Native Mandarin Tutor

Yiyun L.

Hi! I'm Yiyun, a native Mandarin speaker from China and a current Master of Finance student at UC Irvine. I hold a B.A. in English Translation and Interpretation with a GPA of 3.77, and I scored 106 on the TOEFL, so I am fully fluent in both Mandarin and English. My translation background trained me to understand exactly how the two languages differ, which means I can explain tricky points like tones, measure words, and sentence patterns in clear English and help you avoid the mistakes English speakers most commonly make.

I tailor every lesson to the student's age, level, and goals. With young learners, I keep things playful and engaging through songs, games, and storytelling so they absorb the language naturally. With teenagers and adults, I focus on practical conversation, pronunciation, and listening skills, and I also offer structured preparation for the HSK exams, AP Chinese, business Mandarin, and travel Chinese. Rather than memorizing phrases from a textbook, my students learn by actually using the language from day one, and I always adjust the pace so each lesson feels productive and encouraging. I am patient, well organized, and happy to switch between English and Chinese whenever it helps you understand better.

I am available for online lessons or in-person sessions in the Irvine area, with flexible scheduling on weekday evenings and weekends to fit around school and work. In our first lesson, we will discuss your goals and assess your current level, and I will design a personalized learning plan from there. Whether you are starting from zero or polishing advanced skills, I would love to help you speak Mandarin with confidence. Let's get started!