1-on-1 Mandarin · beginners and professionals · online from the UK
Mandarin, one word at a time.
From 0 words to 100 words in 10 classes. Finish HSK-1 by lesson 20.
- every review, five stars
- 5.0every review, five stars
- lessons taught
- 300+lessons taught
- active students
- 30+active students
- reviews total
- 50+reviews total
01 · The method
Watch one word become a sentence.
This is how every lesson works: you take a word you know, add one small piece, and keep everything from before.
我上午7点开车去学校: I drive to school at 7 a.m.
Each lesson adds two or three grammar points and a handful of words, then keeps recycling everything from earlier classes. Nothing gets forgotten, and after every single lesson you can say more than you could the week before. When something doesn’t click, Xinyao explains it in plain English and shows you how it compares to English.
02 · The road to HSK 1
Zero to your first written page, in four phases.
Lessons 1-2
Pinyin and tones, solid
The foundation everything else sits on. You’ll pronounce things a textbook can’t teach you to hear.
Lessons 3-8
Words grow into sentences
Two or three grammar points and a handful of words per lesson, recycled constantly so nothing gets forgotten.
Lessons 9-14
Your actual life, in Mandarin
Routine, family, food, getting around, shopping, prices: the everyday basics, built from pieces you already own.
Lessons 15-20
HSK 1 complete
You write a 70-100 character piece about your own life, in sentences you built yourself rather than copied from a template.

Xinyao · based in the UK
03 · Your teacher
Hiya, I’m Xinyao.
I majored in teaching for both my degrees: a BA in English teaching at Chongqing Normal University and an MA in TESOL at the University of Glasgow, both verified on Preply. I’ve taught in nurseries, primary schools and high schools in both China and the UK.
I don’t just tell you what to say. I explain why Chinese is structured the way it is, so the grammar makes sense instead of feeling like a list of rules. After three years in the UK, when something doesn’t click I can show you exactly how it compares to English. jiào xué xiāng zhǎngteaching and learning grow each other is the classroom I run.
04 · What students say
Over fifty reviews. Every one, five stars.
All from lessons on Preply, where they’re verified. Many students review anonymously, so only the public written ones appear below, unedited, typos and all.
Lesson rating
- 5.0
Reassurance
- 5.0
Clarity
- 5.0
Progress
- 5.0
Preparation
Based on 26 anonymous student reviews
I can highly recommend to start your Mandarin journey with Xinyao. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to explain even the most complex and unusual connections in a remarkably clear and structured way. Concepts that initially seem confusing quickly become understandable because she breaks them down into logical, accessible steps. What stands out most is the amount of time and patience she dedicates to explaining things to you. She ensures that every topic is fully understood before moving on and adapts her explanations to individual learning needs. This creates frequent moments of success and progress, which is highly motivating and makes learning Chinese much more enjoyable. Beyond her excellent teaching skills, she is also very kind, approachable, and supportive. Her positive attitude creates a comfortable learning environment where questions are always welcome. I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn from her.I like learning with Xinyao, she is very good in teaching.
PaulineAugust 2026 I had a lot of fun in my trial lesson and was able to learn a lot ☺️☺️
NatalieJuly 2026, translated by PreplyReally enjoyed the lesson with Xinyao! She's very knowledgeable and makes the lesson really fun! Completely recommend her!
ZoeJuly 2026 Xinyao is very personable and easy to talk to. She tailors the lesson to my speed and helps with any issues. Highly recommend
NaeelaJuly 2026 I couldn't recommend her more, She's a great teacher and an amazing person!
GabrielJune 2026Xinyao is amazing - super friendly, well spoken, and patient! We just had our first session, and I look forward to continuing to work with her. Thank you, Xinyao~
GerganaJune 2026Hi, I had my first session with Xinyao lǎoshī. She is very sweet and encouraging. I look forward to more sessions!
RominaJune 2026 I can highly recommend to start your Mandarin journey with Xinyao. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to explain even the most complex and unusual connections in a remarkably clear and structured way. Concepts that initially seem confusing quickly become understandable because she breaks them down into logical, accessible steps. What stands out most is the amount of time and patience she dedicates to explaining things to you. She ensures that every topic is fully understood before moving on and adapts her explanations to individual learning needs. This creates frequent moments of success and progress, which is highly motivating and makes learning Chinese much more enjoyable. Beyond her excellent teaching skills, she is also very kind, approachable, and supportive. Her positive attitude creates a comfortable learning environment where questions are always welcome. I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn from her.
IanaJune 2026 My sister and I had a great first lesson with Xinyao. She was friendly and encouraging. We learned pinyin and how to introduce ourselves and some numbers. Thank you Xinyao for an enjoyable introduction to Mandarin!
RomessaJune 2026Xinyao is truly an excellent teacher! She has a great way of explaining things clearly, which makes learning Chinese much easier and more enjoyable. Her lessons are engaging, I am very grateful for her guidance and kindness
LannaJune 2026Xinyao is an excellent teacher with absolutely perfect English, which made the class so much easier. She is frendly and kind and the class felt very relaxed and fun. I will be booking her again.
