Confucius vs Socrates: Two Teachers, Two Ways of Shaping a Good Person

Two educators lead a roundtable discussion, evoking Confucian teaching and the Socratic method in a modern classroom.

In Western education, the “Socratic method” is often treated as the gold standard of critical thinking. In the Chinese world, Confucius is frequently seen as the starting point for traditional ideas about learning and character. At first glance, the comparison looks easy: two ancient teachers, two civilisations, both asking the same big question — what […]

Why Kids Hesitate to Speak Chinese in Daily Life & How to Help Them Overcome It

A bunch of little teddy bears on display in a store

Many parents of my students at LearnChinesePerth share a common concern: “My child is learning Chinese, but they refuse to speak it in public or at home!”This reluctance is not unusual, especially for kids who have just started learning Chinese for a few months. Understanding the reasons behind this behaviour and using the right approach can […]

What is the Best Age for Kids to Start Learning Chinese?

a young boy running through a sprinkle of water

“When is the best age for my child to start learning Chinese?” In fact, the critical period for language learning has been widely researched, and children of different ages exhibit various characteristics and needs when learning a language. Today, I’d like to explore this topic from a scientific and educational perspective, and share the advantages […]

One-on-One or Group Chinese Lessons in Perth: Which Option Is Right for You?

If you’re looking for Chinese lessons in Perth, one question almost always comes up early on: Should I choose one-on-one tutoring or a group class? There isn’t a single “better” option for everyone. The right choice depends on who the learner is, what their goals are, and how they learn best. As a Chinese teacher […]

Mythology: Foundation of Culture, and Critical Thinking

As the founder and lead teacher at LearnChinesePerth, I’m often asked the question: “Why teach mythology in Chinese classes?” Today, I would like to share my thoughts on this and explain why we consider mythology an essential part of learning Chinese. Mythology: The Foundation of Culture and the Embodiment of Wisdom Mythology is more than […]

Why Chinese language education in Australia must be ‘localised’

As a Chinese teacher based in Perth WA, I often hear a common challenge from many parents during our conversations: their children have enrolled in various Chinese classes, whether online or offline, at large institutions or small ones, but the results are often unsatisfactory. After studying for a period of time, children gradually lose interest, […]