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About
Hi! I am Crystal, a Mandarin Chinese instructor with experience working with diverse groups of people, from preschoolers to adult learners. To meet learners' specific needs, I design customized learning plans for each individual. With adults, I first discuss and set up achievable goals, whether that be focusing on conversational or professional skills. I also had experiences working with learners who are preparing for HSK and language tests relevant to AAPPL. In addition, I have designed a series of lessons for standard exams, such as AP and SAT Chinese.
Receiving bachelor's degree in teaching Chinese as the second language from National Taiwan Normal University, I have acquired plenty of professional training. In addition, I also participated in a training program for language educators at George Mason University. I am also certified by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan to teaching Chinese as the second language.
As designing a lesson for younger learners, I follow ACTFL (American Committee of Teaching Foreign Language) standards which are also adopted by most of the immersion schools. As for adult learners, I can customize lessons for you to meet your long-term and short-term goals.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Overview
Hired 71 times
Serves San Francisco, CA
Background checked
1 employee
22 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, Google Pay, PayPal, Square cash app, Stripe, Venmo, and Zelle.
Top Pro status
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2021
2020
2019
Services offered
Work location
My customers travel to me
I travel to my customers
I work remotely (phone or internet)
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Excellent 4.9
38 reviews
5
95%
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3%
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Read reviews that mention:
David H.
Sep 3, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
From my very first lesson with Crystal, she put in the effort to understand my goals and needs. My progress with her has been excellent, and the experience of talking and working with her has been thoroughly enjoyable. I would like to add that she has also gone above and beyond in helping me find additional learning opportunities that I would be suited for. For anyone learning to speak Mandarin, I feel confident recommending her without any reservation!
Details: 26 - 44 years old • Professional or academic verbal comprehension • Beginner • Beginner • Professional or academic reading/writing • I travel to the mandarin tutor • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)
Mandarin Lessons
Joann T.
May 5, 2023
•
Hired on Thumbtack
I started working with Crystal in preparation for a family trip to Taiwan. I had attended Chinese school when I was young but my Mandarin skills were quite rusty. Despite the short time frame to prepare, Crystal did a great job focusing on the most important topics to cover. I really enjoy her teaching style and she shared a variety of resources with me each lesson. She does a great job of reinforcing skills and correcting mistakes but is also very encouraging and easy to talk to. During my trip I felt so much more confident making conversation/understanding what was going on than I would have without my lessons. Thank you Crystal!
Details: 26 - 44 years old • Beginner • Conversational proficiency • No experience • No experience • Basic reading/writing skills • 45 minutes • I travel to the mandarin tutor • The mandarin tutor travels to me • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)
Mandarin Lessons
Burcu G.
Aug 28, 2018
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Crystal is a well prepared Mandarin teacher. We did a trial lesson, was full of tones information and feedback. She had many experience with engineers which is important for me, because I need more technical Mandarin as well. According to my scahedule, I will continue the lessons. I definitely suggest her.
Details: 26 - 44 years old • Beginner • Full fluency • Beginner • Beginner • Full literacy • 45 minutes • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)
Mandarin for U's reply
Thanks Burcu. Hope you can continue your Mandarin learning journey.
Mandarin Lessons
Karen H.
Sep 1, 2019
•
Hired on Thumbtack
I recently completed my first lesson and am looking forward in continuing my study with Mandarin for U.
Crystal has taken into consideration my personal goals , one of which is to in become proficient in conversational Mandarin in preparing for a trip to China next year for a Tai Chi training camp. One of our goals as I learn the language is to be able to teach a Tai Chi class to my instructor.
Crystal was punctual and well prepared at our first lesson and has provided me with excellent self study materials. Learning is fun with Crystal.
Details: 65 years or older • No experience • Full fluency • No experience • No experience • Full literacy • 45 minutes • I travel to the mandarin tutor • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)
Mandarin for U's reply
Hi Karen,
xiè xiè nǐ！
Thanks for your friendly words and it is such a great encouragement for me to keep delivering quality and fun content during the session.
I think we can definitely reach our goal next year and you can immerse yourself more in the Tai Chi world.
Look forward to working with you in the next year.
Crystal lǎoshī
Mandarin Lessons
Katherine B.
Nov 18, 2022
•
Hired on Thumbtack
I’ve been working with Crystal since February and I cannot say anything but great things! She is one of the best tutors I’ve ever had.
I’m very new to learning Mandarin and she took the time to understand my learning style so that it would resonate with me. Every class, she teaches me not only the language but about the Chinese culture as well.
I’m looking forward to continue working with her!
Xiexie ni Crystal!
Details: 26 - 44 years old • No experience • Conversational proficiency • No experience • No experience • Basic reading/writing skills • 60 minutes • I travel to the mandarin tutor • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)
Mandarin Lessons
Credentials
Background Check
Crystal Hsia
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My hourly rate generally starts from $50 for both online and in-person tutoring sessions. Materials will be included in the hourly rate so textbooks are not an additional burden for learners. I also provide packages for students who would like to meet on a regular basis in the long-term.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The typical process of working with a new customer will be as following:
1. Clarify Learning Goal(s): I'll have 5 questions for the customer to look into their language backgrounds and what is the motivation leading them to work on the language.
2. Structure Feasible Learning Plan(s): After a discussion about the motivation, I'll provide professional suggestions to construct a feasible study plan to accommodate different needs. This is relatively important for full-time working adults or test-takers as time is the key to success.
3. 20-Minute Trial Lesson: Learners are provided with a few topics to experience my teaching style. For those who plan to take standardized tests, I'll explain questions from mock tests so learners can get a sense of how the session will be carried out.
4. Feedback/Q&A: After the trial session, students can provide feedback and ideas on what should be modified to better meet their needs. I can easily adjust myself to improve the quality of the sessions.
5. Schedule Sessions
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am Crystal from Taiwan, who has fruitful experiences in language instruction for various age groups, from preschoolers to adult learners.
Receiving a bachelor's degree in teaching Chinese as the second language from National Taiwan Normal University, I have acquired plenty of professional training. In addition, I also participated in a training program for language educators at George Mason University. I am also certified by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan to teaching Chinese as a second language.
As designing a lesson for younger learners, I follow the ACTFL (American Committee of Teaching Foreign Language) standards which are also adopted by most of the immersion schools. As for adult learners, I can customize lessons for you to meet your long-term and short-term goals.
My teaching philosophy is to seek the best way to meet learners' needs. I can design customized learning plans for each individual learner to accommodate different needs. For example, I have designed an intensive series of lessons for standard exams, such as AP and SAT Chinese. For adult learners, I usually discuss with learners and set an achievable goal, for example, some specific skills that you would like to improve. I also had experiences working with learners who are preparing for HSK and language tests relevant to AAPPL.
