Castle Cary Mandarin Tutors and Castle Cary Mandarin Tuition

Personal Description:
I was born in Beijing and I have got a BA in Chinese language and literature and BSC in Adult Nursing.I am interested in teaching ,oral interpretation，translation and get along very well with people.I have been in England for over 21 years with my British husband.Currently I am doing my Master Degree in Translation in Open University in the UK.

Teaching Experience:
Oct 2004-May2005 Part time English teacher in Oriental language school in Anyang Henan China
I was teaching <New concept English >and <Cambridge children English>.
I have been teaching some of my English friends from different countries,they all enjoyed the lessons.
I was an EAL teaching assistant in a primary school from Oct 2010 to 2012.
I have been teaching Chinese and English online and face to face from May 2008.
I have been teaching Chinese On Preply since 2018.

Tutoring Approach:
For all beginner whoever wants to learn basic chinese ,the lessons will be focusing on daily conversations under the background of China's real life and lts long cultural history,follow the regularity of learning language,whose contents are arranged gradually,interestingly and practically.

After learning these course,you can obviously speak Chinese fluently and naturally and deal with different situations of living and working or starting your business in China.

Please respect my personal and professional time, require the tuition seriously,thanks.

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Personal Description:
I am a native Chinese speaker and can speak fluent Cantonese and Mandarin.
I also teach Piano, Trombone, Double Bass and Music Theory up to Grade 8 and Jazz Piano up to Grade 5 as I have all the qualifications in those instruments.
Piano lesson starting from £40 per hours depends on level.

Teaching Experience:
I have 16 years of teaching experience of Music, Maths and Chinese.

Tutoring Approach:
I am patient in teaching and would like to work together with student step by step until they understand all the things.

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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
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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
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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.

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Personal Description:
I am an artist working in my own art studio in Ouseburn, Newcastle. I express my love of culture and diversity through my art and teaching practices. I try to explore a vast range of styles (12 different art styles) to earn a richer understanding of the cultures that they come from. Over three decades, I have made a living creating; a freelance artist and tutor. I have a BA degree in Fine art from Beijing. China and a MA in Art from UK.

Teaching Experience:
I have years of experience teaching art and language for all age groups delivering one-to-one, groups and large events. I also a qualified adults education teacher. I also work with SEN children and adults to improve their wellbeing through art therapy.

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly, well organized, work on time, motivated teacher. I can be flexible and tailor the lessons suits for your need. I

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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.

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Personal Description:
Hello my name is Cissy. I am from Shanghai, China. Mandarin is my native language and I provide private Mandarin tuition as my full time work now. I have been a personal Chinese tutor since 2006 to children and adults in China as part

Teaching Experience:
I have successfully taught students of all levels from complete beginner to immediate level and advanced speaking and business level Mandarin. My teaching is mainly 1 on a 1 basis, and the class content is tailored to each students needs. I can also teach groups of students if required.

Tutoring Approach:
As a Chinese language teacher I believe I am not just teaching a language, but also introducing Chinese culture to students. My teaching is never only based on textbooks. I like to integrate topics from world news and TV, and mixed with Chinese films and music.

I have lived in London since 2011 and I constantly travel between the UK and China. I have no trouble in communicating Chinese meanings of words and explaining complicated language structures to my students. In my teaching experience over seven years, I have found that most UK students feel Chinese pronunciation the most difficult and the grammar can be confusing. Therefore in my teaching I make special efforts on explaining the varied language senses/logics between English and Chinese. I often draw examples from both languages and compare them.

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Personal Description:
I graduated from university in China with a major in Journalism. I worked for more than five years at provincial and municipal television stations in China as a presenter, and I obtained certification in the National Putonghua Proficiency Test. In order to further enhance my skills, I pursued a Master's degree in International Business at a university in the UK, which I successfully completed. From the above, it can be seen that my proficiency in Chinese comes from my background in Journalism, while my international perspective is derived from studying International Business at the Master's level.

I am a loving, patient teacher with a strong sense of responsibility and I truly love Chinese language teaching.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching Chinese for nearly 10 years, and during this time I also founded my own Chinese school, offering courses from beginner to intermediate and advanced levels. The main exams I prepare students for include YCT1-4, HSK1-6, GCSE Chinese, A-LEVEL Chinese, Business Chinese (from beginner to advanced), and more. My students have achieved outstanding results: a 100% pass rate for YCT1-4 with average scores above 90, GCSE Chinese students scoring 8 A+ or above, National 5 Mandarin students receiving A grades, A-LEVEL Chinese students achieving 8 A+ or above, and a recent student scored 260 out of 300 on the HSK4 Exam.

I can help students of any Chinese proficiency level reach their desired goals. I am a very kind and patient teacher with a high sense of responsibility. With the rapid development of internet technology and to save time and convenience, many students prefer to learn online. Would you like to learn Chinese online? Would you like me to teach you Chinese?

