STUDENT LIFE

At Global Mandarin Academy, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds and locations around the world. To overcome geographical differences, our students and staff work tirelessly towards creating a stronger and more supportive community. Being part of Global Mandarin Academy means joining a global network of learners who share a passion for mastering Mandarin and exploring Chinese culture. Through engaging online classes, personalized instruction, and interactive forums, students are empowered to connect with peers and instructors alike, fostering an enriching environment that supports academic, professional, and personal growth. Our academy's commitment to excellence ensures that students have the resources, guidance, and flexibility to succeed in their language learning journey, wherever they may be.

📩 learnchinesedc@gmail.com

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

"At our institution, we foster a lifelong learning community where every student's voice matters. Our graduates cherish the supportive environment that encourages personal growth and academic excellence. Here’s what some of our students have to say about their transformative with us."

Jurist

PhD in International Law, UNSW, Australia

Dr. M G -Y

A career jurist

(PhD in International Law, UNSW, Australia, 1996) and language expert with experience in Spain, the UK, Australia, and the USA, now focused on audiovisual production and studying Chinese.

" Mandarin Chinese is often regarded as one of the most challenging languages to learn. In my view, it is best studied from childhood, when the brain is naturally adept at embracing challenges and acquiring multiple languages simultaneously. My own interest in learning Mandarin began at the age of 12, inspired by the exquisite beauty of Chinese porcelain. However, due to the limitations of my school environment, pursuing the language at that time was not an option.

Instead, I studied other languages, and it was not until my early 30s that I began private Mandarin lessons. Professional demands required prioritizing proficiency in English, which further delayed my studies. Finally, in late 2019, in my early 60s, I found the time to enroll in language schools in my area. To date, I have accumulated approximately 950 hours of study—still far from the estimated 2,200 hours needed for proficiency. While there are moments when continuing seems daunting at my age, three key motivations keep me going.

First, I have had the privilege of studying with exceptional Mandarin teachers, among whom Dr. Rodan stands out as a favorite. Second, Mandarin is a profoundly artistic language, with characters that are not only ancient, philosophical, and poetic but also deeply practical. Lastly, older students can play a meaningful role in helping younger generations—grandchildren or other relatives—practice and retain their Mandarin skills, enabling them to thrive in today’s culturally diverse world."

CEO of curious mind solution

T. H

“Lessons, Laughter, and Life in Chinese Class”

"I had the privilege of studying under Claire 老師 in part-time Chinese language class for about a year, which gave us the unique opportunity to spend a great deal of time together—not just in lessons, but through life’s moments as well. During that year, we both got engaged, and our sessions often felt like a space where learning and real life could comfortably coexist. She had an incredible way of balancing structure with flexibility—always checking in with where I was mentally and adjusting our lessons accordingly. Whether we were diving into textbook materials or dissecting 非常勿扰, I always felt like I was learning without ever feeling anxious or overwhelmed. She pushed me to grow in the language, having me switch from both simplified to traditional, while making me feel completely at ease, and I’m so grateful for the guidance and connection she brought to our time together."

National Foreign
Language Center
Advanced Language, Translation, and Interpretation Course for the Government

Direct quotes from students in response to the following question.

"Your instructors are eager to hear feedback from you about your experiences with them. Please share your insights about Claire."

The variety of content and exposure to technology and AI my favorite part of the

class. It taught me strategies I continue to use after class to continue studying

and getting exposed to more topics.

