What Our Learners Say

Blake rekindled my interest in the Chinese language and culture. His classes are engaging, relevant, and highly enjoyable. By incorporating current affairs and real-world topics into his lessons, he makes learning Mandarin practical and meaningful.

What stands out most is his personable teaching style, which transforms Mandarin into something genuinely fun to learn—a refreshing change from the rote, dreaded Chinese lessons many of us remember from secondary school.

I would highly recommend Blake to anyone looking to improve or polish their Mandarin in an enjoyable and effective way.

Blake is a very passionate and knowledgeable teacher who goes the extra mile to ensure that his materials are relevant and useful for his students. I really appreciate how he carefully customised his lessons through various approaches, showing industry-related videos, sharing current affairs and creating separate exercise prompts for the class. Highly recommended!

Had a wonderful time studying and renewing confidence in my Chinese language skills under Blake’s tutelage! He curated very relevant materials for our work areas and also went into detailed explanation behind the uses of various terms, pointing out differences between how we use it and how it is used in the official Chinese context. I also enjoyed the discussion around current affairs beyond our work scope. Thank you for the enjoyable lessons 老师！

Blake was consistently patient and approachable, even when covering foundational concepts. He went beyond the textbook to share insights into culture, history, and contemporary topics, which helped us better understand the context behind the language and made the learning experience more informative and engaging.

Blake was an engaging and patient teacher. He provided a safe environment for everyone in the class to learn together. I gained confidence in my Chinese from my time in Blake’s class. Would highly recommend Blake.

Blake was my Business Chinese tutor, and he is excellent at tailoring lessons to topics relevant to my work and current affairs. He is knowledgeable, with a strong command in both Mandarin and English, which allowed him to clearly explain nuances and bridge concepts effectively between both languages.

I would highly recommend Blake as a tutor for learners of any level. 受益良多，获益匪浅！

I had the privilege of learning under Blake, who has been instrumental in helping our class strengthen our Chinese language capabilities. Beyond language instruction, Blake consistently tailored lessons to real-world industry and policy contexts, making the learning highly practical and relevant for working professionals. Blake’s patience, clarity in teaching, and ability to simplify complex terms greatly supported our confidence in using business Chinese.

Blake did a customized class for us at Enterprise Singapore. We really appreciated the effort put into curating the materials, which were directly relevant to our field of work. The strong emphasis on practice, speaking and presenting also forced us to use the language in practical settings! Loved the vibe of the class and the discussions on current affairs!

I attended Blake’s Business Chinese classes from Jan - May 2024 and found it to be a a very fruitful programme. Blake was a conscientious teacher who planned his lessons thoughtfully, often going the extra mile to prepare additional materials upon discovering specific areas where we needed help in. He corrected our mistakes firmly but patiently, encouraging us to be better and more confident in our language abilities.

I have enrolled in Blake’s Chinese business class in Q1 2024 and I have enjoyed myself tremendously! I was at first very worried that I would not be able keep up with the rigours of presenting in Chinese but he made the class so enjoyable that we were able to learn and had fun at the same time. His lessons are well-planned, very fun and relevant to the business place even though we all came from different industry. Blake is always very encouraging, understanding and could answer all our questions competently. Even though the class took place after work hours, I did not feel tired and actually felt inspired to learn more after each class.

It was evident that the rest of my classmates shared my sentiments and I could see a collective improvement in everyone's chinese after the course. I am so glad to have been placed in his class! Highly recommend his lessons to those who wish to learn and improve their command of the Chinese language, you will not regret it.

I had the pleasure of learning Mandarin with Blake, whose detailed explanations, exceptional support and patience greatly enhanced my progress. His dedication and energetic teaching style creates a positive, engaging learning environment where language learning is fun and accessible. Blake goes beyond standard curriculum by providing additional resources and vocabulary explainers, demonstrating his passion and expertise. I highly recommend Blake as a Mandarin instructor for anyone looking to learn effectively and enjoyably.

I am glad I have met Blake老师 in my first ever Chinese language class, he is not only a very good instructor, he delivers very insightful lessons. At times he is a historian, at times a linguistics expert, and he always shares the beauty of Chinese culture during his lessons.

With Blake老师 you do not get a language lesson, you get the excitement of understanding the context and uses of each aspect of the language. He is a teacher who cares about each student's learning journey, he is a master at adapting on the go to the different types of learners, he has the ability of making hard topics seem easy, and he chooses the right approach to cater to each student's needs.

Blake老师 is the right choice for anyone looking for a filled with knowledge learning journey into Chinese language and more.

