Grace Coombes

I have been teaching Chinese since 2020, specialising in fun, engaging, and effective lessons for young learners. Having studied Chinese for over 18 years, I understand the challenges of language learning and have developed effective strategies to help students make fast, lasting progress. I also attended a local pre-school in China, where I developed a native-sounding Mandarin accent from an early age.

I have gained valuable experience using Mandarin in real-world settings, including work experience in Shanghai at UBS, teaching English in local schools in Zhenjiang, and serving as a church intern in Hong Kong — all of which involved communicating in Mandarin.

My goal is to make learning Chinese fun, interactive, and accessible for all learners. I believe in developing a strong foundation across all four key language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, to build confidence and fluency. My lessons also connect language learning with Chinese culture, incorporating topics such as festivals, traditions, and everyday life to make learning more engaging and meaningful.

Lessons are tailored to each student's learning style, level, and Chinese language goals. I provide a wide range of materials, including reading books, flashcards, notebooks, and games to support progress in an enjoyable way.

For students studying IB Chinese B SL, I offer extensive support with past papers, workbooks, vocabulary sets, exam preparation, and more.

I typically recommend 30-minute lessons for children and 1-hour lessons for teenagers and adults, depending on age, concentration, and learning goals.