Welcome to the first post in our Pistachio Success Stories series, where we spotlight our students, past and present, and their language learning journeys.
At Pistachio Mandarin Language Centre, we love seeing the impact language learning has on our students’ lives, whether it’s making travel more meaningful, deepening cultural understanding, or helping people connect with loved ones. For many of our learners, Mandarin opens doors to stronger relationships, personal growth, and new opportunities.
In this inaugural story, we had a chat with Nicolas, a former student who began learning Mandarin to connect more naturally with his partner’s Taiwanese family. What started as a personal goal soon became a rewarding journey that deepened his appreciation of culture, language, and even his own Korean heritage (Nicholas is pictured below in the yellow shirt!).
How has learning Mandarin made a difference in your life so far?
Learning Mandarin has really helped me understand the Chinese culture more deeply. It also helped me to better interact with my partner’s family, as she’s from Taiwan. This journey has given me a better appreciation of both the language and the culture. Being part Korean, learning Mandarin also helped me understand Korean a bit better too – a lot of Korean words come from Chinese characters, and they often share the same sounds and meanings. Learning Mandarin has even helped me make connections across both languages and cultures, which has been really valuable.
How did you hear about Pistachio Mandarin Language Centre?
I was looking for a Chinese class, and my partner actually found Pistachio for me. I think she just searched something like “Mandarin class in Auckland” on the internet and came across the website. Then she reached out to Yatchun directly.
What were your main reasons for wanting to learn Mandarin?
One of the big reasons was to interact more naturally with my partner’s family. I’m also open to the possibility of moving back to Taiwan one day, and I know it would make a big difference to be able to speak the language of the country.
What Mandarin classes do you attend?
I did some private classes, and I also did some one-on-one sessions with Andrea.
What do you enjoy most about the lessons?
The teachers (Andrea, Yatchun, and Yui) are fantastic. I appreciate that the classes go beyond just teaching Chinese grammar and vocabulary. They immerse you in the culture by sharing cultural insights and tips, which makes a big difference. The communication with them was good and easy – answering all the questions I have on the Whatsapp chat after class. Overall a good atmosphere to learn in.
Would you recommend Pistachio to others?
Yes, it is a great way to learn Mandarin. I think Pistachio really gets the essence of how to teach a language to foreigners. I haven’t learned Chinese anywhere else, but my experience here has felt smooth and logical. I’ve also made good progress in my Mandarin journey since learning with them – In fact, I recently sat the HSK2 exam – it went really well, I am sure I will pass it.
Any feedback on the website?
The website is great – it’s clear and easy to navigate, which makes it easy to get started.
Inspired by Nicolas’ journey?
Nicolas’s experience shows how language learning can be a deeply personal and transformative journey. From bridging family ties to building cultural confidence, Mandarin has the power to enrich everyday life in unexpected ways.
If his story has sparked something in you, whether you’re reconnecting with your roots, preparing to travel, or simply curious about the language, we’d love to help you take that first step.
See our class options or get in touch to learn more. Your journey could be our next Success Story!