Chinese Language and Culture
Build Language Skills While Exploring One of the World’s Oldest Civilizations
The Pavilion of Absolute Perfection in Nan Lian Garden, Hong Kong. Photograph by Presidio Education®, 2020.
Our Chinese programs offer instruction in both Mandarin and Cantonese, allowing students to learn the language most relevant to their personal, academic, or heritage goals. We develop strong skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening—while also guiding students through China’s rich cultural traditions, philosophical roots, and modern global impact.
All of our students have earned A grades in their school Chinese courses, and every student we’ve trained has earned a top score of 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Chinese Language and Culture Exam. Whether preparing for exams or deepening personal language skills, students receive expert instruction and tailored feedback to ensure success.
Meet Lucy Liu
Chinese Language & Culture Teacher
Lucy Liu was born and raised in Guangzhou, China. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Jinan University and later completed a master’s degree in Chinese Culture at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
With nearly a decade of experience teaching both Mandarin and Cantonese in Hong Kong, Lucy has guided students through major international curricula, including the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Chinese programs. She is also highly sought after for Advanced Placement (AP) Chinese Language and Culture preparation, as all of her AP students have earned perfect scores of 5.
Known for her patience and thoughtfulness, Lucy helps students strengthen their listening, reading, writing, speaking, and vocabulary skills through a structured and supportive approach.
Vocabulary is the Foundation
Building a Strong Language Base
Vocabulary is the foundation of learning Chinese. Without strong vocabulary knowledge, students will struggle to understand spoken and written material, and they may find it difficult to express their ideas clearly. Mastering Chinese vocabulary is especially important because the language relies heavily on characters. There are about 1,000 frequently used Chinese characters and roughly 4,000 common Chinese words that students should aim to recognize and use confidently.
Learning All Aspects of Chinese
Developing a Well-Rounded Skill Set
Perfecting Chinese language skills requires training in all four key areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Unlike other subjects, language learning truly thrives through interactive dialogue. We focus on teaching students Chinese passages that match their level, allowing for targeted skill development. During class discussions, we review these passages to provide personalized feedback, ensuring students improve in every aspect of the language.
Studying Chinese Culture
Enriching Language Skills Through Cultural Understanding
The more students engage with Chinese culture—ranging from history, population, and traditional holidays, to food culture, social relationships, and geography—the richer their vocabulary and understanding of the language will become. For instance, learning about the stories behind Chinese festivals is essential to appreciating traditional Chinese culture. A deep understanding of Chinese culture not only enhances language skills but also provides meaningful context for the language itself.
Analyzing Homework Word by Word
Building Precision and Fluency Through Detail
Students often struggle with long Chinese sentences, whether in writing or speaking. Our approach to homework encourages them to break down sentences word by word, ensuring they learn the correct usage of each Chinese character and word. We place strong emphasis on refining grammar and pronunciation. Attention to detail is key, as it helps students write coherent sentences and speak fluently with accurate pronunciation.