Ruth

Director of Studies

Where are you from?
China, Shaanxi province.

What are your qualifications
Mandarin Grade 1 B
IPA Certificate of International Chinese Teacher(Internationally registered Senior Chinese teacher)
GPA(Growing Participator Approach)Language acquisition method

When did you start working for LTL?
I started in mid 2019 .

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought the Bible. God’s words, the most precious and important in my life.
【Psm119:105】Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Favourite Chinese dish?
I love baozi!

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
Peking University, it is very big, nice and has a beautiful campus.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Don’t be shy, just speak as much as you possibly can!

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Zhou Run Fa, my favorite actor

What is your favorite place in China and why?
The city of Harbin, I met and experienced God there.

Jacqueline 于宏梅

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Yantai in Shandong province in Eastern China

What are your teaching qualifications
Chinese language teaching certification combined with professional knowledge and experience.

When did you start teaching Chinese?
I have been teaching for a long time, I started around 2007. I have been with LTL since 2011.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
A card with my favorite bible verse on it, these words help me stay motivated and give me strength.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Anything with potatoes really. Especially sour and spicy potato shreds suān là tǔdòu sī
酸辣土豆丝.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
The Great Wall, no matter how many times I go to visit it always takes my breath away.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Make sure that you choose learning materials that suit you. You need to spend a lot of time practicing every aspect of the language so it should be done in a way you’re comfortable with. Be it books or apps, find the tools which work for you.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I once focused so much on preparing for an exam that I didn’t sleep or eat for three days. Despite this I didn’t feel sleepy or hungry, just focused on my goal.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Beijing because it’s a historical city. It is also a very tolerant place full of opportunities. I am amazed by how many talented people there are here.

Alwin 冯威翔

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Henan province

What are your teaching qualifications?
I am certified to teach Mandarin by the State Language Affairs Commission.

When did you start teaching Chinese?
I have been teaching since about 2013.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
My ancient Chinese fan, I love thinking about China’s long history.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Spicy fish soup, called 水煮鱼 Shuǐ zhǔ yú in Chinese.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
The former Royal hunting field in the southern Beijing suburbs. 南海子公园 – Nán hǎi zǐ gōngyuán

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Sheep 羊 (Yáng) as it’s my zodiac.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
First of all be patient, also immerse yourself in Chinese culture as the culture and language are intertwined.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I love maps! Reading maps is exciting to me!

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Beijing, I’m used to weather, the noise, and fast pace. I would be bored anywhere else.

Irene Magnosi 艾琳

Program Manager

Where are you from?
Italy 意大利

What are your qualifications?
Program Manager and Senior Student Advisor

When did you start working at LTL?
Since 2018.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
A scratch world map. I love travelling and exploring new places… next stop Kenya!

Favourite Chinese dish?
地三鲜 potato-eggplants and peppers. I love the Chinese way of cooking eggplants!

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Tiziano Terzani, an Italian journalist, traveller and writer who chronicled Asia’s race toward modernity with the curiosity of a travel writer and a deep cultural sensitivity of a political journalist.

In China, he and his family lived the experience, as pioneering Westerners in post-Cultural Revolution China, to the full: his children attended the local Chinese-only school, and for excursions, they would put their bicycles on a train, travel to a far-flung destination then pedal off into the sunset. In 1984 the Chinese government expelled him for counter-revolutionary activities. I would ask him everything about China in the early 80s and how Beijing looked like at that time… and I would listen for hours!

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
Jingshan park, from the top of the hill you can see all the Forbidden city, it’s beautiful!

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
I would love to be a dragonfly on a Thai island. Maybe you don’t know that seeing swarms of dragonflies means rain is on the way. In some cultures, dragonflies represent good luck and prosperity. So make a wish when you see a dragonfly and it’ll come true!

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Immerse yourself, experience the language with locals, and don’t be afraid of speaking!

