Host of Chinese poetry series & former international journalist offering tailored Chinese lessons for curious minds of all levels

I have known May since our graduate school days, and we later spent years working as journalists in Washington, DC. Today I teach Mandarin Chinese in an American public school myself, so I know what it takes to guide someone into this language. May has all of it.

A great Chinese teacher needs two things that rarely come together: a deep, native command of the language, and a real understanding of what it feels like to learn one from the outside. May has lived on both sides of that divide for most of her life. She grew up in China, left home for a prestigious high school in Japan, and went on to study economics at Keio University entirely in Japanese. She then earned her graduate degree in journalism in the United States, and after moving to Paris, she became fluent in French in just two years. Chinese, Japanese and English she speaks with native ease.

Few people understand the journey of learning a language as intimately as May does. She knows the early frustration, the moments when grammar finally clicks, the patience it takes to hear a new sound correctly, and the joy of thinking in a language that once felt foreign. She has walked that road again and again, and she walked it well. That lived experience is what allows her to meet every student exactly where they are, and to explain things clearly, often by drawing on the languages her students already know.

She has also proven she can bring someone else along that road. May is a wonderful pianist, but what impresses me more is that she taught her cousin and many others to play, guiding them to a very high level of playing. Playing beautifully is a talent; helping another person reach that level is a craft. It calls for patience, structure, encouragement and a sensitivity to how each person learns, the very qualities that define a great teacher.

Above all, May loves the Chinese language and the culture it carries. On her YouTube channel, "Chinese Poetry for My Daughter" (给女儿的古诗课), she sits down with her mother, who taught Chinese literature in Suzhou for more than thirty years, and together they read classical poems with warmth and insight. To learn with May is to learn not only words and tones, but the beauty and history behind them.

I recommend May with my whole heart. Her students will be in the most wonderful hands!

I've known May since 2023, and I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking to learn or improve their Chinese.

I was instantly impressed by her language skills when I first met her: she speaks Chinese, Japanese, English and French, and has an exceptionally rich multicultural background. Having grown up in China, studied in Japan, worked as a journalist in the US and now lived in France, May has experienced language learning and cultural adaptation from many different perspectives. This gives her a rare ability to understand where learners may struggle and, more importantly, to find an approach that works for each individual.

What makes her particularly special as a Chinese teacher is her genuine passion for the language and Chinese culture. She runs a YouTube channel with her mother, who has been a Chinese teacher for over 30 years, where they explore and rediscover classical Chinese poetry together. I’m Chinese myself, and I still learn something new every time I watch their videos! It’s a great reflection of May’s curiosity, depth of knowledge and ability to make Chinese culture engaging and accessible.

I also follow her personal blog, where she writes about her life, experiences and reflections. Her writing is thoughtful, insightful and full of personality — qualities that I believe also make her a wonderful person to learn from.

With her multilingual and intercultural experience, deep knowledge of Chinese language and culture, and genuine passion for sharing what she knows, I’m sure that May can make learning Chinese both effective and enjoyable. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to beginners and advanced learners alike!

I highly recommend May as a Chinese tutor. As a native Chinese speaker with extensive experience living and working abroad, she has a unique understanding of how to communicate effectively across different cultures and backgrounds.

What makes May especially engaging as a teacher is her ability to connect language learning with real-life situations. Her strong knowledge of current affairs, culture, and art allows her to bring interesting and relevant topics into her lessons, making learning Chinese both practical and enjoyable.

I believe her international experience and approachable teaching style make her an excellent choice for anyone who wants to improve their Chinese communication skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.

I first discovered May through a Chinese program about classical Chinese poetry, and I immediately found her way of presenting it fascinating. Classical poetry is such a beautiful and essential part of the Chinese language and culture, and May has a wonderful ability to make it accessible and engaging, even for someone who is not very familiar with it. Her program genuinely sparked my interest in Chinese and eventually inspired me to start learning the language with her.

As a teacher, May is incredibly patient, warm and encouraging. What I especially appreciate is her international experience. Having lived in different parts of the world, she understands that students from different cultural backgrounds may learn and communicate in very different ways, and she knows how to adapt her teaching accordingly.

Learning with her is not only about the language itself, but also about discovering Chinese culture in a very natural and enjoyable way. I would definitely recommend May to anyone who wants to learn Chinese with a thoughtful, open-minded and inspiring teacher!