I studied with Blake for about half a year for HSK5 and he's one of those standout Chinese teachers who can make learning the language fun, even for students who shunned the language in their schooling years.

Beyond the standard curriculum, Blake creates his own vocabulary explainers and homework resources, which he marks and gives personal feedback on. His classes never feel stale: he keeps his material fresh with trending topics and current events, from the gaokao to the hit movie "Dear You", while weaving in insights about Chinese culture and everyday life. He's constantly finding lively new ways to teach and new ways for his students to practice.

With the weekly immersion and practice, the results showed: I had real confidence in my speaking when I travelled to China.

Half a year with Blake made me enjoy Chinese in a way school didn't. Take his class if you get the chance :)

I am incredibly pleased to write this recommendation for Blake, who was my instructor for the HSK Basic Level 1 Chinese course at the Confucius Institute at NTU. Blake is an exceptional educator who possesses a rare talent for making a notoriously challenging language both accessible and thoroughly enjoyable. From our very first lesson, his vibrant energy transformed the classroom into a dynamic learning environment where learning felt like a rewarding adventure rather than a chore. He excelled at engaging every single student in active discussions, ensuring that no one was left behind and that everyone had ample opportunity to practice speaking.

Beyond his engaging teaching style, Blake’s dedication to his students’ success and well-being truly sets him apart. He consistently went above and beyond his instructional duties, showing genuine care for our progress and patiently answering our endless questions both during lessons and well after class hours had ended. His ability to break down complex grammatical structures and tonal nuances made mastering the basics of Mandarin feel intuitive and straightforward. I am deeply grateful for his support.

I had the pleasure of learning Mandarin under Blake Xia teaching. He explain a lot of concept clearly and in detail during the whole lesson.

He create a condition that promote curiosity and giving cultural and historical context to the language learning process.

I highly recommend him as an outstanding language instructor.

Blake was my instructor at the NTU Confucius Institute, where he taught HSK. His lessons were incredibly insightful, well-curated, and tailored to our needs. He is a remarkably patient educator who consistently takes the time to dive deep into topics that interest the class, making his sessions exceptionally engaging.

Before joining Blake’s HSK 1 class, I had tried learning Chinese on my own and found it incredibly difficult. Blake completely changed that experience.

What I appreciate most about his teaching is how he breaks the language down into simple, manageable steps. By focusing on strong foundations, speaking practice, and grammar unit by unit, he made learning Chinese feel approachable and enjoyable.

I also ask a lot of questions, and Blake always created a supportive environment where every question was welcomed and valued.

Most importantly, he helped me see how beautiful the Chinese language really is and made me genuinely excited to keep learning. I’m already joining the next part of his course and would highly recommend him to anyone starting their Chinese learning journey.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Blake for making my introduction to Chinese so engaging. I thoroughly looked forward to our Saturday morning lessons, where his patient and encouraging approach—coupled with fascinating cultural insights—gave such meaningful depth to the characters we studied.

Mr. Blake possesses a genuine gift for delivering clear explanations and well-organized materials that make every lesson easy to follow. While it is a pity he won’t be available for the next level, I am incredibly grateful for the solid foundation he has provided and highly recommend him to anyone beginning their Mandarin journey.

Blake is the best Chinese teacher I've ever had. He delivers his lessons in a well-structured and comprehensive manner. His classes are engaging, and it is evident that he is deeply passionate about his work. I fully recommend Blake to anyone beginning their Chinese language journey.

I’ve been taking Blake’s classes for the past nine months (three semesters in total) and I never expected to continue for this long. However, Blake’s teaching style completely changed that. His classes are consistently engaging, interactive, and fun.

What sets Blake apart is how he goes beyond just teaching the language; he integrates cultural and country-specific insights that really enrich the learning experience. He puts a lot of thought and effort into preparing each lesson, providing not only homework but also useful supplementary resources. He also makes sure students stay engaged by encouraging interaction and participation.

I would highly recommend Blake’s classes to anyone interested in learning the Chinese language and exploring its rich culture.

I highly recommend Blake as a Mandarin teacher! His dedication to helping students succeed is truly inspiring, and his creative teaching methods make learning Mandarin engaging and enjoyable. He's passionate, patient, and always finds innovative ways to make complex topics accessible. A fantastic educator who genuinely cares about his students' progress!

For anyone looking to improve their Chinese language proficiency, I’d recommend Blake. His passion for teaching and thoughtfulness in making lessons engaging have helped me greatly improve my presentation skill in Chinese. Importantly, he frequently offered valuable perspectives on navigating the business and cultural landscape in China, which will be useful for anyone looking to conduct business there.

