Testimonials
Hear what our students say about us.
Jodi is a great teacher! My 5 year old daughter had so many Chinese teachers that didn't know how to get her to speak. But after one month at Yippee Chinese, she really can have conversations in Chinese. Highly recommend!
Jiaying Omata from USA, mother of Nica (5 years old)
I'm having one-on-one lesson from Jody and she is awesome! She's fun, easygoing, always making new ways for me to remember, patient and has really good English - which is seriously too important. I'm so happy that I chose her for my studies, you should too!
Burcu Filiz from Turkey
To be honest, of all the chinese teachers I have had, both in my home country and here in Taiwan I have to say Teacher Jody is the best one. Her teaching methods is very useful and effective. She engages every student to participate in speaking and to use their own thinking ability to practice the language. Her teaching methods allows the student to think more freely and "outside the box" to easier understand the Chinese culture and how the Chinese language is constructed.
She warmly welcomes students to ask questions, and her teaching methods make it easy to do so. In that way the students are able to use personal experience to practice the language which helps them to easier remember what they have learned.
Since the book we used is a bit outdated, I really appreciated that she additionally used her own teaching materials such as stencils, powerpoint and games. The powerpoint she used was very simple and direct, with funny photos and many personal questions which made it easier to form sentences with words we recently learned. The whole lesson, which was 3 hours in total, was very well divided in speaking, listening and writing parts so it never felt too long or boring. On the contrary, it was very refreshing and exciting. Teacher Jody is also very clever at adjusting her teaching according to the needs of her students so I would definately recommend her to anyone.
Angelica Wolff from Sweden
I had the opportunity to learn mandarin with Jody over 1 term (approximately 3 months). Based on my experience, my feedback on her teaching approach is as follow :
_Rythm and objectives :
Objectives and timetable have been clearly defined during the first class.
Lessons were accurately organised with a 1st part dedicated to vocabulary, a 2nd part dedicated to grammar, and a 3rd part dedicated to reading and understanding dialogs (summarizing all concepts from the 2 previous parts). I found this progressive approach really efficient to strengthen the acquisition of new concepts. Each lesson was seriously prepared with a Powerpoint presentation as support, giving us continuous activity for our 3 daily hours of class.
_Relationship with students :
I found the atmosphere in class was pleasant, a good balance between fun and discipline. Jody took a great care of each student participation (despite the fact that we were 10 students in class), asking randomly questions to everyone in order to use new words and grammar patterns. Jody always had a friendly and respectful attitude towards every student. I found her behaviour really good as we were all considered, in addition to that we were all feeling confident to speak. Jody also took care of interaction between students themselves. Those interactions were based on dialogs and games.
_Transfer of knowledge :
I am quite satisfied of my experience with Jody as I significantly improved my ability to speak chinese. In order to enhance this progress, Jody used various supports (book, powerpoint presentation shared by mail on a weekly basis, home-made teaching materials given to students). She also took care of a direct application of concepts newly acquired. I find this method is good to assimilate new concepts and keep them fresh in mind.
Benoit Piveteau from France
Jody was my seven-year-old son’s Mandarin tutor for six weeks this past summer. I can’t recommend her highly enough — not just as a language teacher but as someone you would want your child to spend time with and learn from.
I found Jody online and arranged the classes from the States. Jody truly exceeded my best hopes: she is patient, bright, warm, engaging, and good humored, immediately endearing herself — and the language — to my son. By the end of the summer he had learned more Mandarin than he had in three years of Chinese summer camp back home in California. I loved hearing him say and understand so many new words and feel so comfortable with her in Taipei.
Jody spent four hours a day one-on-one with my son — two with focused study on Mandarin through lessons, an hour on an activity to reinforce those lessons, and then another hour having lunch at one of the abundant cafes and restaurants nearby. In the course of a month and a half, my son visited museums, explored shops, grew a lot, and truly made his own personal, unique connection to the Mandarin and Taiwan.
Like the teachers at the schools we have sought out for our son here in California, Jody’s approach is progressive, experiential, and playful. She understands that when children are having fun they are most receptive to learning. She almost immediately was able to figure out how to draw our son in and keep his attention, switching gears and making small changes to keep him interested and engaged.
Learning a language is so much about relationships. Often it is through small memories and little exchanges that new words become ours. I am so grateful for Jody for giving him so many happy memories and lessons — and the words to accompany them, and him.
Willow Cook from USA, mother of Sebai (7 years old)
Jody has taught me Chinese for 3 months and I really believe my Chinese has improved a lot in that time! The classes she prepared were often interesting and useful, which made learning fun!
If you're thinking about having Jody teach you Chinese, I definately think it'd be a good choice!
Tim Tucker from England
Jody of Yippee Chinese is so much fun and my kids absolutely adore her. She is a wonderful teacher and a true natural; her personality is perfectly suited to effectively teach young students.
