Friendly Mandarin Tutor for Beginners|Culture-Focused|Portland ME

Caroline R.

Hi! I'm Caroline, a Portland-based Mandarin Chinese tutor with over 8 years of academic study in the language and a background in international studies. I specialize in working with adult beginner and intermediate learners—whether you're learning Mandarin for business, conversation, travel, or personal enrichment.

I studied Mandarin for four years at Waynflete School and continued with advanced coursework at American University, where I majored in International Studies and minored in Chinese language. I’m confident in reading, writing, speaking, listening, tones, and pinyin—and I know how to make these core skills accessible and engaging for new learners.

My lessons are grounded in the New Practical Chinese Reader curriculum, which provides a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. From there, I adapt the content to your goals and learning style—incorporating cultural insights, interactive activities, and real-life conversation practice. I believe language learning should be both rigorous and enjoyable, and I aim to create a warm, encouraging environment for each student. I am available for in-person and virtual modalities.

I currently volunteer at the Roux Institute to teach beginner Mandarin to members of the academic community. I especially enjoy working with adult learners who are curious, motivated, and looking for a tutor who can guide them patiently through the complexities of Mandarin while connecting it to Chinese culture and contemporary life.

Let’s build a personalized Mandarin learning journey together!