At Pistachio, our tutors are at the heart of everything we do. Each one brings a unique story, passion for teaching, and love for the Mandarin language. Whether it’s helping little learners say their first words or guiding older students through conversations, our team is dedicated to making language learning meaningful and fun.
In this post, you’ll get to know the amazing tutors who make our classes so special — from when they joined Pistachio to what inspires them to teach, plus a few fun facts you might not know!
- Yatchun Wong | Founder & Managing Director
- When did you start Pistachio? October 2017
- Why did you choose to start Pistachio? I have worked as a Finance professional throughout my career. I had the opportunity to work with large and SME businesses. While working with SMEs, I found that the owners were entrepreneurs and visionaries. I was inspired by their spirit. I learned from my bosses that every business starts with a dream. I believed in my vision, trusted my talents, and turned an idea into reality. With no background in teaching but a strong belief in creativity and connection, I set out to create a fun and practical way for Kiwi kids and adults to learn Mandarin Chinese. This is how I started Pistachio in 2017.
- Fun fact: I enjoy meeting and connecting with people. It drives me to keep learning. I also enjoy cooking, taichi and walking.
- Andrea | Team Lead & Tutor
- When did you start teaching at Pistachio? Mid 2021
- Why did you choose to teach Mandarin? Growing up, I learned Mandarin in a rote and traditional way. This experience inspired me to teach in the way I wish I had been taught – through an encouraging, adaptable, and supportive environment. I find it rewarding to see my students grow, and I enjoy creating a fun and dynamic atmosphere that helps them stay motivated and genuinely enjoy learning the language.
- Fun fact: I went on a semester exchange to Hong Kong, which was an incredible experience!
- Sophie | Tutor
- When did you start at Pistachio? I started teaching at Pistachio earlier this year, 2025.
- Why did you choose to teach Mandarin? I have chosen to teach Chinese as I love to connect with my students through language. Coming from a multicultural background, I understand that language learning and teaching is beneficial in expanding one’s worldview, and strengthening cognitive abilities. Overall, it is great fun to see the younger generation so excited to learn Mandarin!
- Fun fact: I come from a small town in the Bay of Islands, and just like many of my students, I love all things Sanrio.
- Elaina | Tutor
- When did you start teaching at Pistachio? Jan 2024
- Why did you choose to teach Mandarin? I was a peer tutor during high school and I really enjoyed helping others to understand more. And as a Chinese person, teaching Mandarin in an English-speaking country has always been my dream job of some sort, as one of the best ways to promote Chinese culture is through the language.
- Fun fact: Other than English and Mandarin, I can speak Shanghainese, Japanese and some French.
- Dewey | Tutor
- When did you start teaching at Pistachio? Dec 2024
- Why did you choose to teach Mandarin? I have been an engineer all my life and wanted to try something different. Being a native Mandarin speaker and a fluent English speaker, teaching mandarin became a natural choice.
- Fun fact: my favourite dish is Nasi Lemak, national dish of Malaysia.
- Yui | Tutor
- When did you start teaching at Pistachio? I started working with Pistachio in 2023.
- Why did you choose to teach Mandarin? I’ve engaged in teaching Mandarin since 2011. It’s fun and challenging to support our learners to improve their language skill and be able to use it on a daily basis. My student groups are all ages including the young kids (i.e from 5 years old), primary school and high school, and uni. students as well as adults.
- Fun fact: My favorite Chinese dishes are fried rice and roasted duck dry noodle.
- Saleha | Tutor
- When did you start teaching at Pistachio? February 2025
- Why did you choose to teach Mandarin? Coming from a multicultural background, I’ve always loved exploring different languages and cultures. So, I studied Chinese for five years and had the chance to visit China, which was amazing! Teaching Mandarin is fun for me because I get to share what I’ve learned, connect with people, and help them enjoy the language as much as I do!
- Fun fact: I have done martial arts for 5 years and hold a blue belt!
- Manaal | Marketing Assistant
- When did you start working at Pistachio? July 2024
- Why did you choose to work at Pistachio? Working at Pistachio means contributing to a good cause while celebrating language and culture. I’ve always enjoyed learning and being immersed in different worldviews, so being part of a team that shares that same passion is incredibly inspiring. As the marketing assistant, I love finding creative ways to share what we do and bring Pistachio’s vibrant learning environment to life. Seeing the teachers’ dedication and the kids’ enthusiasm reminds me every day that this is such a special place to be.
- Fun fact: I love reading – this year, I’m challenging myself to read 25 for 2025!
We hope you enjoyed getting to know the friendly faces behind the lessons. Our tutors do more than just teach — they inspire confidence, curiosity, and a love for Mandarin. Behind the scene they thoughtfully prepare lesson plans in advance, ensuring each class is engaging, tailored, and effective. If you’re already part of our Pistachio family, you’ll know how lucky we are to have them. And if you’re new here, we can’t wait for you to meet them in class!
Interested in joining us? We’re always on the lookout for passionate, fun, and friendly tutors to join our team. If that sounds like you, get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!