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
If I like a movie or a book, I don’t watch the end.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Zhangye Danxia Landform: it is a unique and beautiful landscape in Gansu Province (north-west of China) Danxia landforms are sandstone formations, known for being very dramatic and colourful. The landform near Zhangye City has colourful and magnificent cliffs in a hilly and mountainous land. It’s stunning!

Jane Lee 李志珍

Immersion Specialist

Where are you from?
Hebei, north of China

What are your qualifications?
CET6

When did you start working for LTL?
I started in the middle of 2019.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
A ping pong bat. I love sports and ping pong is a good choice for not only keeping your body healthy but also making you feel energetic.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Dumplings… Always dumplings!

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Guodegang 郭德纲! I love him!!! He is so famous in China and is good at singing opera, cross talk and so on!

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Apply what you learned to any situation. Use Chinese as much as you can everywhere.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I’m so lazy that I can’t even finish this senten

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Lijiang. A great place to relax. The air is really fresh there.

Anges

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Beijing

What are your teaching qualifications?
International Chinese Teaching Certificate

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2007

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
I love to paint. This is one of my most recent creations.

Favourite Chinese dish?
I like almost anything.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
The Forbidden City

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Speak! Speak! Speak!

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I am keen on drawing Chinese painting, writing calligraphy, cutting paper cuts, playing mahjong, showing tea art.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
My hometown!

Summer

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Yangquan, the capital of Shanxi province.

What are your teaching qualifications?
Chinese Language Teaching Certification.

When did you start teaching Chinese?
I started teaching in 2012, my second teaching job was with LTL.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
My favorite sport is basketball. When I was four years old and began to learn basketball, I realized what I really wanted when I ran on the court.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Peking Duck and barbecue can make me feel what happiness is.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
I like to go to Museums most.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Keep repeating, that’s what matters most.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
Every time I fall asleep, I would produce a batch of new ideas.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
My hometown, because my beloved family lives there.

Serena 潘蕊蕊

Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Beijing

Position at LTL:
Chinese teacher

What are your teaching qualifications?
More than 10 years’ full-time Chinese teaching experience.

When did you start teaching Chinese?
Since 2008

We proposed everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought my HSK textbook because this series of textbooks is my favorite.

What is your favourite Chinese dish?
Any dish with fish or meat, and NOT spicy.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
Home.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Open your mouth, then, talk!

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I was 90 kg when I first started as a Chinese teacher.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Beijing. Hometown always the best place.

Katie

Student Advisor

Where are you from?
I’m from a small city called Bath in the UK.

How long have you been working for LTL?
I’ve been working for LTL since 2018.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought in a book because I love reading. I also brought in a spatula because I really enjoy baking and cooking.

Favourite Chinese dish?
My favourite Chinese dish is 香茅草烤鲈鱼, which is lemongrass roast bass. It’s a Yunnan dish which is my favourite kind of Chinese food because it has very unique flavours and a lot of influence from South East Asian cuisine.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
Paddy O’Sheas. Just joking. My favourite place is the art district 798, there is always something new to see and it’s just a really cool area to go to and have a walk around.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would love to go to Kyoto for the cherry blossom festival because I’ve only been to Tokyo in Japan and would like the opportunity to explore more of it.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I would have dinner with one of my favourite authors Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie because I think she’s a huge inspiration for women.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
My top tip is to watch Chinese TV shows, it’s a really great way to practice your Chinese in a fun way.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I recently went bungee jumping at Shidu National Park just outside Beijing. I liked it so much I went twice!

What is your favorite place in China and why?
My favourite place is Qingdao because it’s a really unique city and is by the sea and I love going to the beach. It also has great seafood and of course lots of Qingdao beer!

Alice

Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Beijing

Position at LTL
Chinese teacher

When did you start teaching Chinese?
Since 2006

What is your favourite Chinese dish?
Dumplings

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
I like to go to the Lama Temple

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
I suggest all students should speak more, listen more, reading more.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I have taught students from 55 countries

What is your favorite place in China and why?
My favourites place is my hometown “Beijing”

Andreas Laimböck 周浩辰

Founder

Where are you from?
Austria and Germany.

