Ming's Center of Chinese Language & Culture 明文中心

Currently, Ming's Center is offering after school Chinese language programs.  If you are interested in having the program at your children's school, please contact me and your school's administration.  The listed programs below are samples of after school programs offered by Ming's Center.

Please check out the article about the Chinese after school program in Tribune Review: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_606939.html.

General description of after school programs:

I’ve designed my own courses based on teaching the basics of Chinese pronunciation, writing, and grammar in a fun way.   We do “Pinyin” (a system of phonetic writing), use rhymes, sing, and do traditional Chinese arts and crafts such as brush painting, calligraphy, origami, and etc. Please visit: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_606939.html in Tribune Review & www.mingscenter.com for more information.

Courses will both:

  • serve as a short-term introduction to another language and culture (for students who participate only one semester), and
  • provide a strong foundation for more intensive study in the future (for students who will continue).  

As a Chinese native who has lived in the United States for almost twenty years, as an individual with an advanced degree in Asian Literature and Linguistics, and as a PA certified Chinese language teacher, I’ve designed my own courses based on teaching the basics of Chinese pronunciation, writing, and grammar in a fun way.   We do “Pinyin” (a system of phonetic writing), use rhymes, sing, and do traditional Chinese crafts such as brush painting, calligraphy, etc.  Positive responses from past students affirm my belief in the effectiveness of this approach.  I’ve also received many positive responses from parents who attended my Mandarin classes with their children. If you are interested in learning more about parents' responses, please visit: www.mingscenter.com.

Programs are designed based on 8-10 week sessions according to each school's preference.

The current sessions are:

Ellis Middle School in Shadyside

Elementary Level Mandarin: grades 2-4 at 3:15pm on Wednesdays, January-March, 2012


Falk Elementary in collaboration with Elain Hyder

a. Elementary Level Mandarin: grades K-8 at 4:15pm on Mondays, September - December, 2011

b. Elementary Level Mandarin: grades K-8 at 4:15pm on Mondays, January - March, 2012


PALS Enrichment

Elementary Level Mandarin: grades K-8 at 10am on Wednesdays, September - November, 2011


Programs in the past:


Fox Chapel Elementary Chinese Language Club
Mandarin C-1: grades K-5 from 4:15-5:15pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2008, 2009. 


WSCC East-end Chinese Language Club

Class: Mandarin 1: grades K and up from 4:30-5:30pm on Wednesdays, 2009. 


North Hills Chinese Language Club
Class: Mandarin 1: grades K-5 from 5-6pm on Tuesdays, 2009.  


PALS Enrichment in Edgewood Towncenter

Elementary Mandarin on Wednesdays, 2006 - 2011


For any questions, please contact Ming Rui at:

  • Phone:    412-805-8288       
  • E-mail: mingscenter@gmail.com