Yes, I do have specialisations within Chinese language teaching! My strongest areas include pronunciation training, grammar instruction, and developing Chinese language skills for business settings.

My education, including degrees from the University of Hong Kong, SOAS University of London, and my ongoing Ph.D. research at the University of Edinburgh, provides a strong foundation for my teaching. It has given me in-depth knowledge of Chinese linguistics, grammar, and effective teaching methodologies. My consulting work further helps me understand how to tailor language instruction for professional environments. I've also helped many students perfect their pronunciation – a key aspect of effective Chinese communication.

I'm happy to discuss your specific goals and create a personalised lesson plan to help you succeed!

That's a great question! Finding the right language learning fit is important. To help you decide, I offer a free trial lesson. This gives us a chance to chat, discuss your goals, and most importantly, experience my teaching style firsthand.

During the trial lesson, I'll:

• Get to know your learning goals and preferences in Chinese.

• Demonstrate my teaching approach, including how I make lessons engaging and tailored to you.

• Answer any questions you have about my curriculum or methods.

There's no pressure to commit after the trial. It's simply a chance to see if we connect and if my approach feels like a good fit for your learning journey!

I use a variety of teaching methods to make your learning experience fun and effective! Here are some approaches I often use:

• Communicative Language Teaching: We'll get you talking and understanding Chinese in real-world situations. This is great for building your confidence in speaking and listening.

• Task-Based Learning: Practice Chinese by doing everyday things – like ordering food or booking a hotel. This makes learning practical and helps you think on your feet.

• Content-Based Instruction: Love movies or news? We'll use interesting Chinese materials to boost your skills while you learn about things you enjoy. (This is better for more advanced learners).

• Grammar-Translation: We'll start with some grammar basics to give you a foundation, especially when you're a beginner. But don't worry, we'll quickly move toward more interactive learning!

My experience and education help me figure out the best mix of these methods, tailored just for you. We want learning to be challenging but also a lot of fun!

Our one-on-one classes are designed to help you speak Chinese confidently in the situations that matter to you. Here's how it works:

• We Focus on Your Interests: Whether you're fascinated by Chinese cuisine, planning a trip, or need Chinese for your work, we'll center our lessons on topics that motivate you.

• Practical Conversation Skills: We'll build your grammar and vocabulary foundation, but always with an emphasis on how you'll use the language in everyday conversations.

• Personalized Feedback: After each class, you'll receive a vocabulary list and notes on your progress. This helps you track what you're learning and pinpoint areas to improve.

My goal is for you to leave each lesson feeling more confident and ready to use your growing Chinese skills in the real world!

Absolutely! My goal is to help you become a well-rounded communicator in Chinese. This means we'll work on:

• Speaking and Listening: Developing your confidence to hold conversations, whether it's ordering food or discussing your favorite movie.

• Grammar and Vocabulary: Understanding the building blocks of the language so you can express yourself clearly and accurately.

• Reading and Writing: This opens up a whole new world of Chinese texts, from news articles and social media to handwritten notes.

Don't worry if some skills feel more challenging than others – that's completely normal! We'll figure out where you need the most support and adjust our lessons accordingly. Ultimately, we'll develop all the skills you need to communicate effectively in Chinese.

Plenty of resources to keep your learning on track! Here's what you'll have access to:

• Free, Anytime Materials: I provide a variety of resources you can access outside of class time, whenever it fits your schedule.

• Engaging Homework: After each lesson, I'll offer optional exercises to help you solidify the concepts we covered and keep practicing your new skills.

• Expert-Designed Resources: Want to dive deeper? You'll also have access to recommended supplementary reading and listening materials created by language education experts from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. These are the same high-quality resources used in university courses!

This variety ensures you have the tools you need to learn effectively, both inside and outside of class.

Absolutely! I can tailor my courses to fit your individual needs. Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced learner looking to reach the next level, I can create a personalized learning plan to help you achieve your goals.

My courses are designed using internationally recognized frameworks like the CEFR and proficiency tests like TOCFL, HSK, and Yale-China's Cantonese framework. This ensures your learning is structured and effective.

Just tell me a bit about your current level and what you hope to achieve, and I'll be happy to discuss how I can help you get there!

There are certainly benefits to the convenience of large language learning websites, but when it comes to personalized instruction and quality, here's why working with me offers a distinct advantage:

• Professional Expertise: I hold teaching qualifications and have experience teaching Chinese as a foreign language. This means my lessons are structured, efficient, and tailored to your needs. Many website teachers don't have this training.

• Accountability and Quality: I'm not part of a system that focuses solely on quantity over quality. I carefully select the students I work with and set fair rates that value both my time and your learning investment.

• Focus on Your Success: My goal isn't just to give a lesson; it's to ensure you genuinely improve your Chinese. When you work with me, you're supporting an educator committed to helping you reach your goals.

I understand the appeal of big websites, but if you're serious about your Chinese language progress, investing in a qualified teacher makes a huge difference.

This is a great question, and the honest answer is...it depends! Everyone learns at a different pace, and your language fluency goal plays a big role too. Are you aiming for everyday conversation or in-depth discussions? Here are some factors that influence your progress:

• Time Commitment: The more time you spend studying and practicing Chinese, the faster you'll see results. Consistency is key!

• Learning Approach: A structured approach with a qualified teacher will speed up your learning compared to trying to figure it out on your own.

• Motivation: If you're passionate about learning Chinese, you'll naturally progress faster.

While I can't give you an exact timeframe, I'm committed to helping you reach your goals as efficiently as possible. I'll provide the guidance, resources, and support you need – the rest is up to your dedication!