My 2 daughters, ages 7 and 10, had many Chinese teachers and they’ve never been as effective and fun. Jody uses playful techniques to engage with them so they are always having fun while they learn. They are laughing, relaxed and completely absorbed in the lesson. Their previous experiences have been too structured and stern, causing them to withdraw and disconnect from the teacher. Not with Jody. Her inherent understanding and connection with children is clear from the first lesson.
My kids are having so much fun, they forget they are actually getting a lesson. But the best part is, they are learning. It is said that learning through play is the most effective way for children to absorb the material in the most meaningful way.
Jody strikes the perfect balance between playfulness and discipline. She makes up games to play in order to use the material she is teaching. Her gentle approach is especially effective for my children, as they do not respond to barking commands and heavy-handed instruction. But she maintains full control the entire time, making sure to pull them back when they become distracted or begin to mess around. And she is quick to try a different methodology if she sees something is not working. My daughters have separate lessons, one hour each and I can see Jody using different teaching techniques for each to get the most out of them.
But what my children love most about her is her easygoing nature and sincere care of them. The instant connection they had from the first time they met convinced me that this relationship would be fruitful. They have come a long way in the short amount of time with Jody. I would certainly continue to have Jody tutor my children if we weren’t moving away. I have already recommended her to my family and friends.
Kelly Cook from USA, mother of Leina and Anara (10 and 7 years old)
Dear Jody,
Words are not enough to describe you as a teacher , you came to Tia as a blessing, specially for a subject like Chinese, where she was always nervous and shy to talk but with your guidance, motivation and dedication, Tia overcame all her weaknesses. Now she no more feels like a foreigner when communicating in Chinese.
More than a teacher you were also a good friend to her. Your teaching style engages the students and your positive energy gets them excited for class every time. Your teaching techniques, content, management and level of expertise are all outstanding.
I really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing her a secure and loving environment where sometimes she giggled with you, and on the other hand without making her realize you helped her to gain her confidence to attain this level.
Thanks once again for giving Tia a strong base.
Payal Agarwal from India, mother of Tia(8 years old)
I came to Taiwan to learn mandarin. I booked a one-on-one class for a week with Jody. She was a very patient and helpful teacher. She speaks English very well and she also knows the hanyu pinyin system (which should not be taken for granted in Taiwan, as I was told). I found especially helpful that she could explain me some concepts I never understood before. She was also helping me out with some tips about Taipei.
Peter from Germany
我，一個從四歲就開始以英文當作學習主導語言，就讀台北歐洲學校的小屁孩。我從四歲起，每週平均就只上兩堂中文課(高中期間還常常翹課，哈哈)。畢業了之後，我做出了大學前往北京師範大學專攻人力資源管理的重大決定……雖然心知肚明自己的寫作能力根本比不上一個本地的國小生，如果不用手機或電腦是先把字打出來，就會連一篇100字的文章都寫不出來……但我卻還是放手一搏，去了一所全程以簡體中文為教學的大學(我在台北歐洲學校學的是繁體)。
第一學期，我只能說是很慶幸地存活下來，恰好我的教授們都不愛以指派論文與考試的方式作為評分標準，更誇張的是期末考的試卷都是開卷! 管理學老師還允許我論文用英文寫…
原本以為自己開學後會每天做完功課以後再繼續加強自己已薄弱的寫作能力，但是完全沒預料到因為自己中文比班上的所有同學都差，我所需花在讀教科書、寫筆記的時間都比別人長上二到三倍！做完一天所有的功課後根本沒體力也不夠專注力繼續加強中文(跟讀這篇的各位補充一下…我是那種差點被退學八次,又不擅長背書的那種學生)。當我連平時的科目想要不掛科都很難了,中文要怎麼加強呢? 我像一個在游泳池裡都快浮不起來、每秒都面臨著溺死的危機卻還需要學會蝶式的小屁孩…
我知道下學期不可能一樣僥倖地存活下去，為了預防悲劇發生，寒假期間找了一位中文老師，萬萬沒想到她會在我人生暴風雪般艱苦中送上點燃我對學中文的熱情的碳火！
我在台北歐洲學校一直以來都很排斥上中文課，因此老師出功課時也會設最低字數，我對每樣功課的態度都是寫越少越好，只要能及格就好了，從來沒有打從心底想認真對待功課。但與葉老師的課程，與其逼我去背單字，我們課程的進行方式是以分析文獻之後加以討論，這激起了我學習的鬥志！還有呢，老師指派功課的方式還是三選一，當我選擇了日記的選項，葉老師對於限定最低字數隻字不提。她對我的信任不但啟發了我,還感動了我，她自由無拘限的教學方式化解了我對中文厭倦，我不但更認真地看待中文功課，即使老師不要求，我也會多做！葉老師點燃了我心中學習的鬥志，對我而言……這真的永恆無價之寶！
Joseph Liu from USA/TW
나는 한국에서 10년 이상의 오랜 직장생활을 하다 일상생활에서 벗어난 휴식이 필요했고, 외국에서 쉬면서 언어를 배우고자 대만에 약 5개월 거주했다. 그리고, 두 번째 학기에 葉(Ye)선생님을 만나 배우게 되었다.
