Bala Mandarin Tutors and Bala Mandarin Tuition

Personal Description:
- qualified ex-secondary MFL teacher (PGCE, QTS obtained), familiar with and taught Mandarin Chinese GCSE specifications (AQA and Edexcel), A Level Chinese specifications at UK secondary schools. My students have great exam results.
- Native Mandarin and Taiwanese speaker, Excellent communication skills
- Experienced Mandarin Tutor. I worked with pupils at different levels: pre-School/ KS1- 5/ FE/ HE/ adults/ retired/ business Chinese/ tourism Chinese, including those with SEN and from diverse cultural background using English as an additional language)
- Freelance translator (television programmes subtitles, between English and Mandarin Chinese)
- Freelance interpreter (legal/Immigration)
- Experienced in tailor-making and delivering one-to-one tutoring lessons
- Knowledge of traditional Chinese/Taiwanese culture, politics, history, geography, society and current pop culture. Also able to combine the above with Mandarin learning/teaching
- Patient, reliable and honest
- mentored PGCE student teachers, Early Career Teachers.
- conduct and co-lead research projects with IOE (Institute of Education, University College London), on Content and Language Integrated Learning, 2021 to date. Co-presented the research results at 2 international academic conferences in 2023.

Teaching Experience:
- Mandarin Teacher at University of Leeds (Sep 2008- May 2011), a private school in north Wales (Y7 and Y9, complete beginner group/individual and GCSE preparation, 2011), a grammar school on the Wirral (2015- 2020, Y7- Y13, including GCSE/A Level preparation), and a comprehensive state school in Liverpool (2020-2023).
- Author/proof-reader of online Mandarin course contents (targeting KS2, KS3, and GCSE learners); Online Mandarin Tutor (KS2 learners and GCSE candidates. One of my pupils was accepted by a Chinese undergraduate course as her first choice for Sep 2014 entry, because of my lessons); eLearning Specialist advising the management team regarding VLE/ LMS and providing training on online teaching for fellow teachers (all above under this bullet point: between Jun 2012- Jun 2014, employed by a private company in north Wales)
- freelance one-to-one Tutor of Mandarin, face-to-face and online
- University Lecturer in Audience Development in Taiwan
- University Lecturer in Arts Management in Taiwan
- University Lecturer in English in Taiwan
- Tutor of English (adult/primary/secondary level, face-to-face, individual and groups) in Taiwan

Tutoring Approach:
- Use real-Life scenario for examples and conversation practice
- Integrate Culture into language acquisition
- Offer Business/Leisure/Travel/Conversation Mandarin Lessons
- Offer Pin-Yin and Phonics; Simplified and Traditional Mandarin characters
- Lessons are tailor-made to suit different levels from beginners to advanced Mandarin speaker
- You can choose to get trained in Listening, Speaking, Writing or Reading skills, or a combination of these four
- Deliver lessons in English-only, Mandarin-only, or a combination of English and Mandarin
- Devise different learning methods/ activities/ content for each individual learner to suit their own confidence, Mandarin abilities and learning targets/ motives.
- Encourage students to participate in their own learning process actively by creating an interactive and friendly learning environment.

Subjects

Personal Description:
MA-Qualified Mandarin Tutor | Certified Higher Education Teacher | 10+ Years' Experience | GCSE, IB, HSK, A Level & University | Adults & Young | Proven Excellent Results from Beginner to Advanced

• Enjoy a FREE 1-Hour Trial Lesson

I am a qualified and certified language teacher with over ten years of teaching experience. I specialise in teaching AQA GCSE, Cambridge IGCSE, HSK, HSKK, and IB Chinese qualifications, as well as providing Chinese tuition for adults and children, including business Chinese and travel Chinese.

With strong academic qualifications, extensive teaching experience, and a personalised teaching approach, I help students achieve their highest potential, whether they are preparing for examinations, developing practical communication skills, or pursuing personal language goals.

I am originally from Xi'an, China, and began my teaching career at university level, where I taught English as a Second Language to undergraduate students. My passion for education, commitment to student success, and dedication to teaching excellence earned me the recognition of Excellent Teacher.

Over the past ten years, I have continued to develop my professional skills beyond the classroom. During this time, I took a short break from teaching to work as a translator and Chinese Business Development Manager for a UK-based international company.

In this role, I supported the company's expansion into the Chinese market by establishing a Beijing office, developing brand strategies, negotiating with Chinese partners, and advising staff on Chinese business culture.

I offer comprehensive tuition for students of all ages and proficiency levels. Courses currently available include:
• HSK (Levels 1-9)
• HSKK (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced)
• GCSE Chinese
• Chinese for children and primary school students
• Chinese for adults
• A-Level Chinese
• Chinese for university undergraduates
• Travel Chinese
• Business Chinese

Examples of my courses
BEGINNER'S MASTERY COURSE (20 hours)
Develop an excellent command of Chinese pronunciation, including challenging tones; learn 300-400 commonly used words and master 10 essential everyday conversational scenarios.

GCSE ELEVATION COURSE (tailored to the shortest feasible or required timeframe)
Support students in improving from failing grades or a standard pass (Grade 4) to top Grades 8-9.

A-LEVEL EXCELLENCE COURSE (tailored to the shortest feasible or required timeframe)
Support students in achieving top A-Level grades, helping them progress to their desired university degree programmes.

