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.
Tôi với tư cách là giáo viên
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.
Phong cách dạy & bài học của tôi
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!
3 Thg 04 năm 2024
Bertha Bazbaz
5 bài học Tiếng Trung Quốc (Quảng Đông)
Lựa chọn dành cho giáo viên
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!!
26 Thg 05 năm 2023
Christine US English
9 bài học Tiếng Trung Quốc (Quảng Đông)
Lựa chọn dành cho giáo viên
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.
6 Thg 01 năm 2023
Alex
92 bài học Tiếng Trung Quốc (Quảng Đông)
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!
29 Thg 08 năm 2024
Manuel Hernandez
3 bài học Tiếng Trung Quốc (Quảng Đông)
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.