beginner courses for those with no or little knowledge of Chinese

From 29 £ /h

Perfect for beginners with no or little prior experience, this comprehensive course introduces Mandarin Chinese from the ground up. Learn foundational skills like pinyin (phonetic system), basic tones, essential greetings, and everyday vocabulary through interactive lessons. Master simple sentence structures, practice listening and speaking with real-life scenarios, and get familiar with Chinese characters gradually upon your needs. Engaging exercises, cultural insights, and slow-paced instruction ensure a stress-free learning environment. By the end, you’ll confidently introduce yourself, ask questions, and navigate simple conversations. Start your journey into one of the world’s most spoken languages—no prior knowledge is needed!
The courses can also be conducted without recognition of Chinese characters.

Location

Online from Netherlands

About Me

🌟 Hi there! I’m Dennis, a passionate and certified professional Chinese teacher with over 5 years of experience teaching students from 7 years old to adults across the globe! I love sharing the beauty of the Chinese language while exploring creative, interactive ways to make learning fun.

🎓 Credentials: Certified by CTCSOL (Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other languages ), which validates my professional competence in teaching Chinese, and Mandarin grade A certificate (Putonghua/mandarin proficiency test), which proves my standard pronunciation.

❤️ Why I Teach: I believe language learning should be joyful and meaningful! Whether you’re a curious kid, a busy professional, or a culture enthusiast, I’m here to help you unlock the beauty of Chinese through creativity and real-life connections.

🌸 Beyond Teaching: Outside of teaching, I enjoy discovering new cultural experiences, reading about modern education trends, and engaging in activities that enrich my understanding of diverse perspectives.

✅ Expertise Across Ages & Levels:
• Taught 100+ students from the U.S., Germany, the U.K., Spain, France, and more on platforms and in organizations.
• Kids (7-15 yrs): At an European International School, I'm responsible for teaching middle school students HSK standard courses.
• Teens & Adults: Currently, I'm an Online Mandarin Instructor at an online American language school, where I teach U.S. teenagers and high school students Mandarin. And on Preply, I've been teaching Chinese to adults and children with different ages and levels from various countries.

🔥 Methodology:
• Communicative & Student-Centered: My classes use a blend of communicative, project-based, scene and task-based approaches, and Total Physical Response (TPR) techniques. This dynamic mix ensures that every lesson is engaging, interactive, and tailored to your learning style. I incorporate the communicative approach and project-based learning to align with ACTFL standards, ensuring that students can use Chinese in real-life situations. When teaching HSK courses, I focus on building a solid foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and test-taking skills. The comprehensive courses I teach are designed to comprehensively enhance students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. For conversational courses, I emphasize practical language use and cultural understanding. For younger learners, I often adopt the engaging teaching method and the scene-based method to make the learning process fun and interactive.
• Bilingual Support: Smooth transitions between English and Chinese for absolute beginners.
• Customized lessons: Tailor lessons to your needs, whether it’s mastering pronunciation, preparing exams, communicating for family or business, refining your skills, exploring Chinese culture, or discussing Chinese dramas!
•
📚 Courses I Offer:
• 《HSK Standard Course》 (Level 1-6)
• Beginner courses who know nothing about the Chinese language
• Chinese for Kids & Teens
• Comprehensive course for learners who want to comprehensively enhance listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills
• Conversational Chinese with or without recognition of Chinese characters
• Business Chinese
• Travel & Tourism Chinese
• Survival Chinese
• Cultural Deep-Dives
• Others tailored to your needs

🚀 Why Choose Me?
Learning Chinese with me means embarking on a personalized journey that emphasizes practical communication skills and real-life usage. I design each lesson to meet your unique goals, ensuring you build confidence and fluency in a supportive, culturally rich environment.

