From Studying Languages at Cheadle Hulme School to Launching a Mandarin Language Business

My journey into language education began back in 1998 when I first attended Cheadle Hulme School in year 7. Over the years I studied German, Latin, French and Spanish, including A Levels in the latter two. 

Learning these languages sparked my interest in communication across cultures and provided me with a foundation in the challenges and rewards of language study. The experience of going on the French exchange in sixth form exposed me to real-world language use and broadened my cultural horizons, planting the seeds for a lifelong passion for language.

After Cheadle Hulme, I initially pursued a career path unrelated to languages; first in journalism then later in careers guidance. However, my curiosity for language learning persisted, leading me years later to explore an unexpected interest: self-studying Mandarin.

During the pandemic, with extra time on my hands, I decided to take my Mandarin studies seriously, setting a goal of conversational fluency. What began as a hobby quickly became an immersive experience, as I consumed Mandarin content on YouTube daily and practiced rigorously. 

Living in the UK, I had to create my own Mandarin immersion, surrounding myself with Mandarin audio, connecting with native speakers online, and practicing relentlessly. Over time, I developed techniques to replicate an immersive environment, which later became a central part of my approach to teaching Mandarin.

The tones of the Chinese language presented unique challenges, as did the characters, especially without an immersive environment living in the UK. But with dedicated self-study, I eventually reached my goal. 

This experience inspired me to help others navigate similar challenges, leading to the creation of imlearningmandarin.com, a blog and podcast where I shared my learning journey, methods, and strategies for Mandarin mastery.

With imlearningmandarin.com, I aimed to fill a gap I had experienced by providing accessible resources for non-native speakers outside China, who often struggle with self-study. The blog quickly grew into a community where learners found practical guidance on challenges like mastering tones, achieving conversational fluency, and building study routines.

I also launched an annual Mandarin summer camp for adults, which has now been attended by nearly 100 learners from across Europe.

For current Cheadle Hulme students or recent graduates interested in language careers, I recommend immersing yourself in your target language as much as possible, even if you aren’t in a native environment. 

Engage in language exchanges, join online communities, or find media in your target language to build fluency. Additionally, take advantage of any networking opportunities within language-focused industries, from translation to international business.