Blake is my teacher in the Daily Chinese HSK courses in the Confucius Institute which I have attended since January 2024. Blake is a very energetic and lively teacher, which makes his classes very interesting and entertaining. He always goes above and beyond and gives a significant amount of his own materials on top of the standard coursebook. He is also able to explain language concepts and ideas very clearly, which really helps students in understanding these, sometimes abstract, concepts. I am very grateful to have attended his classes as it has helped me significantly in my learning.

Blake has been a key player in my Chinese classes at the Confucius Institute in Singapore, his teaching is effective, well thought through, and most importantly fun. I think Blake has an exceptional ability to get engage with his students and establish personal connections along the way. The curriculum Blake has developed is neatly tied into 标准教程 "Standard Course Book" and really feels like an addition.

I cannot recommend Blake enough.

I am immensely grateful for the invaluable lessons, encouragement, and support that Mr Blake Xia has provided me with throughout the year. Throughout our time together, Mr Xia has gone above and beyond to ensure that I not only grasp the intricacies of the Chinese language but also develop a deep appreciation for its culture. His teaching methods are not only effective but also engaging, making each lesson both enriching and enjoyable. His patience, enthusiasm, and willingness to address any questions or concerns have made learning Chinese a truly amazing experience. I wholeheartedly recommend him as an exceptional educator and mentor. Thank you, Mr Blake Xia, for your unwavering commitment to excellence and for your dedication to helping your students succeed.

I highly recommend 老师 Blake as a language instructor especially for those like me who have no background in Chinese, but have been always been interested in learning it.

He is a incredibly hands-on teacher that will not only help you building a strong foundation of language, but also one that will lead you to have a deeper appreciation of it by going out of his way to explain etymology, symbolism and culture. I can confidently say that I walked away from my first class with more than just a better understanding of Chinese grammar and vocabulary, but also its nuisances in usage across Chinese speaking nations. Furthermore, I've always appreciated the nurturing and friendly learning environment that he created for our cohort that encouraged trial and curiosity. This is especially important for first-time learners who may find the language daunting.

He generously provides his students with a wide array of learning materials, both essential and supplementary to better immerse themselves with the language, and always happily answers any burning questions that we may have while learning. I couldn't have asked for a better language instructor and am honored to write this recommendation.

I highly recommend Blake as a Chinese language instructor. He is patient, approachable, and explains every concept clearly, making even challenging topics easy to understand. What I appreciate most is that he always takes the time to ensure everyone fully understands the lesson before moving on, which makes the learning process much more effective. His lessons are well-structured, engaging, and create a comfortable environment where students feel confident asking questions. Thanks to his guidance, learning Chinese has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience

Blake is an outstanding and truly gifted educator. As his client, I was consistently impressed by his ability to engage students and capture their interest completely. His lessons are perfectly structured, and the learning materials he provides are thorough and complete. Thanks to his dedicated guidance, I never felt bored and was always amazed by his exceptional teaching abilities. I highly recommend Blake to anyone looking for a top-tier instructor.

Mr. Blake Xia has been an exceptional HSK 1 Chinese teacher. His patience, clear teaching style, and ability to make lessons engaging have helped me build a strong foundation in Mandarin. He creates a supportive learning environment that makes students feel comfortable and confident. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to start their Chinese language journey.

As a student starting my Chinese learning journey, I feel very grateful to learn from Blake 老师. As a former workshop instructor working with people who have intellectual disabilities, I can’t help but admire and be inspired by Blake’s teaching methods. He guides with patience and compassion. He sows the seeds of curiosity and nurtures a sense of discovery in his students. Even as a beginner, I've gained insights into China and Chinese culture by attending his classes. And when learning gets difficult — as it should — Blake 老师 is right there, providing the scaffolding each learner needs. I couldn’t ask for more from such an outstanding teacher who gives so much. 谢谢您，老师。

I only started my Mandarin learning journey with Blake recently, but he has already made a huge difference to my confidence and understanding. He explains language concepts extremely clearly and patiently, in a way that makes them easy to follow and understand from the beginning.

Learning a new language is always challenging, especially when you have dyslexia, as I do. Therefore, I especially appreciate how supportive, flexible, and encouraging Blake is in his teaching style. He takes the time to make sure that everyone understands and never makes anyone feel left behind. He also manages to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions.

