Meet the Team Welcome to the Mandarin Stars team! As a proud and passionate team- we strive to ensure that we are delivering a first class Mandarin program for children. Our training program for staff is rigorous and we engage in regular in-house and external training workshops and conferences on a regular basis. Staff are also sponsored to attend interstate events including The Chinese Language Teacher’s Conference (Adelaide) and the Raising Children Bilingually Conference (Melbourne). Committed and dedicated to teaching a world leading Mandarin program for children, Mandarin Stars invests heavily in staff development and training. In addition to this, we also like to ensure that staff recognize how thankful we are for their hard work and get the chance to take time out (teaching can be very tiring!). Mandarin Stars therefore makes sure that our whole team is regularly invited to attend a Mandarin Stars Team Building event whereby the sole focus is to connect with other team members and relax! Dawna Leung Director & Founder As a mum to two Australian Chinese boys under the age of three, I found it challenging to find Mandarin classes for children that blend an Australian playgroup style approach to learning. So I decided to set one up myself! Coming from a trilingual Chinese household in Warrington, Cheshire, in the UK, I was brought up to speak a Chinese dialect known as Hakka to my grandparents, Cantonese to my parents and siblings and English outside of the home at school and with my English friends. I also studied French and Spanish at school and later obtained a degree in French with Business Studies at Queen Mary & Westfield College, The University of London. Having learnt 5 languages, I therefore asked myself: ‘What is the key to learning and maintaining a second language? What will really inspire my sons to learn Mandarin in the future? How can I develop and nurture their future learning? What sort of program will develop their interest and a positive attitude towards learning Mandarin?’ From my own experiences and through research of this highly debated topic, I agree with many others that motivation is the single most important factor in raising children bilingually. According to Edith Harding-Esch, a Senior Research Fellow in Language Education at the University of Cambridge, ‘Without a good reason, the effort required to learn a language is simply not worth making. Children, at least after a certain age, need to be motivated to accept being spoken to in the minority language and to make the attempt to answer their parent in this language.’ I therefore concluded that if the success of my children's ability to learn Mandarin is dependent on their desire to learn, then it should be of paramount importance that the Mandarin Stars program we offer is of pure enjoyment to the children that attend our program. Our approach is not academic or intensive. Instead, we offer activities that build vocabulary and conversational skills in Mandarin in a fun, interactive, learning environment. Our program has been developed so that your child will enjoy learning and playing in Mandarin and as a result, be inspired to learn Mandarin in the future. I hope you will enjoy watching your child learn and play in Mandarin as much as we have enjoyed Colleen Bao Playgroup Leader/ Mandarin Superstars Teacher What’s your background and experience? I come from Shanghai, the second biggest city in China. After having settled in Australia, I enrolled to study Children’s Services at Crows Nest TAFE. I have since achieved my Certificate III in Children’s Services and have really enjoyed learning about how to interact with children and encourage their development. The notion that ‘children learn the world through play’ is always the first principle I follow in working with children. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? In my view, the Mandarin Stars philosophy and approach to teaching Mandarin adopts an education style that goes hand in hand with my principle. We teach children Mandarin through lots of fun activity, games and lots of fun. Joining the Mandarin Stars team has been a dream that has come true for me! I can further apply my understanding, knowledge and skills in working with children and also participate in helping them grow and develop. Why do you love working with children? Having worked in a long day care centre, I really enjoyed observing children explore their world. Working with children, discovering their abilities and encouraging their growth and development is a lot of fun for the children themselves and also for me! Claire Ren Playgroup Leader/ Mandarin Superstars Teacher What’s your background and experience? I have been qualified in the field of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) since 2002, and in the final year of my university time in China, I was considered as an applicant for Post-Graduate experience and teaching Mandarin at Lampang College of Commerce and Technology (LCCT), Lampang, Thailand, a position I had held for one academic year since that time. After finishing this whole academic year in their multilingual program, I came back to China, and taught Mandarin in a senior high school (Year 10 to 12) for nearly one year. During the same time I also did some volunteer work at EF (English First) language school, which aims at training Chinese children to improve their English skills. In 2008 I completed a Masters Degree (Master of Education) at the University of Sydney and am now studying a Masters in Translation and Interpreting. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? Throughout my teaching experience, I have developed numerous ideas and opinions about developing the best bilingual teaching environment and development of language curriculums. I have found that learning through playing has the advantages of encouraging students to develop and improve language ability more easily, and this is especially the case for children. The Mandarin Stars program offers me the opportunity to teach Mandarin to children, and also share my own interest and enjoyment of teaching another language. Why do you love working with children? Working with children is an amazing job for me, because one can never predict a child’s imagination and passion. I feel that it is really a wonderful thing when I hear children speaking Mandarin that has been learnt from my class. Bonnie Xi Program Manager- Cultural Education/ Assistant Playgroup Leader/ Mandarin Superstars Teacher What’s your background and experience? I am from Hebei province which is next to Beijing. I obtained my Bachelor degree in English Linguistics and Literature. I am currently studying a Masters in Translation and Interpreting at MacquarieUniversity. I worked as a part-time teacher in China and I loved what I was doing-teaching Chinese and English. I am also currently a Community Interpreter at the Hunter Hills Community Centre. Languages and cultures have always been my passion. