1/13
Since May 2026
Instructor since May 2026
Chinese from Zero: Build Your Foundation,
From 49.76 C$ /h
▸Who I Work With?
- Absolute beginners — you don't know a single word of Chinese, and that's perfectly fine. We'll start from the very beginning, with a clear focus on pronunciation and pinyin, so you can build a solid foundation from day one.
- Self-learners who've tried and failed — maybe you've downloaded apps or watched videos, but you still can't pronounce words correctly or read a simple sentence. I'll help you fix the basics and rebuild your confidence.
- Future travelers and culture lovers — you're planning to visit China someday, or you're simply fascinated by the culture. You want to learn the language properly, but you also want to know what makes Chinese culture tick.
- Anyone who wants a structured start, without the boredom — I use textbooks to give us a clear learning path, but I bring the lessons to life with real stories, visuals, and cultural insights from my own experience.
──────────────────
▸What You Can Expect?
- Pinyin first, and pinyin done right — the first part of this course focuses on pronunciation. We'll work through pinyin systematically: initials, finals, and tones. I'll use visual aids, tone drills, and plenty of speaking practice to make sure you can pronounce words accurately and read pinyin confidently.
- A good textbook gives us structure — we'll use a proven textbook like HSK Standard Course 1 or Integrated Chinese as our foundation. This ensures you're learning in a logical order, with clear grammar explanations and vocabulary building.
- Beyond the textbook — once we've got the basics down, I'll bring in materials from my own work: documentary clips, travel photos, real Chinese signs and menus. You'll see how the words and grammar you've learned show up in real life. This is where the culture comes in, not as a separate lesson, but woven into everything we do.
- Speak and read from day one — every lesson includes speaking practice. You'll learn to introduce yourself, order food, ask for directions. Practical, useful Chinese that you can actually use.
──────────────────
▸Teaching Methods & Materials
- Core textbook: HSK Standard Course 1 or a similar structured textbook for systematic progress
- Pinyin tools: visual charts, tone pair drills, audio recordings for pronunciation practice
- My own materials: documentary footage, authentic photos, and real-world examples to bridge the gap between the textbook and real life
- Custom worksheets: designed specifically for your weak points and interests
- Absolute beginners — you don't know a single word of Chinese, and that's perfectly fine. We'll start from the very beginning, with a clear focus on pronunciation and pinyin, so you can build a solid foundation from day one.
- Self-learners who've tried and failed — maybe you've downloaded apps or watched videos, but you still can't pronounce words correctly or read a simple sentence. I'll help you fix the basics and rebuild your confidence.
- Future travelers and culture lovers — you're planning to visit China someday, or you're simply fascinated by the culture. You want to learn the language properly, but you also want to know what makes Chinese culture tick.
- Anyone who wants a structured start, without the boredom — I use textbooks to give us a clear learning path, but I bring the lessons to life with real stories, visuals, and cultural insights from my own experience.
──────────────────
▸What You Can Expect?
- Pinyin first, and pinyin done right — the first part of this course focuses on pronunciation. We'll work through pinyin systematically: initials, finals, and tones. I'll use visual aids, tone drills, and plenty of speaking practice to make sure you can pronounce words accurately and read pinyin confidently.
- A good textbook gives us structure — we'll use a proven textbook like HSK Standard Course 1 or Integrated Chinese as our foundation. This ensures you're learning in a logical order, with clear grammar explanations and vocabulary building.
- Beyond the textbook — once we've got the basics down, I'll bring in materials from my own work: documentary clips, travel photos, real Chinese signs and menus. You'll see how the words and grammar you've learned show up in real life. This is where the culture comes in, not as a separate lesson, but woven into everything we do.
- Speak and read from day one — every lesson includes speaking practice. You'll learn to introduce yourself, order food, ask for directions. Practical, useful Chinese that you can actually use.
──────────────────
▸Teaching Methods & Materials
- Core textbook: HSK Standard Course 1 or a similar structured textbook for systematic progress
- Pinyin tools: visual charts, tone pair drills, audio recordings for pronunciation practice
- My own materials: documentary footage, authentic photos, and real-world examples to bridge the gap between the textbook and real life
- Custom worksheets: designed specifically for your weak points and interests
Extra information
If you're a complete beginner, don't worry. Just come as you are. In our first lesson, I'll assess your current level, understand your learning goals, and give you a clear picture of how we'll work together. You don't need to prepare anything in advance.
Location
Online from China
About Me
Hi, I'm Yuan. I'm a Chinese teacher,content creator, designer, and entrepreneur based in Jiangsu, China. I used to run my own design company, and now I'm building a cultural and creative brand alongside filming a documentary series on China's cultural landscape — everything from music copyright to visual products, led by me.