Some teachers are friendly but not necessarily good at teaching. Blake is definitely not one of them. Every question is answered with great precision and detail, and his knowledge of both Mandarin and Chinese culture seems almost unlimited. He makes every lesson interesting and enjoyable.

I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to learn Mandarin in a supportive and welcoming way.

I had a great experience learning Business Chinese with Blake. His lessons were always engaging, practical, and closely aligned with real transport and logistics scenarios, which made it easy to apply what we learned at work. What stood out most was his genuine dedication to research on the topic and make each session relevant to our work. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to build confidence in Business Chinese for the logistics industry.

It’s clear from the very start that Blake takes great pride in his teaching. His lessons are supported by meticulously prepared and well-structured materials that make it easy to learn and review independently — a real advantage for busy working professionals. In class, he keeps the atmosphere lively and engaging, constantly encouraging us to speak, write, and refine our grammar through meaningful practice. Every session feels purposeful and enjoyable, with plenty of opportunities to apply what we’ve learned.

What I appreciate most is Blake’s clarity, patience, and cultural depth. He always takes the time to explain not just how something is used, but why — often bringing in real-world examples and regional nuances that make the learning truly come alive. Beyond being a skilled instructor, he’s also a genuine mentor who empowers each student to find our own pace and style of learning. His thoughtful guidance and steady encouragement have made studying Chinese not only productive, but deeply rewarding. I highly recommend Blake to any working professional who’s genuinely committed to learning the Chinese language and culture.

Blake is very knowledgeable and patient, as well as an excellent teacher. Class materials are structured and clear, and directly applicable for everyday use. I throughly enjoy his classes, and this has motivated me to pursue the language further.

I’ve been learning Chinese from Blake, and honestly, he’s one of the most fun and knowledgeable teachers I’ve met.

He really knows his stuff — not just the language, but also the culture and history behind it. His lessons are never boring, and he always finds ways to make things interesting and quite funny too. That really helps make the language easier to understand and remember.

What I really appreciate is how he can explain the difference between proper Mandarin and the way Chinese is spoken in Singapore. Because he’s a native speaker and has been living in Singapore for so long, he really gets the local context. So he’ll point out the small nuances or slang we hear day-to-day and explain how they differ from standard Mandarin. Super useful, especially if you’re living or working in Singapore.

Highly recommend him if you want to learn Chinese in a fun, practical and stress-free way!

Blake Xia is an exceptional Chinese language teacher. His classes are fun, engaging, and easy to follow, with clear explanations and a motivating teaching style. He’s patient, supportive, and always ready to help students succeed. Blake enriches every lesson with fascinating insights into Chinese history and culture, making learning even more enjoyable. I never imagined I’d start recognizing Chinese words so quickly, but after just two terms, phrases are starting to make sense. I'm truly grateful to be in his class!

I am not a natural language learner and, after years of struggling and failing to pick up Mandarin, I was skeptical that I ever would.

That is – until I attended the HSK1 under Blake.

Blake's bilingual teaching approach (giving clear English instructions while teaching in Mandarin) combined with his interactive and fun class structure completely changed my experience.

He made the seemingly impossible feel accessible. I went from being a non-speaker to actively learning, and now speaking smattering Mandarin and recognizing characters. Blake's ability to engage and motivate students is remarkable. He is an encouraging and effective teacher who gets real results—I immediately signed up for the next term!

I recently completed a 10-week adult evening Chinese class with Grand Master Blake Xia, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. He is a friendly, professional, and deeply devoted instructor who makes learning both fun and effective. Even when some non-native students were struggling, Blake had the patience and skill to engage them fully and support their progress.

If my earlier teachers had been half as effective as Blake, I would already be proficient in Chinese. Thanks to his teaching, I intend to continue with his classes until I achieve full proficiency. Blake is an outstanding trainer and an excellent choice for anyone seeking to learn and master the Chinese language.

I started learning Chinese at the Confucius Institute NTU in April 2025 and have completed two terms so far under the guidance of Blake Xia 老师. From the very beginning, Blake Xia 老师 has stood out as a humorous, patient, and deeply dedicated teacher who always goes above and beyond his means to support his students.

His teaching style is not only engaging but also highly interactive, making every lesson enjoyable and effective. He regularly incorporates Chinese culture, movies, and a variety of learning materials into his lessons, which enriches our learning experience and deepens our understanding of the language, Chinese culture and its context. He creates a positive learning environment where students feel encouraged to participate, interact and ask questions. Because of his guidance, I’ve seen real progress in my spoken, written, and conversational Chinese—and I’ve gained much more confidence in using the language in everyday situations.

