Teacher Grace, an experienced Chinese tutor, offers a Mandarin class for all levels with a fun and easy method.

Find out more about Grace

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  Even though both my parents are not of pure Chinese descent, Mandarin is my first language. I have been speaking Mandarin since I was a child, even before I attended a Chinese kindergarten. How did this happen? It's because of my environment; my neighbors are predominantly Chinese, and I am surrounded by people who speak Mandarin, which naturally influenced my language development.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Fictional Character: Monkey King (Sun Wukong) from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West" (西游记).

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  The phrase "活到老，学到老" (huó dào lǎo, xué dào lǎo) means "One is never too old to learn" in English. This saying reflects the idea that learning is a lifelong process and that age should not be a barrier to acquiring knowledge or new skills. No matter how old we are, there is always something new to learn, whether it's a new language, a new hobby, or gaining deeper insights into various subjects. This belief in lifelong learning is a valuable mindset that encourages individuals to stay curious, open-minded, and adaptable to change. It recognizes that learning is not limited to formal education but extends to all aspects of life and experiences.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  To me, speaking Mandarin is crucial as it allows me to connect with a vast number of people, opens doors to business and career prospects, enhances cultural understanding, and promotes personal growth and a global outlook.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  The main difficulty in learning Mandarin for many learners is the complexity of its writing system, which consists of thousands of characters. Additionally, the tonal nature of the language, where a word's meaning can change based on the tone in which it is pronounced, can pose a challenge.
  
  1. Complex Writing System: Mandarin uses Chinese characters (Hanzi), and there are thousands of characters to learn, each representing a word or concept. Memorizing characters and understanding stroke order can be challenging.
  
  Helpful Tips:
  Start with basic radicals and common characters.
  Practice writing characters regularly to improve recall.
  
  2. Tonal Nature: Mandarin is a tonal language with four main tones (plus a neutral tone). Different tones can change the meaning of a word, leading to potential misunderstandings. Example: The word "ma" with different tones can mean "mother" (妈), "hemp" (麻), "horse" (马), or "scold" (骂).
  
  Helpful Tips:
  Practice listening and speaking with native speakers or language partners to master tones.
  Focus on the pitch changes in your pronunciation to distinguish between tones.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Anecdote: Empowering Words and Embracing Compliments
  
  Since childhood, I had a passion for learning different languages, but my family couldn't afford to pay for extra tuition. Undeterred, I embarked on a self-learning journey at home. At the age of 13, my excitement soared when a German exchange student joined my school. She became my first real-life foreign friend. However, a few of my so-called "friends" mocked me, claiming I wasn't good enough in English to befriend her. Their hurtful comments shattered my confidence, and I started doubting myself.
  
  During lunchtime, I confided in my German friend about the ordeal. In response, she vehemently reassured me, saying, "NOOO, THEY ARE WRONG!!! TRUST ME, YOU ARE REALLY GOOD, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EVERY TIME WE SPEAK, EVEN IF YOU PRONOUNCE THINGS WRONGLY, I WON'T LAUGH AT YOU. IT'S ALL PART OF THE LEARNING PROCESS. YOU ARE TRULY GREAT, GRACE!" Her empowering words lifted my spirits and filled me with renewed confidence. From that moment, I stopped doubting myself and embraced the journey of language learning, knowing that supportive friends like her believed in my abilities.
  
  I've since shared this experience with my students, encouraging them not to be discouraged by laughter when speaking a new language. I always tell my students to treat criticism as compliments and to be proud of their efforts, regardless of others' reactions. Confidence and self-belief are the keys to success, and being laughed at should never deter them from their language learning goals.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Traveling or taking a specific trip can have several benefits in increasing skill and knowledge of a language, such as Mandarin:
  
  Immersion in Language Environment: Being in a Mandarin-speaking country or community provides constant exposure to the language. Hearing and using Mandarin in everyday interactions helps learners become more familiar with the language's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
  Language Interaction with Locals: Interacting with native Mandarin speakers allows learners to experience various accents, regional slang, and colloquial expressions, improving their overall language comprehension and communication skills.
  Overcoming Language Barriers: Travelers face situations where they must rely on their Mandarin skills to navigate through a foreign environment, leading to increased confidence and problem-solving abilities.
  Expanded Vocabulary: Travelers encounter new words and phrases specific to their travel experiences, expanding their vocabulary in areas such as food, transportation, sightseeing, and daily life.
  Cultural Context: Language is deeply intertwined with culture. Travelers get a chance to experience Chinese customs, traditions, and societal norms, which provides a richer understanding of the language's context and usage.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I have a deep passion for languages. I enjoy learning new languages, comprehending their structures, and exploring their subtleties, a passion that remains alive in me to this day. My goal is to provide support and guidance to anyone who wants to learn and improve their language skills, fostering a love for languages and helping them reach their objectives. I take pride in creating individualized learning plans that cater to my students' goals, learning styles, and current proficiency levels, aiming to provide the most effective and personalized language learning experience possible.