Yiming Gu - Our Team

May Chen was born and raised in Ningbo, Zhejiang, with its lush sceneries and rich cultural heritage framing her interest in Chinese language and literature. She was first awarded a Bachelor of Arts in English followed by a Master of Arts degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language with Credit from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She then obtained a Professional Diploma in Teaching Putonghua with Merit from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is qualified professionally with a Certificate of Grade ONE Level B Putonghua Proficiency Test from the State Language Commission, a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education from the Open University of Hong Kong. May was also recently selected as one of the judges for the 2nd Chinese Language Festival.

May has over 15 years’ experience teaching Mandarin Chinese to foreign and local students in bilingual kindergartens to international primary schools. She was most recently at Discovery Mind Primary School, where she was the Mandarin Chinese Teacher and Coordinator for Grades 1 to 6. She combines imaginative specialist methodologies with project-based learning in the classroom to enhance interactive teaching and engagement. To May, learning is not about comparing oneself to others, but to be a better version of yourself; even the smallest improvement each day makes a difference, each 1% change adding up to a long-term positive development that will allow students to grow and surpass themselves.

May’s son is starting his university education, while her daughter is entering her final years of secondary school. Besides enjoying quality parent-child time, May enjoys reading, cooking, swimming and traveling.

Cyan grew up in a city in Northwest China, where her passion for teaching first began to take root during her middle school years. She went on to earn both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. After graduating in Hong Kong seven years ago, Cyan returned to mainland China to teach Chinese at an international school for one year.

Her experience teaching first-grade children, and observing their markedly different attitudes towards learning, sparked a deep curiosity in Cyan. She became fascinated by the developmental stages preceding primary school and was eager to support children during these crucial early years. This led her back to Hong Kong to complete her Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), after which she embarked on a fulfilling six-year career as a kindergarten teacher.

This journey has solidified and clarified Cyan's core educational philosophy: to observe and listen attentively to each child's thoughts and emotions. She strives to create a secure environment where children feel safe to explore, awakening their innate curiosity. Cyan is committed to recognizing and nurturing every spark of problem-solving ideas that flashes through their minds, assisting them in bringing those ideas to life.

Cyan firmly believes that genuine love for learning, coupled with confidence and methods for solving problems, forms the essential foundation for children to becoming lifelong learners. This conviction fuels her strong passion for making her classroom engaging, fun, and attractive. Witnessing the curious and sparkling eyes of her students is profoundly important and motivating to her.

In the vast expanse of education, Ms. Wang has become a highly respected educator with her profound professional expertise, unwavering dedication, and rich practical experience. She not only has a solid foundation with a Bachelor's degree in Translation from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, but she has also pursued further studies, obtaining a Master's degree in International Chinese Language Teaching from the Hong Kong Education University. This academic background has laid a solid foundation for her outstanding achievements in language teaching.

Ms. Wang's teaching journey has been multifaceted. She has not only infused her keen journalistic insights into the classroom, but she has also honed her writing skills and sharp social observation through internships at the Three Gorges Times, where she conducted on-site interviews and reporting. Furthermore, she has demonstrated her talent in the translation field, serving as a translation intern at the YGYM Translation Service Company in Shanghai accumulating rich practical experience. Additionally, as a writer for the official account of the City University of Hong Kong on WeChat and Weibo, she has built bridges of communication through her writings, showcasing her strong foundations in cross-cultural communication.

Ms. Wang is not only an exceptional educator but also an active practitioner of social welfare. She enthusiastically participates in volunteer activities, from the Hong Kong New Home Association to online teaching projects around the world, using English as a bridge to illuminate the lighthouse of knowledge for primary school students. As an online teacher, she meticulously designs programs and creates English and Chinese presentation materials contributing her wisdom and efforts to global volunteer initiatives.

Ms. Wang deeply understands the uniqueness of each student. With an open and inclusive mindset, she adapts to diverse learning needs and creates a warm and challenging classroom environment through her excellent communication skills. In her classes, students not only master solid language skills but also gain a profound understanding of the allure of different cultures, developing flexible language skills and cross-cultural communication abilities. Ms. Wang firmly believes that the power of education lies in igniting potential and bestowing students with the courage and wisdom to explore the world. She is putting this educational philosophy into practice through her actions, guiding students towards a broader future.