Somer Johnson

These teaching methods will be adapted depending on age groups and individual progress.

Lesson Approach
Pronunciation and Tones:
From my own experience learning Mandarin, I found it extremely helpful to associate tones with visual cues and patterns. In my lessons, I use photos and images that represent the nature of each tone—for example, rising tones might be paired with upward-moving visuals—alongside tone markers for practice. This helps students internalize the patterns and rhythms of Mandarin tones in a way that feels intuitive and memorable.

Consistency is key, so we practice regularly and gradually build confidence, ensuring that students become comfortable with the tonal system while enjoying the process

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Oral Skills Practice:
To develop strong speaking abilities, I use a shadowing method, both during lessons and as homework. Students listen to phrases or sentences and repeat them immediately, mimicking pronunciation, tone, and rhythm. This helps build accuracy, fluency, and confidence in speaking Mandarin. (Simultaneously building vocabulary!)

I combine this with the visual tonal aids I use for pronunciation: photos and images that represent each tone’s shape and movement. By seeing and repeating tones in context, students can internalize patterns more effectively, making their speech sound natural and consistent.

With these combined, I will begin to have small conversations with the students.

For younger learners a similar principle will be used but with a focus on songs and remote-friendly games, as for children these lessons prove to to be the best way of progression in the foundations of language)