What are your teaching qualifications?
I’m not a teacher, but I am a qualified HSK examiner.

How long have you been with LTL?
Since the first day LTL started in a little coffee shop in the CBD of Beijing.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
A football, because I am a big football fan and regularly watch Beijing Guo’an games, especially when we are playing against Shanghai.

Favourite colour?
Blue and yellow, as you can see from the school logo.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Málà xiāng guō 麻辣香锅. It is based on what Mongolian horsemen would eat when riding through the steppe. They hunted and gathered vegetables during the day and in the evening stir fry them all together in their helmets. It’s a bit more hygienic and sophisticated today, but the concept is still the same and tastes amazing.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
The little square between the Drum and the Bell Tower in Beijing old town after work when the tourists have left. Sitting on the steps of the Bell Tower with a cold beer. I enjoy watching the old women square dance, children skate and everyone else relax on the square after work while the sun is setting. This is an amazing moment.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Beijng of course. And so I did.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Sidney Rittenberg. He came to China as a US soldier in the 1940s and stayed until the 80s. I would love to hear his stories.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Speak, listen and experience Mandarin every day. Don’t speak English. Immerse yourself into a Chinese language environment. It can be a challenge sometimes but experiencing real China is an incredible adventure and your Mandarin skills will improve very quickly if you are truly immersed.
Also get your tones under control right at the beginning. Once you pick up bad pronunciation habits it is very difficult to change them later.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I failed English and French in high school and had the lowest Mandarin scores of my class at university. Today I am a HSK examiner. Anyone can learn Mandarin.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Pingyao 平遥. It was China’s financial capital during the Qing dynasty and today is an incredibly well preserved old Chinese town, about three hours by train West of Beijing. When walking along the city walls through the old town it can sometimes feel like as if a couple of ancient Confucian scholars or Manchu warriors might be just around the corner. It’s a magical place.

Maria 高媛

Student Advisor

How long have you been with LTL?
I have been a Chinese teacher since 2007, but don’t do classes anymore. I have been with LTL since 2010.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought in a toy horse. My daughter’s zodiac is horse. I really admire the horses stamina

Favourite Chinese dish?
Shredded pork in hot garlic sauce also named Yú xiāng ròu sī (鱼香肉丝)

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
The museums in Beijing, there are so many to choose from.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Myself 20 years in the future.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Be patient, listen a lot, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I used to be a football cheerleader when I was in University.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Any secluded, quiet place by the sea.

Marine Colliot 柯海娜

Marketing Associate

Where are you from?
France

What are your qualifications?
I have a Master’s degree in Culture and International Affairs, with a focus on China.

How long have you been with LTL?
I have a long history with LTL! I used to be an intern in 2015, then a student, then a free-lancer a couple of years after that, and now I work full time at LTL Beijing since August 2019.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought my scarf, it is just very cosy and super warm, I have been wearing it every autumn/winter for years now. My mum and I spotted it at the same time in a thrift store and really liked it, but she let me have it.

Favourite Chinese dish?
There are so many I don’t know if I can choose only one! I really like baozi, sweet and sour pork, the way they cook eggplants, all the soups with lots of vegetables in it, and the hotpot of course!

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
Beihai Park, definitely.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Greta Thunberg, I have a lot to learn from her.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
A cat! I’d love to be able to just play, eat and sleep all day long.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Get the tones right from the beginning and basically imitate the sounds you hear the best you can. Also, never give up! Chinese is a difficult language but it is so worth it.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
When I was younger I trained with a pretty renowned French Mountain Infantry Battalion in the Alps, they taught me how to climb mountains with and without gear and how to survive if I ever found myself lost.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
I would say Hangzhou. It is a very peaceful city with a lot to visit. Also, the lake reminds me of the one in my hometown, they look a lot similar.