• Proven Results: My students consistently progress 1-2 HSK levels within 6 months!
• Flexible & Accessible: Lessons adapt to your pace—no boring textbooks! Throughout your learning process, I will always be available to provide support, whether in class or after class.
• Fun & Engaging Way: Through interactive games, real-life scenarios, and interesting projects, you'll find that Chinese learning can be a blast. No more boring lectures!
• Personalized Attention: I develop customized learning content based on your individual needs, whether you're a beginner taking your first steps or an advanced learner aiming to refine your skills.
• Cultural Insights: As you learn the language, you'll also discover the rich and fascinating Chinese culture, from traditional festivals to modern-day trends.

Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, my engaging teaching style and interactive methods will help you achieve measurable progress.

🌈 Let’s Start Your Journey!
Take the first step toward mastering Chinese and immerse yourself in a supportive, culturally rich learning environment. Book your first lesson with me today and experience the exciting world of Chinese language and culture firsthand!
Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Education

I obtained a Master's degree from Fudan University in 2008, with a major in Management.
I obtained a bachelor's degree from Huaqiao University in 2004, with a major in Management.

Experience / Qualifications

Certified by CTCSOL (Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other languages ), which validates my professional competence in teaching Chinese, and Mandarin grade A certificate (Putonghua/mandarin proficiency test), which proves my standard pronunciation.

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

Chinese

Chinese for adults

School

Mandarin chinese

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

a passionate and certified professional Chinese teacher,5+ years of experience, for students of all ages and levels

31 £ /h

Hi there! I’m Dennis, a passionate and certified professional Chinese teacher with over 5 years of experience teaching students from 7 years old to adults across the globe!
🎓 Credentials: Certified by CTCSOL (Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other languages ), which validates my professional competence in teaching Chinese, and Mandarin grade A certificate (Putonghua/mandarin proficiency test), which proves my standard pronunciation.
🔥 Methodology:
• Communicative & Student-Centered: My classes use a blend of communicative, project-based, scene and task-based approaches, and Total Physical Response (TPR) techniques. This dynamic mix ensures that every lesson is engaging, interactive, and tailored to your learning style. I incorporate the communicative approach and project-based learning to align with ACTFL standards, ensuring that students can use Chinese in real-life situations. When teaching HSK courses, I focus on building a solid foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and test-taking skills. The comprehensive courses I teach are designed to comprehensively enhance students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. For conversational courses, I emphasize practical language use and cultural understanding. For younger learners, I often adopt the engaging teaching method and the scene-based method to make the learning process fun and interactive.
• Bilingual Support: Smooth transitions between English and Chinese for absolute beginners.
• Customized lessons: Tailor lessons to your needs, whether it’s mastering pronunciation, preparing exams, communicating for family or business, refining your skills, exploring Chinese culture, or discussing Chinese dramas!
📚 Courses I Offer:
• 《HSK Standard Course》 (Level 1-6)
• Beginner courses who know nothing about the Chinese language
• Chinese for Kids & Teens
• Comprehensive course for learners who want to comprehensively enhance listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills
• Conversational Chinese with or without recognition of Chinese characters
• Business Chinese
• Travel & Tourism Chinese
• Survival Chinese
• Cultural Deep-Dives
• Others tailored to your needs
🚀 Why Choose Me?
Learning Chinese with me means embarking on a personalized journey that emphasizes practical communication skills and real-life usage. I design each lesson to meet your unique goals, ensuring you build confidence and fluency in a supportive, culturally rich environment.

• Proven Results: My students consistently progress 1-2 HSK levels within 6 months!
• Flexible & Accessible: Lessons adapt to your pace—no boring textbooks! Throughout your learning process, I will always be available to provide support, whether in class or after class.
• Fun & Engaging Way: Through interactive games, real-life scenarios, and interesting projects, you'll find that Chinese learning can be a blast. No more boring lectures!
• Personalized Attention: I develop customized learning content based on your individual needs, whether you're a beginner taking your first steps or an advanced learner aiming to refine your skills.
• Cultural Insights: As you learn the language, you'll also discover the rich and fascinating Chinese culture, from traditional festivals to modern-day trends.

Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, my engaging teaching style and interactive methods will help you achieve measurable progress.