BUSINESS SPEEDY COURSE (20 hours)
Develop the fundamental communication skills needed to interact effectively with Chinese business partners, build strong working relationships, and project a professional corporate image.

INTENSIVE COURSE (2 hours per session; not recommended for children)
Designed for students with limited time, particularly exam candidates. This course helps students learn 40-50 Chinese words in a single two-hour session through my specially developed teaching methodology.

Teaching Experience:
Below are some testimonials from my students -

"If it wasn't for Ning and her constant support and patience, I would have probably given up on learning Chinese at university!
 
I have gone from not being able to string a Chinese sentence together to achieving a 2:1 on my final exam, all in the space of 6 months.
 
Ning goes above and beyond to ensure that learning material is tailored to individual needs of the student, suiting all abilities. Her supporting and encouraging nature makes learning much more enjoyable and I highly recommend her to anyone."

- Aishia


"Our daughter is studying Chinese at degree level and we were concerned about how unhappy she felt, her confidence had been battered and she was on the brink of leaving the course and dismayed at the thought of sitting her January exams.

I found a selection of 4 tutors who were available to support our daughter and her learning via Skype, Ning immediately stood out by her interested and enthusiastic approach to my enquiry, she was the only tutor that researched the particular University course, the modules and the learning requirements.
​
It was immediately apparent how Ning goes above and beyond as she is genuinely passionate about her students and their learning.

Ning was originally asked to support our daughter through her revision period to her exams (5 weeks) however the change in my daughter and her thoughts about learning Chinese was incredible.

I could see that Ning's approach was patient, restoring some of her confidence, helping her understand what she was learning and helping her achieve the grades she was happy with.
​
Over the last 6 months I have seen that Ning is very flexible, committed, reliable and ensures that all lessons are specific to our daughter and her stage and style of learning.

She spends time preparing work in between lessons and sets work that is relevant and applicable to the direct course. Ning is quick and efficient in reviewing work, sets homework and learning materials, she provides accurate, supportive and encouraging feedback and even increases her time with my daughter around her exams (even when she is on holiday!).
​
Because of Ning and her support she made our daughter believe she could do it and her end of year exams were graded as a 2:1. She is looking forward to moving to Taiwan for her year study in August, Ning continues to provide lessons helping her to prepare to move and further increase her confidence to face her new course and life in Taiwan.

As parents I am extremely grateful to Ning, impressed by her commitment and enthusiasm and would highly recommend her to support students at any level and look forward to her continuing to support our daughter through the rest of her degree. Thank you Ning!"

- Mr & Mrs Diment (Aishia's parents)


"Ning rekindled my love of learning Chinese and she was friendly and really easy to chat to, and I really enjoyed my lessons with her.

She never made me feel stupid if I found something difficult. She was always really well prepared for my lessons and told me what I needed to do and to bring, and she always had everything that she needed.

She had loads of good ideas to help me learn. She worked really hard to help me do well.
​
I got an A in my GCSE Chinese after I'd been learning with Ning for only six months; a year later I got 266/300 in HSK3 and 77/100 in HSKK."

- Delilah


"Ning has been brilliant at taking my daughter through GCSE Mandarin.
 
She made a careful plan to take my daughter through the syllabus, taught her really well and thoroughly, and is very supportive and encouraging. I could trust her completely.
 
My daughter so much enjoyed learning Mandarin with Ning that she has decided to continue lessons with her to take a higher qualification in Mandarin."

- Kate (Delilah's Mum)


"I got an A* on my reading and listening, an A on my writing and a B on my speaking. So overall, I got an A!!! Thank you so much for your time and patience, Ning. I'm over the moon with my results!"

- Caitlin


"When arriving into the UK from Hong Kong, our daughter took the decision to progress her Mandarin studies through to GCSE level. She had not been on a GCSE curriculum in Hong Kong, so this was a difficult task for her.

The school was unable to provide a Mandarin tutor for the two year programme. We located and contacted Ning, who provided one hour, one-to-one tutelage per week over the two years. She struck a good relationship with our daughter right from the start, being very patient though also setting challenging but realistic tasks for completion between lessons.

Ning also helped with the arrangements for sitting the GCSE, as the school needed some reminding in this area.

Throughout the two years, Ning did not miss a single appointment. She always arrived on time, but often stayed longer.

Our daughter gained A grade overall in GCSE Chinese. She would not have been able to do this without Ning.

Thanks Ning!!"

- Andy (Dad of Caitlin)


"Ning, I got an A!! Thank you so much for all that you helped me with (it was more than just Chinese in the end). I really couldn't have done it without you."

- Niamh
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"You are an absolute super-star tutor, Ning - thank you so much. You have helped Niamh more than we could have imagined in (GCSE) Chinese, her confidence and learning in general."

- Bonnie (Mum of Niamh)


"Ning is an exceptional tutor, I have made more progress in a few months than I had in years before she took me under her tutorage. She is methodical, yet flexible in her approach providing me with exactly what I need. There is always additional effort prior and after the lesson to produce specific materials and focus on areas of weakness which results in tangible, and speedy improvement which excels any expectations I had going in. Add to this the fact Ning is very friendly and (importantly in my case) patient I am finding my lessons an absolute delight!"

