Teachers

Study English, Chinese and other languages in Beijing with our amazing teachers at Culture Yard

Our language teachers come from all over the world, but they all share the same enthusiasm to teach and absorb different cultures. The strong team of language teachers Culture Yard has built this past year is made of amazing individuals who appreciate the concept of understanding culture and know how to make learning engaging and interesting for their students.

Our well-designed programmes allow students to get personal attention from their teachers, either in group classes or private classes. All of our language teachers come from an educational background and have had previous experience working in language centres across the continents. Our foreign language teachers are native speakers who can also assist in any questions about moving to their countries, including dealing with documentation as well as the culture and lifestyle to expect.

To find out more about Culture Yard’s language teachers check out their profiles:

• English Teachers
• Chinese Teachers
• Foreign Language Teachers

English Teachers

Ged: Ged was brought up in Cambridge, UK and completed his Law degree at Warwick University before living and working in France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. His teaching experience includes IELTS, TOEFL and Legal English. In his last position, Ged was an English language advisor to a politician in the European Parliament in Brussels and is still working with the European Commission in China. His international business and government experience has given him the skills needed to introduce the western business culture to Chinese students in his class. He speaks English, French and German, and is studying Mandarin. Ged is our English Education Coordinator and currently teaches Business English.

Cameron:Cameron obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (Business Management) and a PostgraduateDiploma in Commerce (Marketing) at Lincoln University in New Zealand. Currently, Cameron is studying towards a Master degree in Business Journalism. He has been involved in education since 2001. He spent seven years in Korea, before coming to Beijing, teaching at private institutes and elementary schools, as well as tutoring students with their English writing skills at Seoul National University.

Eli: Eli has been working as a teacher since 2006, teaching students how to improve their grammar and writing technique for exams and university applications in a writing centre in Ohio. Here at Culture Yard he conducts level tests for new students and offers private classes for grammar and writing practice for university applications and exams. Eli speaks English and Mandarin.

Emile:  Emile lived in Canada, London and Thailand before coming to Beijing to complete a Chinese Language Studies language program at the Beijing Language and Culture University. He obtained his undergraduate degree in East Asian Studies and Political Science in Canada, and his masters degree he majored in Chinese studies in London at the London School of Economics. He is now teaching Low Intermediate English at Culture Yard as well as working for China Security here in Beijing. Emile speaks fluent English and basic Mandarin.

Iona: Iona was born in London and did her History of Art bachelor degree at Edinburgh University. She came to Beijing in 2009 and is working as an English teacher here at Culture Yard as well as editing local art magazines and curating exhibitions in Beijing’s art district. Iona speaks English and some Mandarin. Iona offers all level private English classes.

Ross: Ross has been living in China for the past four years. He was born in the United Statesand did a degree in Fine Arts Florida International University, where he also studied Chinese alongside his degree. He has been teaching English since his arrival to China and has worked at a few schools and universities around Beijing. Ross speaks English and some Mandarin.

William: William is volunteering as an English teacher here at Culture Yard.  He has had a lot of experience in working in the arts field as well as teaching, including a course he taught to prepare students for the TOEFL exams. He completed his BA in Arts at the University of Kentucky and is currently doing a second degree in International Studies.

Will came to Beijing to study Mandarin and is also taking cultural workshops at Culture Yard. He will soon be starting ‘English Through Songs’ class, where students will be able to practice their English with the use of song lyrics. William speaks English, French and Mandarin.

Ariel: Miami born artist and educator, Ariel Mario Tudela attended the New World School of the Arts and Florida International University where he studied painting, drawing and photography.  He went on to be an exhibition designer and coordinator at the prestigious Miami Art Museum where he helped set up many exhibitions for high profile artists and artworks, working directly with artists and curators. Ariel has also been teaching painting to children as well as adults since the age of 15. He has been in Beijing since 2007 and is currently teaching with Juren (巨人学交 Schools as well as organising the Art History Class and Discussing American Culture workshop here at Culture Yard. Ariel speaks fluent English and Spanish, and conversational Mandarin.

