Who Are We?
Speak Chinese. was founded by Daniel Chan and Ryan Choi, who share an interest in how Chinese is learned across different languages and cultures. We started it to give learners more choice: in the language they learn through, the form of Chinese they study and the way they are taught.
Co-founder, Head of Teaching
Daniel Chan
Daniel teaches Mandarin and Cantonese in several languages and leads our workshops and business training. He also designs the curriculum with Ryan and translates our course materials, so that students can learn in the language they know best. He grew up between Hong Kong and Florence, took a BA in Spanish and Arabic, and went on to complete master’s degrees in Chinese Studies and in Sinology at SOAS, University of London, focusing on classical Chinese literature and cross-Strait relations. He has provided language training for international companies such as Banco Santander, preparing teams to work with Chinese-speaking partners.
Co-founder
Ryan Choi
Ryan leads the design of our courses and materials, working with Daniel, and oversees the teaching approach behind every lesson. He grew up in Hong Kong, studied at the University of Hong Kong and took an MA at SOAS, University of London, and is now completing a PhD in Chinese studies at the University of Edinburgh. He has taught Mandarin and Cantonese for more than a decade. He currently offers private lessons through his own website, Ryan Choi's Chinese Studio. Having lived and studied in different Chinese-speaking communities, he knows how the language and its cultures vary from place to place, and that knowledge shapes the choice of accents, scripts and materials we offer.
How We Teach
Every student starts with a conversation. In your first lesson, we find out what you want to do with Chinese, what you already know and how you like to learn, then agree a plan for your course. Lessons are given in English, Italian, Spanish or French, or in Mandarin or Cantonese if you are adding a second Chinese language.
Speaking first
From the first lesson, you will be speaking. We build listening and pronunciation early, paying close attention to tones, so that good habits form before bad ones can. Characters come in gradually, once the sounds feel familiar, and at a pace that suits your goals: some students want to read menus and messages, others need to write essays or sit exams.
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Your choice of Chinese
You decide which form of Chinese to learn. For Mandarin, you can choose standard Putonghua or the southern and Taiwanese accent, and for either language, simplified or traditional characters. We support pronunciation with romanisation: pinyin for Mandarin, Yale for Cantonese, and 'phonetic symbols' (注音符號) for students learning Taiwanese Mandarin.
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Materials written for our students
Lessons draw on materials we have written ourselves and adapt to each student. They include dialogues, vocabulary lists, grammar notes and exercises, with explanations in your language of instruction. You are also welcome to bring your own material, from a textbook to a film or work document.
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One-to-one or in a group
One-to-one lessons are planned entirely around you. Small group classes, of up to 5 students, follow a shared course while leaving room for individual questions and correction.
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Between lessons
After each session you receive [notes / vocabulary / short exercises] to review, and we return to difficult points in later lessons so that what you learn stays with you. Lessons take place on [Google Meet], so all you need is a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone.
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Measuring progress
We review your progress regularly and adjust the plan as your goals change. If you are working towards an exam, such as the HSK or TOCFL, we build your course around its format and level.