Conversational Chinese with or without recognition of Chinese characters

29 £ /h

Whether you want to focus purely on spoken Chinese or integrate character recognition, this flexible course empowers you to communicate confidently in real-life situations—tailored to your learning goals.

Choose Your Path:

🗣️ Speaking-First Track: Master everyday conversations using pinyin and tones without character study. Perfect for travelers, socializers, or those prioritizing quick speaking skills.

✍️ Integrated Track: Add Chinese character recognition to your speaking practice, learning to read signs, menus, and simple texts while building verbal fluency.

What You’ll Learn:

Practical Dialogues: Navigate scenarios like ordering food, making friends, shopping, and sharing opinions with natural phrasing.

Tones & Pronunciation: Drill clear speech through audio drills, shadowing exercises, and instant feedback.

Cultural Nuances: Grasp unspoken norms, slang, and humor to sound like a local.

Optional Characters: Learn 50-200+ high-frequency characters (if chosen) to decode real-world texts without writing.

Course Highlights:

Real-World Focus: Role-plays, podcasts, and video clips mirror authentic interactions.

Adaptable Content: Switch tracks anytime—start speaking immediately, then add characters later if desired.

Progress at Your Pace: Bite-sized lessons, interactive quizzes, and conversation simulations for all schedules.

Ideal for beginners to advanced learners seeking practical communication skills for travel, work, or social connections—with or without characters. Start speaking confidently today!

Marina

4.84

(67)

I am a professional full-time Chinese Mandarin teacher from the North of China where Mandarin comes from.
I have been teaching for about 10 years as a teacher. I have my own school and website for studying Chinese. Students' ages are from 3 to adults. They are from all over the world. You can study with me online /come to my office/ Go-home lessons. Classes can be one-to-one or group classes.

I have been helping numerous people learn to speak Chinese and do exam HSK. Children always have fun learning Mandarin with me. I teach Mandarin for business purposes, traveling, YCT (for Children and teenagers), BCT (business Chinese), Conversational practice, Advanced level Chinese classes, etc. Any levels are all welcome.
Classes type:
Daily Chinese
HSK class: Level 1--Level 6
HSKK class: HSK speaking test (Beginner to advanced)
Chinese grammar class
BCT / Startup Business in China: Business Chinese (Beginner to Advanced)
YCT class: Level 1--Level 6 for children to teenagers
Easy steps to Chinese: 3-12 years old children
There are some other classes that welcome you to message me.

I grew up and had educations in China. I moved to Europe for teaching Chinese in 2019 November.
I am fun, active, very patient, and responsible. I have never come late to all of my classes for more than 10 years.
For children's classes, I prepare songs, videos, cartoons, teaching and explaining at the same time, They learn really fast and never feel bored when they are excited with a fun teacher and materials. I believe that interest is the best teacher. So I try my best to prepare before classes and send materials after classes to students.

Helen

4.84

(67)

• Born and raised in Beijing, China, I speak Mandarin Chinese, which is standard Chinese.
• Graduated from Capital Normal University in Beijing (teachers' university), where I graduated in educational sciences.
• Living in the Netherlands since 2012. She has been a teacher for many years in both China and the Netherlands.
• I can teach in both English and Dutch.
• My students are of all ages and education levels and come from all walks of life.
• I teach both individually and at group level, both physical lessons and online lessons.

• Carefully prepare each lesson to make it as interesting and efficient as possible.
• I specialize in tailor-made personal language training. Using different teaching methods and textbooks for students with different backgrounds, levels and goals. Sometimes I also create new tailor-made teaching materials for students.
• Integrate Chinese culture into lessons.
• When desired: give homework, check it and discuss it.

Christina

4.84

(67)

Chinese native speaker personal tutor in Delémont, Switzerland. I offer online and face-to-face classes to students of all levels.

Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your language skills, my courses are tailored to meet your specific needs and goals. I have experience teaching both Chinese and English, and I use a variety of engaging teaching methods to ensure that you progress quickly and effectively.