Chinese Teachers

Giulia: Italian native Giulia Falato has been in Beijing for two years, where she studied ‘Teaching Chinese as a SecondLanguage’ at the Beijing Language and Culture University. She has worked as a translator since 2007 and has gained a lot of experience working with languages and different cultures. Giulia is also an Italian teacher at Peking University and is responsible for the external liaisons between Peking University, the Italian government and academic institutions. She has a good idea of what foreigners need to know when they first arrive in Beijing, which is why she is in charge of our weekly Survival Chinese Workshop. Giulia knows exactly how it feels to be a new comer in this crazy city and her workshop reflects that. She speaks Chinese, Italian, English and Spanish.

Paige: Paige graduated from the Zhejiang Normal University with a degree in teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. After she graduated in 2009 she started teaching at the Chinese Language & Culture School, working with all level Chinese group classes. Now on the Culture Yard team Paige is teaching our 10-day intensive Chinese workshop, a perfect workshop for foreigners who want a quick, yet in-depth, introduction to the Chinese language. She speaks Mandarin and English.

Emma: Emma received her degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language at the Beijing Language and Culture University. Before working at Culture Yard Emma was working with international film directors as their translator and helping them interact with local businesses. She was also a private Chinese teacher at the English First language-training centre. Emma is hosting our Chinese Culture Workshops every Monday evening.

Lucy: Lucy received a degree in English at the America Oasis Language Institute. Over the past few years she has taught at the EF Education centre and at the New Oriental Elite, where she introduced study courses and was able to interact and design courses specifically to each students needs. She teaches all levels of Chinese classes.

Jason: Jason graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University, with a degree in Russian studies. Jason has a strong interest for foreign cultures and international affairs, which is apparent through his love and skill for languages. He also has a history of working with international businesses. Jason teaches ‘Modern China Through Media’, a weekly class designed for advanced Chinese speakers, in which Jason introduces and discusses up-to-date news topics and present issues China faces. Jason speaks Mandarin, Russian, English and conversational Japanese and Korean.

Xiaoxia: Xiaoxia has been teaching Chinese since 2005. In 2008 she had the opportunity to live in Texas for a year teaching Mandarin to middle school and high school students at the Marine Military Academy. Then,she returned back to China and began a teaching job at the Law School of the Central University of Finance and Economics. She did a degree in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at the Beijing Normal University. Xiaoxia is teaching Chinese Through Songs classes here at Culture Yard. She speaks English and Mandarin, and some Japanese.

Foreign Languages Teachers

French – Vincent: Vincent is Culture Yard’s main French teacher and French expert. Vincent is currently working as the French Foreign Expert at Beijing International Studies University, as well as teaching French here at Culture Yard. He works with students who are interested in studying in France and Quebec, giving advice on legal issues, on the language and answering any questions about the lifestyle or French culture. He comes from a History background, as he did his Bachelor and Maters in History at the Univeristy Lumiere in Lyon, France. He has had much experience teaching over the years, in France, Ireland and now Beijing. He is very knowledgeable on the transition from France to Asia and visa versa, and is a perfect liaison for students from both sides. He speaks French, English and Italian.

Dutch – Hanneke: Culture Yard’s Dutch teacher, Hanneke came to Beijing in November 2010 and was recruited as a Dutch teacher at the Western Academy Beijing at the Dutch school. She received her Bachelor in social work in Leiden, Holland. Hanneke speaks Dutch, English and German.

Portuguese – Tarsila: Brazilian born Tarlisa Borges, teaches Portuguese at Culture Yard and is also the Portuguese professor and coordinator of the Centre of Brazilian studies at Beijing University. She has been involved in education since 2000 and has a lot of experience in the linguistics field, as she majored in Linguistics and Semiotics at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and worked as a translator and teacher ever since. At Beijing University she overlooks the entire Portuguese program and works with Chinese students interested in moving to Portugal or Brasil to study and helps foreign students come to Beijing.  Tarsila speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish and Mandarin.

Russian – Maria: Maria teaches Russian at Culture Yard. She completed her degree in Theory and Methodology of Teaching Foreign Languages and Cultures at the State Linguistic University in Irkutsk, Russia. She has had previous experience teaching Russian and English. Maria speaks Russian, English and Mandarin and is currently available for any level Russian private classes.

Check out our Team page!