- Christopher


"Of all the mandarin tutors our children have had, they believe that Ning has been by far the best.
​
Ning is a friendly, supportive and responsible tutor. She engages well and creates an excellent relationship with both our 6 & 11 year olds.
​
She customises work according to their needs and standard. She makes learning fun, particularly with our younger child, whilst ensuring an intellectual direction for our eldest.
​
She has led our eldest to achieve an excellent standard in his first ever mandarin test (YCT). Helping him achieve an excellent 180/200 after only 1 year of lessons, Ning has shown significant effort in preparing for everything relating to the test.
​
The children learn many new words in each session; Ning records their speech and sends it to us. This also allows us to share with family and friends abroad; leading to compliments on how well they are doing. It is great to keep everyone updated. We feel proud of them, following the excellent feedback.

Our children show obvious improvement each week. It is clear that they understand more, using more complicated mandarin words and sentence structures. This helps to show us what an amazing job she has done.
​
Our children have clearly become more confident and understanding in their mandarin over our first year with Ning. We look forward to further improvement moving forward.
​
We are delighted to have found Ning and most importantly, that our kids are enjoying their time learning with her.
​
We couldn't be more satisfied with her professionalism, teaching skill and overall service provided. We truly couldn't have asked for a better tutor!"
​
- Niki (Mum of Ethan & Violet)

"Ning has been, not only an absolutely extraordinary teacher, but an incredible mentor. To nurture an environment where one can practice Chinese in comfort and without feeling judged takes tremendous skill - and Ning achieves it with effortless ease. From the first lesson, her dedication and commitment were apparent. She creates a plethora of extra resources outside of lessons to aid the individual's needs. The well of experience and knowledge she brings to the table are unmatched, and that coupled with her mastery of English has formed a very rich and diverse environment for learning. She is a true linguist and her passion for language-learning is infectious.

It is fair to say I arrived to her lessons not knowing an ounce of Chinese, not even that 'nǐ hǎo' meant 'hello'. Ning somehow took that and fostered an environment for learning that resulted in my achieving a 100% in my first HSK examination. However, It is safe to say that Ning's lessons go beyond HSK. She teaches you true Mandarin. Her in-depth explanation of grammar structures and idioms will provide you an understanding of Chinese so rich that confidence in speech will be the natural result. If it is real understanding and professional teaching you seek, then Ning is the absolute best choice of tutor. I could sing her praises until I am red in the face!!! I am very thankful for all that she has done to help me."

- Eli


"I began studying with Ning in January 2019 with no prior knowledge of Chinese. Three weeks later I took a Chinese proficiency test and placed at mid-novice level (the test was aimed at people who had 120+ hours learning time, I had eight hours under my belt). She was focused on making sure I got as many marks as possible for that test, emphasizing vocabulary and listening comprehension. I wanted to do well for myself, but I also wanted her to be proud of me.

Ning has been instrumental at helping me understand grammar and syntax through everyday scenarios I am likely to encounter overseas, while at the same time increasing my vocabulary.

Her classes are tailored and goal-specific. Ning puts a lot of thought into her teaching materials, so much consideration that I don't want to disappoint her with my homework. She is patient; my accent is really bad and she gives me language and reading drills to improve my pronunciation, as well as lots of opportunities to revise what I have learned in previous classes through exercises.

I would recommend her to anyone who wants to study Chinese, whether they are starting from scratch or building on what they already know. She is a great teacher."

- Riazat


"I have been studying mandarin with Ning for the past year. I am an advanced mandarin speaker having studied since in 2007 - both in China and in the UK. I rate Ning's teaching extremely highly and would be delighted to recommend her to other fellow students. Here are some of the reasons...

1. Her professionalism is fantastic. She arrives at my house every week with a prepared lesson and materials. She puts so much thought into my learning needs and really pushes me to improve.​

2. Her understanding of the English language is superb and really helps when it comes to trying to communicate one's meaning. She is able to understand and interpret what I am trying to say, thereby helping me learn how to communicate the same meaning in a very different language and culture.

3. She is a great teacher. It's not something one can learn, it's innate...and she has it. She's flexible. She does her utmost to accommodate her students and is always amenable.​

As I've said before, I've had approximately 10 mandarin tutors since I started learning mandarin and I rank Ning as one of the very best. If you're looking to learn about the Chinese language and culture, then you couldn't go far wrong."

- Eleanor


"Holding the attention of my eight-year-old son for any length of time is a feat of Herculean proportion.
 
How Ning manages to keep him focused for an hour is astonishing and highlights her remarkable gift for teaching. 
 
The lessons strike the perfect balance between being factual and fun, meaning my son happily sits down for his weekly session. I would highly recommend Ning."

​- Lucia (Anthony's Mum)


"From a parent's point of view, our son looks forward to his lessons with Ning and is totally engaged during them.

Ning has given him the confidence to communicate with Chinese speakers, when the opportunity arises.

We are so proud of him, due to the fact that in a short period of time, Joe has been able to hold brief conversations in Chinese."

- Brennan & Beatriz (Joe's Parents)


"I've been having lessons with Ning to prepare myself for moving to China for a job. As a complete beginner I felt totally overwhelmed by the prospect of beginning to learn such a notorious language! However, Ning's lessons have helped me to feel comfortable (and even enjoy) tackling pronunciation as well as basic vocabulary and sentence structuring.

