Words by Aude Camus
I have a confession to make: I’ve lived in Hong Kong for more than ten years, and I don’t speak a word of Cantonese. Of course, you can survive perfectly well as an expat without it — the city is so international — but sometimes I feel like I missed the train. A few words here and there would have been a way to connect more deeply with the local culture. And now? Let’s be honest, I’m not going to start.
But just because I’m a lazy bum bum doesn’t mean you — or your kids — have to be. Kids are little sponges, and picking up a new language early on is one of the best gifts you can give them. And if you’re an adult who’s been meaning to learn? It’s never too late to pick up practical Cantonese for everyday life or Mandarin for business. And if you do want to take the plunge, you’ll want someone who makes learning feel approachable rather than intimidating.
I have a confession to make: I’ve lived in Hong Kong for more than ten years, and I don’t speak a word of Cantonese. Of course, you can survive perfectly well as an expat without it — the city is so international — but sometimes I feel like I missed the train. A few words here and there would have been a way to connect more deeply with the local culture. And now? Let’s be honest, I’m not going to start.
But just because I’m a lazy bum bum doesn’t mean you — or your kids — have to be. Kids are little sponges, and picking up a new language early on is one of the best gifts you can give them. And if you’re an adult who’s been meaning to learn? It’s never too late to pick up practical Cantonese for everyday life or Mandarin for business. And if you do want to take the plunge, you’ll want someone who makes learning feel approachable rather than intimidating.
That’s exactly what Aileen Ting, a certified and highly trusted language tutor, has built with Mandarin & Cantonese Tutor HK — a boutique school that specialises in helping expats, professionals, and students build real-life fluency.
Aileen is trilingual (Mandarin, Cantonese, English) with over a decade of teaching experience, holding a BA in Applied Foreign Languages from Taipei City University and a Mandarin Trainer Certification from Beijing Normal University. Her teaching blends cultural insights with structured, results-driven lessons — the kind that help you actually use what you’ve learned outside the classroom.
Lessons are flexible: you can learn online, at their Central office, or in the comfort of your own home or office (small travel fee applies). Options range from one-on-one tutoring to small groups (2–4 students) and even tailored corporate training for teams. Prices start at HKD 600/hour for private sessions (or HKD 500/hour if you buy a 10-class package with even bigger savings on larger bundles) and HKD 250/hour for group lessons.
Lessons are flexible: you can learn online, at their Central office, or in the comfort of your own home or office (small travel fee applies). Options range from one-on-one tutoring to small groups (2–4 students) and even tailored corporate training for teams. Prices start at HKD 600/hour for private sessions (or HKD 500/hour if you buy a 10-class package with even bigger savings on larger bundles) and HKD 250/hour for group lessons.
Whether you’re preparing for exams like IB, IGCSE, or HSK, boosting your kids’ confidence in school, or finally learning how to banter with a taxi driver, Mandarin & Cantonese Tutor HK makes language learning approachable, flexible, and — dare I say — fun. Students often achieve conversational fluency in just 30–50 hours, which is pretty motivating if you ask me.
So if you’re an expat — like me, but less lazy — wondering where to learn Cantonese or Mandarin in Hong Kong, take it from a friend: call Aileen. Because while I may forever be the one stuck pointing at dim sum menus, you don’t have to be.
Learn more: www.mandarintutorhk.com
Private lessons: HKD 600/hour for a single session - HKD 500/hour for 10 lessons (HKD 5,000 total) - HKD 450/hour for 20 lessons (HKD 9,000 total) - HKD 400/hour for 30 lessons (HKD 12,000 total)
Group lesson: HKD 250/hour.
So if you’re an expat — like me, but less lazy — wondering where to learn Cantonese or Mandarin in Hong Kong, take it from a friend: call Aileen. Because while I may forever be the one stuck pointing at dim sum menus, you don’t have to be.
Learn more: www.mandarintutorhk.com
Private lessons: HKD 600/hour for a single session - HKD 500/hour for 10 lessons (HKD 5,000 total) - HKD 450/hour for 20 lessons (HKD 9,000 total) - HKD 400/hour for 30 lessons (HKD 12,000 total)
Group lesson: HKD 250/hour.
✨ Special September 2025 offer ✨
Book a trial lesson this month, and if you sign up for any package right after, you’ll receive one free lesson. A little nudge to finally start learning — no excuses!
Book a trial lesson this month, and if you sign up for any package right after, you’ll receive one free lesson. A little nudge to finally start learning — no excuses!
This article is the result of a paid collaboration between Hong Kong Madame and Mandarin & Cantonese Tutor HK. As an independently run lifestyle media, we pride ourselves on carefully selecting the brands and businesses we spotlight — always ensuring we only share those we would personally use and recommend to our friends.
