Meet the LTL Team

Dannie 黄琴

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Wuhan, Hubei

What are your teaching qualifications?
B.A. in Teaching Chinese

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2015

We asked everyone to bring their favourite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought my guitar, because aside from work, this is my main hobby.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Hotpot

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
Nanjing Road

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I want to go to the UK, because I really like Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
You have to speak as often as possible, even if it means making mistakes at first.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
When I was in university I took part in a singing contest; I was in the Top-10 out of 700 participants.

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Beijing, because I like the cultural atmosphere of the city, the history and architecture.

Alex 汪张阳

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
I’m from Shanghai.

What are your teaching qualifications?
Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language degree from Shanghai Normal University

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2014

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
A book and a camera. I like reading, photography and traveling.

Favourite Chinese dish?
The omelettes my father makes.

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
My house!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Mars. That way I will be the first human being to go on Mars.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
My future wife, so that I don’t need to continue searching for her.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Speak more with Chinese people.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I’m the only person in the world with my type of DNA.

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Tibet, this is the most beautiful place in my opinion.

Caroline 冯新娇

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Hefei, Anhui province

What are your teaching qualifications?
B.A. in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language from North China Institute of Science and Technology.

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2015

We asked everyone to bring their favourite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought a calligraphy kit (brush, ink, paper and inkplate). Those are the four treasures of Chinese literature, and Chinese calligraphy has been popular in the world for many thousands of years, I also really like calligraphy.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Chestnut Chicken, Red Braised Pork, Stir-fried Tomato and Scrambled Eggs.

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
The LTL School!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
The Sahara Desert. Because as a child I really liked the author San Mao, she lived for numerous years in the Sahara Desert, and her lifestyle had a big influence over me.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
If I could turn back time, I would love to have dinner with Cao Xueqin, the author of the Chinese classic Dream of the Red Chambers.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Language is a tool of communication. Only if it is applied, can you improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening, and thus having a better grasp of Chinese.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I went to a bar for the first time when I was 24 years old.

What is your favourite place in China and why?
The Great Wall of China. Because I’ve seen the most beautiful starline there. The combination of the long wall and the star-filled sky creates the most impressive natural scenery.

Yiyi 杨蕊菡

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Chengdu, Sichuan province

What are your teaching qualifications?
B.A. in Teaching Chinese, and M.A. in Ancient Chinese Literature

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2016

We asked everyone to bring their favorite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought a doll, because this is a birthday gift my best friend gave me.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Maocai Hotpot

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
The Bund

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I don’t typically eat dinner. If I do, it will definitely be with an important person!

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Panda, because it’s a national treasure.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Speak as much as possible. Also, have me be your Chinese teacher!

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
For many years now, I’ve been waking up every day at 6 AM.

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Lijiang in Yunnan, that’s my hometown.

Alexander Krasnov 朱兆风

Shanghai School Director

Where are you from?
I’m from the southern part of Israel.

What are your teaching qualifications?
Not teaching, but I have a Masters in Ancient Chinese Literature.

How long have you been working for LTL?
Since 2012

We asked everyone to bring their favourite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought my phrasebooks, because I am obsessed with learning languages.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Huiguorou (Twice Cooked Pork)

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
I absolutely love the Korean BBQ restaurant near the school!

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Generally I enjoy discussing languages with other successful language learners and learn the various methods they use.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
I’d prefer to stay human. I think we live in an amazing world, and being human allows us to enjoy it the most!

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Being consistent! Start studying and don’t stop! Daily study will eventually turn into fluency!

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I’m able to communicate in ten languages, and I’m studying 13 others (as of March 2017)

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Beijing and Shanghai, because these are the places where most of my friends are.

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Kristen 蒋晓露

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Shanghai

What are your teaching qualifications?
I’m a returnee, I studied in Sweden.

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2011

We asked everyone to bring their favourite item, what item did you bring and why?
I brought my Beats headphones. Because I love music.

Favourite Chinese dish?
No favourite. As long as it is tasty, I like it.

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
Being a Shanghainese person, it’s hard for me to answer.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
One place is not enough, I want to travel the world!

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Eddie Peng, Hu Ge, Song Joong-ki… there are too many handsome guys! You should change the question to “If there was one guy everyday who would take you out for dinner, who would it be?”

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
One, open your mouth and speak, do not be afraid of making mistakes. Two, Find a Chinese boyfriend/girlfriend. Three, Listen to your teacher’s advice, you have to take initiative in studying and have a good study schedule. Four, Try to understand Chinese culture, throw away any prejudices and stereotypes.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I cannot ride a bicycle.