Ning is friendly and helpful in her teaching style which makes for a comfortable learning environment. It is clear that she is aware of my individual progression as lessons are individually tailored to my learning preferences, difficulties and interests.

From my experience, I would 100% recommend Ning as a Chinese tutor for anyone looking for helpful and professional tuition."

- Chris

Tutoring Approach:
I Use a Variety of Teaching Skills and Techniques to Meet Individual Needs

Every learner is unique and acquires knowledge in different ways. Therefore, I adapt my teaching strategies and techniques to suit each student's individual needs.

To illustrate my approach, I broadly categorise learners into two groups: children and adults.

Children generally have shorter attention spans but are naturally attracted to games, stories, songs, and rhymes. Therefore, I incorporate a wide range of interactive activities into my lessons. This enables vocabulary and sentence patterns to be acquired more easily and naturally while keeping children fully focused and engaged. Colourful flashcards are both enjoyable and highly effective learning tools. After providing guidance and demonstrations, I encourage young learners to create their own phrases and simple sentences creatively. They thoroughly enjoy this process and often achieve excellent results.

To keep adult learners motivated and inspired, I encourage them to take an active role in the learning process. Once they have understood the key concepts and language points, I engage them in a variety of thinking and communication activities. I also deliberately guide students to use the target language in everyday situations and familiar contexts, turning daily life into a valuable language-learning resource. This approach stimulates curiosity and encourages learners to construct sentences that reflect real-life situations and communicate with greater confidence.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Chinese oversea student who have studied at plymouth for 2 years now. I am looking for a part-time job to counteract my living costs, also making friends all around the world.

Teaching Experience:
No actual related teaching experience.

Tutoring Approach:
to be discussed

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am qualified in Mandarin Chinese teaching both in China and in the UK and have successfully delivered lessons to learners at all levels in the UK in the past 15 years. Recently I also began to teach Guzheng music for beginners.

Except for face-to-face teaching, I also offer online lessons via Skype for international students from distant side of the world.

With plenty of thoughtful design, I will make sure each individual students' lessons with me are unique and tailor-made, every lesson is enjoyable, creative and effective.

In my spare time I enjoy Chinese calligraphy & Chinese tea art, playing Guzheng, Guqin & bamboo flute( three traditional Chinese classical music instruments), and study Chinese & English literature.

Teaching Experience:
Years of Mandarin teaching experience both in China and in the UK to students at all levels and age groups; experience in designing and delivering bespoke learning material (including audio lessons) tailored to individual needs.

I have successfully delivered Mandarin teaching in the following areas:
• Academic discussions on Chinese culture and history
• Business and business negotiation
• Vocational / exam study
• Casual (Incl. Conversational Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, etc.)

I also have experience in:
• Interpreting &translation both in China and in the UK, broadcasting work in China
• Teaching private Guzheng lesson and Playing Guzheng & Guqin music for public Performances
• Teaching private Yoga lesson

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that a successful lesson should be able to engage students in a fun and active study relevant to real life situations, so I use a wide range of teaching methods, materials and activities.
My teaching activities are carefully designed to encourage students' interests and stimulate their creativity.
I guide students to make best use of their imagination to help their each individual lesson fun and effective.
I tailor my lessons based on every individual's needs, capabilities and personality.
I understand and convey linguistic and cultural nuances, based on my affinity with languages.

Extra support: I design tailored extra supporting material for individual needs, offer free flash cards and encourage my students to share coursework with each other. Besides, I also give advices to parents on supporting children to review or make use of what they learnt in their daily life, etc.

About my Fees: Discount available for group bookings.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I'm a Chinese girl who is really hard working and self-disciplined. I am a postgraduate in Translation and Interpreting at University of Essex. I did my bachelor's degree in English in China and I was the top student in my class.

Apart from the high levels of enthusiasm and commitment, as I have been trained intensively to be a Simultaneous Interpreter/ Conference Interpreter, I enjoy the advantage of good presentation and speaking manner. It's proven that I have strong teamwork spirit and multitask skills. I can work under high pressure and am able to schedule priorities and perform/delegate accordingly to effectively accomplish tasks at hand. Living in China for 20 years, I can always look at things in new perspective. Culturally I am strongly adaptive since I can smoothly operate in two entirely different environments.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored some primary school kids on their English course when I was in China. Their class performance was much better after my tutoring. I managed to get a Teacher's Certificate by taking the national exam when I was in China.

I have a real passion for languages and have been very privileged to have had the opportunities to go and live in the countries where these languages are spoken and experience the diverse culture each country has to offer. Teaching is something that I am very passionate about and want to help others have the same opportunities I have been fortunate to have.

Tutoring Approach:
I work closely with my students to customize the most effective one-on-one tutoring solution. I listen. Before designing a module, I make careful observation and evaluate the student's ability. I teach with the most patience.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Happy, friendly, patient and enthusiastic Chinese native teacher / speaker.

Professional and experienced, provides quality tailor made lessons for any purpose. e.g. work, education, business, travelling, interests or science papers, etc.

UK-China Business Consultant.

Registered interpreter for public sectors, courts, solicitors, hospitals, GPs and dentists.

Teaching Experience:
16 years private teaching experience for children and adults (1-1 and groups).