As a business owner, I've personally handled the entire bidding process for state-owned enterprise projects — from reading tender documents and writing proposals, to negotiating and closing the deal. As a designer, my work has been featured on CCTV, and emoji packs I created have been downloaded millions of times on a major social platform in China. My clients span a wide range of fields — from hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses to state-owned enterprises, from intangible cultural heritage inheritors to internet influencers.
Beyond creative and business work, I'm deeply passionate about learning across disciplines — philosophy, psychology, sociology, economics, politics, literature, art. This is why, instead of traditional Chinese teaching or shallow conversation, I specialize in weaving cross-disciplinary knowledge into our lessons. I use high-quality topics to spark your desire to express yourself, and I encourage critical thinking in a fully accepting, non-judgmental atmosphere — so you grow as a person while naturally improving your Chinese.
My goal is to make the language learning process itself a source of nourishment and growth.
As a business owner, I've personally handled the entire bidding process for state-owned enterprise projects — from reading tender documents and writing proposals, to negotiating and closing the deal. As a designer, my work has been featured on CCTV, and emoji packs I created have been downloaded millions of times on a major social platform in China. My clients span a wide range of fields — from hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses to state-owned enterprises, from intangible cultural heritage inheritors to internet influencers.
Beyond creative and business work, I'm deeply passionate about learning across disciplines — philosophy, psychology, sociology, economics, politics, literature, art. This is why, instead of traditional Chinese teaching or shallow conversation, I specialize in weaving cross-disciplinary knowledge into our lessons. I use high-quality topics to spark your desire to express yourself, and I encourage critical thinking in a fully accepting, non-judgmental atmosphere — so you grow as a person while naturally improving your Chinese.
My goal is to make the language learning process itself a source of nourishment and growth.
Education
Zhejiang University of Media and Communications, Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Design. I have solid cross‐cultural communication and aesthetic skills to support Chinese teaching.
Experience / Qualifications
2 years of offline one‐on‐one Mandarin Chinese teaching experience for foreign adult learners. I specialize in daily conversational Chinese, business Chinese and culture‐oriented Chinese courses with personalized teaching methods.
Age
Children (7-12 years old)
Teenagers (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Duration
60 minutes
The class is taught in
English
Chinese
Skills
Availability of a typical week
(GMT -04:00)
New York
Online via webcam
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
00-04
04-08
08-12
12-16
16-20
20-24
▸ Who I Work With?
This course is designed for forward-thinking parents who want more than just language drills for their children. It's ideal for:
- Teens and young learners (10-18 years old) who are curious about Chinese language and culture — from complete beginners to those with some basic foundation
- Teens (13-18 years old) who already have some basic Chinese foundation and are ready to go beyond the textbook
Curious young minds who are interested in design, technology, business, or world cultures
- Families planning for the future — parents who believe that understanding China will give their children a global advantage
- Self-motivated learners who want to explore Chinese culture, modern trends, and creative thinking, not just memorize vocabulary
If your child needs a strict, traditional tutor for exam preparation only, I might not be the right fit. But if you want them to be inspired, to think differently, and to see Chinese as a window to a bigger world — let's talk.
──────────────────
▸What You Can Expect?
Every lesson is built around sparking curiosity and building real-world skills:
- Cultural Storytelling — Instead of boring dialogues, I use stories from my work as a designer and filmmaker to bring Chinese culture to life. Your child will explore Chinese art, history, internet culture, and modern trends.
- Project-Based Learning — We'll work on mini-projects that match your child's interests. Whether it's designing a Chinese social media post, creating a short video script, or exploring a Chinese city through research, they'll learn by doing.
- Critical Thinking in Chinese — I encourage students to ask questions, share opinions, and make connections between Chinese culture and their own world. This isn't about repeating after me — it's about thinking in Chinese.
- Flexible & Pressure-Free — No harsh drills, no rote memorization. I create a relaxed, encouraging space where your child feels safe to make mistakes and grow.
- HSK/YCT Preparation Support — For students interested in Chinese proficiency tests, I weave HSK/YCT content into our cultural exploration, building exam confidence alongside genuine curiosity.
──────────────────
▸Teaching Style
As someone who's worked in creative industries for years, I know that the best learning happens when you're genuinely interested. My teaching style is patient, encouraging, and conversational.
I don't talk down to young learners — I talk with them. I listen to their ideas, ask questions that make them think, and help them discover their own voice in Chinese. Parents often tell me that their children look forward to my lessons not because they "have to", but because they're genuinely curious about what we'll explore next.