I wholeheartedly recommend Blake Xia 老师 to anyone looking to learn Chinese. His passion for teaching and genuine care for his students' success make him an outstanding educator.

I’ve had the privilege of learning Chinese with 老师 Blake for the past year, and I can confidently say that it has been one of the most rewarding learning experiences I’ve ever had.

老师 Blake brings both passion and clarity to every lesson. His teaching style is patient, encouraging, and highly effective. Whether we were learning new vocabulary, practicing grammar, or working on pronunciation, he always made sure I fully understood the material and felt comfortable asking questions.

What really stands out is how he integrates Chinese culture into his lessons, making the language come alive in meaningful ways. His classes are not only educational but also genuinely enjoyable. I always left feeling more confident and motivated.

Thanks to 老师 Blake, my Chinese has improved significantly over the past year in all areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. I’m deeply grateful for his guidance, and I sincerely hope he will continue to be my teacher throughout the rest of my Chinese learning journey. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to learn Chinese in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Learning Chinese with Blake has been a truly enriching experience. He’s not only highly knowledgeable in the language, but also brings a deep understanding of Chinese culture and current affairs into his lessons. This makes each session more engaging and meaningful. Blake has a unique ability to make learning enjoyable and relevant.

Blake is a patient and methodical teacher who makes complex topics approachable. He helps you enjoy learning, sparking genuine interest and passion. His structured approach and calm demeanor create an ideal environment for deep understanding and growth.

I was a student of the NTU Confucious Institute’s Business Chinese (comprehensive) class. Blake is truly a dedicated teacher with a heart for the language and for his students. He showed remarkable teaching ability and a true passion for the culture and traditions of the country as well, which further fueled our (as students) interest of the language. His classes were fun and meaningful, very relatable as well. Will join his class again and recommend others to be taught by him as well!

Teacher Blake was my instructor at the NTU Confucius Institute. During the 16-week Business Chinese course, he demonstrated exceptional passion for teaching and a profound understanding of the Chinese language and business culture. His fluency in both Mandarin and English enabled him to easily translate difficult business English vocabulary into its corresponding Chinese terms.

He also adds depth to the Chinese lessons through his in-depth knowledge of the nuances of business communication in Chinese and Chinese culture. This makes learning Mandarin fun and interesting.

Overall, he is an outstanding educator and translator whom I would highly recommend to all!

Blake was an excellent teacher who made every lesson interesting while also useful and informative. He spends a lot of effort preparing for each class, and is able to adapt to the needs and abilities of each student. I really enjoyed the time learning Business Chinese with Blake. He is an outstanding teacher that I would recommend to anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese language.

Went through HSK 1 to HSK 3 with Blake Teaching me. Blake keeps you accountable with setting good homework and tracking your work throughout the course which accelerates your learning. Each session my Chinese improves a noticeable amount and thats because of the stucture and teaching Blake lays out

I really enjoy having Mr. Xia as my Mandarin teacher! From our first days in HSK1 Basic 2 to where we are now in HSK3 Intermediate 1, he has been an incredible guide in my learning journey. Not only does he ensure that every concept is thoroughly explained with examples, but he also enriches the learning experience with useful resources like videos, handouts, and insightful knowledge that he prepares for every session. His passion for the language and commitment to his students make the process of learning Mandarin both engaging and rewarding. Even when he sees that someone is struggling, he does not hesitate to spend extra time to make sure that the concept is well understood. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from Mr. Xia. His expertise, dedication, and teaching methods make him an exceptional educator.

I am very fortunate to have Blake Xia as my Mandarin teacher! His classes are very structured and organized. He himself develops tons of incredibly useful learning material with exercises, tables and helpful examples. He always explains new topics and grammar in a clear and easy way.

One of the Mr. Xia’s strengths is his openness to feedback on which he actively delivers. If he sees that his students struggle with understanding something he immediately adjusts his explanation to a different and easier-to-understand one.

During our classes we managed to significantly improve our writing and reading skills, as well as speaking and listening.

He manages to maintain a friendly and fun atmosphere in the class. He is great in using latest technologies and teaching techniques.

I had the pleasure of studying Daily Chinese – HSK (Basic Level 1) with Blake, and I am grateful for his guidance and dedication throughout the course.

Blake is a knowledgeable and patient instructor who makes learning Chinese enjoyable and accessible, even for beginners.

I’ve had the pleasure of learning Mandarin under 老师 Blake and I can confidently say he is one of the most dedicated and effective teachers I’ve ever encountered.