葉선생님은 20대 후반의 젊은 선생님인데, 대만대(Taiwan University)에서 중국문학을 전공한 인재로 대만에서 중국어를 배운다면 강력 추천하고픈 선생님이다.
언어는 목적이 아니라 도구이다. 다른 나라의 언어를 배우는 과정은 그 나라의 문화와 역사를 이해하는 과정이 같이 수반되는 것이고, 결과로서 언어를 학습한 개인의 세상에 대한 이해의 폭이 넓어지는 것이다.
1. 참여식 수업 – 葉선생님은 주입식 교육이 아닌 학생들이 스스로의 생각을 표현하도록 하는 참여식 수업방식을 사용한다.
과거의 나, 현재의 나, 미래의 나에 대한 PT, 본문주제를 기반으로 학생들끼리 role play발표, 편지쓰기, 일기쓰기 등. 즉, 단지 암기식의 중국어 학습이 아닌 개개인의 중국어 표현력을 개발시켜주려는 방식이다.
2. 연상을 이용한 기억 – 단어의 경우에는 새로운 chapter마다 신규단어별로 직접 파워포인트로 임팩트있는 사진을 넣은 material을 작성하여 신규 단어에 대한 이해력 및 기억을 쉽게 할 수 있도록 해주었다.
3. 개개인의 다양성에 대한 이해 – 외국인에게 중국어를 가르치는 직업이니만큼 각국의 다양한 학생들과의 커뮤니케이션을 위해서는 다양성에 대한 이해가 중요한데, 葉선생님은 이러한 면에서는 기본적으로 타고난 것 같다. 물론 우리 반은 살짝 한국 학생이 많기는 했지만 학생 개개인의 의견이나 사고방식을 교감해주는 역량이 뛰어난 분이다.
12주의 짧은 기간이라 학기가 끝나고 아쉽긴 했지만, 내가 어릴 때 배웠던 학교 선생님들과는 달리 스스로 참여하고 표현하는 방식으로 배우도록 이끌어 주는 葉선생님에게 배운 중국어 수업은 잊을 수 없는 소중한 추억이다.
특히, 葉선생님은 개인교습으로 다양한 나라의 어린아이들을 가르치고 있는데, 어린아이들을 워낙 진심으로 좋아하는 데다, 스스로 동기 부여되어 참여하도록 하는 수업방식은 아이들에게는 더없이 좋을 것 같다는 생각이 든다.
마지막 수업 날 단체사진을 찍을 때 모두가 다소 어색한 포즈를 취했고, 이에 우리의 葉선생님의 한마디이다. ‘老師叫什麼名字~~~?’ à Ye(葉)!!!!!!!!
葉千菁 老師 非常謝謝您!!!
金熹均Kim Hee Kyun from Korea
I attended the Chinese idioms class at Yippee! Chinese on 31 Jan 2015 and had great fun! We learnt some popular and useful idioms and also exchanged a few from our languages. It gave great insight into the Chinese culture. Some of the idioms even turned out to be exactly same as our own languages! Seems like people are not so different in different countries after all :). Jody is a very passionate and enthusiastic teacher and that rubs off on the whole class. I highly recommend the idioms class to people and will definitely invite my friends in the future.
Mohit Sharma from India
My daughter took private lessons with Jody for 1 year before she left Taiwan. She is very patient and can find a way to make the lessons fun and enjoyable for my daughter, who prior taking the mandarin lessons with Jody, not really keen of studying Mandarin. I would recommend Jody since she is a very passionate teacher.
Frida Yuwono from Indonesia, mother of Karen(8 years old)
I like Jody's Chinese lesson because I enjoyed learning Chinese and my speaking and writing skills have improved. Before taking her lesson, I’ve studied for about 2 years at the university. But, I didn’t speak Chinese well because of just studying on Textbook.
Her lesson attaches important to student’s weakness points. So, I recommend her Chinese lesson!!!
Maho Kobayashi from Japan
I like Jody because she explains things clearly without using English in class. The lessons are interesting and the pacing of the class is also suited to my needs. Although the materials may seem simple, Jody is able to alter the difficulty level appropriately.
Shannon from Canada
I like how Jody asked a lot of questions to cement the vocabulary and I also enjoyed how she gave me additional words and sentence structures to use.
Christine from USA
Thank you so much for this opportunity, I had a lot of fun and learning about the 成語 was really nice! Your teaching method is very good and unique. You did a really great Job!!!!
Iris Izaguirre from República de Nicaragua
The idioms class was definitely productive. Am very glad to have joined and learned a lot. Hope to continue seeing more about these classes. Great job, Jody!
YL Lee from USA