The Chinese language is fascinating for its rich history, script, tonal nature, and role as a gateway to a diverse and vibrant culture that has influenced humanity for millennia. Nowadays, China has the second largest economy globally, and Mandarin is the most spoken language. The popularity of the Chinese language is driven by economic, cultural, and educational factors, making it a valuable and rewarding pursuit for many Canadians.
Did you know that almost a quarter of a million k-12 students in Canada currently study Mandarin? Chinese is the most popular language for dual-enrollment programs after Spanish, edging out French! So, if you dream of becoming a Chinese teacher in Canada, the interest in Chinese private classes will only grow! Have a look at everything you need to become a Mandarin Chinese instructor in Canada!
Trivia: Test your Chinese Mandarin level!
Instructions: Here are ten short sentences in Mandarin Chinese for upper beginner-level students, along with three possible answers for each sentence. Choose the correct answer to each sentence.
- 他在吃早饭。
- a) He is eating lunch.
- b) She is cooking dinner.
- c) He is eating breakfast.
- 我们要去学校。
- a) We want to go to the park.
- b) They need to go to work.
- c) We are going to school.
- 你昨天去哪里了?
- a) Where did you go yesterday?
- b) When are you leaving?
- c) What's your name?
- 她喜欢看电影。
- a) She likes to read books.
- b) She enjoys watching movies.
- c) She dislikes playing sports.
- 请给我一杯水。
- a) Can you pass me the salt?
- b) Please give me a glass of water.
- c) I need a fork.
- 我的生日在十二月。
- a) My birthday is in December.
- b) My favorite color is blue.
- c) I have two brothers.
- 他每天都去图书馆学习。
- a) He goes to the gym every day.
- b) He studies at the library every day.
- c) He never studies.
- 这个菜很辣。
- a) This dish is very spicy.
- b) This food is sweet.
- c) This fruit is sour.

What qualifications do I need to teach Chinese?
Most modern language teachers in Canada follow the same academic route and specialize in their area of interest. If you’ve decided to become a Chinese instructor, the most direct way to achieve your professional goals as a Mandarin Chinese teacher may be:
- A Bachelor's degree: A Bachelor's degree in Education, usually preceded by specialized training or experience, may be essential to finding teaching jobs. A Master's in Education isn’t always necessary to become a teacher. However, it is always valued;
- Provincial Teaching Certificate: Teacher certification in your province or territory;
- Teaching Experience: Having teaching experience is part of most employment requirements;
- Approved TCSOL certification: If you are interested in Teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages, you must also pass a TCSOL (Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages) qualification in Canada;
- Fluency in Mandarin Chinese: A proficiency level in Chinese and linguistic mastery is crucial to teaching.
However, if you still need to obtain some of the above requirements, you can start gaining experience as a Chinese instructor by setting yourself up as a private tutor. Private tutoring is a great way to start your teaching career at your own pace.
What qualities are essential to become a Chinese teacher?
Teaching often takes skills and knowledge far beyond a perfect mastery of the Chinese language. To successfully embark on the journey of becoming a Chinese teacher, you must develop certain qualities that define the key traits that make a practical and inspiring educator in Mandarin teaching.
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will prepare you to improve the quality of your Chinese classes (and to recognize if it is the ideal career for you). Some essential qualities to become a Chinese instructor are:
- Be proficient in the Chinese language.
- Be a connoisseur of Chinese history, culture, traditions, and political and economic situation.
- It is essential to be bilingual in English or French.
- Be able to identify and give value to the needs of learners.
- A great deal of patience.
- Good listening skills.
- Be a motivator in and out of the session.
A formal education and professional experience will provide you with mastery of Mandarin Chinese, a much more competitive profile. Plus, good teachers not only know how to impart their knowledge but also can share their passion to accomplish a successful learning process.

How to become a Chinese online teacher?
Online teaching has become a flexible and accessible option for sharing your skills as a Chinese teacher. If you want to discover how to take your first steps on this exciting journey of teaching Chinese online and creating an enriching learning experience for your students from all over the world, below you will find the best way to do it.
But first, did you know that there is a wide range of backgrounds among Chinese instructors? If you want to teach Chinese as a private tutor, you will almost certainly recognize yourself in one of our typical profiles below:
- Chinese language expert: If you are a native Chinese Mandarin speaker or second-generation Chinese growing up in Canada, you must have a thorough understanding of Chinese culture at home and abroad.
- Certified Chinese teacher: You are a certified Chinese teacher if you have pursued formal education in Canada and gained a provincial teaching certification.
- Chinese student: You are pursuing higher education in Chinese studies and looking for another source of income.
- Chinese Culture Enthusiast: You are not a Chinese teacher, student of the Chinese language, or Chinese native speaker, but you have acquired Chinese language proficiency.
No matter your background, you can become an online Mandarin Chinese tutor through Superprof! But what is Superprof? Superprof is an excellent online private tutoring platform where you can quickly and securely tutor Mandarin Chinese. Superprof revolutionizes how we teach, study, and learn, making it more accessible, simply and reliably, both for tutors and students. Are you ready to connect with thousands of students in Canada who are prepared to learn Chinese in Canada?
Becoming a Mandarin teacher without a diploma?
Become a Mandarin Chinese teacher with Superprof!
Whether you want to earn extra income, add a new professional experience to your CV, expand your network, or start gaining experience as a private tutor, if you want to become a Mandarin Chinese instructor in Canada, we recommend you become a private teacher with Superprof!
Working as a private Mandarin Chinese tutor with Superprof will give you many advantages:
- You will be able to connect with thousands of students looking to learn Chinese in Canada.
- You can choose the students you feel most comfortable with, as you are 100% free to accept or decline student requests.
- You will be able to set your tuition fees freely, considering what is the most suitable price for your tutoring according to your skills, your teaching experience, and the demand for Chinese teachers in your area.
- You will be able to work in a super flexible way, as you can decide the class schedule that suits you best and if you prefer face-to-face or online classes.
Amazing! Start gaining experience as a private teacher at Superprof! Register as a teacher and create your profile without paying any registration fee. Don't wait any longer to become a Mandarin Chinese instructor and share your passion for languages with Superprof!
Wrap up!
Becoming a Chinese teacher in Canada takes more than delving into the captivating world of the Chinese language. But how does one become a Chinese instructor in this dynamic landscape? You should obtain a bachelor's degree, a provincial teaching certification, and gain teaching experience. For those who still need to meet these requirements, the path can begin by becoming a private teacher online. If you aspire to share your passion for the Chinese language, take the first step and become a Mandarin Chinese teacher with Superprof!

Trivia Answers!
- C: The sentence translates to "He is eating breakfast" in English. "早饭" means "breakfast" in Chinese.
- C: The sentence means "We are going to school." "要" means "to want" or "to need", and in this context, it means "are going to."
- A: The sentence translates to "Where did you go yesterday?" in English. "昨天" means "yesterday" in Chinese.
- B: The sentence means, "She enjoys watching movies." "喜欢" means "to like" in Chinese.
- B: The sentence is a polite request for water. "请给我" means "please give me," and "一杯水" means "a glass of water."
- A: The sentence means, "My birthday is in December." "十二月" means "December" in Chinese.
- B: The sentence means, "He studies at the library every day." "每天都" means "every day," and "图书馆" means "library" in Chinese.
- A: The sentence means, "This dish is very spicy." "很辣" means "very spicy" in Chinese.