His patience, clarity, and engaging teaching style create an ideal learning environment — even for beginners tackling a challenging language like Chinese.

What sets him apart is his tireless work ethic and commitment to delivering high-quality, well-structured course materials. He consistently goes beyond the standard curriculum, enriching our lessons with valuable insights into Chinese history and culture. This holistic approach has not only helped us progress in the language but also deepened our understanding and appreciation of China’s heritage.

If you’re looking for someone who brings both passion and pedagogical excellence to the table, I wholeheartedly recommend Teacher Blake!

Blake Xia is a professional Business Chinese lecturer for my intermediate class lessons. I enjoyed the classes for Business Chinese, and learnt great conversational language skills with him. The classes were delivered eloquently with good business Chinese etiquette. I am continuing for the advanced business Chinese class!

I have been studying Mandarin with Blake for a year, and I am thoroughly impressed with his teaching. He is extremely dedicated, always providing useful materials that help deepen my understanding and practice of the language. Blake’s methodology has enabled me to make significant progress in my Mandarin skills and become more comfortable with the language. His structured yet flexible approach makes the learning process both effective and enjoyable.

I started attending Blake’s HSK class in April 2024. Blake is a great teacher, and always patiently explains concepts to the class. He also promptly marks practice papers and provides supplementary videos so that we can revise during the week.

Further, it is great that Blake organizes group activities in class so that we can practice together. After the first term, I found that I was able to expand my vocabulary and gained confidence to use Chinese daily.

老师的课是一个有趣的学习环境。每个星期都期待上课！

I’ve attended Blake’s Business Chinese language class from Jan - May. Blake’s dedication and expertise have made learning enjoyable and effective, and I'm grateful for the progress I've made under their guidance. He goes the extra mile to ensure the learning pace is adequate for his students. 谢谢老师!

Over the last year, I've had the privilege of learning Mandarin with Blake, an educator whose passion and proficiency in the language are unparalleled.

What sets Blake apart is not just his deep knowledge but his extraordinary commitment to enriching our learning experience. He crafts his own study materials and revision sheets, tailors lessons with a personal touch, and even curates songs to deepen our understanding of the nuances in Chinese (!)

His eloquence in English enhances his teaching, allowing him to effectively translate concepts and offer alternatives where direct translations falter. Blake's dedication to going above and beyond has profoundly impacted my learning journey.

His efforts have not only made learning Chinese incredibly rewarding but also deeply meaningful.

I truly feel fortunate having Blake Xia as my Mandarin Teacher. He demonstrates solid mastery of the subject and is able to break one of the most difficult languages in the world and its difficult concepts into manageable parts that can be easily comprehended and applied in practice with concrete and relatable examples. He goes above and beyond the curriculum to develop his own personalised and rigorous teaching pedagogy, with a proven track record to ensure a high standard of proficiency in writing, reading, listening and speaking in a very short amount of time. He is not only a capable, but also a very passionate and dedicated teacher. His fervour and energy keeps me engaged and inspired throughout the class. He draws from his abundant life experiences and background to share the nuances, context and history that comes with the language, in his effort to explore the cultures beyond the language.

I highly recommend Blake Xia as your personal Mandarin teacher for your professional and or personal pursuit of learning Mandarin, especially if you are looking for a professional and experienced teacher who can take you to the highest standard in a considerably short amount of time, with ease and plenty of joy throughout your learning journey.

Many years back I attended Chinese language classes through private tutoring and after few lessons I gave up as I found that I could not follow the teachings. My private tutor had so much faith in me that he taught me Chinese idioms and poetry instead of the basics of the language. I picked up spoken Mandarin since school days through speaking with family members and friends and at times it may appear to others that I have good command of Mandarin. That must have misled my private tutor then to teach me the more advanced side of the language. In April 2025, I signed up with NTU to learn Chinese and had the pleasure of being taught by Blake Xia. I enjoyed Blake's teaching very much and the classes were very different from what was taught years back by my private tutor. Blake made Chinese learning enjoyable by relating Chinese language learning to Chinese culture and customs. Through Blake's teaching, I learned more than the language itself and that made learning of Chinese so much refreshing. Students were taught Chinese grammar and other rules of the language and Blake's good command of English made learning of Chinese more relatable. I found that I have certain improvements in command of the language, especially through practice of Chinese writings and in class, all students had interactive learning under Blake's guidance. Blake certainly made Chinese language learning fun and interesting and I totally enjoyed the classes. It is unfortunate that due to work commitments and my not-so-good time management, I have to take a break from advancing further in Chinese learning. I will certainly resume hopefully in the not too distant future. I fully recommend Blake as a good and competent teacher in Chinese and would recommend Blake to anyone interested in pursuing the learning of the language.

