Our Teachers

Ms Zoe Xu

Headmaster. Graduated from a military academy, Ms Xu worked in China as a teacher at a military academy and as a corporate senior manager. After moving to the UK, she has dedicated herself to researching the differences between Chinese and British education. She has written books in the fields of British education, family education, and cultural differences between China and the UK such as Alternative Route to Development, Please Don’t Do This to Your Children, and Chinese Orphans and Their Foreign Parents. In 2006, Ms Xu founded Real Chinese Academy. Rooted in the principle of providing quality teaching, the school’s mission is to develop students and teachers. Since its inception, Real Chinese Academy has achieved remarkable results in Chinese language education, art, public speaking, and other fields. Real Chinese Academy is trusted by parents and loved by students.

Ms Xue Zhang

Head of Mandarin Classes for Native Speakers. Ms Zhang holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Tianjin Foreign Studies University and a Master’s Degree in Law from Yokohama National University in Japan. An experienced Chinese language teacher, she has been teaching Chinese as a foreign language in Japan and the UK for 25 years. A kind and easy-going person, Ms Zhang possesses a strong work ethic and teamwork spirit. Her classes are rich in content and interactive. She combines traditional with modern teaching methods to make her lessons more engaging and effective. Students and parents all highly regard Ms Zhang’s classes. She also teaches Year 8 to Year 11 Mandarin classes including GCSE at Newstead Wood School, a famous grammar school for girls. Ms Zhang teaches Real Chinese Academy’s GCSE classes; all students have achieved A* (Grade 9) in the past several years.

Mr Ziyang Liu

Head of Mathematics. Mr Liu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Studies from Roehampton University in the UK. Mr Liu has extensive experience in teaching in nurseries and schools in the UK, and has more than 10 years of teaching experience in Chinese schools. Mr Liu’s teaching combines Western education methods with traditional Chinese education methods. He understands his students’ interests and needs so he can guide them to change their learning attitudes from "‘my parents forced me to learn’ to ‘I want to learn’. Mr Liu’s relaxed classes and his good sense of humour are greatly enjoyed by students. A remarkable teacher, Mr Liu has many years of experience in teaching mathematics and is very familiar with the British primary school’s mathematics syllabus.

Ms Xinyun Wang

Finance Director. A certified public accountant, Ms Wang has worked for large, medium, and small private companies for many years, and has extensive experience in private equity, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring covering different areas such as accounting, finance, taxation, and internal control. She worked as the Finance Director at a Clark’s subsidiary and as the Financial Director at the European head office of a listed game company. She has considerable experience in financial statements and management consulting, including company registration, capital increase and reduction, transfer of equity, conversion, corporate bankruptcy liquidation, asset replacement, debt restructuring, etc.

Ms Bo Bo

Ms Bo Bo is the Head of Petts Wood Mandarin-English Preschool and teaches nursery classes at Real Chinese Academy. Graduated from Hangzhou Normal University, Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin, and the Braunschweig University of Art, she also holds an NVQ Level 3 Diploma for Children and Young People Work Force. After graduation, Ms Bo Bo dedicated herself to education. She worked as an art teacher in several nurseries, primary schools, and secondary schools. In recent years, she has focused on the education of children from 2 to 6 years of age. Her teaching style incorporates elements of British early childhood education. Ms Bo Bo also teaches Real Chinese Academy’s Beginner Art Classes for Children. Her art education’s philosophy is: art can be expressed in different ways. In class, she gives pupils the freedom to engage with a range of mediums and materials and she encourages them to explore art in various ways to stimulate pupils’ appreciation and understanding of art.

Ms Qing Dong

Ms Dong holds a Teaching French as a Foreign Language Degree from Université Lumière Lyon 2 and a Teaching Chinese and French as Foreign Languages Degree from the Institute of Education (University of London). She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Ms Dong is truly passionate about education and has extensive experience in language teaching. Ms Dong’s kind, charismatic, and energetic personality combined with her interactive classes have produced outstanding teaching results. She currently works as a Mandarin and French teacher in a famous private school in the UK.

Ms Wei Gu

Graduated from Beijing Sport University and Communication University of China, Ms Gu worked as an editor in a media company in China. She teaches Mandarin Classes for Non-Native Speakers at Real Chinese Academy. Being a mother, she has dedicated herself to researching the British education system for many years. She also explored how British teaching elements can be applied to teaching Chinese language. She has extensive experience in teaching Mandarin to children. Ms Gu is truly passionate about education and has a strong sense of responsibility. Her classes are engaging and fun, and they incorporate multimedia tools so to enhance students’ enthusiasm in learning Mandarin.