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Shanghai, because Shanghai is the place where I was born and where I grew up.

Fu Lala 付拉拉

Teaching Director

Where are you from?
Zunyi, Guizhou

What are your teaching qualifications?
Master Degree of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Shanghai International Studies University

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2013

We asked everyone to bring their favourite item, what item did you bring and why?
Books, I am trying to know more about both Chinese and foreign literature and culture.

Favorite Chinese dish?
All kinds of food with potatoes.

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
In Shanghai, I like the Luxun Park most, I can find peace even if there are hundreds of people around.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
First of all, I want to go home since I haven’t seen my grandparents for a while. Then, I want to go to the Sahara, seeing the desert and enjoying a space of no one around, because where I live now is full of houses, pretty crowded.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Cats, they are so cool, they will come to you whenever they want, and will stay away from humans if they want to be alone.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
To embrace the culture, try to put yourself in our shoes, then you will understand why Chinese people act in that way.

This is also related to our language, the Chinese language is a reflection of our history, literature and philosophy.

From my own experience, if you are interested in a culture, you will get more motivated in its language.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
For a long time, my absolute favourite past time was climbing trees!

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Guizhou, which is my hometown, has a reputation for its various landscape and astonishing scenery.

Amanda 李钟霞

Chinese Language Teacher

What are your teaching qualifications?
Degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language from East China Normal University

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2012

We asked everyone to bring their favourite item, what item did you bring and why?
A calligraphy brush, because I love writing Chinese calligraphy.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Too many, I really like eating!

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
There’s no one special place. I like what the roads of Shanghai look like early in the morning, when there are no people around.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I like travelling, and would like to see a lot of places. If in China, I would like to go to Nyinchi in Tibet, because the Nyang River is really beautiful. If abroad, I would like to go to Spain, because I like drinking Sangria!

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Jack Ma (the founder of Alibaba Group), so that I can learn from his insights.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Listen a lot, speak a lot, imitate a lot. Chinese is not really hard, as long as you are willing to put the effort and follow your teacher.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I travelled alone for two months. Believe me, in China, a 25 year old girl traveling alone is a very surprising thing to people, even if I don’t think so personally.

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Nyinchi in Tibet, such amazing beauty and serenity.

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Tony 张小龙

Chinese Language Teacher

Where are you from?
Xi’an, Shanxi

What are your teaching qualifications?
A teaching Chinese B.A.

When did you start teaching Chinese?
2015

We asked everyone to bring their favourite item, what item did you bring and why?
A comic book and my headphones. Because there’s nothing better than a good story and good music.

Favourite Chinese dish?
Fried Rice

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
My home in Shanghai.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
A lonely island somewhere. Because I can completely be myself there.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
With myself, because I have no idea what it is like for someone to have dinner with me. I think it would be interesting.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
A panda. I wouldn’t need to do anything, and people would still consider me a national treasure.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
First, form it into a personal interest. Second, develop it into a habit.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I once took a 40 day bicycle ride to Tibet

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Tibet, because there are few people and the landscape is amazing!

Jan Skarstein 杨洋

Marketing Manager

Where are you from?
I was born in Warsaw, Poland, but I grew up among the fjords in Bergen, Norway.

How long have you been working for LTL?
I started in May 2016

We asked everyone to bring their favourite item, what item did you bring and why?
My Minolta analogue SLR camera, it was given to me by my father. While it didn’t spark my love for photography, it did fuel it. Despite being incredibly heavy I still brought it with me from Norway to China.

Favourite Chinese dish?
I don’t think it has a name, but my wife makes this amazing lotus root braised in soy sauce.

Where is your favourite place to go in Shanghai?
I like visiting the grounds of my old university, Fudan. The grounds are like a large quiet park, and my favorite sushi restaurant is nearby!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
A proper trip through China’s southwest, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou. I love the food from that area. Outside of China, I’ve been fascinated by Sudan, the Pharaoh kingdoms of the lower Nile, and the pyramids in there.

What is your top tip for people learning Chinese?
Don’t ignore the characters! Characters are very useful, especially if you live in China. Getting a basic understanding of some of the commonly used, simpler characters is not as hard as people might think. If you know pinyin, and you should, then even typing characters on phones or computers is a breeze.

Tell me something about you that would surprise me!
I took all the pictures on the “meet the team” page, well, except for the pictures of me. If that’s not surprising enough, then I failed my driving test twice, before passing the 3rd time – so much for being a car lover.

What is your favourite place in China and why?
Xiamen is awesome, laid back, great weather, and great food.