Highgate Mandarin Tutors and Highgate Mandarin Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a Mandarin native speaker and have been teaching Mandarin in Britain for more than ten years.

I am a very experienced and UK well-qualified Mandarin teacher (QTS). I am very interested in teaching Chinese language. I am teaching Mandarin in all levels and lessons are tailor made.

Teaching Experience:
I have been helping learners for their survival, travelling, GCSE, A-level, University degree or business Mandarin, spoken Mandarin, culture tips and passing HSK, GCSE and A-level etc examination.

I teach children from age three years old. I teach Mandarin in all levels and lessons can be tailor made.

Tutoring Approach:
I am very flexible. Approaches will be adjusted to meet clients' needs.

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Personal Description:
✨Experienced Native Mandarin Tutor | GCSE, HSK & Professional Chinese | 20+ Years✨

Hello, I'm Ching-Yi (Sunny) - a native Mandarin Chinese tutor from Taiwan, now based in the UK, with over 20 years of teaching experience.

I provide high-quality, structured Mandarin lessons for students who are serious about achieving real progress, strong academic results, and confident communication skills.

My teaching combines:
Clear, step-by-step progression
Accurate pronunciation and tone training
Real-life conversational Mandarin
Cultural understanding

This ensures students develop the ability to speak naturally and use Mandarin with confidence.

Teaching Experience:
✨20+ years teaching Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan & UK)
Teaching international students since 2005
UK-based since 2008
Former professional translator & interpreter
Current Chinese language school teacher (students aged 5-16)

I bring a professional, organised, and results-driven approach to every lesson.

Specialist Areas:
GCSE Chinese preparation
HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test)
Mandarin for beginners & adults
Conversational Mandarin Chinese
Business & professional Chinese
Chinese for children (KS1-KS4)
Pronunciation, tones & Pinyin mastery
Reading & writing (Simplified & Traditional Chinese)

Tutoring Approach:
✨Each lesson is tailored to the student's goals.

For younger learners, I use engaging activities, stories, and games.
For older students and professionals, lessons are focused, efficient, and goal-oriented.

Who I Work With?
I work best with:
Parents seeking high-quality Mandarin education
Students preparing for GCSEs, A-levels, or HSK exams
Professionals learning Mandarin for career or business
Motivated adult learners seeking structured progress

Lesson Options:
One-to-one premium tuition (recommended)
Small group lessons (siblings/friends welcome - discounted rate)

Available:
Online
From my home
Travel lessons (additional fee)

Results:
Gain confidence in speaking Mandarin
Build strong pronunciation and grammar foundations
Achieve improved exam results
Develop long-term interest in the language and culture

If you are looking for a professional, experienced Mandarin tutor who delivers high-quality, results-focused lessons, I would be delighted to help.

Contact me today to arrange a trial lesson.

Results-focused Mandarin lessons with a native Taiwanese tutor. 20+ years' experience helping students succeed in GCSE, HSK, and real-life Chinese communication.

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Personal Description:
I am an experienced native Chinese speaking, highly capable Chinese language teacher.

Fully qualified and certified to teach Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language and able to teach students of all ages and abilities. Specific deep knowledge and ability in teaching A-Level and GCSE students with proven track record in achieving excellent exam results! References on request.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 20 years experience in teaching Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language. My students are all ages including children and adults learners.

Specific deep knowledge and ability in teaching A-Level and GCSE students with proven track record in achieving excellent exam results! References on request.

Tutoring Approach:
Being a qualified and experienced teacher with graduate degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, I have developed strategies to keep my students engaged, focusing on practising both writing and speaking. I set up tasks which are tailored to different students in order for them to achieve their potentials and abilities in language. I am very flexible with my time, students are welcome to ask me questions after lesson hours. I try to make sure that learning experience is enjoyable and rewarding.

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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 a certificated Senior Chinese Language Teacher with IPA Certification. I have taught adult individual students as well as children in groups. I have lived in Beijing, Tianjing, Xi'an and Shenzhen and am well travelled throughout the rest of China. It would be a plus to choose me if you are interested in Chinese architecture, gardens, business culture, or different kinds of Chinese food, as well as Chinese calligraphy. I have lived or travelled in many countries in Europe, America, Africa, Asian and Oceania. So, with my international background, I am comfortable with a diverse range of people.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught adult individual students, individual children and children in group. One of my adult student is an university researcher. I have taught him spoken and written Chinese for several years. My children students liked my class very much. Sometime, I taught language together with sports for children.

Currently, I am teaching in a community school in Manchester. My students are 12~13 years old, a group of 24 boys and girls. They like the Chinese language class and asked many questions about Chinese language and culture. Every weekend, I teach a 7-year old girl and her father at the same time. They are learning Mandarin listening and speaking. I really enjoy teaching them all.

Tutoring Approach:
I taught Chinese language in different ways according to my student's needs. I would like to know my student's language aims and time he or she will have to spend before we start to work together. I taught my university researcher student with listening, speaking, reading and writing all together, from begining. For another student, I taught her spoken language through discusing daily life and Chinese cultural topics she was interested in. Sometimes, I taught my children students Chinese language through yoga postures and games, which they liked very much.