Tutoring Approach:
My Chinese teaching method primarily involves using both English and Chinese simultaneously. For beginner students, English is used more frequently than Chinese. However, as teaching progresses and students' proficiency in Chinese improves, Chinese gradually becomes the dominant language. Of course, the use of both languages varies randomly and is never fixed.

In classroom, I practice different teaching methods e.g. entertaining and interactive lectures and follow through induction, these effectively stimulate students' interest and enthusiasm in learning Chinese.

Furthermore, individualized instruction is the primary teaching method I employ in Chinese language teaching. Different students have different comprehension abilities, which requires teachers to continuously adapt to their students. I am a caring and patient teacher, but I also maintain a certain level of strictness. In my teaching, I promptly provide assistance and corrections tailored to students' specific challenges, allowing them to progress more effectively.

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Personal Description:
I am a researcher interested in Classical Chinese literature and an enthusiastic Chinese language instructor (Mandarin and Cantonese). I exhibit extensive knowledge and understanding of traditional Chinese literature, Chinese civilization and history, Chinese language and culture.

Through my previous experience, I have developed confidence in teaching and generated my teaching methods to make teaching a fun experience for my students and me. I have rich experience teaching students from different countries and communicating confidently with them in Mandarin, English, and Cantonese. I also promote Chinese civilisation, culture and history, art and music by incorporating those elements into my teaching lessons. My teaching experience in different countries has equipped me to interact and communicate effectively with people and students from diverse backgrounds with excellent feedback.

I have been becoming a Chinese-speaking test examiner (both GCSE and A Level, spoken Cantonese and Mandarin) for several years. The service will cost £75/hr (including travelling expenses). Should you or your school need this service, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Teaching Experience:
My teaching experience has been mainly at the International Secondary School and College level, while my academic background has been primarily in Chinese Literature, with an emphasis on Chinese Classical Literature and Linguistics.

Through my previous experience, I have developed confidence in teaching and generated my teaching methods to make teaching a fun experience for my students and me. I have rich experience teaching students from different countries and communicating confidently with them in Mandarin, English, and Cantonese. I also promote Chinese civilisation, culture and history, art and music by incorporating those elements into my teaching lessons. My teaching experience in different countries has equipped me to interact and communicate effectively with people and students from diverse backgrounds with excellent feedback.

Currently, I am working as a Chinese teacher at an independent college.

Tutoring Approach:
As a Chinese educator, I have developed efficient teaching and organization skills in preparing and delivering lessons; and my teaching methods can be tailored to suit different students' progress and abilities. To engage students in the lectures, I like to teach a new concept or theory by using simple drawings and telling the story of how it happens with drawing assistance.

Furthermore, I also adopted mind mapping in each lesson to summarise the main points and present the connections between them or the relationships between different ideas. Encouraging students to make their mind mapping is very useful to foster their understanding of significant points in each chapter.

Last but not least, my strong enthusiasm for teaching and education will always motivate me to upgrade myself and be a role model for students.

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Personal Description:
I have studied Mandarin Chinese for past four years at university, including one year spent living in Hangzhou, China, and have continued studying in my freetime over the past year since graduating. I have recently decided to continue my education, and have been accepted at SOAS University in London.

Teaching Experience:
During my undergraduate degree I would help classmates to grasp a better understanding of Chinese grammar after class, particularly with features such as BA and BEI structures.

During my year abroad in Hangzhou, China, I briefly tutored children at a school called English Alive, which focused on children from 2-11 years old.

As well as tutoring children, I would often tutor other students who were learning English and Chinese at the same time, and help them with proof reading and spell checking.

At the beginning of 2019 I began tutoring outside of university. One student was a Chinese lady learning English, and the other was an English lady undertaking a Chinese course on the Open University. I can proudly say that both have improved, and on the official course my student earned a 1st.

Tutoring Approach:
My classes will be entirely focused on the needs, goals and capabilities of the student. Before lessons start, I like to correspond with my students to know exactly what they want without using the paid-for lesson time. The main factors I would want to determine would be the number of classes per week, the skillset priorities (speaking and listening, reading and writing, or all equally), and to what level my students would hope to study.

I would provide the textbooks and have plenty of resources to recommend to my students for further study.

My classes are usually an hour long. We tend to start with reviewing the previous lesson's key points and homework, before moving onto vocabulary development, often with flashcards. We then move onto grammar, where two-three grammar points are introduced depending on the level of difficulty. We then review a passage written in Chinese characters, pinyin, and English; any unfamiliar words are highlighted and noted, and the learned grammar points are explained thoroughly in the context of the story/passage. We then practice reading and pronounciation by reading out the passage.
At the end of the lesson we have listening practice in the form of funny, relevant videos spoken in slow, clearly spoken Chinese.

