“Every Student Is Different”: One Teacher’s Approach to Real-World Chinese
Introduction Language learners often search for the “right” path. But sometimes, what truly works is stepping off it entirely. As a corporate to Chinese teacher, Yuki, who now works at Shanghai International Studies University, spent over twenty years in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. From CEO assistant to deputy director of e-commerce operations, her résumé was filled […]
Rebekka’s “My Chinese Is Not Good” — and That’s Okay
Introduction When someone moves to another country, language is often the first wall they encounter. But a wall can also become a door. Rebekka comes from Germany, works as a social worker and diversity trainer, and moved to Shanghai a little over a year ago. She was once full of doubt about coming to China, […]
“A Rough Start Is the Best Start”: One Teacher’s Advice for Chinese Learners
Introduction The hardest part of learning a language isn’t memorizing vocabulary. It’s finding the courage to speak your first sentence. Many people wait, hoping to speak when they feel “ready.” But one teacher at Mandarin Inn tells her students: don’t wait. “A rough start is the best start.” These words come from a teacher who […]
Learning Chinese in Shanghai: Emma’s Story at Mandarin Inn
Introduction In an age when translation apps can solve almost everything, why do we still choose to learn a language? For Emma, learning Chinese in Shanghai is not about grand declarations. She simply wants to be able to answer, without immediately reaching for her phone, when someone starts talking to her in Shanghai. Emma comes from Haarlem […]
Why “Just Say It” Matters More Than Perfect Chinese”
Introduction Every language learner knows the feeling – you’ve learned so much, yet you hesitate to speak. You’re afraid of making mistakes, of being laughed at, of being “wrong.” Inside Mandarin Inn’s century-old heritage villa, one teacher often tells such students: “It’s okay – Chinese, a lot of the time, depends on the situation.” She […]
“Long Time No See”: How Diego Found a Second Language—and a New Way to Connect
Introduction What does it really mean to learn a language? Is it vocabulary, grammar, or something deeper—the mindset and way of life embedded within the words? For Diego, the answer was clear from the very beginning. Originally from Chile, he arrived in Shanghai only a year ago. When he walked into Mandarin Inn, his Chinese began […]
From Corporate Professional to Chinese Teacher: Bridging Cultures in a Heritage Villa
Introduction In an age of increasingly sophisticated translation apps, why do we still need a real language teacher? The answer may lie in moments algorithms cannot capture—when a foreign student finally understands that “shanghuo” means more than its literal translation, when “sajiao” ceases to be a stiff dictionary definition, when the delicate cultural veil behind […]
“Out with the Old, In with the New”: Rohit’s Chinese Learning Revival
Introduction The hardest part of learning a language isn’t starting from zero. It’s choosing to push forward after things feel “good enough.” Many foreigners in China reach a language comfort zone—daily needs are met, taxis are hailed, meals are ordered. But progress stalls. Some accept it. Some leave. And some, quietly, begin again. In a […]
Week 3 Summer Camp Wraps Up｜When Kids Draw Their Own “My Shanghai Map” One Step at a Time
Last Friday, Week 3 of our summer camp came to a joyful close. From pictographs to fan calligraphy, from the Nine-Bend Bridge to the Huangpu River—children from different countries spent one week exploring Shanghai through language and culture at Mandarin Inn. Parents told us: “My child couldn’t wait to come every morning, and came home […]
4 Countries, 5 Days, 1 Amazing Chinese Debut
Last week, 7 kids from 4 countries made their Chinese debut summer camp experience at Mandarin Inn – five days ago, they spoke different languages – and their Chinese levels varied too, from absolute beginners to those with some prior knowledge. Five days later, they could name the twelve zodiac animals in Chinese, identify colors while building with […]
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