Ms Fei Huang

A mother of three, Ms Huang holds a Master’s Degree from London South Bank University. She is fluent in three languages and has study and work experience in different countries. She taught Mandarin at the Foreign Languages School in Italy. She loves nature and enjoys spending time with children. She has a relaxed approach to teaching and uses different teaching methods focusing on cultivating children’s interest towards learning. She believes every child learns at their own pace and in their own way. Rather than focusing on grades, she focuses on cultivating and nurturing children’s concentration, imagination, and the ability to love. Her Mandarin Classes for Non-Native Speakers are engaging and rich in information, and have achieved remarkable results. Ms Huang also teaches Mathematics Classes. Her clear and easy-to-follow lessons make students feel comfortable and are highly regarded by them.

Ms Xinyang Zhang

Technology Manager. Ms Zhang Xinyang holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Central South University in China and a Master’s Degree from Durham University Business School in the UK. She has experience in Chinese-English translation and interpretation in China. She has also worked as a teaching assistant at Real Chinese Academy and she has joined several of the UK Association for the Promotion of Chinese Education (UKAPCE)’s teaching workshops. With a passionate interest in Chinese culture since a young age, she attaches great importance to pupils’ education. In her Mandarin Classes for Non-Native Speakers, she places emphasis on cultivating students’ communication and expression skills. With her great enthusiasm for Chinese language education, Ms Zhang is committed to promoting students’ interest in Mandarin learning from an early age. Her lessons are compact and rich in content, yet the atmosphere is relaxed and joyful. Due to her teaching methods, students have made remarkable progress.

Ms Yanan Bi

With more than 10 years of experience in the financial industry, Ms Bi has extensive experience in different fields such as equity investment, debt restructuring, and M&A. She excels in mathematics and numerical analysis. After moving to the UK, she obtained a First-Class Degree in Investment from Queen Mary University of London. From a young age, she learned to dance and play the erhu. She is passionate about the dissemination and education of traditional Chinese culture. She has considerable teaching experience having worked as a mathematics tutor and a dance teacher for children. A patient teacher with excellent communication skills, Ms Bi is good at tapping into students’ potential and cultivating their ability to study proactively. Ms Bi teaches Mandarin Classes for Native Speakers and Mathematics Classes.

Ms Qiuying Chen

A graduate of Guangxi Normal University and the University of Strathclyde, Ms Chen has worked as a middle school teacher. Ms Chen loves teaching and is always seeking innovative teaching methods. A supporter of education through entertainment, she tailors classes according to her students’ learning abilities. By building a solid foundation and focusing on language learning, students are equipped to expand their knowledge of Mandarin. She incorporates elements of traditional Chinese culture into her Mandarin classes so that students can appreciate the unique beauty of the Chinese language and develop a strong and lasting interest in it as well as learn to communicate, exchange, and write at ease in Mandarin. Ms Chen’s lessons are lively, stimulating, rich in content, and characterised by a strong logical reasoning element.

Ms Pei Pei

Graduated from Portsmouth University with a degree in Illustration, Ms Pei Pei is a caring and patient teacher who teaches at both our bilingual preschool and Real Chinese Academy. She is a creative and passionate illustrator with the ability to think outside the box and propose innovative ideas and designs. With a solid foundation in art design and rich experience in project planning, communication and design, she is able to help children’s artistic talents flourish. In addition to art, she is also an engaging and devoted language teacher who teaches our non-native language classes.

Ms Xiaoyan Ye

Head of Mandarin Classes for Non-Native Speakers. Ms Ye graduated from South China Normal University where she also taught. After moving to the UK, she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Child Development and Education from the Institute of Education (University of London) and NCFE Level 1 and Level 2 Certificates in Supporting Teaching. In 2010, she worked at Darrick Wood School and served as a GCSE Mandarin oral examiner. Since 2014, Ms Ye has been a teacher of Mandarin Classes for Non-Native Speakers. Her students have achieved outstanding results. Ms Ye is truly passionate about education and is always seeking new teaching methods to build students’ interest in learning. She focuses on providing strong foundation knowledge for students’ later development. She also attended several workshops for overseas Mandarin teachers and the GCSE Chinese reform workshop organised by Edexcel. Ms Ye has many years of experience in tutoring primary school pupils in mathematics and verbal reasoning. She is currently the teacher of Real Chinese Academy’s Intensive Mathematics Classes.

