I’m of Hong Kong heritage and I eat, sleep, and breathe Cantonese. I live in one of the largest Cantonese communities outside Asia; I grew up watching HK film and TV, listening to Cantopop, reading Chinese news, and perusing the secret menus of Cantonese restaurants. I retained an inordinate amount of Chinese due to immersion and persistence. I was very lucky to have early exposure to English, French, and Mandarin; It taught me at a young age that learning new languages is dynamic and human. I love food and I love talking about it. Cantonese food in particular holds a special place in my heart. My recent studies have led me to a strong interest in East Asian history and linguistic theory.
Me as a Teacher
I understand the struggle of mastering Cantonese in Western society as English is my strongest language. This gives me a unique perspective as a teacher and translator. I’ve provided lesson formats that reflect what has helped me preserve (and improve!) my Cantonese in Canada. Due to my formal music and linguistics education, I have an edge on teaching tones and pronunciation. I believe in establishing good fundamentals, and also flexibility and creativity. Language acquisition requires a balance of comfort and challenge. I like to prioritize my students’ comfort and confidence, and they can also expect a progressive difficulty in their learning to encourage improvement in conversation.
My lessons & teaching style
I’m a proponent of input theory, so lessons are mostly conversation-based with some grammar instruction. Beginners can expect to establish a strong foundation in Cantonese sounds and script so that students have the best chance at success in future learning, as Native speakers are fast and unpredictable. I often link non-instructional videos like YouTube, menus, and songs to explore practical use and nuance using familiar platforms. Students are encouraged to build a self-learning toolkit and vocabulary so that lessons can focus on conversation and instruction. I’m an open book and love answering any type of question. I use traditional Chinese and Jyutping romanization for instruction.
Laura is prepared, friendly, and the classes are working- I understand and speak a lot more than I did a month ago!
Apr 3, 2024
Bertha Bazbaz
5 Chinese (Cantonese) lessons
Teacher’s pick
Amazing teacher! Very conversational, friendly, and open to feedback. I felt that I quickly got a grasp on the very basics of the language, and learning instantly became a thousand times more successful. Excited to book again!! Highly recommend!!
May 26, 2023
Christine US English
9 Chinese (Cantonese) lessons
Teacher’s pick
After not using my Cantonese for many years, Laura helped me me prepare for an important meeting with a family member. She is a very knowledgable teacher, who is able to talk on a variety of subjects that keeps learning interesting.
Jan 6, 2023
Alex
92 Chinese (Cantonese) lessons
Laura is such a talented, patient, and thoughtful teacher. I would highly recommend you consider her if you wish to learn how to speak Cantonese.
She will go above and beyond to help you grow your skills in a safe environment.
Thank you, Laura!
Aug 29, 2024
Manuel Hernandez
3 Chinese (Cantonese) lessons
Laura is amazing!! She emphasizes a strong foundation and provides multiple examples that help you understand the lesson. Looking forward to working with Laura on my journey to learning Cantonese.