Start from zero. Speak real Mandarin.
1-on-1 online lessons built for complete beginners. Learn pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary the right way from day one — no prior knowledge required, no classroom, no cohort.
Six foundations. Everything you need to start speaking.
The Basics course is built around the six skills that matter most for a true beginner — in the right order, at the right pace, with no shortcut that comes back to bite you later.
Pronunciation & the 4 Tones
The most important skill to get right from day one. Will teaches you to hear and produce all four tones accurately from the start — preventing the ingrained habits that hold most self-taught learners back for years.
Pinyin — The Phonetic System
China’s romanisation system lets you read and write Mandarin sounds before you can read a single character. Master Pinyin and you have a foundation you’ll use for your entire Mandarin journey.
Grammar — Logic, Not Rules
Mandarin has no verb conjugation, no plural forms, no gendered nouns. Will shows you the underlying logic of how sentences work, so patterns make sense rather than needing to be memorised by rote.
Vocabulary — The Smart Way
Rather than throwing word lists at you, Will builds vocabulary around real conversations and the topics that matter to you — so you remember words because you’ve actually used them, not because you drilled a flashcard.
Listening & Comprehension
Learning to produce Mandarin is half the job. Will trains your ear to understand native-speed speech, regional accents and the natural way Chinese speakers actually talk — not just the slow, clear version from textbook recordings.
Real Conversations from Lesson One
You’ll speak Mandarin in every single lesson. No silent study sessions, no passive listening exercises. Real back-and-forth practice from your very first session — because speaking is the only way to learn to speak.
The Basics course is right for you if…
Three kinds of students get the most out of this programme. See which one sounds like you.
The Complete Beginner
- Zero Mandarin knowledge right now
- Curious about Chinese culture and language
- Want a solid foundation, not a shortcut
- Prefer to learn with a real person, not an app
The Frustrated Self-Learner
- Tried apps but never got to real speaking
- Learned some vocabulary but can’t form sentences
- Unsure if your tones and pronunciation are correct
- Want structured progress, not random drills
The Heritage Learner
- Grew up around Mandarin but can’t speak it well
- Understand more than you can produce
- Want to connect more deeply with your heritage
- Need someone who understands your specific gaps
Six expressions you’ll master in your first lessons.
These are the kinds of patterns you’ll cover early on — simple, essential, and the building blocks for everything that follows.
Ready to start using these properly? Book a free intro call and Will will build a plan around your goals.
Apps teach you to tap the right answer. Will teaches you to speak.
After a few months on Duolingo, most learners can recognise Mandarin patterns but freeze the moment a real person speaks to them. 1-on-1 lessons fix that from day one.
No bad habits from day one
Will corrects your tones and pronunciation immediately, before they become automatic. Bad habits in Mandarin are notoriously hard to unlearn — getting them right from the start saves months of frustration later.
Your pace, your topics
No rushing to keep up with a class, no waiting for others to catch up. Lessons move exactly as fast as you’re ready for — and always focus on the vocabulary and topics that are actually relevant to your life.
Progress you can measure
Will checks in on your goals every few lessons and adjusts the plan as you improve. You’ll always know exactly how far you’ve come — and exactly what comes next on your path to fluency.
From your first message to your first real conversation
No contracts, no packages, no cohorts. Three simple steps to start speaking Mandarin.
Book a free intro call
A relaxed 30-minute chat with Will. Tell him about your background, your goals and why you want to learn Mandarin. He’ll put together an honest plan — no pressure, no sales pitch.
Start your tailored lessons
Your first lesson is built entirely around you — your pace, your goals, your schedule. No template, no shared class. Fully 1-on-1, fully live, fully focused on your progress from the very first session.
Progress, review & grow
Every few lessons Will reviews your goals and adjusts the plan. You’ll always know how far you’ve come, what you’ve mastered, and exactly what’s coming next on your path to conversational Mandarin.
From complete beginners to confident speakers
Real students who started from zero and built genuine conversational Mandarin with Will.
“I went from zero Mandarin to holding basic conversations in three months. Will’s patience and the way he breaks down the tones makes what felt impossible feel genuinely achievable. I actually look forward to every lesson.”
“I was nervous about starting — I’d tried apps before and always felt lost. Will’s lessons are well-paced, engaging and never overwhelming. The way he explains grammar as a system rather than a set of rules finally made it click for me.”