Aria 任晓甜

Finance

Where are you from?
Shanxi, China

How long have you been working for LTL?
I started mid 2019.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
Cat stickers. I love cats.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Red burned fish. You should try it while you’re in China!

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
Houhai (Shichahai), Nangonggu Alley, there is a lot of beautiful scenery and food.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Jack Ma, I like Taobao, hahaha.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Listen more, say more, and be bold.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I like to eat Changsha stinky tofu. The smell is very bad, but it tastes great!

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Kunming, Yunnan, four seasons like spring.

Annie 吴伟

Human Resources

Where are you from?
I’m from a small town in Liaoning province.

How long have you been working for LTL?
Since 2013.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
A picture of my absolute favorite singer. I love listening to her voice.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Anything with lots and lots of vegetables.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
The capital library in Beijing.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Use Chinese in your daily life, speak a lot, listen a lot and you will improve faster.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I have been a vegetarian for a long time. It was very uncommon here in China when I started, and it’s still not very common.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
My home province of Liaoning. It’s not very famous but it is full of beautiful places.

Max 马克思

Marketing Manager

Where are you from?
A small, but famous town in England called Cheltenham.

How long have you been working for LTL?
Since 2017.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
A Pack of Cards to celebrate my love for playing Poker.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Too many to mention but honourable shout outs to fried dumplings and Chinese BBQ.

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
Any of the three football stadiums so I can get my live football fix.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Don’t ever give up. There are tough times when it feels too overwhelming but some days it just clicks. Push yourself and never stop learning.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I actually lived in China in 2014 for a year teaching English and managed to travel to over 12 different cities in that time. An average of 1 per month!

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Zhangjiajie and Guilin. Both sublime parts of the world with breathtaking scenery. You’ll see what Guilin represents on the 20 Kuai note and Zhangjiajie is where the film Avatar was based.

SARA LIU 刘卫红

Language Teacher

Position at LTL
Chinese teacher

Where are you from?
HeBei Province

What are your teaching qualifications?
My major in the University is Teaching Chinese as the Second Language I have been a Chinese teacher for more than 5 years.

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2012

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
HSK book ，because I think this book is a good way for us to study new knowledge and to know yourself better.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Sour and spicy shredded potatoes

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
The Fragrant Hills

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Try to speak more with Chinese people ，it helps a lot to improve your Spoken Chinese

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I try to read 50+ books each year

What is your favorite place in China and why?
TianJin , Because it is very nice to walk along with the HaiHe River.

ELLIE 李培

Language teachers

Position at LTL
Chinese teacher

Where are you from?
China，Beijing

When did you start teaching Chinese?
September，2009

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
Majiang. Because I like to play it.

Favourite Chinese dish?
LaoBeijing Zhajiangmian

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing?
Yiheyuan

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Use it

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!

What is your favorite place in China and why?
Beijing, since it’s my hometown.

Campbell

Marketing Associate

Position at LTL
Marketing Associate

Where are you from? 
Sydney, Australia

How long have you been working for LTL?
Since February 2019.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
A cup of Luckin Coffee. I think this business is amazing. It’s 100% cashless, will deliver to your door in less than 30 minutes and ridiculously cheap.

Favourite Chinese dish? 
Easy! Chinese Eggplant with Spicy Garlic Sauce has no equal for my favourite Chinese dish

Where is your favourite place to go in Beijing? 
The Rosewood Hotel. Especially in Winter. They have a giant indoor pool with a clear roof and hanging gardens all around. I’ve applied 7 times to be their lifeguard but they just keep telling me there is no lifeguard and to stop calling them.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Come study with LTL of course! And I’m not just saying that because they paid me to!

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Casey Neistat. He’s my favourite YouTuber. I think he would be an interesting guy to have dinner with.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I once meditated on a mountain in India for 10 days without talking.

What is your favorite place in China and why?
I love Beijing more than any other city. It’s like no other city I’ve ever been to. Every other day I’ll discover something new and exciting about Beijing.