The unfamiliar characters are listed, and given to the student for homework, which is usually something along the lines of "create a sentence using each word. One unfamiliar word per sentence."

Games are included, as are movies, tv shows, cartoons, etc.

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Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified and experienced Mandarin and Spanish teacher, and held the positions of Head of Chinese at both Oakham School and Oundle School. I am bilingual in Spanish, and studied Chinese at University for 4 years, including a year in China.

Languages have always been a passion of mine, and I am eager to help language learners of all abilities. I am friendly and approachable, and realise how difficult Mandarin in particular can be for learners with no Chinese background. I genuinely enjoy finding new ways to help pupils overcome these difficulties, especially with writing and speaking. Spanish has its own challenges, and I am equally passionate about both languages.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught and am familiar with a range of exam boards and syllabuses. At GCSE Level I have taught AQA and EdExcel, and Cambridge IGCSE. I have also taught IB Diploma Level: Spanish Standard and Higher Levels; Mandarin ab initio. I have taught A Level and Cambridge Pre-U in both languages for a number of years. All my pupils have achieved top results.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that everyone learns differently and I will first spend time getting to know exactly what is needed, and how the individual learns best before coming up with a personalised plan. I believe my strongest ability is an adaptability to meet the varying needs of the pupil as, generally, this is why tuition is being sought beyond the school curriculum.

In terms of academic structure, I would aim to follow a curriculum but have the flexibility to pause where needed. I am a firm believer that confidence is an essential part of learning a language, and I hope to give my pupils the confidence that they need.

Lastly, but equally as important, language learning should be engaging and fun. I strive to keep a healthy balance in this. So often I meet pupils who have initially fallen out of love with a subject and bringing them back on board is essential. Whilst the emphasis is always on academic progress, lessons will always be enjoyable.

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Personal Description:
I am very passionate about languages and cultures. I am fluent in both Mandarin and English and have been teaching Mandarin for the last 10 years. My other big passions are travelling and learning all sorts of things new. I am looking forward to sharing my love of the Chinese language with you.

Teaching Experience:
I cover all four elements of language teaching syllabus, including listening, speaking, reading and writing.

I am keen to figure out why students learn Mandarin and how they learn as a person. Based on their individual goals and their learning styles, I will come up with customized study plans for them to follow in order to achieve their goals.

Tutoring Approach:
I am very passionate about helping students discover their own ways of learning and developing their own techniques. I believe in consistency in learning. A little bit everyday is proven effective in the long term for both academic and language learnings.

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Personal Description:
I'm a lively and friendly person. I was born and raised in Malaysia. I speak fluent English. My first language is Chinese. I have a passion for teaching as the students are always keen on learning. I feel a sense of achievement every time my students learn something new which led me to wanting to teach Mandarin to all age learners.

Teaching Experience:
I once taught a group of 5 students English for five months. I am also currently teaching Mandarin on different teaching websites.

Tutoring Approach:
I am very patient and willing to make friends with my students to create a positive environment where my students are welcome to raise any questions and share their ideas. And knowing that there are different types of learners, I desire to create a positive environment to meet the students' unique needs. I always try to use different resources to help achieve the students' potentials.

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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 from Malaysia, currently studying in Kings College London taking MSc Microbiome in Health and Disease.
I have experience in teaching, and I am passionate about sharing knowledge to students, and encouraging students to learn.
I believe that education takes us to places, even to territories that are yet to be ventured. Even though I have left the formal education field to pursue my interests, I believe that I can serve in the field by tutoring students in need.

Teaching Experience:
BIOLOGY TEACHER (01/2016 - 08/2021)
Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Worked with Science department Head as special adviser on curriculum development for Biology programme.
Maintained positive, supportive relationships and communication channels with parents and caregivers.
Delivered lab lessons, utilising lab equipment and experiments to further student learning.
Effectively managed classroom behaviour through deescalation and redirection techniques.
Provided interactive and digital learning sessions during COVID in compliance with quality learning standards.
Supervised safe lab work, closely monitoring students adherence to all health and safety policies.
Assessed student performance, behaviour and social development and devised improvement strategies for struggling children.
Established and enforced clear class objectives and requirements to promote consistent education for all students.

TRANSLATOR/INTERPRETER (11/2014 - 12/2015)
Yu Gong Decoration Sdn. Bhd., Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Translated various documents within tight deadlines, including legal and technical content.
Proofread completed translations to catch and fix punctuation, grammatical and translation errors.
Conducted in-depth research or consulted with specialists to obtain information on technical information translation or scientific phrases.
Translated original text, ensuring perfect spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Offered quick verbal translations of documents for use by legal and business professionals.

Tutoring Approach:
Firstly I will try to understand the student's level of understanding in a particular topic.
I will also compare with the education syllabus to grasp the requirements for the student to pass with certain grade.