This course is designed for forward-thinking parents who want more than just language drills for their children. It's ideal for:
- Teens and young learners (10-18 years old) who are curious about Chinese language and culture — from complete beginners to those with some basic foundation
- Teens (13-18 years old) who already have some basic Chinese foundation and are ready to go beyond the textbook
Curious young minds who are interested in design, technology, business, or world cultures
- Families planning for the future — parents who believe that understanding China will give their children a global advantage
- Self-motivated learners who want to explore Chinese culture, modern trends, and creative thinking, not just memorize vocabulary
If your child needs a strict, traditional tutor for exam preparation only, I might not be the right fit. But if you want them to be inspired, to think differently, and to see Chinese as a window to a bigger world — let's talk.
──────────────────
▸What You Can Expect?
Every lesson is built around sparking curiosity and building real-world skills:
- Cultural Storytelling — Instead of boring dialogues, I use stories from my work as a designer and filmmaker to bring Chinese culture to life. Your child will explore Chinese art, history, internet culture, and modern trends.
- Project-Based Learning — We'll work on mini-projects that match your child's interests. Whether it's designing a Chinese social media post, creating a short video script, or exploring a Chinese city through research, they'll learn by doing.
- Critical Thinking in Chinese — I encourage students to ask questions, share opinions, and make connections between Chinese culture and their own world. This isn't about repeating after me — it's about thinking in Chinese.
- Flexible & Pressure-Free — No harsh drills, no rote memorization. I create a relaxed, encouraging space where your child feels safe to make mistakes and grow.
- HSK/YCT Preparation Support — For students interested in Chinese proficiency tests, I weave HSK/YCT content into our cultural exploration, building exam confidence alongside genuine curiosity.
──────────────────
▸Teaching Style
As someone who's worked in creative industries for years, I know that the best learning happens when you're genuinely interested. My teaching style is patient, encouraging, and conversational.
I don't talk down to young learners — I talk with them. I listen to their ideas, ask questions that make them think, and help them discover their own voice in Chinese. Parents often tell me that their children look forward to my lessons not because they "have to", but because they're genuinely curious about what we'll explore next.
In this lesson,I will show you the real China, the one I've explored through my camera lens and my own travels. From reading airport signs to ordering food like a local, I'll make sure you're ready for every step of your journey.
▸Who I Work With?
- First-time visitors to China: Feeling excited but a little anxious about the language barrier? This course is built for you. I'll walk you through everything you need before you even pack your bags.
- Independent travelers: You don't want a tour guide. You want to explore on your own. I'll teach you how to navigate cities, use local apps, and handle real-life situations with confidence.
- Culture lovers: You've seen the videos. You've heard the stories. Now you want to experience the real China for yourself. I'll help you go beyond the tourist trail.
- Short-term visitors and exchange students: Landing in China soon and need to hit the ground running? We'll cover everything from setting up payment apps to ordering your first meal.
- Anyone who's ever thought "I wish I could speak a little Chinese": It's never too late to start. I'll make it practical, fun, and immediately useful.
If you're looking for a traditional, grammar-heavy Chinese course, this isn't it. But if you want to arrive in China feeling prepared, confident, and ready to explore, let's get started.
──────────────────
▸What You Can Expect?
Every lesson is built around real travel scenarios. No boring drills, no abstract grammar. Just the Chinese you'll actually use. The course is divided into three practical phases:
Phase 1: Before You Go (Pre-Trip Essentials)
- Understanding visa requirements and the latest entry procedures
- Setting up essential apps: WeChat, Alipay, ride-hailing, and navigation tools
- Learning the basics of mobile payment and getting connected (eSIM, local SIM)
- Cultural do's and don'ts to avoid common mistakes
Phase 2: Hit the Ground (Survival Skills)
- Airport navigation: reading arrival signs, customs, baggage claim
- Getting to your hotel: taking a taxi, using ride-hailing apps, giving directions
- Hotel check-in: asking about Wi-Fi, breakfast times, luggage storage
- Eating out: reading menus, ordering food, understanding prices, paying the bill
- City transport: buying subway tickets, reading metro maps, taking high-speed trains
Phase 3: Go Deeper (Beyond Survival)
- Visiting tourist sites: booking tickets online, reading attraction guides
- Shopping and bargaining: asking prices, negotiating at markets
- Local experiences: understanding tea house menus, theater schedules, local customs
- Making connections: simple conversations to connect with locals
- Each lesson is a complete "mission." By the end, you'll have a personalized travel toolkit ready for your trip.
──────────────────
▸Teaching Style
I believe learning should feel like an adventure, not a chore. My teaching style is practical, patient, and highly interactive.
As a documentary filmmaker and designer, I use real photos, videos, and maps from my own travels across China. You'll see the actual signs you'll encounter, the real menus you'll read, and the streets you might walk down. No fake textbook scenarios.