I was really lucky to have Blake as my Chinese lecturer. He has this amazing way of making Chinese so much easier to pick up, whether it’s intonation, phonetics, or even the history behind radicals, he explains things so clearly that it just clicks. What I enjoyed most was how he wove in cultural insights and China’s history into lessons, so it never felt like just language learning but also understanding the bigger picture.

On top of that, he’s fun, interactive, and super passionate about teaching. Every class was lively and engaging, and he always managed to make even tricky topics feel like a breeze. Honestly, he made learning Chinese something I looked forward to each week. I highly recommend Blake to anyone who wants to learn Chinese in a way that’s both effective and enjoyable!

I truly enjoyed the structured classes, cultural nuggets, fun, interactive and outgoing manner of the classes. I was not bored, I was challenged at a suitable pace and it is clear Blake truly cares for his students, going the extra mile for us. The level of preparation is meticulous and my Chinese exponentially improved. I only stopped due to time constraints with work - otherwise, I highly recommend the privilege of learning with Blake! I understood the nuances and technicalities of grammar in a way no other Chinese teacher of mine explained. This was critical to my progress in the language.

Blake 是南洋理工大学孔子学院老师，他从2024年4月开始教我日常汉语(HSK). 这段时间，我的中文水平有了很大的进步。

Blake is a teacher of Confucius Institute, Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He has taught me daily Chinese (HSK) since April 2024. During the period of time, my Chinese has made great progress.

Blake was my tutor at Confucius institute of higher Chinese and his amazing teaching energy really rubs off students like myself, even after a day of work. The 16 week’s course was intense but fruitful. Thank you Blake!

Blake is a passionate and engaging teacher. He brings real energy to his lessons and demonstrates excellent teaching skills, both during the sessions and through the comprehensive learning materials he provides. He makes the early stages of learning a complex language, built around entirely new concepts, both enjoyable and stimulating. I would warmly recommend Blake as a Mandarin teacher.

I’ve been learning with 夏老师 since HSK 4B, and it’s been over a year now. I’ve learned Chinese under a couple of teachers over the years, but this is by far the longest I’ve stayed with one teacher. I’ve completed five blocks of classes with him, will be starting my sixth next week, and hope to continue learning with him for as long as I can.

Every class has been enjoyable, and I’ve learned so much thanks to his dedication and teaching style.

He goes above and beyond what’s in the textbook by preparing extra materials, adding Hanyu Pinyin where it’s missing, and even recording audio for us to revise after class. These resources have been incredibly helpful, especially for pronunciation and self-study.

I also love that his classes aren’t just about the language. He often shares current affairs, Chinese culture, and trending topics, which makes the lessons much more engaging and helps us understand how Chinese is actually used in everyday life.

Most of all, 夏老师 is patient, encouraging, and always willing to help. He creates a comfortable environment where everyone feels confident to participate and practise speaking.

I’m really grateful to have been his student over the past year and would highly recommend 夏老师 to anyone looking to improve their Chinese in a practical, engaging, and enjoyable way ◡̈

Blake was my instructor for my HSK 5 Advanced level 1 course. It was my first semester at a Confucius Institute. I wish I had Blake as my CL2 teacher during my school days! He explains concepts clearly and in an engaging manner. He uses English when we need to hear it in English and in Chinese, at a speed and level appropriate to our level of competence as HSK 5 students. He has a great sense of humour and uses it well to make our lessons memorable. There are students in my course that have switched to his class from other instructors. When marking my homework, he is meticulous and constructive in his corrections. I look forward to more semesters under his tutelage.

It has been an absolute pleasure and joy attending Mandarin classes conducted by 老师 Blake.

His course materials were well-organised, his teaching was methodical and his explanation of concepts was pitched at the right level which made understanding clear and concise.

老师 Blake is a dedicated, talented and excellent teacher who is passionate about his craft and vocation. He is able to masterfully highlight and clearly explain the nuances of expressions and subtlety of meanings in the Mandarin language.

His interactive style of teaching kept students constantly on their toes ! Individual responses to questions posed by him and group discussions were always lively and engaging. 非常感谢老师 Blake.

As his student and a first-time HSK Chinese learner, he helped me a lot. His instructions are so clear and so creative! Not just the language being taught, but the whole culture and the beauty of the language and its writing caligraphy is being introduced to me. I am so glad to have him as my Chinese Language HSK Teacher. 谢谢您，我的汉语老师

Blake is a language tutor who teaches not just the mechanics of speech, but the soul of the culture behind it.