Mr Qi Sheng

Art Director. A world-renowned artist, Mr Sheng holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Beijing Central Academy of Arts & Design (now Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University) (1988) and a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Central Saint Martins in London (1998). He worked at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology - Raffles International College where he taught outstanding design talents who later entered Central Saint Martins and became industry leaders. After moving to the UK, Mr Sheng worked at Teikyo School in London. In 2015, he joined Real Chinese Academy. Mr Sheng’s artistic expertise combined with his open approach to education have helped students to make progress in a short period of time. Every year, students’ works are shortlisted for the distinguished Young Art Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Mr Sheng’s works are displayed at the following museums:

  • The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) (New York, USA)

  • International Center of Photography Museum (New York, USA)

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA)

  • National Gallery of Victoria (Australia)

  • Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (Denmark)

  • Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art (USA)

  • Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago (USA)

Ms Helen Hobson

Teacher of Public Speaking Classes. Trained at Mountview Academy of Performing Arts, Helen holds a LAMDA teaching qualification and an LRAM Teaching Diploma in Speech & Drama from Middlesex University. She is also a LAMDA fellow. Due to Helen’s rich teaching experience combined with her innovative curriculum, students enjoy her teaching methods and techniques. Many of her students have made rapid progress with noticeable improvements in vocal strength and range. She helped students build confidence in their performances and discover their true voices. Helen taught at many leading drama schools throughout the years, including Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London School of Musical Theatre, Performers College, and London Studio Centre. Helen has taught at Real Chinese Academy for several years. Her teaching has achieved remarkable results and is highly regarded by students.

Helen is also a well-known actress with more than 20 years of career on stage in West End Musicals in London:

  • Donna in Mamma Mia!

  • Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers

  • Clara in Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning Passion

  • Cathy opposite Sir Cliff Richard’s Heathcliff

  • Eliza in My Fair Lady

  • Rose Vibert in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects Of Love

She was also the lead character in many drama shows and had important roles in Cats, Tommy, Les Miserables, Mr Cinders, Educating Rita, and Stepping Out.

Ms Yi Zong

Ms Zong holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Finance from Oxford University. She worked in banking for several years. She moved from China to the UK to attend secondary education at a private school. Having experienced the Chinese and British school systems, Ms Zong has developed a strong interest in the language, education system, and culture of both countries. As a result, she decided to pursue a career in education and promote intercultural communication. As a mother of bilingual children, Ms Zong has first-hand experience of the difficulties in learning Mandarin faced by children living overseas. Ms Zong aims at stimulating pupils’ interest towards Chinese language and culture; this serves as a solid foundation so the pupil can learn Chinese spontaneously and independently in the future. Her Mandarin Classes for Non-Native Speakers have achieved remarkable teaching results and are highly regarded by students.

Ms Xinyuan Fan

Graduated from Cardiff University with a Master’s Degree in Economics, Ms Fan worked in international banks such as HSBC and ICBC. Because of her passion for education especially Chinese language education, she joined Real Chinese Academy’s team of teachers. Ms Fan has a strong interest in Chinese and English language education as well as in the dissemination of Mandarin. She is a firm believer that interest is the key to language learning and she supports the concept of education through entertainment. Since joining Real Chinese Academy’s team, she gained significant knowledge by auditing the lectures of outstanding teachers. In her classes, pupils are encouraged to learn from others’ strengths. By carefully observing students’ personalities and abilities, she can tailor classes to suit the needs of individual students. The atmosphere in Ms Fan’s classes is lively and relaxed. Students have achieved remarkable results and greatly enjoy her classes.

Ms Liying Zhang

Ms Zhang holds a Bachelor’s Degree from The Faculty of Arts of The University of Hong Kong and a PhD in Philosophy from The University of Hong Kong. She has been committed to Chinese education for a long time. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree, she became a Chinese teacher. She has accumulated significant teaching experience having been teaching Chinese for more than 10 years. She possesses good classroom management skills and uses different teaching methods to promote pupils’ ability to study autonomously. A fast learner, she integrates the most innovative teaching methods into her lessons. In her long teaching career, Ms Zhang has been actively studying and has obtained various diplomas including a Diploma in Teaching and Education, a Certificate in Teaching Chinese Language, and a Certificate in Chinese Language Proficiency with outstanding results. She constantly enriches her knowledge of Mandarin education so that she can apply it to her classes and promote pupils’ independent study in a joyful environment.

Ms Ellen Jiang

Ms Jiang graduated from Imperial College London with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, before obtaining a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education from University College London. She is currently working as a Maths teacher at a secondary school in Bromley and has many years of experience teaching all 11+ subjects. In our English & Verbal Reasoning Pre/11+ classes she motivates students with both external and internal factors, helping students to deeply focus and understand the topics at hand.