A Chinese Mandarin teacher working at independent schools, state schools, private language schools, and Chinese community schools in Brighton and Sussex, as well as the London Mandarin School in London.

Tutoring Approach:
Creative 'one to one' all level tuition in Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese, for both adults and children, using a tested fastest possible progress technique.

Lessons are fun, challenging, enjoyable and achievable, all your needs catered for in conversation, grammar, pronunciation, speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Preparing for Common Entrance exams, GCSE / HSK / YCT and Chinese for business or culture.

Various approaches to meet different learning styles.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello, I am Suzy. I was born in Shanghai and educated at Shanghai Teachers University. I have lived in the UK since 2001.

I specialise in Mandarin Chinese at GCSE and A level. Since 2012, I have taught both Edexcel and AQA exam boards pat private schools and Oxford Sixth Form College. All of my students have achieved Grade 9 at GCSE and Grade A at A level.

I have over 25 years of experience teaching Mandarin to both adults and children.

A few points you should know about me:

• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Flexible with time allocation for learners
• Able to put learners at ease and help them enjoy the learning process

I hold three enhanced DBS certificates and have completed child protection training, safeguarding adults awareness training, and a diversity in the workplace course.

Teaching Experience:
Over 25 years of experience teaching Mandarin Chinese to both children and adults.
• Teaching British diplomats
• Teaching Edexcel, AQA GCSE and A Level Chinese at private schools
• Teaching private students business Chinese from global companies on a one-to-one basis

Tutoring Approach:
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Flexible with time allocation for learners
• Able to put learners at ease and help them enjoy the learning process
• Skilled at challenging students to take responsibility, reach their potential, stay motivated, and develop knowledge, skills, and understanding
• Provides caring, dedicated, enthusiastic, and expert teaching
• Able to identify each individual's strengths, achievements, and current learning situation

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am proud to have consistently helped over 90% of my students achieve their desired grades and gain entry to their chosen universities, including Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Warwick and Imperial College.
I have a PhD in Physics and BSc Maths/Physics Jt Honours 1st Class. I am a co-author of over 60 peer reviewed papers in science journals and was a research scientist for 27 years in the world renowned Daresbury Laboratory of the Science and Technology Facilities Council which helps keep the UK at the forefront of international science and technology. I ran the operations of a world class X-ray photoelectron spectrometer for a wide range of applications in physics, chemistry, biology and material science.
I am a qualified martial arts instructor and teach the Chinese Wing Chun system. I believe sports can contribute towards an all round education and under proper supervision, martial arts can offer health benefits and is beneficial for mental and physical discipline. I am also interested in the promotion of the Chinese language because I am of Chinese origin and can speak Cantonese and Mandarin fluently. I also enjoy salsa dancing, music, fell walking, yoga and travel.

Teaching Experience:
Although semi-retired, I am still passionate about science and after gaining my PGCE teaching qualification in 2012, I am now embarking on helping GCSE and A level students with private tuition. My vast experience in training postgraduate students and working with scientists in solving real problems both academically and in industry brings in an invaluable real life dimension to the learning experience of the students.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching is conducted in a relaxed but studious atmosphere and is tailored to individual needs with realistic targets. I use effective questioning and past examination papers for assessment which allow students to monitor their own progress.
I was a 16 year old migrant from Hong Kong when I first came to England in 1973, so I can certainly relate to problems such as racism, misunderstanding of and by others, loneliness, lack of empathy and learning barriers.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Pearson LTL Examiner
14 years experience of Chinese teaching in
Academic:
(my this year's(2025) students are in GCSE, IGCSE;, A-level and Pre-u all got their expected results as A*, A and D3 and successfully got the offers from the first choice universities.

Experienced teaching in GCSE, IGCSE( in three different levels),
A level(Edexcel, AQA, Cambridge International esp. Literature in paper4), Pre-u,
IB (A&B), and
HSK1-6.

For university students:
2 years teaching experience in university in the UK
10 years teaching experience in university in Shanghai, China
Experienced Teaching in
HSK1-6;
Chinese Literature;
Translation Studies

For Adults learners:

Business Chinese,
&
Casual Chinese and culture.

25 years of TCFL and TEFL teaching experience in university;
Holding the national certificate of Standard Mandarin Speaking (A*)(issued by China Education Bureau), Native speaker of Mandarin. Over 8 years' supervising experience in MA & PhD Translation Studies, Education Studies.

Teaching Experience:
When you are looking for a language teacher, you may see the following key points:
1. Native speaker of Mandarin ( I am holding Chinese National Certificate of Standard Mandarin speaking (A*);
2. Majored in Linguistics (Translation Studies);
3. Highest Degree in Linguistics and Social Media Studies;
4. Practical experience as a teacher, an examiner and a marker;
5. Professional teacher (I am holding the Higher Education Teaching Certificate (only 14% university teachers who have the certificate and the PhD degree at the same time in China) .
With solid foundation of literature knowledge, applied writing skills, and cultural awareness, I can not only teach you "what" knowledge but also explain you "why"and "how" knowledge.
current teaching:
Chinese/Mandarin GCSE, IGCSE(0509;0547), ALEVEL, IB, PRE-U, and HSK1-5, Chinese Literature;
Teacher Training Course

CV:
I have experience of being GCSE (Chinese , Mandarin) and IB (Chinese, Mandarin) oral exam Examiner.
I have over 23 years' teaching experience in universities (both in China and the UK). The main jobs I am doing are teaching TEFL courses, TCFL courses (students are adults students and mainly start from 0 level), Translation Studies, and supervising students in MA Education, Translation Studies, and Journalism as their MA supervisor. Since 2017, I also supervise PhD students in Translation Studies as well. I left my beloved working university because I need to move to London with my family. From 2013-2015, during my PhD research study period, I taught in the University of Salford, the main courses I taught were Chinese Language and Culture as well as the MA course of Business Conference Interpretation. Since the university closed the school of Languages, I could not go on teaching there. Luckily, I can teach via Spires now, can go on helping the young people to make their learning target and pursuit their dreams.


