7-Day Mandarin Challenge
Chinese feels impossible until someone shows you the right door in.
Most courses teach you sentences Chinese people don't actually say. Sounds that aren't what the letters look like. Writing before you can speak. This challenge fixes all three. In 7 days.
Real Chinese — the phrases that exist in actual rooms, between actual people
Sound first, always. No writing pressure, no textbook shortcuts
10–12 minutes a day. One lesson unlocks daily, starting Day 1
This will not make you fluent. It will make Chinese feel possible. And sometimes that is the only thing that was missing.
Meet your teacher
Hi, I'm Falafel!
I've been teaching Mandarin Chinese for over five years, working with students from more than 10 countries and a wide range of backgrounds. My students have ranged in age from 6 to 55, which has taught me how to adapt my teaching style to different learning habits, goals, and stages of life.
I'm deeply passionate about languages and cross-cultural communication, and that's something I bring into every lesson. I focus on making Chinese practical, engaging, and accessible, so it doesn't feel overwhelming or distant, but something you can actually use in real life.
My teaching approach combines structured learning with real-life application, helping you build confidence not just in understanding Chinese, but in actually speaking and using it in everyday situations.
Watch Falafel explain the 7-day challenge
In this video: why you're closer to Chinese than you think. What the 7 days actually look like. And why the first three lessons are entirely about sound.
Choose Your SpotThis is for you if…
You have always wanted to learn Chinese but never found the right way in
You tried before and stopped — not because you gave up, but because it wasn't built for you
You are working between cultures and know you are leaving something on the table
You have 10–12 minutes a day and want to actually use them
This might not be the right fit if…
You prefer a long-term structured program over a focused 7-day jumpstart
You're not comfortable with learning at your own pace
You'd rather wait until you feel fully ready before starting
One lesson unlocks each day. Each one is 10–12 minutes.
Each one comes with a worksheet and two quizzes.
The sound system.
21 initials. The three sounds nobody expects: j, q, x. Your mouth learning to make sounds it has never made before.
The finals.
Vowel sounds. Including ü — a sound that doesn't exist in English. Your first real breakthrough.
All four tones.
By the end of this lesson, you can produce every sound in the Chinese language.
Your first real sentences.
Not textbook sentences. The phrases Chinese people actually say.
Numbers, time, and navigation.
Ordering food. Saying where you're going. Real situations.
Cultural moments.
Greetings that land. How to give and receive. What sounds natural vs. what sounds like a textbook.
A full Mandarin conversation.
Start to finish. The way two people actually speak when they meet for the first time.
"This is not one of those communities that goes quiet after launch."
Every week there is something here for you. Pronunciation drops where you practise sounds and get real feedback. Cultural content that connects Chinese to the world you already know. And insights that make the language feel worth learning, not just useful to have.
Sunday: Pronunciation drop + voice note challenge — Language & Pronunciation space
Tuesday: Cultural parallel + question — Culture & The World space
Wednesday: Voice note challenge — 5 minutes, your sounds on record
Thursday: Weekly wins + community insights
Next step after clicking: you'll create a free Circle account and complete enrollment in under 2 minutes. Your community access opens immediately.
Choose Your SpotFounding cohort pricing
STARTER
The Course
Everything you need to go from zero to your first real Mandarin conversation — in 7 days.
- One lesson unlocks daily for 7 days
- 10–12 minutes per lesson
- Worksheets and 2 quizzes per lesson
- Study at your own pace
- Lifetime access
Secure checkout via Circle + Stripe · Takes 2 min
MOST RECOMMENDED
The Course + Community
Everything in Starter — plus one month inside the Falafel in Hotpot community where your learning continues after the 7 days.
- Everything in Starter
- 1 month free community membership
- Weekly pronunciation feedback from Falafel
- Daily language and culture content
- Connect with learners on the same journey
- $25/month after the first month
First month included · $25/month after · Cancel anytime
START THE BUNDLESecure checkout via Circle + Stripe · Takes 2 min
Clicking any button takes you to Circle's secure checkout. You'll create a free account and pay there. Takes under 2 minutes.
LIMITED SPOTS
The Course + Community + Private Tutoring
Everything in Most Recommended — plus two hours of private one-on-one time with Falafel, built entirely around you.
- Everything in Most Recommended
- 2 hours private tutoring with Falafel
- Personalised pronunciation correction
- Priority access in live community events
- Limited spots available
Frequently asked
Yes. It takes under 2 minutes and your access opens automatically the moment payment is confirmed.
Zero. Day 1 starts from the very first sound. There is no assumed knowledge.
10 to 12 minutes each. One lesson unlocks per day starting from the day you join.
Yes. Full refund within 3 days (72 hours) of purchase — no questions asked. Contact us before your window closes and we'll process it within 5–7 business days. Community membership fees are non-refundable once a billing cycle has begun.
Each lesson comes with a worksheet and two quizzes to practise after the lesson ends. Starter tier includes lifetime access.
Your course access stays. Community access continues at $25/month if you're on the Bundle or VIP tier. Starter members can join the community separately at any time.
You are going to be tempted to wait until you feel ready.
Don't wait. Nobody ever feels ready. You just start.