1st lesson free
Portia's profile and their contact details have been verified by our experts
Portia
- Rate $26
- Response 1h
$26/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- Chinese
- Mandarin
Cool person with 15 years of experience in international relations ready to help you learn Mandarin!
- Chinese
- Mandarin
Lesson location
- online
-
at your home or a public place : will travel up to 20 mi. from Haymarket
About Portia
I've lived and worked in China, so I teach the language as it's actually spoken, alongside the cultural context that makes it make sense. My background is in research and communication, which means I'm good at diagnosing exactly why something isn't clicking and adjusting how I explain it. I also coach professionally, so I know how to set realistic goals, keep motivation up, and meet learners where they are without judgment. Lessons are patient, structured, and genuinely enjoyable.
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About the lesson
- All Levels
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
My teaching method and techniques
I focus on getting you speaking early and often, because confidence with the spoken language is what keeps people going. Lessons are built around real situations you'll actually use, ordering food, giving directions, introducing yourself, rather than memorizing lists in isolation. I use spaced repetition for vocabulary and tones so things stick, and I bring in authentic material like menus, signs, and short audio clips so the language feels connected to real life. Tones get attention from day one, since they're where self-teaching learners most often get stuck.
A typical lesson plan
A lesson usually runs in three parts. We open with a short warm-up conversation using what you already know, which builds fluency and shows me where you are that day. Then we work on the day's focus, a practical scenario, a grammar pattern, or a set of characters, with plenty of speaking practice. We close by pulling it together in a role-play or short exchange so you leave having actually used the new material. You get a small amount of targeted practice between sessions, enough to reinforce without becoming a burden.
What sets me apart
I've lived and worked in China, so I teach the language as it's actually spoken, alongside the cultural context that makes it make sense. My background is in research and communication, which means I'm good at diagnosing exactly why something isn't clicking and adjusting how I explain it. I also coach professionally, so I know how to set realistic goals, keep motivation up, and meet learners where they are without judgment. Lessons are patient, structured, and genuinely enjoyable.
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Rates
Rate
- $26
Pack rates
- 5h: $130
- 10h: $260
online
- $26/h
free lessons
This first lesson offered with Portia will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hr
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