About Me
edit
I have a PhD Degree in Translation Studies and MA Degree in TEFL.
I have 22Years' teaching experience as a University language tutor in English and Chinese.
I have 14 years' experience of teaching Mandarin in the UK in all levels.


My Areas of Expertise
edit
Teaching Chinese/Mandarin GCSE, IGCSE,ALEVEL, IB, PRE-U, and HSK1-5
Teaching Chinese Literature (Classical articles in Ming Dynasty, Modern Literature works, famous poems in Ancient times)
Teaching Chinese students in preparing of IELTS, IB, AP Literature and Composition　
Supervising MA dissertation in Education ,Translation Studies.
Teacher Training Course (Theoretical and Practical Teaching skills and strategies) (Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language); (making teaching plan, prepare the teaching materials, get to know the external examinations in the UK (GCSE, A-Level, Pre-U) as well as in other countries (IB, IGCSE), designing after school clubs, etc. )

Tutoring Approach:
textbooks teaching, useful online materials and self designed teaching materials.
According to individual client's learning target, exam target and other study plan, I would like to offer individual teaching materials varied from online resources to self designed ones.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Teaching at a prestigious independent secondary school in Kent, I am a native speaker with excellent subject knowledge and language skills. Having over 8 years of Mandarin teaching experience, my students range from pre-school young learners to adult learners. I am a qualified teacher with postgraduate certificate in Education and I am specialised in tutoring GCSE and A-Level Chinese.

Teaching Experience:
3 years as primary school English teacher in Shanghai.
3 years as Mandarin teacher at Kent Adult Education.
5 years as Mandarin teacher in secondary school (11-18 ) in the UK.

Tutoring Approach:
I am able to make your learning fun and enjoyable by means of creative techniques. I instil a sense of confidence in my pupils enabling them to maximise their understanding of the language. Each student is treated with respect and understanding regardless of their age, gender or personal circumstances. All my students have achieved Grade 8 or 9 for Chinese GCSE.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Doctor of chemistry. Teachers certificate in higher education in China. Certificate of ILTHE in the UK. I can speak English and Chinese. More than 15 years of one to one, and small group teaching of chemistry (GCSE, AS, A-Level), physics (GCSE, AS, A-Level), and mathematics (GCSE, AS, A-Level).

Teaching Experience:
More than 15 years One-to-one teaching experience in the UK.
More than 15 years of one to one, and small group teaching of chemistry (GCSE, AS, A-Level), physics (GCSE, AS, A-Level), mathematics (GCSE, AS, A-Level).

Tutoring Approach:
I have been working as a teacher at university in the U.K. and in China altogether for more than 30 years. Hold teachers certificate in higher education in China.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a native Mandarin speaker and a qualified secondary school teacher with UK QTS. I completed my PGCE at Goldsmiths, University of London, in MFL (Mandarin). I have also completed Teacher Subject Specialism Training in Maths and have taught KS3 and KS4 Maths in UK secondary schools.

I have experience working in both state and independent schools. I enjoy supporting students of different ages and abilities, from beginners to GCSE and A Level preparation. I am patient, organised and supportive, and I aim to build students' confidence step by step.

I am based near Reading and can travel locally for lessons.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in both state and independent secondary schools in the UK, taught Maths and Mandarin at KS3 and KS4 level. I have experience supporting students with different learning needs and helping them prepare for GCSE examinations.

Through my classroom teaching and tutoring experience, I have developed strong classroom management skills and the ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.

Tutoring Approach:
I ensure to focus on each student's strengths and abilities to set up individual study plans.

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Personal Description:
I am an extremely well qualified and experienced teacher of modern languages. I worked in many schools in the UK and for the most part as head of MFL. I also worked in China and Germany teaching English. Since retiring from full time teaching I have been teaching private lessons. I have extensive knowledge of the GCSE and A level courses and I have been very successful with my students. On average their grades have improved by at least two from their mock exams.

Teaching Experience:
I started teaching after leaving university when I went to China and worked for a United Nations Development Project. I then worked for a private language school in Germany. I became a qualified teacher and worked in several schools in Essex. I quickly worked my way up the ranks and became Head of Modern Languages. My last full time position was as Head of MFL at Medina College on the Isle of Wight. Since then I have been successfully teaching private lessons to students aged 5 to adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I use a variety of techniques adapted to my student's needs. I like to make my lessons fun and interactive. I follow the syllabus closely in the case of exam students and make sure that students are confident in all four skills. I elicit information from the students rather than just teach them how something works. By using this method students are more likely to retain the knowledge. I am happy to teach students individually or in pairs or groups.

