Hello and welcome. I am Xinyu Zhao (赵信玉, Zhào Xìnyù), from the vibrant city of Guangzhou (广州, Guǎngzhōu).
I have been teaching Chinese language (中文, Zhōngwén) to foreigners for more than 10 years, and if there is one thing I have learned along this journey, it is that language is never just about memorizing words or phrases. It is about connection, patience, and the small spark in a student’s eyes when something finally makes sense.
I often say that teaching Chinese is not my profession alone, it is my way of listening to the world. Every student brings a different story, a different accent, a different curiosity.
And somehow, through tones, characters, and laughter over mispronounced words, we build bridges that feel surprisingly strong. I still remember my first class years ago, my hands trembling slightly, wondering if I could really explain Chinese grammar (语法, yǔfǎ) in a way that felt meaningful. Now I realize the truth is simpler: you do not need perfection to learn or teach, you just need sincerity.
Outside the classroom, I love climbing mountains (登山, dēngshān), where every step feels like a quiet conversation with myself. The higher I go, the smaller the noise of the world becomes, and the clearer my thoughts grow. I also love travelling (旅行, lǚxíng), not just to see new places, but to understand how differently people think, live, and dream. And whenever I sit still long enough, I turn to Chinese calligraphy (书法, shūfǎ), where brushstroke reminds me that beauty often comes from patience, not speed.
This blog is my little space to share Chinese language, Chinese history, and culture in a way that feels warm, human, and approachable. I do not believe learning should feel heavy. Even difficult things can be taught with a smile, a story, or a small moment of wonder.
If you are here, maybe you are just beginning your journey with Chinese, or perhaps you are already walking far along it. Either way, I hope you find something here that stays with you, even after you close the page. Because learning a language is not just about reaching fluency or perfections. It is more about discovering a new way of seeing the world, one character at a time. 加油