Mandarin chinese lessons in Belgium

I'm taking Chinese group classes for absolute beginners in Brussels and have had 8 lessons (3hrs/lesson) so far. We're learning vocabulary and grammar, but don't speak much. I came to Stephanie especially to work on the speaking and as such, I have spoken and heard more Chinese in my first 1 hour lesson than in all those classes together I reckon. She forces me to explain things in Chinese and to focus on the important things and not get distracted by details and get ahead of myself, which is exactly what I need. It did feel like I was starting all over again from scratch. It was like hitting the reset button. In the meantime, she has been very patient with me as I have a busy work-schedule and don't have much time to practice. I would like to have more lessons per week, but unfortunately my agenda does not allow that. I can highly recommend Stephanie. -- update after 5 lessons: I still recommend Stephanie with 5 stars. I have learned a lot, not easy, definitely not boring as classroom classes can be, and a lot more helpful. Speaking is learning.

My departure toward Beijing is gaining terrain and I can freely say that has been very enriching and helpful studying Chinese with Katka. With her I discovered how beautiful and mysterious Chinese is. She shared all her experiences, her meetings, her discoverings and thoughts with me. She gave me a very special and marvelous view about China and its culture. I will never thank her enough for her passion and steadiness. All the exercises she prepared were helpful and definitely a clever way to avoid the possible sorrow due the heaviness of approaching a very different language. Super kind and available indeed! Her suggestions are precious and her teaching is very precise and diversified, complete and flexible. Thank you Katka! And her tea is very very good:) Paolo

Penny is very professional and extremely knowledgeable about Chinese Art History. The lesson is perfectly prepared with good documentation but also with the flexibility to branch out in neighbouring subjects or drill down deeper on certain topics. The presentation is very entertaining and clearly benefits from Penny's experience and eductation in China. Enjoyable and profound.