In Taiwan, I taught Chinese to foreigners; i have been working in international business field for over 20 years and have been exposed to cultures from over 50 different countries. Everyone is always full of freshness and curiosity for Chinese ...
Now I will share with you the pleasure and the harvest of learning Chinese.

If you prefer the convenience of online classes, I offer flexible scheduling and a user-friendly virtual classroom that makes learning from home easy and enjoyable. If you prefer in-person lessons, I am happy to travel to your home or office within Delémont.

Gwendolyn

4.84

(67)

Whether you're an absolute beginner or want to perfect your skills, my classes are suitable for all levels and ages. With over 15 years of experience teaching this magnificent language, I am here to offer you a unique and engaging learning experience.
My teaching method is based on three key principles:
I +I+A = Immersion+ Interaction + Fun!!

The immersion. Immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture from day one! Through practical exercises, stimulating conversations and exciting cultural activities, you will quickly be immersed in an authentic Chinese environment.

The interaction. Classes are not just passive listening sessions. On the contrary, I favor constant interaction between students and myself. Role plays, debates, language challenges - everything is designed to encourage you to actively participate and develop your language skills in a dynamic way.

Fun! Learning Chinese doesn't have to be boring or monotonous. Games, fun activities, songs to make your learning as fun as it is productive.

I offer 5 types of courses:
1). Conversation lessons
Ready to speak Mandarin like a native? With my courses, you will be able to hold a fluid conversation in all everyday situations. From travel to cooking, leisure and culture, we'll explore a multitude of interesting topics while perfecting your Chinese phrasing and vocabulary. After each course, you will receive a personalized summary to consolidate your knowledge.

2).HSK Standard Course 1-6:
Ready to take on the challenge of HSK? Whether it's to get a place in the best schools, boost your CV or simply to take on a personal challenge, I'm here to support you every step of the way. With my proven method and personalized support, you will be ready to get a great grade on the HSK :)

3).School Support:
Do you feel a little lost in the twists and turns of school Mandarin? I understand the challenges you might face. Whether you are in middle school, high school or even university, together, we will work on your homework, improve your study method and strive for excellence so that good grades become the norm!

4). Chinese Classes for Children (each session 30 mins)
Give your child a fun and enriching learning experience with my Chinese lessons adapted for young people! As each child is unique, I create a tailor-made learning plan, full of games and engaging activities. Whether your child is a beginner or already has some basics, I am here to help them develop their language skills while having fun!

5). Business Chinese / Business Chinese
Ready to conquer the Chinese business world? With my courses, you will acquire the linguistic and cultural skills necessary to succeed in a Chinese professional environment. Whether you are a diplomat, an entrepreneur or a professional looking for new opportunities, I prepare you to excel in the Chinese business world.

Youssef

4.84

(67)

I am a professional Chinese translator and teacher with a Bachelor's degree in Arabic/English-Chinese Interpretation from Ain Shams University. I offer private Chinese lessons tailored to individual learning needs, leveraging my extensive knowledge and experience in language and translation. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, I provide personalized instruction to help you achieve your language goals.

我是专业的中文翻译和教师,毕业于艾因·夏姆斯大学,拥有阿拉伯语/英语-中文翻译学士学位。我提供针对个人学习需求的私人中文课程,利用我丰富的语言和翻译知识与经验。无论您是初学者还是希望提高语言技能,我都能提供个性化的教学,帮助您实现语言学习目标。

4.84

(67)

This course is for beginners who want to learn Mandarin Chinese from scratch, without any prior knowledge. Through a progressive, communication-focused method, you will quickly develop the necessary foundation to understand and express yourself in everyday situations.