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? I love Mandarin Stars’ teaching philosophy- we help children acquire the Mandarin language while having fun. This, in my opinion, is the way we acquire our mother tongue. It is one of the most effective and efficient approaches in terms of second language acquisition. I love the idea and it is a great pleasure to join this wonderful team with other great linguistic practitioners. Why do you love working with children? Children are so adorable! Their abilities to acquire and absorb new things are amazing! Furthermore, they are willing to embrace new worlds with open arms and curiosity. Working at Mandarin Stars offers me the perfect opportunity to combine the two loves of my life. I know that my work with Mandarin Stars is going to be a thrilling adventure! Monica Meng Li Assistant Playgroup Leader/ Mandarin Superstars Teacher What’s your background and experience? I was born and raised in Northern China and speak Mandarin natively. I came to Sydney after high school, and have been living with an Australian family ever since. In 2007 I completed my Foundation Studies at the University of New South Wales, graduating as the top student of the class with a yearly award on International Issues and Perspectives. I am currently studying Linguistics at the University of Sydney. My previous working experiences include working as a Film Subtitle Translator (English to Chinese) at 2008 Australian Refugee Film Festival and tutoring high school students English. I have also worked in an English training college in Shandong, China as an assistant teacher for the Year 10 program. Being fluent in both Mandarin and English, I speak Cantonese on an intermediate level, and am learning French as my fourth language. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? I myself started learning English as a second language when I was in kindergarten, thanks to my parents’ belief that being bilingual is extremely beneficial to a person’s future development, and that it is also important to start early. Being a Linguistics student now, I see how right they were, and I would say that making me bilingual is the best gift my parents could ever give me. At Mandarin Stars children learn in a friendly and cheerful atmosphere- they are able to enjoy themselves and participate actively with no pressure. As someone who has experience in both learning a foreign language as a child and teaching a foreign language to young people, I know how this can have a hugely positive impact on children’s feelings, their willingness to learn, and more importantly, their cognitive development. Why do you love working with children? I just find it so rewarding and lots of fun! Children have incredible ability and potential to learn and create, and I believe that they all deserve to be guided and helped to explore the world in their own way. From my own experience I can see how learning another language from a young age has made it so much easier to learn a new language or any other knowledge later in my life, and I would like to pass this great experience to the children at Mandarin Stars. I understand how important it is to give each and every child a colourful childhood memory which is full of joy, and with love and responsibility, I will try to be one of the brightest colours! Ting Ting Sun (Vicky) Playgroup Leader/ Mandarin Superstars Teacher What’s your background and experience? I come from Wuhan, a city in central China. I obtained my Bachelor degree of English Literature in China and a Master degree of Translating and Interpreting with Master of International Relations at MacquarieUniversity. Before coming to Sydney, I worked as a full time university English teacher for two years and part time kindergarten and high school English teacher for one year. During the last two years, I had been living with either Chinese or Australian families that both have more than two children aged from 1 to 4 years old. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? First of all, I love teaching languages. Well-developed language competence enables us to understand others in a better way, but also helps us to appropriately express ourselves. My personal second language learning experience conduces to my proper comprehension of the culture, politics, economy and mindset of English-speaking countries. Therefore, I hope more people would enjoy the benefits of learning Chinese through my teaching. Moreover, the philosophy of Mandarin Stars has attracted me- the importance of learning languages, to build up learners’ interests and create a lot of fun, is fully embodied through Mandarin Stars teaching methods. Lastly, all teachers at Mandarin Stars are so committed, passionate and helpful that I feel very happy to work with them. Why do you love working with children? It is said that I would be the best mother because my horoscope is Cancer. I am not sure if it is true or not however I do think I have a natural skill at bonding with children. I love bonding with children and gain real satisfaction from seeing them learn the language that I love to teach. Ningyu Zhang (Jessica) Assistant Playgroup Leader What’s your background and experience? I come from Beijing, the capital of China. In 2007, I completed my Master of Education (Teaching English as a Second Language) at the University and then I achieved my Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Management and Leadership) in 2008. When I was in China, I used to teach Cambridge Young Learners English at a primary school and I have more than 3 years working experience with children. Currently I am working in an education and training organization where I can use my knowledge, skills and previous experience in regards to education. Education has always been my career choice. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? I decided to join the Mandarin Stars team because Mandarin Stars endeavors to provide a practical and enthusiastic approach to learning for children through a unique method of structured playgroup with music, movement, craft, story telling, and games which inspire children’s curiosity, enthusiasm and confidence to learn. For me, Mandarin is my mother tongue and I am very willing to engage in the work of early childhood education, especially teaching children Mandarin. At Mandarin Stars, I am pleased to help the children to learn, get their pronunciations and intonations right and make the learning process enjoyable. Why do you love working with children? There are a million positives to work with children. It makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile with my life. I love experiencing the uniqueness of each child. I love the laughter of children. It's wonderful to know you are helping and making a change in someone else's life. It is amazing working with children and watching them learn. AJ (Anjie Chen) Mandarin Superstars Teacher What’s your background and experience? My major at University was Teaching Chinese as A Foreign Language. I have been teaching non-Chinese speakers Mandarin for two years since I graduated from East China Normal University in Shanghai. I came to Australia to further my study in English Language. I am currently studying Translating and Interpreting and International Relations at Macquarie University. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team?