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Personal Description:
I am a current student of University of Exeter, pursing a degree in Law. I have recently moved here from Singapore so as to pursue further education. I have been learning Mandarin (amongst other subject, English being one of them) since the age of 7 I have also gotten an A for Chinese in my GCSE 'O' Level.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught a primary school student on Mandarin and Math.

Tutoring Approach:
Be patient and calm.

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Personal Description:
I finished my postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham in Dec 2018. I had stayed in UK for more than a year. I really love UK. The time when I was living in UK left me a great and impressive memory.

Now I have returned to China, I would like to keep contact with British people, and continue tutoring online. There are 7 or 8 hours time difference between UK and China. Therefore, someone who are interested in learning Chinese/Mandarin, or want to know the culture of China, or want to improve your Maths, please leave me a message. I will do my best to be a good tutor and also a good international friend of you.

In particular, for those who are interested in tutoring English, we can tutor each other for free.

Teaching Experience:
I was a volunteer teacher when I was an undergraduate student in China. It was in a countryside school of Hunan province. I went there with my schoolmates in a summer holiday. I taught students mathematics and introduced interesting things in the university to them. Although time passed fast, we had wonderful time together. Importantly, children and teenagers learned something from me, which is unforgettable in their life and is meaningful to me as well.

I had an experience of tutoring two junior school students for Maths of IGCSE when I was in UK. It lasted over two months. During that time I helped them make big progresses in their studies. I also gain friendship from their families which will last forever.

I had also tutored Mandarin for two kids in the UK after finishing IGCSE tutoring. It was easier for me to tutor language compared to Maths. I enjoyed the time when I spent with those two cute kids.

Tutoring Approach:
I would prepare for the lessons very well before tutoring.
Using an everyday language, make knowledge clear and easy to understand.
Develop student's interest step by step.
Providing good examples.
Give suggestions of study.
etc.

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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:
Long Distance Running.
• Table Tennis & Basketball Player.
• Piano Player and Ukulele player - currently achieved medium level.
• Continuing with my own education to improve my knowledge and understanding of the educational system materials

Teaching Experience:
Experiences from Primary school to AS level Chinese, up to adult learners; I have been working at Bohunt Secondary school, Liphook, Whitgift independent school, St Gregory's school, Bath and St Alban's primary school, Macclesfield as a Chinese teacher.
Experiences from tutoring maths GCSE (AQA and EDEXCEL Exam Board), a former AQA Maths GCSE examiner.
Also experienced in teaching Chinese on a one-to-one basis, from 4-year-olds to adult age groups; also a GCSE/A-level examiner.
I am also an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) tutor at one local school in Oxford; a freelance writer at Amazon, Jinbu 1 and 2 diary for beginners to intermediate level via Amazon。

Tutoring Approach:
Teams online or face to face.

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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 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 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 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:
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 graduated from UCL-IOE with a master's degree in TESOL education. Before coming to the UK, I worked as an English teacher in a middle school in China. After graduating with a master's degree, I decided to stay in the UK for development. I have worked in different Chinese education institutions, including charity schools for overseas Chinese children, one-on-one tutoring, and teaching Chinese in different British primary schools, middle schools and high schools. GCSE Chinese is taught for the majority of my curriculum and my students have achieved very good grades.

Reference from the previous student's parents:
'When we returned from Hong Kong where our daughter had been learning Mandarin for a few years, her London school did not have a Mandarin programme so Jing tutored her to GCSE level outside of school. Thanks to Jings careful but stimulating tuition, Martha made astonishing progress, especially given she had just one hour a week, much of which was through Covid. She sat the GCSE one year ahead of her other GCSEs and achieved a grade 8. Jing's lessons kept Martha motivated and she went into the GCSE well prepared and calm She loved working with Jing and was delighted with her result! Jing was a pleasure to deal with throughout. We couldn't recommend her highly enough!' ------- Sarah Lewell

Teaching Experience:
As a Mandarin teacher for curriculum and private tuition since 2015, my major duties are:
Designing different lessons based on the learners' level. Giving English reports to the school or parents. Marking coursework and giving feedback to students. Managing students' behaviour in the classroom. Invigilating examinations.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching method focuses on motivating students to focus more on Chinese learning through interest or the way students are interested. For example, use some catchy nursery rhymes, songs, and small games to guide primary school students who are new to Chinese. For older students, I will use the apps in computers, ipads and other electronic products to help students quickly master the words they have learned. and so on.

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Personal Description:
Hello, You may call me Gavin. I am from Hong Kong and is now living in the UK. I have expertise in multiple languages and has recently graduated in the London School of Economics and Political Science. I can help with Secondary School level or even University Level history or history learning in general. Feel free to talk to me even if you are not interested in history, I also offer classes in teaching Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Japanese.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching private tutoring since my university years. I have experience teaching children ranging from age 8 to 16. I am expert in teaching Secondary School History and languages (Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Japanese)

Tutoring Approach:
Let's make learning fun and exciting together! I'm Gavin, a multilingual tutor with a passion for history. Whether you need help with history or want to learn Cantonese, Mandarin, English, or Japanese, I'm here for you. Let's embark on this educational journey with enthusiasm and joy!

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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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