In the program :
✅ Discovering pinyin (the Mandarin pronunciation system)
✅ Learning Chinese tones
✅ Greet and introduce yourself
✅ Talking about family, work, and hobbies
✅ Asking and answering simple questions
✅ Counting, telling time and dates
✅ Discover the first Chinese characters
✅ Develop listening comprehension and pronunciation
✅ Introduction to Chinese culture

Spoken and written Chinese taught by a university graduate professor from 暨南大学 and 华文学院

Preparation for the official Hanyu Shuipin Kaoshi exam (HSK1-2-3)

Jiang

4.84

(67)

I am a native Chinese speaker, awarded first place in city-level Chinese writing and speech competitions.I'm a student from WenZhou High School which is the best school in Zhejiang Province.I ranked 25th in Chinese in a school-wide exam for over 1,000 students. Fully bilingual in English and Chinese, I guide learners not only in vocabulary and grammar but also in the literary charm of Mandarin.
I design personalised lessons and help students prepare for HSK written and HSKK oral exams. Rather than relying only on rigid textbooks, I bring authentic literary examples to refine pronunciation, expression and writing, helping learners gain confident, natural Chinese proficiency.I,m sure you can make big progress by learning with right teacher!

Cindy

4.84

(67)

I’m Cindy Wang, a native Chinese speaker currently living in the Netherlands. I am also a self-employed creative workshop organiser, offering creative workshops inspired by Chinese traditional cultureI .I now offer Mandarin Chinese lessons for learners of different ages and levels, from complete beginners to more advanced students.

The lessons are adapted to your individual needs and learning goals. Depending on your level and interests, we can focus on speaking and conversation, pronunciation and Pinyin, vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, or practical Chinese for everyday situations.

For example, we can practise:

• Everyday conversations
• Chinese for travelling and living in China
• Speaking with Chinese friends, partners or family
• Chinese pronunciation and Pinyin
• Reading and writing Chinese characters
• Vocabulary and grammar
• Practical situations such as shopping, ordering food and making appointments
• Chinese culture and everyday customs
• Preparation for specific learning goals or topics

If you are a complete beginner, we can start from the basics. If you already speak some Chinese, I can adapt the lessons to your current level and help you improve your communication skills.

I can teach in English or Chinese, and I aim to make lessons practical, relaxed and tailored to each student's interests and goals.

Alexia

4.84

(67)

As a native Chinese speaker, I offer personalized Mandarin Chinese lessons for children, teenagers and adults, from beginner to advanced level.
I completed a Chinese teaching internship at the university and also had the opportunity to work with learners of different ages, including young children. This experience taught me to adapt the pace, materials, and teaching methods according to each student's age, level, and objectives.
Lessons can cover pronunciation and tones, conversation, vocabulary, grammar, listening and reading comprehension, as well as learning Chinese characters. Depending on your needs, we can also work on Chinese for studies, travel, daily life, or simply out of interest in the Chinese language and culture.
For children, I favor a gradual and interactive approach, with age-appropriate activities to naturally develop listening, pronunciation, and vocabulary. For teenagers and adults, lessons can be more structured around specific objectives and a personalized learning path.
Explanations can be given in French or English if necessary. The content and pace of the sessions are entirely tailored to each student.

Jimmie

4.84

(67)

How the classes work:
‣ Professional conversation practice sessions: we'll focus on speaking so you can build practical Mandarin confidence naturally.
‣ Feedback directly targeting your weaknesses and rephrasing your answers in a more natural way in the last 15 minutes of class.
‣ Personalized, written feedback from me after class.

What will the trial class be like:
‣ Getting to know each other.
‣ Understanding your Mandarin level.
‣ Identifying what things you are struggling with in Mandarin – classes going forward will then be personalized to help you gain confidence and proficiency in this area.

Through practical lessons and guided practice, you'll be able to speak more naturally, understand conversations with less effort, and expand your vocabulary. Book a trial lesson with me today and start speaking Mandarin with confidence!

Huijie

4.84

(67)

About Me & My Teaching Style:

Hi there! I am a native Mandarin speaker currently based in the Netherlands. Holding a PhD from Leiden University, I bring a structured, highly effective, and logical approach to language learning while keeping our sessions engaging, supportive, and stress-free.

Whether you are a complete beginner aiming to master basic everyday conversations, an expat looking to travel or work in China, or a professional needing business Mandarin, I am here to help you achieve your language goals at your own pace.

