Xiaoyu
GCSE IGCSE A level Mandarin Chinese over 16 year experience
About
I have been a qualified secondary school Mandarin teacher in the UK for over 16 years. I am specialised in helping students prepare GCSE(AQA & Edexcel exam boards, IGCSE(CIE), A level(Edexcel) and HSK exams.
My expertise on Mandarin Chinese language and literature allows me help students build up their confidence, go through learning challenges and reach their language potential in a timely manner. Most importantly, they can enjoy the Mandarin learning journey and thrive.
I provide the lessons via zoom or face to face learning. Each lesson is scaffolded to support individual learning progress: the practice of the four skills -listening, speaking, reading and writing, is well balanced. I do a lot of repetitions and role plays with my students; I teach my students writing characters strategies based on memory and cognitive tactics. The more I expose my students to the target language, the better phonics, the better vocabulary, and the better grammar they can achieve. Finally they can attain the outstanding exam results, thus, learning Mandarin Chinese becomes a valuable skill they can possess.
I am a patient, calm and dedicated teacher and teaching is fulfilling my lifes.
Subjects & pricing
Mandarin
- KS3 £32/hr
-
AQA · Edexcel · OCR · Cambridge
-
Cambridge · Edexcel
-
Edexcel
- IB £32/hr
-
C&G · AQA · Edexcel · OCR · NCFE
- Higher £32/hr
- Advanced Higher £32/hr
- University £32/hr
- Adult £32/hr
Languages
- Mandarin Native
Qualifications
Higher education
- BEd Education · Waikato University Of New Zealand · BEd Honours · 2000 Waikato University Of New Zealand · BEd Honours · 2000
Teaching qualification
- QTS Mandarin · Manchester Metropolitan Uni · 2020 Manchester Metropolitan Uni · 2020
Reviews
No Tutorperch reviews yet. After a lesson, students can leave a verified review here — they're the canonical signal we use for this tutor's Tutorperch rating and ranking.
Reviews from First Tutors
Imported from Xiaoyu's First Tutors profile before the site went dark. Shown separately from Tutorperch reviews — they don't affect this tutor's Tutorperch rating or ranking.
How we verify these
Each imported review went through admin review. The tutor proved ownership of the First Tutors profile via one of two paths:
- Photo match. The First Tutors avatar matched the tutor's identity-verified Tutorperch photo, confirmed by admin.
- Cryptographic email check. The tutor uploaded an original First Tutors email (.eml). We verified the DKIM signature against First Tutors' signing keys and cross-checked the embedded tutor ID against the claimed profile.
The review text is the original reviewer's own words, quoted as-is. We verified the tutor's ownership of the profile, not the truth of what each individual reviewer wrote.
- imported from First Tutors
Wakako
She is an excellent tutor - very professional and reliable. Thanks to her support, my daughter achieved a great score in her GCSE, which would not have been possible without her assistance.
- imported from First Tutors
Sulaiman
Sophie was really brilliant. She was so flexible and she gave my son so much confidence. He moved from a grade 3 into the higher foundation level for his GCSEs and he was as able to get a grade 7 in mandarin which we are delighted with. Highly recommend her for Tution services in Mandarin
- imported from First Tutors
Sophie
Xiaoyu has supported my son for 18 months in the lead up to his GCSE Mandarin with unflinching dedication. She has very exacting standards and infinite patience to help her students achieve the best result they are capable of - a grade 9 Mandarin in my son's case. Being taught my Xiaoyu has been a key factor in my son's decision to study Mandarin A-level, in the knowledge that she will be by his side in that journey as well. Xiaoyu gives very targeted feedback about what areas need attention. She has guided my son's path with infinite care and we are very grateful.
- imported from First Tutors
Claire
Fabulous tutor! She could not have been more supportive, clear or helpful. My son puts his grade 8 at GCSE entirely down to Sophie. Thank you so much for all the effort you put in!
- imported from First Tutors
Peggy
XiaoYu started tutoring my son around four months before his Chinese GCSE. She practiced many exam-related materials with him and is a very patient and knowledgeable tutor. We are truly grateful for her help, and our son has achieved a very satisfying result.
- imported from First Tutors
Anthony
Sophie Xiaoyu Si is an exceptional Mandarin tutor. I've been stufying under her since March. She has been consistent in her teaching approach and is very reliable and accomodating. I am happy with the progress I am making, which is much better than I have in the past on my own. She is very patient with me and her lessons are fun and tailored to my needs.
- imported from First Tutors
Jill
My daughter needed a mandarin teacher as her mandarin teacher in school suddenly resigned. She struggled with the replacement teacher and lost confidence in her ability even though mandarin to her was a difficult subject to grasp. I found Xiaoyu online and she was a perfect match! She worked with my daughter, truly gave it her all. Mandarin exam this year’s GSCE exam was particularly difficult and my daughter that was predicted a Low grade made an A! . Xiaoyu taught her to be confident and she teaching technique and warm approach boosted my daughters confidence. Great teacher!
- imported from First Tutors
Mikael
My goal was to be able to read and write Chinese for daily use with the potential of it expanding its use into the workforce. Starting at HSK1, I worked my way up to HSK4 under Xiaoyu's guidance. Although you have to work hard to really let the language sink-in (as with any languages), Xiaoyu made each of the lessons manageable and fun (she's also very accommodating to your time schedule) so that it did not become overwhelming or a chore. If you're considering taking the HSK exam, she will tell you honestly which level she feels you are capable of. I managed to achieve 88% in the exam which I feel is a testament to her teaching methods considering I started not being able to read and write at all. I now use Chinese in my daily life with friends and can converse quite confidently through most topics. Highly recommend this teacher if you have a clear end goal in mind.
- imported from First Tutors
Shaz
My daughter studied Mandarin with Sophie Xiaoyu Si. She was an excellent in Mandarin and as a tutor - professional, reliable and patient. My daughter progressed quickly while learning with Sophie. I would highly recommend her as a tutor.
- imported from First Tutors
Claudia
My lessons just started recently: Xiaoyu is really helpful and professional and teaches Chinese culture as well as the language.