PhD in Mandarin Language and Culture
In the last 30 years, I've had the honor of teaching Mandarin to many students. I have gone from studying in regular classrooms in the UK to participating in cultural exchanges in different provinces in China. Every part of China has its own way of speaking and special cultural characteristics. I have learned a lot about different dialects and cultures in China from my long stays there. I always try to include rich content in my GCSE curriculum teaching. I want to help students go beyond the basics of Mandarin and learn more about its cultural context.
One of the most effective ways to learn a language is through stories. In my Mandarin classes, we dive into Chinese literature and folklore. We read classic tales, discuss their cultural significance, and even create our stories. This approach not only enhances language skills but also sparks creativity and a deeper connection to the language.
Michael always comes to class well-prepared, and the class materials have been changed to fit my needs, which helps me a lot when I talk to my coworkers in Mainland China. I strongly advise people who want to improve their Mandarin language skills to hire Michael.
I started with GCSE Mandarin thinking it's just another subject, but Mr. Taylor made it a fascinating journey of culture and language.
PhD in East Asian Studies
I have been teaching Mandarin for almost 20 years because I love the Chinese language and its rich culture. During my PhD research, I lived in Beijing and focused on studying language. I learned a lot about everyday Mandarin and different dialects spoken in the region. During my time as a teacher, I have been lucky to work with many different groups of students. Each group has had their own unique challenges, which has helped me improve my teaching methods. I focus on helping GCSE students by focusing on the basics. I believe that if they understand the fundamentals well, they can easily learn more advanced concepts later on.
Teaching Mandarin involves sharing both the language and the culture. I try to make my lessons interesting by including things about Chinese history, traditions, and even modern pop culture. Talking about popular Chinese songs or trending TV shows can help you remember the characters and phrases more effectively than just memorizing them. It is important to apply what you learn, so I suggest starting to speak in Mandarin right away. In my classes, we do activities like pretending to be someone else, practicing conversations, and talking with classmates. This helps students feel more comfortable talking in real-life situations.
Thank you William, for being such a great and gentle teacher. I'm learning a lot. Before, I was only learning with an app, but his lessons have helped me quickly improve my tone and speech.
It's great that Willaim is back to work. His way of teaching is great for beginners like me because it has a good mix of organized lessons and open conversation. Looking forward to having him teach me again.
Master's in Mandarin Studies
During my 16 years of teaching, I have taught students from different backgrounds. Each student has their own challenges and perspectives when learning Mandarin. At the beginning of my career, I spent three important years in Shanghai. During that time, I improved my Mandarin language abilities and had a strong connection with the diverse Chinese culture. Using my past experience, I incorporated cultural aspects into my Mandarin lessons. This has helped me give students a complete understanding of both the language and the culture it represents. I think it's helpful to use stories, cultural practices, and historical contexts when teaching GCSE students. It can make it easier for them to understand and learn languages.
For students looking to use Mandarin in a professional context, I offer a specialized business-oriented approach. We focus on Mandarin used in the business world, covering topics like negotiations, presentations, and cross-cultural communication. This approach equips students with the language and cultural knowledge needed to thrive in a Mandarin-speaking business environment.
Miss Rebecca is very professional, and she is a great teacher, especially when it comes to helping beginning or advanced students understand pronunciation issues. She tries to teach and keep the students' attention in fun and different ways, which I like. She gives comments to help kids learn how to do better :)
Rebecca's classes are truly unique. I've never been so invested in a language before.
Master's in Chinese Linguistics
I have been teaching Mandarin for 12 years and I have found that using both traditional teaching methods and modern language tools is enjoyable and effective. I worked as a teacher in Beijing when I first began teaching. I worked with people who speak Mandarin as their first language and learned how to say and speak Mandarin accurately. When I came back to the UK, I began using these practical experiences in my teaching method. I have made plans to assist GCSE students who speak English in overcoming the difficulties they encounter while learning Mandarin, which has different sounds.
Although Mandarin's structure may appear difficult initially, I find it helpful to break it down into smaller, understandable parts. I teach lessons that focus on a specific topic. During these lessons, I cover vocabulary, grammar, and tones in the context of everyday situations or themes. This helps people understand and connect with them better. I focus on listening exercises to help students understand the rhythm and flow of the language. I use technology, such as language apps and online platforms, to help students practice at their own speed and in a way that feels comfortable for them. This helps them reinforce what they have learned during our sessions.
Very good teacher! In every class, Olivia really helps me with how I say words and how to use them. If you want to learn Mandarin, she is the best teacher you can find. Interactive lessons and different ways to teach are also great.
Olivia's approach to teaching Mandarin is both innovative and grounded. Loved the experience