While my Mandarin proficiency has improved under his guidance, the true value of his lessons lies in the context he provides. He doesn’t just teach you *what* to say; he teaches you *why* certain phrases carry specific weights and how your words and actions are interpreted within the framework of Chinese social norms. His insights into Chinese history have given me a much sharper sensemaking capability when navigating cross-cultural interactions, allowing me to understand the "unspoken" rules of communication.

Whether you are looking to achieve fluency or simply want to deepen your understanding of China’s role in the global landscape, Blake will be your go-to guy.

At 64, I decided to embark on learning Chinese - an endeavor I approached with trepidation, given my failed attempt some 35 years ago.

Having just completed two modules of the HSK Basic Daily Chinese, I now find my confidence in the language renewed and steadily growing. While the curriculum is thoughtfully designed, the real turning point in my journey has been my teacher, Blake Xia Wen.

Blake’s patience, encouragement, and deep mastery of both Chinese and English made all the difference. His ability to bridge the language gap not only eased my learning but also inspired me to persist where I once faltered. Simply put, Blake was the deciding factor in my pursuit, and I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone eager to learn Chinese.

I really enjoyed learning Business Chinese with Mr Blake as he is an excellent language teacher who really caters to his students' interests by keeping them engaged.

He is a dedicated and outstanding teacher. His teachings are centred on developing practical abilities in speaking and listening, and he does an excellent job of customising course content to the class skill level.

His teaching methodology has helped me with learning characters, oral and written communication abilities, knowledge of vocabulary, and cultural understanding. He is always prepared for class and willing to put in extra effort to ensure that we progress at a fast pace.

I highly recommend Mr Blake to anyone to anyone who is serious about learning Chinese.

I had the pleasure of studying HSK Level 5 under Blake Xia at the Confucius Institute at NTU for six months. 夏老师 is an exceptional teacher whose preparation and commitment consistently go well beyond the textbook. He develops thoughtful supplementary materials, incorporates current events and contemporary media, and brings vocabulary and grammar to life with practical, engaging examples.

What impressed me most was his ability to create discussions that were perfectly calibrated, challenging enough to push our listening and speaking skills while ensuring everyone could participate confidently. His patient teaching style, equal engagement with every student, and seamless use of technology made each lesson both effective and enjoyable.

夏老师's passion for teaching and genuine investment in his students' progress make him an outstanding educator. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to develop their Chinese in a dynamic and supportive learning environment.

Blake is a fantastic teacher. It's a pleasure going for class because he genuinely supports his students through it all. His sunny disposition helps us sustain the motivation to keep going. As he always encourages us to immerse ourselves beyond the classroom, this has enriched my experience 100%. Overall, he makes learning extremely enjoyable. I recommend Blake without hesitation.

I highly recommend Blake Xia as a Chinese language instructor. During my HSK 5 Advanced Chinese course, Blake consistently delivered engaging, well-structured lessons backed by a strong understanding of both Chinese and English linguistics. His explanations were clear, insightful, and tailored to advanced learners, which helped me make meaningful progress. I’ve learnt a great deal from Blake and thoroughly enjoyed learning with him.

Blake is a wonderful teacher who is passionate about his craft. During our six months with him, my Business Chinese class benefitted from his wealth of knowledge that spans linguistics, Chinese history, cultural studies and China business customs. He made classes engaging and adapted them well to our various career backgrounds. He also displayed genuine interest and curiosity about our industries, which allowed us all to open up with greater ease. Blake is extremely organised, encouraging, highly attentive to students’ needs, and maintains good relationships far beyond the classroom. Even now, he is an immense help whenever I have questions related to China or the language during the course of my work. I am thankful to have been his student.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn under Mr Blake's guidance. His dedication to teaching is truly commendable. He goes above and beyond by providing meticulously crafted handouts tailored to enhance our learning experience. His commitment to our progress is evident in every aspect of his teaching.

One of the aspects I appreciate most about Mr. Blake is his easy-going attitude. Despite the demands of his own schedule and our long days of work prior to class, he creates a stress-free environment that fosters effective learning. His approachability and patience make every class session enjoyable and productive.

I am deeply grateful for Mr. Blake's guidance and support throughout my Chinese language studies. Under his teaching, I have not only expanded my language skills but also developed a deeper appreciation for the culture. I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Blake as an exceptional educator who brings passion, expertise, and genuine care to his role.