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Find out more about Tian (Larita)

• Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  I grew up in China, so Mandarin is my native tongue. I learnt English at school and studied international journalism at university, before moving to Australia.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Qin Shi Huan was the first Emperor of China. He unified China and his impact resonates through millennia of Chinese civilisation.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or expression in the language that you particularly like?

  There's a saying, "you zhi zhe shi jin cheng", which means "if you put your mind at something, you will succeed".

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Although I mostly speak English now living in Australia, I love teaching people Mandarin Chinese. It brings me so much joy to help others learn this fascinating language and the Chinese history culture.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  I think getting the foundations right is key. If you just learn vocabulary, without the structure and grammar, you will find it difficult to put sentences together. Working with a tutor can help build better foundations, and give you a safe space to practice speaking to build confidence too.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Funny enough, my husband asked me out on a date to teach him Mandarin. I didn't really think it was a date, but it turns out it was! 7 years later, he's still learning!

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Taking my boyfriend, now husband, to China for the first time was really special. We've now been married over 7 years and we return to China almost every year. With each trip, his Mandarin gets a little better and I learn something new about my rapidly evolving country.