
Opening hours: Every day9am–7pm

Guide · 7 min readRead: How many activities is too many? A guide by age

Questions parents ask

Good to know

This branch is at Indigo Optima 1, International City, 2nd floor, rooms 213 and 214 (nihaoinstitute.ae)
A second branch is in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster P, Armada Tower 2, 7th floor, #706 (nihaoinstitute.ae)
Free and paid street parking nearby (Google listing)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park (Google listing)
Group (POD) learning is offered with discounts of up to 40%; ask what applies to kids' classes (nihaoinstitute.ae)
The website was last updated in February 2025; confirm current classes with the institute (nihaoinstitute.ae)