引言｜当学中文不再只是“考试目标”，而是生活本身
Introduction | When Learning Mandarin Becomes Part of Life
在 Mandarin Inn，我们常说：
真正的语言学习，发生在课堂之外。
今天的月度学员 Tessa，正是这样一位学习者。
她拥有德国、墨西哥与瑞典的多元文化背景，在上海生活一年后，决定认真投入中文学习——
不是为了“会说几句”，而是为了真正参与、理解、连接。
At Mandarin Inn, we believe that real language learning happens beyond textbooks and exams.
Our Student of the Month, Tessa, brings a rich multicultural background and a clear intention:
to use Mandarin not just to pass tests, but to live, work, and connect more deeply in China.
01｜多重文化背景，在上海找到语言的归属感
A Multicultural Background, Finding Belonging Through Language
你好！我叫 Tessa。
我的背景有点特别——我是德国、墨西哥和瑞典混血。
我在中国生活已经一年了，因为工作来到上海，也很快爱上了中文。
大约 11 个月前，我在 Mandarin Inn 从 HSK 1 开始学习中文，现在正在 HSK 3 阶段。
我的正式目标是考到 HSK 6，
但更真实的目标是：
能在工作中自如沟通
- 能和中国朋友用中文聊天、八卦
- 能和朋友的父母、路上的人、甚至每天在我楼下聊天的中国奶奶们自然交流
当然，如果有一天我能完全听懂滴滴司机在说什么，那就更完美了。
Hi! My name is Tessa. I have a mixed background — German, Mexican, and Swedish.
I’ve been living in China for one year now and moved to Shanghai for work, where I quickly fell in love with the language.
About eleven months ago, I started HSK 1 classes at Mandarin Inn and am now studying at the HSK 3 level.
My formal goal is to reach HSK 6, but my real goal is to confidently hold work conversations, gossip with my Chinese friends, speak fluently with people on the street, and chat with the Chinese grandmas in front of my building — and hopefully understand my Didi drivers too.
Why China? Choosing a World in Motion
我认为学习中文对外国人来说非常有价值。
世界正在变化，中国在全球舞台上的角色越来越重要。
就像英语曾经是必备语言一样，
中文正在成为理解当今世界的重要钥匙。
但对我来说，中文不仅仅是“实用”。
它古老、复杂、美丽，也极大地挑战你的思维方式。
正是这种挑战，让学习中文变得如此充实。
Certainly. The world is changing, and China is playing an increasingly important global role.
Just as English has been essential, Mandarin is becoming just as valuable for anyone engaging with today’s world.
Beyond practicality, Mandarin is a beautiful, intricate, and ancient language.
Learning it truly stretches your mind — and that’s what makes it so enriching for me.
03｜她的学习方式：真实环境，比完美计划更重要
Her Learning Approach: Real-Life Immersion Over Perfection
我必须诚实地说，我学习的时间并不总是理想（这也是我 2026 年的一个目标）。
工作繁忙时，很难做到完美规划。
但我发现，最有效的方法是把自己放进中文环境里：
主动和当地人交流
- 了解他们的生活方式和习惯
- 在真实语境中不断“试错”
- 我也会看中文电视剧、听中文歌。
如果你喜欢 KTV，学几首中文歌其实是非常有趣的学习方式。
I’ll be honest — I don’t study as much as I’d like, especially with a busy work schedule.
But what helps me most is immersing myself in environments where Mandarin is naturally spoken.
Pushing yourself to interact with locals, watching Chinese dramas, listening to music, and even learning a few Mandarin songs for KTV all make a big difference.
04｜好老师，让困难的阶段变得可跨越
A Great Teacher Makes Difficult Stages Possible
在 Mandarin Inn，我遇到过几位很好的老师。
但我现在的老师尤其让我印象深刻。
她非常有条理、聪明、有魅力，
这让课堂始终保持积极、专注的氛围。
自从和她学习以来，我明显感到自己的进步，
尤其是在 HSK 3 这样难度突然上升的阶段，
我依然能够保持信心。
I’ve had several teachers here, and they’ve all been good.
But my current teacher really stands out.
She’s structured, intelligent, and charismatic, which creates a very positive learning environment.
Since studying with her, I’ve made noticeable progress and feel much more confident — even during challenging stages like the beginning of HSK 3.
Why She Rarely Misses Class: Consistency Builds Momentum
对我来说，持续性就是语言学习的一切。
我会尽量把中文课放在优先位置，因为规律的学习真的会形成一种节奏和动力。
在线资源我还没有完全利用起来，
但我计划今年更多地结合它们，作为课堂学习的补充。
For me, consistency is everything when learning a language.
I prioritize my Mandarin classes because regular practice really builds momentum.
I haven’t used online resources as much yet, but I plan to explore them more this year.
06｜她期待的工作坊：从社会习俗到汉字故事
What She Hopes to Explore in Workshops
我还没来得及参加 Mandarin Inn 的工作坊，但一直非常感兴趣。
我期待今年能加入，结识更多学习者。
我特别感兴趣的主题包括：
中国的社会习俗和家庭文化
- 汉字背后的故事与结构
- 这些内容，会让我对语言的理解更立体、更深入。
I haven’t had the chance to attend a workshop yet, but I’m really interested.
Topics I’d love include Chinese social customs, family traditions, and the stories behind Chinese characters.
07｜语言的挑战：方言，让我重新认识“中文的多样性”
A Real Challenge: Dialects and Linguistic Diversity
对我来说，最大的挑战之一是方言。
一旦对方不是说标准普通话，我就会明显跟不上。
但这也让我意识到：
中文是一门极其多样、丰富的语言。
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is understanding different dialects.
As soon as someone doesn’t speak standard Mandarin, I struggle — a strong reminder of how diverse the language really is.
08｜她的兴趣：舞蹈、音乐与中国生活方式
Her Interests: Dance, Music, and Chinese Ways of Living
我的兴趣非常广泛。
去年，我开始学习中国古典舞。
我很喜欢它的优雅、柔和，以及背后蕴含的中国哲学。
今年，我想尝试学习 古筝，
我被它清亮、克制又精致的声音深深吸引。
当然，我也非常热爱中国美食。
去年是“尝遍一切”，也许今年我会开始学着自己做几道中国菜。
Last year, I started learning traditional Chinese dance and loved how it connects movement with philosophy.
This year, I’d like to try the guzheng, drawn by its refined and expressive sound.
And of course, I’m passionate about Chinese food — last year was about tasting everything; this year might be about learning to cook.
Her Favorite Character: 心 (Heart / Mind)
中文是一门极其丰富的语言，
而最吸引我的，是 “心” 这个字。
它不仅仅代表“心脏”，
更包含了道德、情感、意识、意志和内在本性。
它是感觉、思想和价值的统一中心。
理解“心”，也让我更好地理解了中国社会。
Mandarin is a rich language, and one character that has always captured me is 心.
Often translated as “heart,” it actually represents moral character, consciousness, intention, and inner nature — the unified center of feeling and thought.
Understanding this character helped me better understand Chinese society.
Tessa’s story reflects the journey of many Mandarin Inn students.
Learning Mandarin is not just about passing exams，but about living more fully in China and communicating more naturally with people.
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From structured learning to real-life practice,
we help you make Mandarin part of your everyday life.
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