Yuqing Zhou

Hi, I'm Yuqing — a native Mandarin Chinese speaker with a PhD from the University of Oxford. I grew up and studied in China before moving to the UK in 2019, so Mandarin is my first language and I use it naturally and confidently across all levels and contexts.
I teach Mandarin to all levels — from complete beginners learning basic conversation and pronunciation, to intermediate learners building confidence in reading and writing, to advanced students preparing for HSK exams or needing Chinese for academic or professional purposes.
My lessons are relaxed, practical, and tailored to you. I start by understanding what you want to achieve — whether that's holding a conversation, reading Chinese characters, passing an HSK exam, or using Mandarin in a work setting — and then we build from there at your pace.
I believe the best way to learn a language is through real communication, not just grammar rules. So my lessons focus on using Mandarin in real situations, with plenty of opportunity to practise speaking and listening alongside reading and writing.
I also bring a strong academic background — during my PhD and postdoctoral work at Oxford I regularly mentored and taught colleagues from different countries and backgrounds, adapting my explanations to different levels of understanding. I'm patient, encouraging, and genuinely enjoy helping people make progress.
I'm available online UK-wide and in person in the Hereford area, with a flexible schedule to fit around you.