CathalJune 2026My son, 11 years old just had his first lesson with Xinyao. It was so fantastic to see how Xinyao cached his attention and interest. Even thou my son is a newbeginner and really struggles with the Chinees language Xinyao made the lesson in such a way that he really could feel competent and get some confidence in trying to speak. We will surly book more lessons.
AnneliMay 2026In the first lesson I was understanding the Pinyin.
CristianoMay 2026Xinyao is a very approachable person, my daughter was thrilled and asked for more lessons with her, even though we tried other tutors, none received such a response from my daughter. The lesson isn't even over yet, and I've already signed up for a subscription. Keep it up! Onward to knowledge with such enthusiasm and intuition!
AdelinMay 2026, translated by PreplyXinyao is kind, approachable, and patient. I really recommend her to anyone who wants to feel welcomed in a judgment-free class!
GabrielMay 2026I had a very good experience during the lesson. The teaching style was clear, friendly, and encouraging. The class was comfortable and enjoyable, and I learned new things easily. Highly recommended 🌸
HayateMay 2026Xinyao is a great teacher, with plenty of patience. She is extremely friendly and positive, and creates a great learning environment. I would highly recommend Xinyao as a tutor.
SamuelMay 2026She's such a sweet tutor. In 50minutes she gave me flavour of what Mandarin sounds and looks like. I'm excited to continue learning with her and build up on every day conversations!!
AndreeaMay 2026Xinyao is an amazing tutor, she's super attentive and kind, every moment of a lesson with her is engaging, fun and productive. She is fantastic in her ability to respond to student's need and personal level and preferences. I'm extremely happy to learn Mandarin with her!
ViktorMay 2026Xinyao is the best tutor ever. I learned a lot from the very first lesson. Her positive and professional approach made the lesson incredibly engaging. It was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend Xinyao as a wonderful Chinese tutor.
AnonymousMay 2026 Xinyao is an experienced teacher who, in just one class, has demonstrated her interest, attentiveness, and enthusiasm for teaching. I am very happy and satisfied with the experience and hope to learn from her for a long time. After one month I have improved my grammar and my vocabulary thanks to Xinyao.
KikoMay 2026
05 · Who this is for
Two kinds of students.
Adult beginners
Start from absolute zero, reach all of HSK 1 in 15-20 lessons, and leave writing real sentences about your own life: routine, family, food, getting around.
“After one month I have improved my grammar and my vocabulary thanks to Xinyao.”
Business Chinese
For professionals who need Mandarin that works outside the classroom: introductions and small talk with colleagues and clients, meetings, negotiation phrases and business etiquette, in the register each situation calls for. It’s the same word-growing method, applied to the vocabulary your work actually uses.
“Her positive and professional approach made the lesson incredibly engaging… I highly recommend Xinyao.”
06 · Plans
Two honest numbers.
Same teacher, same method. You just choose the room: yours alone for 50 minutes, or shared with four classmates for 60.
Private 1-on-1
$35/ 50-minute lesson
You book and pay right here, with no marketplace in between. Pick a time in your own timezone; rescheduling and cancelling run from your confirmation email. There are no packages to commit to before you’ve met.
Group class · five seats
$20/ seat · 60 minutes · weekly
Five seats, never more, so you still get to speak in every lesson. Paying reserves your seat, the class happens on a video call, and everyone gets an email once all five are taken.
07 · Questions
Asked before every trial.
I’m a complete beginner. Is that okay?
It’s the specialty. Most students start from absolute zero, and the first lessons are designed for exactly that: pinyin and tones first, then the word-growing method from lesson one.
Do I need to learn characters?
For HSK 1, yes. By lesson 20 you’ll be writing 70-100 of them about your own life. If you only want to speak, characters can wait; that’s a goal you settle in the trial lesson.
How do lessons work?
1-on-1 video lessons, 50 minutes each. When something doesn’t click, Xinyao explains it in plain English; she lived in the UK for three years and teaches in both languages.
Do you teach Business Chinese?
Yes. Workplace Mandarin is its own track: introductions and small talk with colleagues and clients, meetings, negotiation phrases and business etiquette. The trial lesson turns your professional goals into a concrete plan.
How fast will I reach HSK 1?
Most complete beginners finish everything in HSK 1 in about 15-20 lessons. Your pace depends on how many hours a week you put in, which is mapped honestly in the trial rather than promised up front.
How do I book, cancel or reschedule?
Booking, payment and rescheduling all happen on the booking page. It takes a card when you book and emails you a confirmation with links to reschedule or cancel. Reviews and credentials still live on Preply; lessons are booked directly.
08 · Start
Write your first Chinese sentence this week.
Book a trial: a level check, goal mapping, and your first grown sentence, all in one lesson.
50 minutes · your timezone · reschedule or cancel from your confirmation email