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Personal Description:
Hey everyone! This is Jaycee from Hong Kong. I love art and fashion. I relish teaching, playing tennis ,watching movies and making ceramics. I am energetic and passionate in education and I have a sense of humour and like to explore new things.

Teaching Experience:
I am a qualified and accredited English and Mandarin teacher while my mother tongue is Cantonese as I am a Hong Kongese. Having been teaching in secondary school up to the sixth formers for years, I have rich experience in assisting students in mastering the language and identifying their room for improvement to shoot stars and boost their confidence , as well as finding the meaning of learning languages with inspiration and thought-provoking questions. I have received training in SEN in universities in Melbourne and got experience in teaching SEN students.

Tutoring Approach:
It depends on the needs, level, strengths and background of students to make adjustments on what sort of teaching mode and materials would be appropriate to help them fulfil their potential and excel, reaching or go beyond their target.

Making learning enjoyable and irresistible is the key to enhance the cognitive reception and performance of learners.
Thus, having a tutor is more for getting support and sharpening skills to lay a solid foundation for building your blocks higher.

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Personal Description:
I am a native Chinese speaker who grew up in a Traditional Chinese environment in Taiwan. I've also studied art, lived and worked in the UK for the last 4 years. Therefore, I have a sufficient understanding of both languages and I've been teaching Chinese to adults and kids for more than 3 years. 

I enjoy helping people express themselves through Chinese, and making the learning process delightful and practical. I also have multiple interests including drawing, yoga, planting, swimming, reading, dancing, going to exhibitions and going camping. I am happy to share things I know with you and learn from your interests. 

Teaching Experience:
In the last three years, I've helped students with different needs, backgrounds,  ages, and different Chinese levels. For example, helping a total beginner to build up a basic knowledge of Chinese, helping intermediates to have daily conversations, and helping the advanced learners to speak precisely in daily and business contexts. 

I can teach in the pin yin or Zhuyin system according to students' needs, and both traditional and simplified Chinese. My previous experiences include preparing a family(aged 6 and aged 35) to move to Chinese speaking country, introducing Chinese to teenagers who are interested in Chinese culture and history, and helping people who want to work bilingually in English and Chinese, as well as support people who had learned Chinese long time ago to pick it up again. 

I am passionate about teaching the Chinese language and culture, and I enjoy seeing my students' joy in achieving and improving.

Tutoring Approach:
We will design the course content together based on your interests, needs, and abilities, and develop it according to your goals. The course can be in full Chinese or half Chinese and half English. 


For beginners, I usually start with building up vocabularies, recognising characters, and speaking, then move on to sentence structures and grammar. I encourage my students to speak and communicate confidently even if it's not perfect, and we will correct the word order and grammar from the conversations. 


I enrich the courses with props, books, games, and videos for students of different ages. My approach is to create an enjoyable and relaxed space for you to speak Chinese and learn from mistakes. I will help you cultivate your confidence with my patient and friendly guidance.

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Personal Description:
Native Mandarin speaker, UK MBA graduate, UK qualified Mandarin teacher and translator.
As a native Mandarin speaker with over 25 years living and working in the UK, I am confident in providing a high level of Integrated bilingual teaching.

Teaching Experience:
I have more than 15 years experience in teaching Mandarin in UK to all levels, including GCSE, Alevel, HSK, YCT qualifications, and to other causal learners.
I started from running an after-school or lunch club which was an effective initial step to test student interest and build a teaching portfolio. In 2014 I opened a language school where taught Mandarin on Saturdays but closed in 2019 due to pandemic. Now I am focus only on face-to-face teaching individually.

Tutoring Approach:
For casual learners, I tend to start from showing root meanings combine to form new compound words, teaching high-frequency patterns that cover most daily conversations, and explaining the underlying logic of Chinese characters and grammar rather than relying strictly on rote memorization helps students progress faster.

For academic purposes students such as GCSE and ALevel students, I will strictly using frameworks following national curriculum to help structure lessons effectively.

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Personal Description:
I offer professional, flexible Chinese tuition tailored to every learner, from complete beginners to advanced students.

As a native Mandarin and English speaker, I am able to explain concepts clearly and bridge language gaps effectively, making learning smoother and more intuitive. With a patient and supportive teaching style, I focus on building confidence, clear understanding, and steady progress at a pace that suits you.

Lessons are fully personalised to match your goals-whether you want to improve conversational skills, strengthen reading and writing, or prepare for exams.

I also provide structured support for formal qualifications, including GCSE & A-Level Chinese, YCT and HSK exams, helping students develop the language skills, exam technique, and confidence needed to succeed.

Classes are available both online and in person, offering maximum flexibility to fit around your schedule and learning preferences.

Teaching Experience:
I hold a degree in English from Huabei Teachers College (China) where I also gained my Secondary Education Teaching Qualification.

I spent 8 years teaching in my native China before rellocating to the UK. I currently teach in a local Primary School in the South of England alongside working as a private Mandarin tutor. In total, I have over 18 years of teaching experience.

In 2023, I was named the outstanding Chinese Teacher of the Year by the UK Association for the Promotion of Chinese Education.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching style is patient, supportive, and highly personalised. I believe that every learner has their own pace, strengths, and goals, so I tailor each lesson to match your individual needs-whether you're a complete beginner, a heritage speaker, or preparing for formal exams.

