From Jakarta to Australia – My Journey with Mandarin Stars
When I first arrived in Australia on my Working Holiday Visa, I wasn’t sure if I would get the chance to continue my passion for teaching Mandarin. Encouraged by a friend, I explored the Chatswood area in Sydney, which led me to discover Mandarin Stars. Taking a leap of faith, I dropped my resume into their mailbox, not knowing what to expect. Two weeks later, I received an interview invitation—and that moment changed everything.
Before joining Mandarin Stars, I had the privilege of serving as the Head of the Mandarin Program at Tarumanagara Xinya College in Jakarta, Indonesia. My experience there deepened my passion for Mandarin education and solidified my belief in immersive and interactive teaching methods.
From the very start, I was drawn to Mandarin Stars’ interactive and immersion-based teaching approach. Unlike traditional methods, Mandarin Stars makes learning fun and engaging, using hands-on activities like crafts, role-playing, and cultural celebrations to spark students’ interest. I witnessed firsthand how these methods kept young learners excited about Mandarin, turning language acquisition into a joyful journey.
One of my most memorable experiences was participating in the Mid-Autumn Festival event at Ardross Primary School in Perth. Seeing students and their families engage in Chinese cultural activities, like mooncake making and storytelling, reinforced the importance of language as a bridge to culture. Another highlight was the school holiday program, where students learned Mandarin through creative science experiments and outdoor exploration. These experiences reshaped my perspective on language education—it isn’t just about memorizing words but about creating meaningful, real-world connections.
Beyond the classroom, the support I received from the Mandarin Stars team, especially Rachael Laoshi, was invaluable. Her passion for fostering a strong teaching community was evident in the training opportunities she provided. Attending the International Chinese Language Teacher Training Program in July 2024 was a game-changer, equipping me with innovative classroom management strategies and insights into leveraging technology in teaching.
Teaching at Mandarin Stars has truly transformed me. It taught me the importance of adaptability, student-centered learning, and cross-cultural communication. One of my favorite moments was when a student corrected my use of the word “sofa” to “couch,” reminding me that language learning is a two-way process. As the Chinese saying goes, 教学相长 (jiàoxué xiāngzhǎng) – teaching and learning go hand in hand.
Though my time at Mandarin Stars has come to an end, the lessons, memories, and connections I made will stay with me forever. To anyone passionate about language education, Mandarin Stars is more than just a teaching job—it’s a place where language, culture, and community come together to create something truly special.
By Carlouisia Sandy
A Heartfelt Thank You from Mandarin Stars
We are incredibly grateful to Carlouisia Sandy for her dedication and contributions to Mandarin Stars during her nine months with us in 2024. Her passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to immersive Mandarin education have left a lasting impact on both our students and teaching community. Her reflections remind us why we do what we do—creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences that inspire a lifelong love for the Mandarin language and culture.
Carlouisia, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors and know that you will continue to make a difference in the world of language education. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and for being a part of the Mandarin Stars family!
