Everyone can learn Chinese
Selected stories from over 20,000 students. We firmly believe anyone can learn Mandarin! Not just to gain new vocabulary, but also to enjoy the process. Here are some stories from fellow Chinese language students who learn(ed) at GoEast Mandarin to inspire you up.
The GoEast Difference in Student Journeys
At GoEast Mandarin, we believe language learning is deeply personal, which is why our approach focuses on nurturing individual potential through structured learning paths tailored to your goals. Whether you’re seeking business Chinese like Santiago, academic language skills like May, or cultural immersion like Robert, our teachers create customized learning experiences that reflect your unique journey. This personalized approach has helped students from over 40 countries progress from complete beginners to confident speakers, readers, and writers.
Beyond the Textbook: The Teacher Difference
Our teachers don’t just teach characters and tones—they become partners in your language journey. As Cat experienced, “I got into class, had a really great teacher, and it started out really well. I caught on pretty good with the tones and vocabulary.”
Purpose-Built Learning Paths
From HSK-aligned courses to specialized business and medical Chinese, our curriculum adapts to your needs while maintaining clear progression milestones. This structured approach helped Cynthia discover that “it wasn’t until ramping up with GoEast courses, and having my teacher keep drilling me with questions in a structured order, that I started feeling as though I might think in simple sentences.”
Find Success Stories Like Yours
Jessica from the USA (HSK5-in-progress)
Educator & Single Mother
I always thought I wouldn’t be able to grasp the Chinese language. But I got into classes with a really great teacher at GoEast. And it goes really really well. I caught on with the tones and vocabulary.”
Previous pain points:
- Started with self-study through Duolingo but reached HSK2 plateau
- Needed a more structured approach to accelerate learning
- Balancing intensive language study with single motherhood
Current achievement: Progressed from self-study to advanced Chinese in just a few years
Cat from the USA (HSK2)
“I did not think I’d be able to grasp any of it. But I got into class, had a really great teacher, and it started out really really well. I caught on pretty good with the tones and vocabulary.”
Previous pain points:
- Zero Chinese knowledge before arriving in Shanghai
- Lack of confidence speaking with native colleagues
- Struggled to communicate in daily situations
Breakthrough moment: Using Chinese music to master vocabulary and pronunciation
Time with GoEast: 1+ year
Emma’s daughter (Children’s Course)(YCT)
“GoEast Children’s classes have more limited timeslots and last a whole hour, and they’re being crafted JUST FOR YOU.”
Parent perspective:
- Struggled with inconsistent 25-minute lessons elsewhere
- Needed flexible scheduling for weekend learning
- Wanted personalized attention rather than generic curriculum
Results: Takes classes over breakfast at 8am and has entire weekend free for activities
Value proposition: “For anyone serious about their children learning Chinese who needs a skilled native speaking teacher as their primary language source”
May from Thailand (HSK5)
— Medical Student
“GoEast really helped my confidence in Chinese and just let me practice, not being afraid of saying the wrong things. That’s what I love about learning with my teacher Winona.”
Previous pain points:
- University Chinese curriculum focused on irrelevant topics
- Needed medical Chinese vocabulary for hospital work
- Struggled with confidence in real conversations
Now: Studying HSK5 material while pursuing medical degree at Fudan University
Career goal: Using Chinese with patients in Thailand’s growing Chinese population
Alex from the UK (HSK6)
“Before coming to GoEast, I had only learned the very basic stuff. Now at GoEast, it’s going well. Not perfect but I’ve got great teachers. I can always practice with the people in my office because I work with a lot of Chinese people as well.”
Previous pain points:
- Came to China with “non-existent” Chinese skills
- Needed language for Chinese history research
- Struggled with speaking confidence despite good reading/writing
Academic goal: Conducting oral history interviews with elderly Chinese speakers
Real-world application: Can now understand his friend’s grandmother’s life stories
Cynthia from the US (HSK2)
— Writer & Online Student
“It wasn’t until ramping up with GoEast courses, and having Claire keep drilling me with questions in a structured order, that I started feeling as though I might think in simple sentences.”
Previous pain points:
- Accumulated random learning experiences without structure
- Struggled with mixed-up sentence structures and wrong pronunciation
- Couldn’t track progress in traditional classroom settings
Study method: Handwrites characters and sentences, sending scans to her teacher
Online advantage: “Online learning is ideal for Mandarin – I can see both the Pinyin and characters correctly right away”
Santiago from Chile (HSK3)
— Business Professional
“I had learned Chinese before coming to GoEast, but it was really bad, like university elective courses always are. I had like two semesters, but it’s totally different at GoEast. Of course, I still struggle with the tones, but I’m super happy to be learning here, I’m actually progressing and I learn every day. I went through HSK1, HSK2, and HSK3 — and I’m now learning characters over thirty characters a day.”
Previous pain points:
- Poor university elective courses that didn’t provide real learning
- Struggled with tones and completely new language structure
- Needed business Chinese for future career
Breakthrough moment: Successfully discussing distance and travel with his gym trainer entirely in Chinese
Personal goal: “Hold a ten-minute conversation with someone. That would be amazing.”
“Chinese is learned also learned through the heart, not just through the head”
At GoEast we make sure the classes aren’t just educational, but also stimulating.
Robert from Germany (HSK4)
— Rural China Explorer
“I’ve studied at GoEast Mandarin for several years, going from zero to HSK4. I stayed with a Chinese family for two days, and they’ve been extremely welcoming. And because I could talk with them well in Chinese, they told me I could call them Mama and Baba.”
Previous level: Started at zero Chinese knowledge
Journey with GoEast: Several years of consistent study
Real-world test: Successfully lived with a Chinese family in a remote village not on Google Maps
Cultural immersion: Planted bay leaves, fished for shrimp, played Mahjong and conversed freely with locals
Jaap from the Netherlands (HSK4)
— Cross-Cultural Connector
“I was never good with languages at high school, so I never imagined I could be speaking Mandarin. The first time I spoke Chinese in Amsterdam was amazing. In a Chinese restaurant, the waiter first couldn’t understand me: “啊?! 你说什么? 你要什么?!!!” “A?! Nǐ shuō shénme? Nǐ yào shénme?!!!” I refused to speak Dutch or English, or point at pictures. I explained to her I’m learning Mandarin and would really like to order in Chinese. Eventually, all the dishes ended up on the table.
Previous pain points:
- Never good with languages
- Lack of confidence
Cultural bridge: Connected with Chinese immigrants in the Netherlands through language
Perspective shift: “This language now connects me to so many people in China. And now it even connects my past, present and future.”
Reviews for GoEast Mandarin
+10.000 satisfied Chinese language students and counting.
Effective, efficient, and filled with humor
Excellent teachers, online and in person. Effective, efficient, and filled with humor. They are incredible at answering questions, thereby tailoring each class to the students wants and needs.
