Garelochhead Mandarin Tutors and Garelochhead Mandarin Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a PGCE-qualified teacher with two Master's degrees, and I also serve as a Cambridge International examiner. My teaching expertise covers Mandarin GCSE (9-1), IGCSE, GCE (A level), HSK, Japanese GCSE (9-1), and JLPT qualifications. I teach my students both on-site and via Zoom for private students.

Teaching Experience:
I teach both Mandarin and Japanese at local independent schools and universities, and I am also an experienced private tutor. I instruct both simplified and traditional Chinese, as well as Japanese, to both native and non-native students, including professionals. Over the past decade, my students have consistently achieved outstanding results in Edexcel Chinese (9-1) and Japanese GCSEs (9-1), earning A* and Grade 9. Additionally, they have excelled with As in A-level Chinese.

I've successfully tutored numerous students who pursued further 'Oriental studies' at Oxford University, completed an MPhil in Chinese studies at Oxford, and Japanese at Leeds University and Cardiff University.

In addition, I possess a strong working knowledge of the national curriculum and am very familiar with the demands and expectations of both state and independent schooling.

Tutoring Approach:
Encouraging, effective, student-centered approach, and developing a love for learning.

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
​
​
"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:
If you are starting to learn Mandarin and want to use it in everyday life, my lessons focus on daily conversations, with Chinese culture woven into what you learn.
I was born in Beijing and have lived in England with my British husband for over 21 years. I hold a BA in Chinese Language and Literature and a BSc in Adult Nursing. I enjoy teaching, interpreting and translation, as well as getting to know people.

Teaching Experience:
From October 2004 to May 2005, I taught English part-time at Oriental Language School in Anyang, Henan, China, using New Concept English and Cambridge children's English materials.

I have also taught friends from different countries.

From October 2010 to 2012, I worked as a teaching assistant in a primary school, supporting pupils learning English as an additional language (EAL).

I have been teaching Chinese and English online and in person since May 2008.

I have also been teaching Chinese on Preply since 2018.

Tutoring Approach:
If you are a beginner, we will focus on everyday conversations connected to life in China. Lessons build step by step, introducing practical language alongside Chinese culture and history.

The aim is to help you use the Mandarin you learn in everyday conversations, building towards more natural communication as you progress.

If you are interested in lessons, please get in touch and tell me what you would like to learn.

Please contact me to arrange a suitable time.

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 a professional , competent qualified Chinese teacher who has 20 years of invaluable experience, And I am able to effectively communicate with students of all ages and abilities .

Teaching Experience:
I am currently a Mandarin lecturer in a university , teaching university students and adult learners .I have experience teaching students in primary schools and secondary schools.

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons depend on the individual needs of the students whether it is for preparation for an exam , for tourists ,for business travellers or for those wanting to learn for their pleasure .
My tutoring covers pronunciation ,conversations,grammar, reading, culture and simplified Chinese character writing.
I can teach at my own house or that of the students.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi, My name is Xiaolin, I am a friendly and very patient Mandarin native speaker and I'm very experienced in teaching. I used to work for a Primary school as a music teacher in China. In addition, I have been tutoring Mandarin Chinese since 2010 in London, until now I have had over 10 years of teaching experiences.


I really proud of working as a teacher, I like to be a private tutor as well. I have got many private students mostly are kids from 6-15 years old. From beginner to advanced level. I love all of my students, and they all like me and enjoy their lesson with me. Therefore, I have been working in a Mandarin school as a Chinese teacher since 2010, started to teach Mandarin GCSE class three years ago. I am very proud that my students have achieved good results in GCSE exam since in 2016, they all passed the exam. Nearly ninety five percent of the students got A* , five percent got A.

I am very good at helping students to prepare for Mandarin GCSE exams, also YCT, IGCSE, IB, SAT, HSK, etc. I enjoy working with highly motivated students!

There are certain few certificates was awarded, for example, Mandarin spoken Level One, Education Theory, Education Psychology. And I have CRB check as well. If you are interested in Chinese culture and want to find a responsible and patient teacher to guide your learning to pass your GCSE Chinese exam, please contact with me without the least hesitation.

Great news! My students achieved great results Chinese Mandarin GCSE exam in 2019, they are 14 students got 9(A*), one student got 8(A*), one student got 7(A).

