LI Tao

Hometown in China

I hail from Jiaozuo City, Henan Province. Tucked away at the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains, it is a small city renowned for its stunning mountain scenery and cascading waterfalls.

Favourite Food

Homemade noodles and dumplings. In northern China, people favour wheat-based foods far more than rice. My mother’s handmade noodles, dumplings and flatbreads are simply the most delicious!

Hobbies

Swimming and reading. One strengthens my body, while the other enriches my mind.

Favourite Thing about Teaching Chinese

I get the opportunity to work in different countries, with students from all corners of the globe. It gives me immense joy to see my students grow more confident and successful after learning Chinese. More often than not, they develop a broader international perspective, enabling them to know, understand and eventually fall in love with China.

Top Tip for Beginner Learners of Chinese

Drawing on my experience of teaching Chinese, as well as learning English and Russian, I would advise you to prioritise pronunciation. Mastering proper pronunciation from the very beginning ensures that you speak authentic Chinese whenever you open your mouth. This will boost your confidence significantly!

Top Tip for More Advanced Learners of Chinese

Seize every chance to travel and study in China and put your Chinese skills into practice. You will be delighted to discover that you can accomplish a great many things using Chinese.

Favourite Chinese Saying or Chengyu

学而时习之 (Xué ér shí xí zhī) "Learn and review constantly". This classic saying means that after learning something, you should review or put it into practice on a regular basis. It is one of the most renowned educational tenets of Confucius, and I wholeheartedly agree with it. My academic background is in International Chinese Language Education, and my job is itself a form of learning through practice. However, this is not enough. I must constantly revisit and update my knowledge, take part in new training programmes, and teach a wide range of courses. All these efforts help to solidify my professional knowledge and enhance my teaching skills.

I encourage you to embrace the principle of "Learn and review constantly" throughout your Chinese learning journey.

A Chinese TV Show I Recommend to Students

《玫瑰的故事》The Tale of Rose was an extremely popular Chinese TV series in the year of 2024. It tells the story of a girl Rose’s personal growth and emotional journey, while vividly depicting a diverse group of characters navigating relationships in modern life. Spanning over 20 years from 2001 onwards, the show sheds light on numerous social phenomena and topical issues of the era. Rose is a much-loved, courageous young woman who strives to live a more fulfilling and extraordinary life.

Chinese Teaching Background and Experience

Prior to moving to Leeds, I spent 2 years teaching at a K-12 school in the Philippines and worked at the Confucius Institute at the Russian State University for the Humanities for 5 years. I have experience teaching a wide variety of Chinese language courses, and have authored 4 Chinese learning textbooks.