About Alpaca Mandarin – Alpaca Mandarin

We help busy learners make steady, visible progress. Every journey starts with a quick level check, then we build a plan around your goals and diary. Qualified tutors, focused lessons and regular feedback keep improvements consistent — whether you’re preparing for HSK or using Mandarin at work.

What we do

Personalised study plans

Level check and goals first; lessons shaped to your pace and schedule.

HSK preparation for adults

Structured vocabulary, grammar and speaking with regular mock tests and feedback.

Business Chinese

Emails, meetings and presentations tailored to your industry — practical and direct.

Meet Kitty Yuan

Director, Alpaca Mandarin

Based in London, Kitty holds an M.A. in Teaching Chinese as an International Language from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and a B.A. in Radio & Television Directing from Fudan University (Shanghai). She blends academic rigour with creative clarity, delivering friendly, results-focused Mandarin lessons online and in person.

Thomas Mitchell

Chief Business Officer

Thomas is our Chief Business Officer and a PhD researcher in International History at the London School of Economics, where he also teaches. He combines research rigour with clear communication and international collaboration, guiding our partnerships and growth. An advanced Mandarin learner (HSK 5), he brings a thoughtful East–West perspective to everything we do.

Learners Supported

Courses Delivered

From first lesson to thousands of learners

2021

Founded in London

Launched with a clear aim: structured Mandarin teaching for busy adults and professionals.

2022

Programmes expanded

Introduced HSK 1–6 pathways and tailored Business Chinese for emails, meetings and presentations.

2023

1:1 & teams, online and in-person

Grew our tutor base and scheduling options to support both individual learners and workplace groups.

2024

3,000+ learners supported

Consistent results across London and online, with personalised plans and measurable progress.

Creating success. Group of young happy multi racial business people communicating and sharing ideas while working together in the modern office. Teamwork and cooperation concept

We are proud of our students:

IBDP Chinese

HSK Chinese Level 1-6

GCSE

A Level Chinese

YCT Chinese

Business Chinese Test

Chinese Proficiency Test

As an adult learner, I was initially apprehensive about tackling Chinese. But the Caonima teachers made it so enjoyable and accessible. Their unique methods helped me grasp complex concepts quickly, leading to excellent scores on my proficiency tests. The teachers are patient and encouraging, which made a huge difference in…

Emily 28

Creative Heads Inc.

I’ve always wanted to learn Mandarin, and Caonima Chinese language teachers exceeded all my expectations. Their engaging lessons made learning fun and effective. Thanks to their high-quality teaching, I passed the HSK3 exam with flying colors! The teachers are incredibly supportive and create a positive learning environment that encourages participation…

John, 35

Creative Heads Inc.

At the heart of our success is a dedicated and passionate team of professionals