Teaching Experience:
1. From September 2021 to present: Highgate School as a Chinese Speaking teacher, responsibilities include correct Pronunciation and Grammar, help students improve speaking and listening, help students to get GCSE Oral exam skills.
2. From September 2015 to present: London Mandarin school as a Chinese GCSE teacher, responsibilities include correct Pronunciation and Grammar, help students improve the writing, reading, speaking and listening, help students to get GCSE exam skills. (I go to this school as a voluntary social worker for every Sunday)
3. From May 2010 to present: Private Mandarin tutor, Responsibilities includes: teach students how to reading, speaking, listening, writing and singing Chinese songs.
4. From Sep 2014 to 2016: Sinclair House School as a Music and Mandarin teacher. Responsibility includes teaching students singing a Chinese song, music rhythm with musical instruments and teaching speaking Mandarin as well.
5. From Dec 2012 to 2016: Chinese learning center as a private tutor and Chinese teacher. Responsibility includes: teaching students how to reading, speaking, listening, writing and singing Chinese songs.
6. From Sep 2012 to July 2013: Katherine & King`s College of London as a Mandarin teacher, responsibilities include pronunciation, conversations, grammar, reading, culture, and simplified Chinese character writing. (worked in every Monday evening)
7. From Sep 2011 to 2015: London Mandarin School as a year 2 Mandarin teacher, responsibilities include: correct Pronunciation and Grammar, help student improve them speaking, listening and self-confidence. (I go to this school as a voluntary social worker for every Sunday)
8. From Dec 2010 to July 2011: London Mandarin School as a teaching assistant, responsibilities include: help raise educational standards in the classroom, getting things ready for lessons, to sometimes working with individual children. (I go to this school as a voluntary social worker for every Sunday)
9. Beiling of Primary School in Zhuhai of China as a music teacher in the 2005 year to 2008, Responsibilities includes: Music Course of instruction, Teaching students to read musical notation, singing, dancing.

Tutoring Approach:
I am very proud that my students have achieved good results from 2016 until now in GCSE exam. They all passed the exam. Nearly 90 percent of the students get9 and 5 percent get 8.

I was named the outstanding Chinese teachers in the UK Association for the Promotion of Chinese Education 2014

I can play the piano, so sometimes I like teaching them Chinese songs in my lesson. and I also teach them Chinese traditional culture as " paper-cut" which is to improve my lesson more interesting.

My aim is to get the kids happy and like learning the Mandarin language!

My lessons depend on the individual needs of the students whether it is for preparation for an exam, for tourists, for business travelers or for those wanting to learn for their pleasure.
My tutoring covers pronunciation, conversations, grammar, reading, culture, and simplified Chinese character writing.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a native speaker of Mandarin. I am a graduate student who study Radio in University of London. My BA degree is Journalism and I graduated from one of top universities in Mainland China. I am good at Mandarin. I love to talk and communicate.

Teaching Experience:
attend the language exchange group and tech people Mandarin.

Tutoring Approach:
Chinese phonetic alphabet
Chinese characters and pronunciation
useful sentence and dialogue

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an outgoing, patient, and hard-working girl with short hair. I have finished both of my master's degrees at the University of Warwick within the field of Engineering and started to work on my Ph.D. degree from the Nov of 2020 for Autonomous Vehicle also at the University of Warwick.

Outside of my academic work, I have pursued many extracurricular undertakings throughout my life. During my undergraduate study, I served as the University of Liverpool Flash Mob Society President and led huge street performance activities which were broadcast by CCTV13 and several other television channels. Despite attending school in China, I took English A-Levels and I have attained high marks in English language exams. Further, I am a talented musician and, at the age of 11, I obtained a Level 9 certification (UK Grade 8 equivalent) in the electric organ. Also able to join several excellent internship opportunities.

Teaching Experience:
I have been worked in a company which teaches English to under-achieving Chinese children. These experiences have greatly improved my skills in self-assessment, teamwork and communication.

I have taught some friends I met at the University who were interested in Mandarin and after a term, they can do simple conversation with me.

Tutoring Approach:
I prefer to teach Mandarin based on a book with exercises on it. But I also believe that the most effective way to learn a language is freestyle conversation with different theme after several basic lessons. I am very patient and love to teach children during playing small games with them. During the current Covid-19 situations, the online meeting is preferred.

