Mandarin isn't just
a language. It's a
head start.
I've been teaching Mandarin for 12 years — to kids who started not knowing a single character, to adults who said "I'm not a language person," to HSK students who surprised themselves. Every student learns differently, and I teach accordingly.
Teaching
The world is already speaking Mandarin. Is your child ready?
Mandarin is the most spoken language on earth. Kids who start early don't just learn words — they develop a cognitive advantage that research links to better problem-solving, stronger memory, and higher earning potential later in life.
Bilingual brains are sharper
Studies show bilingual kids outperform peers in focus, problem-solving, and multitasking — benefits that last a lifetime.
Mandarin is a career advantage
China is the world's second-largest economy. Mandarin speakers are in demand across tech, business, medicine, and diplomacy.
Earlier is easier — always
Young brains absorb tone and character recognition naturally. The younger they start, the more native-like their accent and fluency become.
Getting started takes 3 minutes
No long enrollment forms. No commitment required. Just pick a time and show up.
Book your first lesson
Pick any open slot on the calendar below. No credit card needed — just show up and we'll get started.
Meet Sisi
We'll figure out your level, your goals, and what works for your schedule. In-person in Minneapolis or online via Google Meet.
Start learning
Join a small group (max 6) or get 1-on-1 lessons. You'll be saying real sentences in your first session, guaranteed.
Programs for every learner
Whether your child is 5 years old or you're an adult who's always wanted to learn — there's a class that fits exactly where you are.
Kids Mandarin
Children this age absorb language like sponges. Classes are built around games, songs, stories, and hands-on activities. No homework anxiety — just genuine excitement to come back each week.
- Tone & pronunciation from day one
- 150+ vocabulary words in 3 months
- Parents receive weekly progress notes
- Max 6 students per class
Teens & Adults
Most adult learners think they missed their window. They haven't. Structured around real conversations you'll actually use — not textbook dialogues from 1992. Progress is faster than you expect.
- Conversational fluency focus
- Cultural context in every lesson
- Flexible scheduling around your life
- In-person or Google Meet
HSK & YCT Prep
The HSK and YCT are globally recognized certifications that open doors at universities and employers worldwide. Students who prep with me have passed on their first attempt — including one student who passed YCT Level 3 after just 10 weeks.
- Full syllabus coverage by level
- Timed practice tests with feedback
- Vocabulary drilling, not just memorization
- Proven first-attempt pass rate
Small Group Classes
Never more than 6 students. That's not a marketing phrase — it's a hard limit. Small groups mean you actually practice speaking, not just watching someone else do it. And you'll meet other learners who keep you accountable.
- $35/hr — most affordable option
- Guaranteed max 6 students
- Peer conversation practice built in
- Weekday evenings & weekends
Straightforward rates. No hidden fees.
Straightforward hourly rates. No enrollment fees, no hidden charges — you only pay for what you actually use.
- Max 6 students
- Structured curriculum
- Weekday & weekend slots
- In-person or online
- Fully personalized lessons
- Custom pace & goals
- Flexible scheduling
- Progress tracking
No enrollment fees · Pay by Venmo, Zelle, cash, or card · Cancel anytime
I've been where your student is.
I grew up speaking Mandarin at home, but I didn't always understand what made it hard for someone learning it from scratch. That changed when I started teaching. My first student — a 7-year-old who couldn't tell her tones apart — pushed me to completely rethink how I explained the language. She passed YCT Level 2 six months later. That taught me more about teaching than anything in my certification program.
I hold a formal teaching certification in Chinese as a Foreign Language, and I've been teaching in Minneapolis since 2012. But what I'm most proud of isn't the credentials — it's the parent who texted me a video of her daughter ordering dim sum in Cantonese, or the adult student who used Mandarin on a work trip to Shanghai after just 8 months of classes. Those moments are why I do this.
Pick a time that works for you
Pick a slot that works for your schedule. No payment info required upfront — just show up and we'll get started.
Real results from real students
Not paid testimonials. These are actual parents and students who gave permission to share their experience.
"My daughter Emma is 7. She used to cry on the way to piano lessons. She asks to go to Mandarin. That alone tells you everything. By month three she was doing tones that took me years to get right as an adult learner. Sisi has this way of making kids feel like they're playing a game even when they're doing real grammar work."
"My son Marcus needed HSK Level 2 for his school's Chinese immersion program requirement. We found Sisi about 10 weeks before the exam. I was skeptical. He passed on the first try. Not just barely — he scored in the top quarter. Sisi knew exactly what the exam tests for and drilled him on what matters, not just general vocabulary."
"I'm 34 and took Mandarin in college but remembered basically nothing. I came to Sisi thinking I'd be embarrassing myself in front of a class full of 12-year-olds. Turns out the adult group is incredible — five of us, all at different levels, and Sisi somehow makes each lesson work for everyone. Eight months in and I used it on a work trip to Chengdu. That felt like magic."
A question before you book? Just ask.
Not sure which program is right? Want to know if there's availability for your child's age group? Just shoot me an email. I reply the same day — no automated responses, no scheduling assistant. Just me.