What I Offer:

Conversational Mandarin: Practical everyday vocabulary, native expressions, and natural pronunciation/pinyin.

Structured Grammar & Pinyin: Clear explanations of Chinese sentence structures, customized for European learners.

Business & Academic Chinese: Professional communication, formal email writing, and industry-specific vocabulary.

Customized Lesson Plans: Every student learns differently. I tailor each lesson to your specific interests, goals, and learning speed.

Why Learn with Me?

Patient & Encouraging Environment: Having lived, studied, and worked in Europe for years, I fully understand the challenges of learning a new language. You are always welcome to make mistakes and ask questions!

Logical & Clear Explanations: Thanks to my academic background, I break down complex grammar and tonal systems into easy-to-understand concepts.

Flexible & Interactive: Lessons are interactive, practical, and designed around real-life scenarios.

Feel free to book your first lesson with me! Let’s make your Mandarin learning journey enjoyable, structured, and rewarding.

Catherine

4.84

(67)

Learn practical Mandarin Chinese that you can actually use in everyday life.

This class is designed for adults who want to improve their speaking and listening skills in a relaxed and practical way. Lessons can be adapted to your current level, from complete beginners to intermediate learners.

We will focus on useful topics such as introducing yourself, ordering food, shopping, travelling, work conversations, and everyday social situations.

During the class, you will practice:

* Useful vocabulary and natural expressions
* Pronunciation and tones
* Speaking and listening
* Basic grammar in real-life situations
* Natural Mandarin used by native speakers

Lessons are interactive and customized according to your goals and interests. You do not need to prepare a textbook before joining.

Yudi

4.84

(67)

In my classes, you will learn how to prepare for the HSK exam, communicate confidently in daily life and at work, and handle common situations when traveling in China. I also offer beginner Chinese pronunciation and Pinyin lessons, grammar and pronunciation correction, as well as Chinese workplace and daily-life etiquette.

Eason

4.84

(67)

Hi! I’m a native Mandarin Chinese speaker from Taiwan, and I offer personalized Chinese lessons for learners at different levels and with different goals.

For beginners, we can start with pronunciation, Pinyin, tones, basic grammar, and useful everyday conversations. For intermediate and advanced learners, lessons can focus on speaking fluency, vocabulary, reading, writing, and natural expressions native speakers use.

I mainly use Traditional Chinese, but I can also explain the differences between Traditional and Simplified Chinese when needed. Lessons are flexible and can be adapted to your interests, whether you’re learning Chinese for daily life, travel, study, or simply because you’re interested in the language and culture.

My goal is to make Chinese practical and approachable, with plenty of opportunities to actually speak and use what you learn.

Joanna

4.84

(67)

【 Turn Chinese into your shining calling card!】☀️👏
✅️Hi there! I’m a professional Chinese tutor with ten years of teaching experience and a Master’s degree in Chinese Education. My specialty is helping you quickly get past pronunciation hurdles. Using my unique teaching methods, I’ll help you sound natural and authentic when speaking Chinese.
✅️No matter your background—professional, exam candidate, or culture lover—you’ll enjoy the thrill of being complimented on your Chinese every time you speak. With lots of cross‐cultural communication experience, I build genuine connections with students from all around the world.
💃Look forward to walking this journey with you and turning your Chinese into your brilliant personal strength.

💪I can help you with:
☀️Pronunciation, Listening Speaking, Reading and Writing
☀️Conversation Practice: Topics like life skills, movies, arts, jobs, series, musics, videos, delicious food, job, travelling and so on.
☀️Motivation...--I will create a pure linguistic environment and desire multiple activities to better your emotional experience
☀️China Life and Culture
☀️Vocabulary, Essay, and Document Checking
☀️Survival Chinese

🎯My main goals are:
1 To make sure you get all your questions answered, whatever they may be.
2 To make you're comfortable conversing with any Chinese speaker you come across.
3 To use my English language-learning journey as a means of encouragement for you.