London Mandarin Learners

4.9•796 ratings

London, GB

3,318 members · Public group

What we’re about

This is a group for anyone wishing to learn Mandarin. We aim to provide a friendly community for anyone learning or wishing to learn Mandarin Chinese. We welcome people of all levels from beginner to native speaker. Founded, October 2009.

Joining the meetup group
To be a member of this group, you need to have a profile photo in which you are recognizable as yourself. This helps people recognize each other at meetups. This is required for all members joining after January 2022. Also, please join the group in your personal capacity, not as a company or organization.

Member information
As from June 2024, regular Meetup members (without an organizer subscription)

Can view the information on the home page and event pages of public meetup groups.
Can view names but not profile pictures on attendee lists for events.
Cannot view the full members list.
Can view the list of organizers.

October 2025 Reading Text
The Three-Body Problem - Ch. 11 - Three Body: Mozi and Fiery Flames
三体 - 第11章 - 三体、墨子、烈焰（节录）
作者：刘慈欣

Stories of the Sahara - Ch. 11 - A Ladder
撒哈拉的故事 - 11 - 天梯（节录）
作者：三毛

Links to all reading text files
Chinese text with pinyin and selected vocabulary and explanations provided in Google Sheets. Best viewed on Chrome or Firefox browsers.

October 2025 Topics
Oct 4 - Mandarin English Conversation Practice - Saturday Afternoon Online
入境随俗 - 讲奇怪的习俗
When in Rome, do as the Romans do - Let's talk about strange local customs
(suggested by LML)

Oct 15 - All Mandarin Online Conversation Meetup - Advanced Learners
讲一个我们去过的在中国的地方
Talk about a place we've been to in China
(suggested by LML)

Oct 18 - Mandarin English Conversation Practice - Saturday Afternoon Online
有意思的科技
Interesting technology
(suggested by Johnathon)

Oct 22 - All Mandarin Online Conversation Meetup - Advanced Learners
我们最害怕什么?
What are we most afraid of?
(suggested by Ashley)

Oct 29 - Late Night Event - Learning Mandarin Online through Song Sharing
Best songs to hear at a Halloween party
最好在万圣节聚会听的歌曲
(from Audrey)

Mandarin Language Groups
We run small groups for beginners and intermediate learners so they can build up their Mandarin language skills in a friendly, constructive environment. Advanced learners can practice with each other and help beginners. Once or twice a month we will have social and reading meetups for learners of all levels, held online on Zoom, or offline in a venue likely to be in London.

Zoom meetings
Please note that in our Zoom meetings, participants are encouraged to use the Zoom chat window to write down words and expressions to help each other learn. No participant has the right to restrict how and when another participant uses the chat window. The host has overall responsibility for how the meetup is conducted. Where there is anti-social behaviour, such should be reported to the host.

Event Cancellation
Some groups cancel events at the last minute because there are too few signups. We will not do this. If an event is announced, it will be held. Unless there is inclement weather, a natural disaster or a serious transport strike, there will not be a cancellation.
If an event can only be held if a certain number of members sign up, this will be stated on the event page when the event is announced.

No-Flake, Zero No-show group
Group events often involve reservations at restaurants and hiring of venues. Organizers have to put in a lot of effort to set up the event. Members might change work schedules and travel far to meet other members. It is inconsiderate to the group and its members to sign up for in-person events and then send in a last-minute cancellation or do a no-show.

No-shows and flake outs undermine the relationship between organizers and members, and destroy the community spirit of meetups. The attendance record has a large role to play in deciding how we host future events, and in the extreme case, if we can even have events.

We should try to make our group a no-flake, zero no-show group. Let's make a commitment to respect each other, and support group events by showing up.

‘People feel they don’t owe anyone anything’: the rise in ‘flaking’ out of social plans - The Guardian

No-shows:
If you sign up for an event, please show up. If you have a schedule change and can't make it, please change your RSVP to "Not going". All no-shows in all meetups from 2022 onwards have been marked as such, so the attendee lists all reflect actual attendance. For in-person meetups, no-shows will be recorded when and where it is practical to do so.

Group Links:
London Mandarin Learners Pages (Google Sheets)
Screenshots of all LML Pages (Google Docs)
Event Notes - 2022
Group Message Board - Archive - feature removed by Meetup in July 2024
Group Mailing List - Archive - feature removed by Meetup in July 2024
List of links to Reading Text - 2022
List of Chinese English Language Exchange and Learning meetup groups in the UK and North America