I am looking for a Chinese (Mandarin) teacher for my two sons, ages 12 and 9. They speak English and Japanese, so the teacher can use either language during class.

We live near Kita Ayase on the Chiyoda Line. We could also meet near Ayase Station if that is more convenient.

The boys studied with a private teacher for 2 hours/week until a year ago, when their teacher had a baby and couldn't come any more. They are still studying with tapes, but we really need a teacher! I can provide the materials-- flashcards, etc.

Tara, Adachi-ku, tabc[at]tkh.att.ne.jp

I am also looking for a Mandarin Chinese speaking babysitter or playmate or finally a tutor. Beginning level.

I have called the Chinese school and that was like running into a brick wall. Any ideas on how to find someone?
Cornelia, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Ni hao Tara and Cornelia. I have seen ads posted by Chinese teachers on the National Azabu bulletin board, and the one at Nisshin Supermarket. A wanted notice there, or in Metropolis magazine (free), might help. Zhu ni hao yun!

Thanks Kit! I wonder if you or anyone else who lives in Hiro (This is were both National Azabu and Nisshin are located, right?) might copy down some of the names and phone numbers advertising Chinese tutoring. I live up in Ikebukuro are and don't get down that way very often. You could send them to me directly at c[at]tokyowithkids.com!

Sorry to post this so late, but I had "teeth issues" last week, and it looks like the Chinese teachers are not advertising in Hiroo lately (though I will check Nisshin again today).
However, I happened to chat with a charming dental assistant (well, she chatted and I mumbled around the spit-vacuum) and discovered that she is half-Japanese, half-Chinese, and has teaching experience. Terada Yoko has a young son (to whom she's teaching Mandarin) and lives in Kanagawa, but works in central Tokyo. She said she might be interested in tutoring, and gave me her number (keitai: 090-5218-6255). At least this is a start, and Terada-san might well know of other teachers, too. All best.

Hi, time to try this again! Would anyone like a 7 year old girl over to their Mandarin speaking household as a playmate, in exchange their child coming over to an English speaking household on the same basis?

Other options, a "teacher" playing with 7 year old in Mandarin only for an hour or hour and a half, once a week. (Can pay.) Some sort of playgroup maybe? After school Chinese club?

We have some movies and cartoons in Mandarin that we watch, but we've got the stories memorized so I'm not sure how much language learning is happening there.

(Dinosaur and Sleeping Beauty from Disney, Not One Less from China by the same director that did Raise the Red Lantern, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and versions of Thumbelina, Aladin, etc.)

Hi Cornelia,

I just joined and saw your message. I'm from Beijing, China and am afterschooling my 7-year-old daughter in Chinese. She is going to the Japanese public school and is insterested in English,too. I also have experinces in teaching Chinese to the kids here and the Japanese grown-ups. The exchange sounds quite interesting to us. But then I realize that you're living in Tokyo and my place is Kaihin-makuhari in Chiba by Keiyo line, 30 minutes from Tokyo station. Any suggestions?

Hu