Maintaining heritage languages is of vital significance for immigrant families (Lanza & Li 2016; King & Fogle 2013). We present a study of Mandarin language and culture transmission among Chinese immigrant families in Groningen (The Netherlands). Previous research has shown that families’ motivations for transmitting their heritage languages goes beyond necessity and opportunity, as they are often closely related to integrative and personal values (Zhu & Li 2016; Daussà 2013), and general wellbeing (De Houwer 2015). However, relatively little is known about European contexts (Wei 2016). Against this backdrop, we set to figure out the factors influencing linguistic attitudes and language choices among immigrant families recruited from Stichting Chinese School Groningen, a Saturday heritage school. Data comes from semi-structured interviews with ten parents, combined with a brief targeted questionnaire. Results indicate, not surprisingly, that parents who themselves have high proficiency in Mandarin, have the highest success in transmitting their language to their children, and that relatively frequent trips to China also play a role. Personal values, integrative values (both regarding the immediate and the extended community), and instrumental values all have a balanced role in determining Chinese immigrant parents’ choices. Remarkably, with general positive attitudes towards multilingualism in Dutch society (May 2013), Chinese immigrant families too hold positive attitudes towards the maintenance of their heritage language. Nevertheless, they report receiving negative feedback from the immediate community, including lack of support for Mandarin from local schools or institutions, and criticisms about their own ability to belong in Dutch society. On this line, parents manifest their wish that teachers in Dutch schools would attach more importance to their heritage languages, since at present they only lay emphasis on children’s learning of Dutch (and English), and they also wish that their own ...