I consider working at Mandarin Stars as a great opportunity for me to enrich my teaching experience. Mandarin Stars has such a lovely and enthusiastic team which I really enjoy working with. I believe I can gain a lot from this school and contribute my skills to the group as well.
Why do you love working with kids? I like working with kids mainly because I think I'm just a big kid myself! Most people find that working with children is difficult, but I find it really nteresting. Children are so precious- I think I can relate easily to them and have a good rapport with them.
Andrea Meng Mandarin Stars Playgroup Leader and Superstars Teacher What’s your background and experience? I come from Hebei Province which is located in Northern China. I am a native Mandarin speaker. In 2006, I graduated from university, and got my Bachelor Degree of Law. I came to Sydney in 2007 and studied at Macquarie University. I majored in a Master of Interpreting and Translation with a Master of International Relations. I graduated and obtained my Master Degree in 2009. When I was studying my bachelor degree program in China, I started working as a part-time Chinese and English tutor. My working experience about teaching languages in China includes teaching high school students Chinese and English as a private tutor, and teaching children English in a community kindergarten. After coming to Australia, I worked as a part-time private Chinese tutor and taught Chinese to both English and Chinese speaking children. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? As a native Mandarin speaker who is living in an English speaking country, I notice that being bilingual makes my life more beautiful. I believe it is well-known that it is better for people to study foreign languages as kids. However, the traditional methods of learning a foreign language are boring to a young kid. I think Mandarin Stars is working effectively to change this situation. Now with Mandarin Stars, children can study a difficult second language with fun. At Mandarin Stars, children can learn the language with playing games and toys and listening to interesting stories. Besides, Mandarin Stars focuses on improving students’ speaking and listening skills. This can help kids build confidence in speaking Mandarin well. Why do you love working with children? I think working with children is a blessing. Working with these lovely angels opens the door of a new world to my life. A child’s world is always colorful. My life becomes much more interesting with sharing their ideas, imaginations and happiness.
Qian Wang (Anna) Mandarin Stars Playgroup and Superstars Teacher What’s your background and experience? I come from Beijing, the capital of China. My major at University was Teaching Chinese as A Foreign Language. And my major of postgraduate diploma in Beijing Normal University was Linguistics and applied linguistics. Before I came to Sydney in 2009, I had taught Mandarin for about two years in the Institute for the International Education of Students of Beijing Foreign Study University (BFSU). Until now, I have acquired several certifications and diplomas in this field and my Putonghua level is first level B. Currently, I am studying in International Communication at Macquarie University. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? There are three main reasons that I decide to join the Mandarin Stars team. First of all, I approve Mandarin Stars’ teaching philosophy and I am very willing to practice this philosophy in the process of teaching. We are encouraged to design various activities which children can acquire the Mandarin in the fun. Secondly, it is a good chance to enrich my teaching experience in other countries. Although I am an overseas student now, I want to continue career as well as improve my teaching skills. The third one is Mandarin Stars has an active and enthusiastic team that I really enjoy working with. Why do you love working with children? I love working with children. I think children have fantastic creativity and good imitative ability. Their progresses no matter big one or small one always encourage me to do more contribution and research in the field of preschool education. It is really an enjoyable and amazing thing for me that, I not only can share their happiness but also see their improvement and changes in Mandarin learning.