Subjects

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

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a native speaker in Mandarin with a standard accent and I am currently teaching Mandarin in the UK .
I studied Chinese Language and Literature for four years in China.
I graduated in MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
I have been teaching Chinese to speakers of other language over 6 years.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching Chinese to speakers of other language over 6 years in both University and language institute in China
I teach beginners Mandarin and teach learners with higher level purpose .
I also have been teaching and helping students acquire mandarin for travelling, business , daily communicating etc.
I taught different classes . And my students from different age groups from 6 years old kids to 50 plus years old adults.
Generally my students could communicate with native freely during 3 months learning in my classes, and almost all my students could reach the HSK(Chinese proficiency Test) level 2 or level 3 through 6 months learning.
After 6-month teaching in this Institute I assistant teaching supervisor to give training to new Chinese teachers.

Tutoring Approach:
Normally my lessons are tailored to students' interests.I prefer to introduce Chinese culture, history and dialects to students.
Using games to help students memorise characters.
Teaching plan is flexible depending on which level you want to achieve.

Subjects

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.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a qualified (CELTA) English Language teacher who has been teaching in Taiwan, Poland and the UK since July 2017.

I have studied Chinese, German and Spanish so I fully understand what it is like to learn a foreign language. I like to keep my classes informative, useful and enjoyable, and I will tailor them to suit you and your needs.

I read and write extensively during my free time, and I aim to encourage others to see the positives in both reading and writing effectively. I also enjoy football, travelling and gardening.

I am dedicated to improving my knowledge and skills, and I pride myself on being a strict and dedicated teacher who encourages every student to reach their full potential.

Teaching Experience:
Since completing my CELTA in 2017, I have taught ages 3-65 from levels A1-C1 in General English classes, but also IELTS, FCE, CAE and PET exam preparation classes. My favourite classes are IELTS and Intermediate levels, but I am comfortable teaching anyone who is willing to learn.

I have always received strong ratings from my students (school / teacher feedback) and often receive emails from previous students, asking me for help or support with their English.

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to teach all skills equally, but can tailor my lessons based on your strengths and weaknesses. I want to help my students develop a wide range of vocabulary and enable them to understand and use every day language, such as ordering in a restaurant or buying a train ticket, discussing the news or giving their opinion on a political situation.

I always include vocabulary and pronunciation work and believe that correction is a vital part of every lesson. I encourage my students to self-correct, especially in writing, and often find that after a few lessons they are able to make progress in this area.

My classes include games (kahoot, board games, cards, hangman...), social media when relevant, BBC / radio programmes and other interesting activities that will help students increase their English skills in a useful way.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi, I am a Confucious Institute certified professional Chinese Teacher(CTCSOL Certificate). I graduated with a master's degree (Merit) in Education from the University of Glasgow in 2019. I used to be a teacher teach HSK in Mandarin School in Glasgow Kevin Collage to a wide range of students. Since moving to Belfast, I've already accumulated more than 1000 hours online mandarin tutoring experience, along with 5 star reviews from all of my students. I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills which helped me to earn praise from students and students' parents.My goal is to make sure my students love learning Mandarin!:)

Teaching Experience:
I am a Confucious Institute certified professional Chinese Teacher(CTCSOL Certificate). I have recently graduated with a master's degree (Merit) in Education in the University of Glasgow, which is outside my home country. For this reason, I have significant cross-cultural experience. In my home country, I had an internship in a Creative Teaching Program. My position was the teaching assistant for foreign teachers who were teaching children. Children loved me and were fond of playing with me, which helped me to earn praise from my teacher and students' parents.One year ago, I was a teacher, teaching primary/secondary students and adults (HSK) in Kelvin College Mandarin School in Glasgow, I developed excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Now, I've moved to Belfast and become a full-time online Mandarin Tutor. I already have 1000 hours online tutoring experience and gained 5 star reviews from all my students. Across all of these activities, I have managed my time efficiently and been consistently punctual. I am able to turn the classroom into a fun and engaging environment.

Tutoring Approach:
For online lessons, we can use Zoom or Skype. I use HSK textbooks (level 1-6) to custom make each lesson based on my students' needs. HSK is the official standard Mandarin proficiency test used in China for non-native speakers. If students wish to find work or study in China, taking offical HSK tests will allow them to do so. I will also prepare homework for every lesson (if preferred) and give my students feedback on their homework. My Mandarin lessons will help my students develop their Mandarin speaking, listening, reading, writing and thinking skills. By thinking skills, I mean to improve how students structure sentences and how they reply to questions in Mandarin. I will also send the Powerpoints and video recordings to students after each lesson so that they can practice it after every lesson.