I won't overwhelm you with grammar rules. Instead, I'll give you the exact phrases and cultural insights you need, and help you practice them in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. Mistakes are welcome. That's how you learn.
──────────────────
▸Teaching Materials & Resources
I don't rely on a single textbook. Instead, I create custom learning materials based on your specific itinerary and interests:
- Real-world visuals: Travel photos, and authentic images of Chinese signs, menus, and tickets
- Interactive simulations: We'll use live apps like maps, ride-hailing, and ordering platforms together during class
- Personalized survival kit: I'll build a custom phrasebook and vocabulary list for your trip, tailored to your destinations
- Practical worksheets: Airport flowcharts, hotel check-in scripts, restaurant ordering templates, and more
──────────────────
▸A Note on Textbooks
A good textbook gives us structure, so I may use materials from Discover China, Short-term Spoken Chinese, or Road to Success as a foundation. But I always go beyond the textbook, bringing in real-world examples from my own experience. You'll learn the language that actually gets used, not the stuff that only exists in a classroom.
▸Who I Work With?
- First-time visitors to China: Feeling excited but a little anxious about the language barrier? This course is built for you. I'll walk you through everything you need before you even pack your bags.
- Independent travelers: You don't want a tour guide. You want to explore on your own. I'll teach you how to navigate cities, use local apps, and handle real-life situations with confidence.
- Culture lovers: You've seen the videos. You've heard the stories. Now you want to experience the real China for yourself. I'll help you go beyond the tourist trail.
- Short-term visitors and exchange students: Landing in China soon and need to hit the ground running? We'll cover everything from setting up payment apps to ordering your first meal.
- Anyone who's ever thought "I wish I could speak a little Chinese": It's never too late to start. I'll make it practical, fun, and immediately useful.
If you're looking for a traditional, grammar-heavy Chinese course, this isn't it. But if you want to arrive in China feeling prepared, confident, and ready to explore, let's get started.
──────────────────
▸What You Can Expect?
Every lesson is built around real travel scenarios. No boring drills, no abstract grammar. Just the Chinese you'll actually use. The course is divided into three practical phases:
Phase 1: Before You Go (Pre-Trip Essentials)
- Understanding visa requirements and the latest entry procedures
- Setting up essential apps: WeChat, Alipay, ride-hailing, and navigation tools
- Learning the basics of mobile payment and getting connected (eSIM, local SIM)
- Cultural do's and don'ts to avoid common mistakes
Phase 2: Hit the Ground (Survival Skills)
- Airport navigation: reading arrival signs, customs, baggage claim
- Getting to your hotel: taking a taxi, using ride-hailing apps, giving directions
- Hotel check-in: asking about Wi-Fi, breakfast times, luggage storage
- Eating out: reading menus, ordering food, understanding prices, paying the bill
- City transport: buying subway tickets, reading metro maps, taking high-speed trains
Phase 3: Go Deeper (Beyond Survival)
- Visiting tourist sites: booking tickets online, reading attraction guides
- Shopping and bargaining: asking prices, negotiating at markets
- Local experiences: understanding tea house menus, theater schedules, local customs
- Making connections: simple conversations to connect with locals
- Each lesson is a complete "mission." By the end, you'll have a personalized travel toolkit ready for your trip.
──────────────────
▸Teaching Style
I believe learning should feel like an adventure, not a chore. My teaching style is practical, patient, and highly interactive.
As a documentary filmmaker and designer, I use real photos, videos, and maps from my own travels across China. You'll see the actual signs you'll encounter, the real menus you'll read, and the streets you might walk down. No fake textbook scenarios.
I won't overwhelm you with grammar rules. Instead, I'll give you the exact phrases and cultural insights you need, and help you practice them in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. Mistakes are welcome. That's how you learn.
──────────────────
▸Teaching Materials & Resources
I don't rely on a single textbook. Instead, I create custom learning materials based on your specific itinerary and interests:
- Real-world visuals: Travel photos, and authentic images of Chinese signs, menus, and tickets
- Interactive simulations: We'll use live apps like maps, ride-hailing, and ordering platforms together during class
- Personalized survival kit: I'll build a custom phrasebook and vocabulary list for your trip, tailored to your destinations
- Practical worksheets: Airport flowcharts, hotel check-in scripts, restaurant ordering templates, and more
──────────────────
▸A Note on Textbooks
A good textbook gives us structure, so I may use materials from Discover China, Short-term Spoken Chinese, or Road to Success as a foundation. But I always go beyond the textbook, bringing in real-world examples from my own experience. You'll learn the language that actually gets used, not the stuff that only exists in a classroom.
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