Teacher: Hsiao-Chieh (CJ) Teng Hozak

Hi! I’m CJ, a Mandarin educator from Taiwan, now based in the U.S. Midwest. I hold a master’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) and a teaching certificate issued by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education.

With experience teaching at universities in Taiwan and working with adult learners online, I help students understand how Mandarin works and communicate naturally and appropriately in real-life situations.

■ My Credentials & Teaching Experience

• Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language

• Certified by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education

• 10+ years of experience teaching adults in universities, corporate programs, and 1-on-1 online lessons

• Students from beginner to advanced, across the U.S., Europe, and Asia

■ My Teaching Approach

I believe learning Mandarin goes beyond vocabulary and grammar. It also means knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it.

My lessons focus on three areas:

• Strong Foundations: I use structured textbooks to build essential language skills.
• Authentic Materials: I bring in news, videos, and everyday content to show how Mandarin is used in real life.
• Practical Communication: I design activities that encourage students to express their ideas and use Mandarin in meaningful situations.

I tailor each lesson to your level, interests, and goals so you can communicate more naturally and confidently in everyday life.

All lessons are taught one-on-one online and tailored to each student’s level, interests, and learning goals.

Course Types & Rates

General Mandarin | US$50 / 60-minute lesson

For learners of all levels, from beginner to advanced. Lessons may include everyday conversation, workplace communication, reading and writing, Chinese culture, and exam preparation (HSK / TOCFL).

Specialized Mandarin | US$65 / 60-minute lesson

For learners with specific professional needs, such as medical, legal, or business-related Chinese. These lessons require additional research and customized materials, with course content discussed during consultation.

Course Overview

Adult Mandarin (Ages 18+)

Whether you’re learning Mandarin for work, travel, exams, or personal interests, lessons are tailored to your level and goals.

• Everyday Communication: Speak more naturally and confidently in daily conversations.
• Workplace Mandarin: Improve communication in meetings, emails, presentations, and professional settings.
• Reading & Writing: Build vocabulary, understand sentence structures, and express your ideas clearly.
• Exam Preparation: Prepare for HSK, TOCFL, or other Chinese proficiency exams.
• Literature & Culture: Explore Chinese stories, essays, and cultural perspectives while improving your language skills.

Teen Mandarin (Ages 12–17)

Lessons help teens strengthen their Mandarin skills and express themselves with greater confidence.

• Speaking & Listening: Communicate more comfortably in everyday situations.
• Reading Comprehension: Understand texts, expand vocabulary, and identify main ideas.
• Writing Skills: Organize thoughts and write clear, well-structured paragraphs.
• Literature & Critical Thinking: Explore stories and cultural topics while developing and expressing personal opinions.

North American Central Time Zone: Wednesday 1pm- 7pm

( The listed times reflect my general availability. You are welcome to schedule a consultation to discuss a lesson time that works for both of us. )

Reviews from language center students in Taiwan:

To be honest, no, i do not find a possible way in which her teaching cancan [sic] improve, I just find it perfect, (i have had about 10 different language teachers) so kudos for her teaching, she us [sic] extremely nice and capable of teaching. I am completely satisfied and even surpassed my expectations for the class all that thanks to the teacher and also thanks to taichung university of education. Exelent [sic]

鄧老師 was a great teacher she prepared a lot for our class and went above and beyond expectations.

the best teacher, she prepared work very well

Best teacher forever

Thank you teacher Teng for all your hard work. My interest in learning Chinese has been renewed

Don’t work so hard! You are too perfect!

You are my idol

You are the best and a lot of energy.