Once those are ascertained, I will make use of available teaching materials (such as videos, educational books) to teach the student, and even make use of drawings to illustrate my points.

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Personal Description:
I am graduated from the University of Stirling with a Master's degree in Finance. With over a decade of experience, I have been dedicated to teaching A-Level and GCSE Chinese at a private school. My approach to tutoring is highly effective。

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching A-Level and GCSE Chinese at a private school for over 10 years. I I have successfully guided numerous students through A-Level and GCSE Chinese courses. Many of my students have achieved outstanding results under my guidance, including a remarkable 90% of students who attained an A grade in A-Level Chinese in 2023.

Tutoring Approach:
During the initial session, I work closely with the student to set clear objectives based on their individual needs. My teaching methodology involves designing tailored assignments that draw from a range of subjects and past papers. This approach not only enhances comprehension but also equips students with the skills to apply their knowledge effectively.

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Personal Description:
Greetings! I am proud to be a part of Keele Business School, where I currently contribute to the vibrant academic community. I achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing my Ph.D. at Nottingham Trent University.

As a seasoned educator, I bring over 14 years of experience in teaching Chinese on an international scale. My expertise lies not only in the depth of my academic pursuits but also in my proficiency as a native speaker of both Mandarin and Cantonese, boasting a standard accent that ensures a clear and authentic learning experience.

During my academic journey, I have had the privilege of imparting the richness of the Chinese language to diverse audiences, fostering cultural understanding and linguistic proficiency. My commitment to excellence in education is reflected in my approach, which combines academic rigor with a passion for creating an engaging and supportive learning environment.

Whether you are a beginner eager to embark on your Chinese language journey or an advanced learner seeking to refine your skills, I am dedicated to guiding you through a comprehensive and enjoyable learning experience. Join me on this exciting linguistic adventure, and let's explore the beauty and intricacies of Mandarin and Cantonese together!

Feel free to connect with me to discuss how we can make your Chinese language learning journey both enriching and rewarding.

Teaching Experience:
With extensive teaching experience spanning across various levels, I have successfully guided students at the Primary, KS3, GCSE, A-LEVEL, and HSK proficiency exams. My commitment to education extends to diverse settings, including teaching groups of over 50 University and Students' Union Members at the University of Northampton.

As a Mandarin instructor, I specialize in teaching beginners, incorporating listening, reading, singing, speaking, and writing seamlessly into lessons. My approach is designed to motivate and inspire learners, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging language learning experience.

In addition to academic proficiency, I have assisted students in practical applications such as traveling, business Mandarin, and spoken Mandarin. My goal is to equip learners with the skills they need for real-world communication.

Furthermore, I take pride in helping students achieve success in the Level 2 Chinese Proficiency Test at the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban). This accomplishment reflects my dedication to supporting students in reaching their language proficiency goals.

Join me on this exciting journey of language acquisition, where learning is not just a process but an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Looking forward to helping you achieve your Mandarin language goals!

Tutoring Approach:
Embark on an enjoyable language learning journey with my personalized Chinese teaching approach. My goal is to ignite and nurture the initial passion students have for learning a language, making each lesson a tailored and engaging experience.

I prioritize your interests, ensuring that lessons evolve based on your unique preferences and goals. This approach not only enhances your language skills but also deepens your understanding of Chinese culture, contributing to a holistic language-learning experience.

For your convenience, I conduct lessons in the comfort of your home. My teaching caters to a diverse audience, ranging from children to adults, and spans across all proficiency levels. Whether you are looking to strengthen your language skills or preparing for the Chinese Proficiency Test, my lessons are designed to meet your specific needs.

Join me on this exciting language-learning adventure where every session is crafted to align with your interests and aspirations. Discover the beauty of the Chinese language and culture in a personalized and enjoyable setting.

Feel free to reach out to discuss how we can tailor your learning experience and achieve your language goals together.

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Personal Description:
Hi, my name is SSU. I am from Taiwan. I am happy to say hi to all the people who might be interested in learning Mandarin.
I am willing to discuss your learning preference and design the teaching plan. I am currently living in Manchester (M11). I am happy to provide an in-person teaching nearby or provide a lesson online.

Teaching Experience:
I was a primary school teacher when I lived in Taiwan. I used to tutor primary school-age students in Mandarin and English.
Moreover, my interests and degree are related to art, therefore, I taught art to a wide range of ages students in Taiwan and the UK.

About my Mandarin teaching, I mainly gained some experience from my language exchange partners, and I am passionate about it. Therefore, I hope that I can teach more people to approach their goals.

Tutoring Approach:
I have an online resource for teaching using. Therefore, I will follow the Mandarin teaching textbook to guide learners. In addition, I would like to create slides to show my teaching content. Moreover, I will provide homework for students to practice.

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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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