The Lunar New Year – also called the Spring Festival – is the most widely celebrated holiday in China and marks the start of the lunar calendar and the arrival of spring. It begins February 17 as the Year of the Fire Horse. Families gather to enjoy special foods, reflect on the past year, and look forward to a fresh start with good fortune and happiness.

Fire Horse personality traits for those born in 1942, 1954, 1966 include traits like independence, action-oriented and transformative – and so appropriate for anyone interested in our Mandarin online classes!

But for older adults who speak Mandarin, beginning again and trying something new doesn’t have to be limited to the holiday itself or for Fire Horse personalities! Anyone can stay connected and continue learning; Senior Planet’s online Mandarin classes and resources create space to do it. Here is a look at what’s available: 

Live Classes in Mandarin 

These upcoming sessions introduce how AI works and common uses for AI chat tools:  

• Wednesday, February 18 at 1:00pm ET – Intro to Chatting with AI 
  Learn to write effective prompts for AI and review basic privacy and security tips.
     
•  Wednesday, February 25 at 1:00pm ET – Intro to AI  
  Get a basic overview of what artificial intelligence is, including current uses and its limits.  

Participants in our Mandarin classes have grown more comfortable with tech and connected with others over time. Technology trainer Tzuying Trentinaglia reflects on what she has seen:  

“When I join the Wednesday Mandarin Class, I’m greeted by familiar faces, people who keep coming back, not just to learn, but to spend time together, catch up, and feel connected. Even when a topic isn’t their favorite, they show up anyway, and that sense of community truly means a lot to me.” 

Check out our full list of upcoming Mandarin classes here. 

Self-Guided Learning 

Can’t make a live class? You can learn at your own pace with our tech tip videos in Mandarin. Here are three to get you started: 

•  iPhone & iPad Chinese Keyboard – Learn how to add keyboards in different languages on your iOS device. This is the first of three videos about keyboards on iOS. 

• Adding Google Translate Chrome Extension – Learn how to install the Google Translate Chrome extension. 

• Using Google Translate Chrome Extension – Learn how to use the Google Translate Chrome extension. 

 There’s more to come – new tech tip videos will be added soon.  

Get Tech Help 

Need help with tech or joining a class? A Mandarin-speaking technology trainer can answer your questions. Our free hotline is open from 9:00am – 8:00pm ET, Monday – Friday and 9:00am – 2:00pm ET on Saturday. If we miss your call, leave a message and a trainer will follow up. You can also email us via our Contact Us page under “General Questions/Feedback.”   

Your Turn 

Have you experienced Lunar New Year traditions before? Share your story in the comments!  

Nicole Alcime is the Senior Manager of Virtual Program Experiences for Senior Planet from AARP. Since joining in 2022, she has helped manage Senior Planet’s online programs. Nicole is based in New Jersey and enjoys reading in her free time, with Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers being one of her favorite books.