Most American students study Mandarin for years but still hesitate when speaking.
Many students learn textbook Chinese but still struggle with real conversation. I use memorable dialogue from films, television, literature, and real life to help students understand how native speakers actually communicate.
My two sons were born in Beijing and attended native Chinese schools. Because we often spoke English at home, they initially struggled to keep up with classmates who spoke Mandarin...
Most American students study Mandarin for years but still hesitate when speaking.
Many students learn textbook Chinese but still struggle with real conversation. I use memorable dialogue from films, television, literature, and real life to help students understand how native speakers actually communicate.
My two sons were born in Beijing and attended native Chinese schools. Because we often spoke English at home, they initially struggled to keep up with classmates who spoke Mandarin full-time. I worked with them every day on pronunciation, tone accuracy, listening, and natural speech until their teacher described them as the most improved students in the class.
Today, both consistently earn A’s in Mandarin Chinese courses.
I previously worked in Beijing as a translator and tour guide, doing simultaneous Chinese-English translation for foreign visitors. I also tutored embassy staff, foreign teachers, and professionals who needed to improve their spoken Mandarin fluency quickly.
I place strong emphasis on pronunciation details many learners miss, including aspirated sounds such as “po” vs. “p’o” or “tang” vs. “t’ang,” where a small burst of air changes how natural the speech sounds to native listeners.
Every student learns differently. Some students want a strong foundation in reading and writing Chinese characters, while others want to focus on conversation and speaking naturally. My teaching is tailored to the goals of each student.
If you feel stuck studying Chinese without making real progress, I can help you build fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills.