As a native Mandarin and English speaker, I focus on making Chinese accessible and intuitive. I explain concepts clearly, bridge language gaps effectively, and use practical examples to help you understand not just what to say, but why it works. Building confidence is at the heart of my approach: I create a friendly, encouraging environment where you feel comfortable practising, asking questions, and making progress step by step.

For exam-focused students, I provide structured guidance on vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, along with targeted exam techniques and practice papers. My goal is to help you feel fully prepared and capable on exam day.

With over 18 years of teaching experience-and recognition as the Outstanding Chinese Teacher of the Year 2023 by the UK Association for the Promotion of Chinese Education-I bring both expertise and passion to every lesson. Whether online or in person, I aim to make learning Chinese enjoyable, effective, and tailored to you.

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Personal Description:
I am a full-time Mandarin Chinese tutor in the UK. I hold a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Newcastle University, as well as a Certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. I am a positive, reliable and supportive tutor, and I like to create a friendly and encouraging learning environment. I firmly believe that a relaxed atmosphere can lead to more effective learning. I
have a high student retention rate, with many students continuing to learn with me for a long time. I offer a free 20 minutes online initial consultation. Enhanced DBS check, academic qualifications, and references are available upon request.

I can help with
*General Mandarin and more, such as Business Chinese, Chinese for travel, character reading and writing, graded reading etc.
*Exam Support ( GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, HSK).
*Personalised lesson planning
*All ages and levels
*1 to 1 & small group
* Online & in person

Outside of teaching, I am a mum to two teenage boys. Even though they don't need me as much as they used to, they still keep me busy! In my spare time, I love reading, walking and watching movies.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching Chinese in the UK for over 15 years and have taught learners of all ages and levels, both in private and group settings. My teaching experience also includes working with local schools and institutions. I also work as a visiting speaking examiner for GCSE and A Level Mandarin, and regularly visit local schools to conduct speaking exams. Before moving to the UK in 2005, I worked as a secondary school English teacher in Taiwan.

Some recent reviews shared by students and parents I have supported.

"I have been working with Fenlan or laoshi for the past 5 months now and am pleased to say I'm very happy with her teaching approach and overall attitude to work. I first met Fenlan through first tutors whom I'm very pleased with also for finding such a fantastic teacher for me but also having a really reasonable finders fee which I was very appreciative of. I was interested in Chinese for a while and I decided I wanted to learn as an interest and hobby I looked one for more information when I came across first tutors. I had a good look at their website and decided to ask if anyone would like to teach me, Fenlan agreed and I have been learning for the past 5 months now making steady progress with which I'm happy with and enjoying. Fenlan has a good nature is easy to get along with and very patient with a great sense of humour that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. I would recommend her to anyone I can't imagine there is better. Thanks so much to first tutors and thank you Fenlan.
~Dean Allan, Newcastle~

"My son has had an excellent experience so far with Fenlan, his Mandarin tutor. Lessons are engaging, well-structured, and tailored to his level, which has really boosted his confidence. Highly recommended." ~Jill, Newcastle~

"My daughter has had a few weeks of lessons with Fenlan and we have been amazed at the progress she has made in this short time from her teaching. Fenlan is patient, highly organized and talented, and we are extremely glad we found her. We are happy to recommend her without hesitation." ~Ian, London~

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons are highly interactive, with plenty of conversation mixed with grammar and exercises. Although my lessons are fun and enjoyable, I also make sure they are challenging enough to suit different abilities and levels. I also bring Chinese cultural knowledge and culture-related activities into my lessons, so you are not just learning the Chinese language, but also getting to know and appreciate the rich culture behind it.

I tailor my lessons to each student's individual needs. We will discuss your needs and goals together, and I will create a personalised plan for you. We can also make changes to the plan whenever needed as your learning progresses.

Lessons are usually based on a textbook suitable for your level. I will recommend a textbook for you to purchase. I find textbooks useful because they provide a clear structure for learning, with important language points introduced in a logical, step-by-step way. I will also supply extra digital materials whenever they are useful. (If you are doing a short course just for exam prep, a textbook might not even be necessary.)

I encourage students to learn character reading and writing from the beginning. You may find this challenging and it can make the initial stages of learning a little slower, but it will benefit you greatly in the long run. However, I understand that students have different goals and preferences, so we can adjust the balance between speaking, listening, reading and writing according to your needs. If you prefer to focus mainly on speaking and listening, we can do that too.

Once students have learned around 150 words commonly used characters, I will gradually introduce graded reading into their learning. I have found it helps improve reading skills, reinforce vocabulary and character recognition, and give students greater sense of progress and achievement. It can also be a fun and enjoyable way to meet familiar language in a meaningful way.

Homework is given regularly to help consolidate your learning. Throughout my teaching career, I have seen how helpful homework can be, and I always encourage my students to do it when possible. However, I also understand that every student is different, especially adult learners who have to use their time outside work to learn Chinese. So, if you don't have time to complete your homework, I promise you won't be punished! 😀

You may find that Chinese is not as difficult as you think once you give it a go. I firmly believe that, with the help of the right tutor, you can overcome the challenges that may come with learning Chinese.

Good luck with your learning, and I look forward to hearing from you!

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