I like how fun your classes were.
I love all the activities she's incorporated using new technology, like creating songs/images with AI. Very impressed that she is able to keep the same energy up teaching the class for a whole day.
Great insight into Chinese language and culture from a Taiwanese perspective. This is a great comparison and reference. Perhaps next time, you, as a book author, could teach students how to express themselves in written Chinese language.
She is great. I can see she puts in a lot of thought into the materials that she teaches us. I like that she makes us do reports on the 6th hour to help strengthen our speaking skills. I'm glad to have them both as my teacher
Claire was fantastic! She really integrated technology into her lessons. I appreciate her structure of scaffolding as well.
Claire was an absolute gem! Her pedigree and experience are apparent through her professionalism, expertise, organizational skills, and familiarity with such a broad range of subjects. Her classes were all delightful. At times, she would provide our class with supplementary instruction material such as PowerPoint slides. These were used as a framework when tasks were divided amongst the students, such as when we all were given parts of Journey to the West to report to our class or when we discussed cultural trends throughout the Song Dynasty, which helped us holistically understand the content, not simply what we were reading on the page. Through this method, we could strengthen our background knowledge and engage with material armed with the greater context in mind. She cultivated a positive environment that made learning fun and engaging.
Out of all my Chinese class experiences I rarely encountered a Taiwanese teacher. Having Claire as a teacher provided a different insight as well as learning experience for me. She was always very prepared and I feel that her content in turn made me feel prepared for our in class content each day. She was a very warm and approachable teacher and was responsive to each student’s learning speed and needs when completing our daily class activities.
Claire Laoshi was fantastic in the regard that she fostered a very friendly and interactive environment. It was a very comfortable space where we were able to freely converse through a variety of activities.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Senior Professional Staff
E. R

"Dr. Rodan is an exemplary educator whose dedication and expertise greatly enhance the language acquisition experience. She employs a personalized approach to instruction, ensuring that students grasp essential grammatical structures while refining their understanding of Mandarin’s tonal distinctions. Her methodology incorporates Pinyin, simplified, and traditional characters, facilitating a comprehensive engagement with the language.

Beyond structured lessons, Dr. Rodan integrates supplemental materials, including curated YouTube videos for immersive exposure, cultural references, and recommendations for historically and culturally significant travel destinations. Her guidance proved invaluable during my recent visit to Taiwan, where my understanding of Mandarin was greatly enriched by her instruction. I highly recommend the Global Mandarin Academy to language learners seeking a rigorous and engaging educational experience."

Defense language Institute

Student,

Defense Language Institute, Continue Education

"I entered the class as a novice in China-India relations and emerged with a profound understanding, akin to that of an expert."

Johns Hopkins SAIS
2024, Spring Basic Class

"Chen Laoshi is the best language teacher I've ever studied under, hands down. She knows how to pace the class perfectly, such that we don't get too overwhelmed but are always being pushed to the edge of our skill limit. Chen Laoshi is an incredible instructor—she makes every effort to create an inclusive and fun but challenging learning environment. Having a compassionate and understanding language professor is critical, especially when learning a language like Mandarin. Chen Laoshi makes learning Mandarin enjoyable and ensures that no one falls behind. She also understands the balance between Mandarin homework and non-language coursework and is as flexible as possible with students, which my entire class appreciated."

United Nations

Executive Secretary's Office

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

K.

"I like to study CHINESE with Hugo Laoshi, with the ESCAP language program. Especially during the COVID situation and working from home, with kids, I feel I should do something for myself. I should have more language skill out of the current difficult situation. Learning with Hugo, although sometimes I had to skip when there is workload, I feel comfortable

and always want to follow the class, as when we are in higher-level class, it becomes more difficult. Also, my shortfall is that I hardly practice the writing. Hugo had also supported in connecting me with the Chinese speaker in Taiwan. That benefits a lot for me to review and practice speaking. I wish to thank Hugo Laoshi for his dedication in teaching us, especially when he was unwell and in difficult situation. He has never canceled the class. "

Texas State University

MBA Student

“Dr. Yao-Yu Chih is an exceptional educator who has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to student success and engagement across a variety of undergraduate and MBA-level courses. Known for his ability to explain complex economic theories with clarity and relevance, he employs innovative teaching strategies, such as integrating real-world examples and encouraging active student participation. His approachable nature, coupled with his commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment, fosters a supportive atmosphere where students feel encouraged to ask questions and excel. Evaluations consistently reflect his positive impact, with students praising his clarity, patience, and genuine interest in their success.

Dr. Chih’s adaptability and continuous efforts to refine his teaching methods further underscore his exceptional pedagogical skills. Whether using interactive learning techniques in undergraduate classes or tailoring MBA courses to meet the diverse needs of working professionals, he ensures that his courses are both rigorous and practical. His approach has not only earned him top-tier teaching evaluations but also heartfelt appreciation from students, many of whom credit him with significantly enhancing their understanding and passion for economics. He exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator and mentor.”