Betty Yu Zhao Mandarin Stars Playgroup and Superstars Leader
What’s your background and experience? I came to Australia two years ago after I finished my undergraduate studies in China. I completed my first Master degree of Business Law in University of Sydney and then I continued my study in University of Western Sydney where I finished my second Master degree in Interpreting and Translation. When I was in China doing my Bachelor degree, I spent over three years working with children aged 6 to 12 as a primary school voluntary teacher, teaching English and Art. Currently I am doing volunteering work as an English tutor for the Smith Family, teaching Migrants and refugees English in the Home Tutor Scheme program. In the mean time, I am also an IELTS ( International English Language Testing System ) teacher specialized in both Academic and General English tests.
Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? As a native Mandarin speaker, I have been studying English as a foreign language for more than 10 years. Being bilingual is such a wonderful belief implanted by my parents who are professors in university in China that it enriches my life, opens the door for me to embrace different cultures and even improves my understanding of my native language. Likewise, as a NATTI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd) accredited translator (English - Mandarin), I deeply believe that knowing a second language is a real asset. Upon graduation, I began my job hunting journey in the teaching field, and Mandarin Stars sparked my interest immediately, which has an amazing insight of offering children a great opportunity and an encouraging environment to learn Mandarin with a lot fun. Besides, flexible and age-appealing teaching methodologies, tons of fabulous update teaching resources and friendly and creative teaching environment in the Mandarin Stars programs make me so proud that I can be a part of this great team. Why do you love working with children? To me, working with children is both demanding and rewarding. Children at their early age genuinely need someone who cares about them, their intellectual growth and their future, who have the commitment, energy and enthusiasm to be positive role models and second language tutors to develop their ability to communicate in a different language in their later life and to increase the flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language. With my teaching and language learning experience, I am pretty much sure that I have this true passion for teaching and working with adorable children who deserve a good start! Lynn Li Ma Mandarin Stars Playgroup and Superstars Teacher
What’s your background and experience? I completed my Bachelor of Education at the Northwest Normal University (China) in 2001. I also obtained Mandarin Pronunciation Certificate, Teaching Certificate during the university training, which were considered parts of the integrated curriculum. In September 2001, I started my Mandarin teaching career in Shanghai, and then went to Tokyo to work and study in 2007. Up until last year, I have completed a qualification in Community Service. Currently I am doing Community Language Teaching course in Wollongong University. I have extensive teaching experience on different levels and enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds.
Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? As a Mandarin teacher, I always think about the learning environment, methods and strategies in the area of language acquisition, which is commonly recognized as an important motivation factor. My other interest lies in the exploration of what is the most appropriate age to begin language learning. Mandarin Stars therefore, provides a relaxed and effective environment. This environment is able to compliment my particular teaching methods, such as physical activities, music, craft, story reading. Even during snack time we can learn words effortless. I am really excited to bring my expertise to work in Mandarin Stars team.
Why do you love working with children? It is amazing to learn about how a child's mind grows and how we as adults inspire them. We all can learn a lot from them. To witness the young minds develop can be very gratifying and rewarding. And of course I love all the smiles of the little ones. Athena Li Mandarin Stars Playgroup Teacher What’s your background and experience? I majored in English education and graduated in Hubei University in 1998.I received half a year training and became a broadcaster. I worked for the broadcast station for 3 years and I’ve got very standard mandarin since then on. I had been a university teacher for 8 years before I became a director of academic department in Beijing International Education Institute. I love children and started to have a small English training centre for the children from three to 12 years old. I’m studying for my master degree of TESOL (teaching English to speakers to other language)in the University of Sydney. Why did you decide to join the Mandarin Stars team? I started to look for a job in which I can work with children and make the best use of my advantage. I searched a lot of mandarin teaching school and found I completely agree with the principles of Mandarin Stars. It uses a fun and captivating way to encourage children to learn Mandarin in a structured playgroup with music, movement, singing, dramatic play, art and craft, storytelling, games and more in a truly multi-cultural environment. After I read the parents’ comments and teaching staffs’ value I made a decision to apply the job. I received a comprehensive training about the teaching methodology, teaching schedule, class management by observing classes, writing training diaries, designing teaching plans, teaching small activity groups and teaching a whole role. I appreciate the learning organization in which you find all the teams are serious about the job and enjoy working here. Why do you love working with children? I have a nine-year-old daughter and I regard every child is a gift from god. They’re so good learners and it’s fantastic to watch them making progress. I learn a lot from children, for instance, they keep curious about new knowledge, they’re open to make friends and they’re creative in learning language. Their improvements encourage teachers and we find it’s the most valuable career in the world. © 2008 Mandarin Stars Pty Ltd (ACN 131 157 670). All rights reserved. | 
