PhD in Chinese Cultural Studies from Peking University
I started learning Mandarin when I decided to take a summer course in high school. I was so fascinated by the language and culture that I got a PhD in Chinese Cultural Studies from Peking University. In my 27 years of teaching, I have had the privilege of helping thousands of people learn and become proficient in Mandarin. I have taught students of different ages, from young people who are very interested in the subject to older professionals who work in diplomacy. I always strive to provide customized experiences, understand each person's goals, and make sure every learner feels a personal connection to the language.
I believe in teaching Mandarin by focusing on the strong connection between the language and China's ancient culture. I use stories, parables, and historical insights from ancient dynasties to modern China to make my writing more interesting and accurate. For my IB students, this comprehensive approach means they are not only learning a language, but also gaining a complete understanding of Chinese civilization. I use different things like traditional music, analysing films, and even stories about cooking to make learning better.
Everyone should definitely try Rebecca! My daughter thinks she's not very good at Mandarin, so she doesn't try at all when she's in class. I have to say that after her first lesson with Rebecca, she had a big smile on her face. I think that Rebecca did something magical! Even though we only took a few lessons with her, I can tell that my daughter's IB exams have improved a lot. I'm so glad we got to meet Rebecca!! Many thanks!
Rebecca's approach is holistic and comprehensive. The cultural insights are a treasure. A bit more emphasis on contemporary contexts would be great.
Master's in Mandarin Linguistics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University
I started learning Mandarin when I was young because my Chinese neighbour taught me. I became interested in Mandarin Linguistics and decided to study it further at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. During my 22 years of teaching, I have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of students. This includes international students as well as professionals who need to learn Mandarin for their jobs. I use a mix of formal language techniques and everyday expressions to make Mandarin more lively.
To really understand Mandarin, you need to comprehend the essence of the language. I focus on practical use of Mandarin, so that students can feel comfortable speaking it in any situation. I study and analyze complex characters and sentences. I use the IB curriculum to teach Mandarin. I also include things like podcasts, news broadcasts, and modern literature to help students understand Mandarin in different ways. This helps them understand both the history and current use of the language.
Michael is charming and kind; he makes me feel at ease despite my mistakes and is an excellent teacher of sentence construction. He's also really patient with me if I usually forget one of these forms.
I love the role-playing exercises! They've made me more confident in conversational Mandarin.
PhD in East Asian Studies from Peking University
I began working as an English teacher in Beijing 20 years ago. During that time, I had the opportunity to connect with people from different cultures and build friendships despite the challenges of language differences. I started loving Mandarin more, so I decided to pursue a PhD. I now focus on teaching Mandarin and sharing the beauty of Chinese culture in my career. I have worked with IB students for a long time, helping them get ready for IB exams. I have seen many of them go from being beginners to becoming fluent speakers. I have experience teaching at different types of schools and doing private tutoring. This has influenced the way I teach, as I always consider the unique needs of my students.
I use a well-rounded approach. I teach students about Chinese literature, history, and pop culture, in addition to the language. This method helps students understand how to use language and its cultural meaning more effectively. I like to involve everyone in my lessons, so I often have discussions, tell stories, and analyse films. I focus on helping IB students become confident in speaking Mandarin, writing essays, and understanding texts with cultural awareness.
I choose to study Mandarin with my 12-year-old daughter. Since we have been taking lessons with Sophie for a year, I have had the opportunity to think about how she instructs both adults and kids. Sophie is a devoted and highly inspiring teacher. She sends out additional material after the lesson if we ask for any additional information. The lessons follow a clear format. For my classes, I'm use HSK1 books. My daughter initially used flash cards and has since added text books. I'm really pleased with Sophie , and I wholeheartedly endorse her as a Mandarin tutor for both children and adults.
Sophie's teaching methods are unique and enjoyable. But sometimes I wish we could have more grammar sessions.
PhD in East Asian Studies from Peking University
I began working as an English teacher in Beijing 20 years ago. During that time, I had the opportunity to connect with people from different cultures and build friendships despite the challenges of language differences. I started loving Mandarin more, so I decided to pursue a PhD. I now focus on teaching Mandarin and sharing the beauty of Chinese culture in my career. I have worked with IB students for a long time, helping them get ready for IB exams. I have seen many of them go from being beginners to becoming fluent speakers. I have experience teaching at different types of schools and doing private tutoring. This has influenced the way I teach, as I always consider the unique needs of my students.
I use a well-rounded approach. I teach students about Chinese literature, history, and pop culture, in addition to the language. This method helps students understand how to use language and its cultural meaning more effectively. I like to involve everyone in my lessons, so I often have discussions, tell stories, and analyse films. I focus on helping IB students become confident in speaking Mandarin, writing essays, and understanding texts with cultural awareness.
I choose to study Mandarin with my 12-year-old daughter. Since we have been taking lessons with Sophie for a year, I have had the opportunity to think about how she instructs both adults and kids. Sophie is a devoted and highly inspiring teacher. She sends out additional material after the lesson if we ask for any additional information. The lessons follow a clear format. For my classes, I'm use HSK1 books. My daughter initially used flash cards and has since added text books. I'm really pleased with Sophie , and I wholeheartedly endorse her as a Mandarin tutor for both children and adults.
Sophie's teaching methods are unique and enjoyable. But sometimes I wish we could have more grammar sessions.
Master's in Mandarin Linguistics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University
I started learning Mandarin when I went to Shanghai for a college exchange program. The busy streets and peaceful tea houses made me realize that language is important for understanding a culture. After completing my Master's degree at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, I came back to my home country to teach Mandarin. In the last 12 years, I have taught different groups of people. Some were high school students getting ready for their IB exams, and others were professionals from companies who wanted to expand their global presence. I have learned to change my teaching methods to fit different ways of learning and goals.
In my classes, we prioritize practicality. I focus on teaching Mandarin phrases and vocabulary that are immediately applicable to real-life situations. Whether you're ordering food, traveling, or engaging in everyday conversations, you'll gain the language skills you need to navigate these scenarios confidently.
My son loves the IB Mandarin lessons that Samuel has been giving him. He says Samuel moves him a lot. Really knows a lot about everything, always comes to class ready, and is very organized. That's great that you found him. I'm excited to keep seeing my son's growth in Mandarin.
Samuel is a superb tutor. Because he reassures, supports, and lets my son think creatively, my son is actually beginning to like Mandarin more. I recommend Samuel to friends and family.