Subjects

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.

Subjects

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.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I'm passionate about teaching languages and admittedly spend far too much time preparing lessons or so I'm told at home! My greatest motivation comes from the sense of achievement when my students are able to express themselves more in their target language.

I'm a qualified teacher from Hong Kong with 15 years of experience in teaching Mandarin and English, and I have met the professional requirements for language teachers in both subjects.

I studied Linguistics in university, and achieved a score of 90.7 in the Putonghua Proficiency Test. I understanding challenges my students may face when learning a second language, and I am confident in teaching Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) using English as medium of instruction.

Tell me your expectations and let me tailor lesson plans and teaching materials just for you.

Teaching Experience:
- 3.5 year experience in online teaching (Mandarin, Cantonese and English)
- Invigilating GCSE & A-Level Chinese (Speaking - Mandarin & Cantonese)
- 15 year full time teaching (Mandarin and English) in secondary schools in Hong Kong

Tutoring Approach:
I feel genuinely happy for my student, a new dad in a bilingual English-Cantonese family!!

Congratulations to my student who can now give a short presentation in Cantonese and write a paragraph of over 70 characters! Believe it or not, her handwriting is better than that of many primary school students in Hong Kong -- I'm so proud of her:)

My 11 year old student has also learnt to tell her favourite story, Finding Nemo, in Mandarin while preparing for the musical at school. We both enjoyed talking about the characters and writing the story together -- it was so much fun!

Tell me your learning goals, and I'll tailor lesson plans and teaching materials just for you.

Subjects

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!

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello! I'm Akira, a Chinese student at the University of Oxford with a particular love for History, Literature and languages, alongside Maths and Physics.

As a former tutee myself, I understand the challenges of learning difficult content and the pressure that can come with studying. My favourite part of learning is when something that once seemed impossible finally clicks, and I hope to help my students experience that same feeling!

I'm friendly, patient and enthusiastic, and I believe everyone is capable of improving with the right support, time and practice. Having experienced the academic pressures of Oxford, I'm particularly passionate about helping students build confidence, discover study habits that work for them and find enjoyment in learning.

Above all, I hope to help students recognise their own abilities and become confident, independent learners, both inside and outside the classroom.

Teaching Experience:
I have several years of tutoring and mentoring experience, working with students of different ages and abilities, both in the UK and internationally.

In London, I planned and delivered GCSE lessons in English, Maths, History and Science to small groups of up to eight students. This included creating structured lesson plans, preparing mock examinations and providing detailed feedback to help students identify areas for improvement. I also delivered one-to-one phonics sessions to younger children aged 4-5, helping them build foundational reading and language skills.

Alongside English, I have experience teaching Mandarin Chinese to both adult learners and GCSE students, adapting my explanations and lesson content to suit different ages, abilities and learning goals. Having studied Chinese myself, I understand the challenges of learning a new language and aim to make grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation feel more approachable.

I've also taught English internationally, both privately in Taiwan and online through Ringle, working with children aged 5-12. These experiences allowed me to develop a more creative and interactive approach to teaching, incorporating games, storytelling, visual aids and real-world activities to make learning enjoyable and accessible.

Alongside tutoring, I've worked as a teaching assistant, leading lessons in Chinese for a class of 20 elementary school students, and as a mentor with Oppidan Mentoring, providing one-to-one academic and personal support.

Through these experiences, I've learnt the importance of patience, adaptability and creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and building confidence in their abilities.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is flexible, interactive and tailored to each student's individual needs. I believe everyone is capable of improving with time, patience and, most importantly, practice! It's often a matter of discovering how you learn best and finding techniques that make even the most challenging topics feel manageable.

Depending on each student's goals, we can focus on exam technique through practice questions, consolidate course content with interactive quizzes and discussions, or identify specific areas for improvement by reviewing past work together. I also enjoy incorporating fun quizzes, videos and real-world examples to make lessons more engaging and enjoyable.

Above all, I aim to create a friendly and supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and learning at their own pace. My goal is not only to improve grades, but also to help students build confidence, develop effective study habits and become independent learners who feel capable of tackling challenges on their own.

Subjects