Language has a unique way of breaking barriers, and in Malaysia, it often sparks unexpected connections.
In one such encounter, a freelance Mandarin tutor found herself the centre of attention—not because of what she was eating at a restaurant, but because of the language she was teaching.
A TikTok video that’s gone viral shows a casual lesson turning into a sweet exchange with a curious diner, reminding us how cool it is when cultures and languages mix in everyday life.
M’sian woman wows Chinese diners with fluent Mandarin while conducting online class
The TikTok video, uploaded by @mandarinbeginner_tuition, shows the tutor conducting an online Mandarin lesson while dining at a restaurant.
What seemed like an ordinary teaching session quickly piqued the interest of a Chinese man seated nearby. Throughout her lesson, the man and his friend glanced over, intrigued by her fluent Mandarin.
As soon as the session ended, the man couldn’t contain his admiration. He complimented her fluency, expressing surprise at how well she spoke the language.
His curiosity grew further when he discovered her student was Malay, studying at a Chinese vernacular school (SJKC).
The tutor explained that she was helping the student with basic lessons and reading in Chinese, a revelation that left the man even more impressed.
Their conversation continued with the man asking if she was a teacher. She clarified that she was a freelance tutor and worked as a contract teacher, teaching Chinese at a religious school.
Once again, he showered her with compliments, amazed at her proficiency.
‘Start with the basics and watch Mandarin dramas or listen to Mandarin songs‘
Speaking to WeirdKaya, online tutor @mandarinbeginner_tuition, better known as Nora Laoshi, shared that she has been teaching Mandarin for six years.
When asked what advice she would give to those finding Mandarin difficult to learn, Nora offered some simple yet practical tips.
“Start with the basics and watch Mandarin dramas or listen to Mandarin songs. This really helps speed up the learning process. In my experience, using it in daily situations—like shopping or greetings—makes the language easier to understand,” she said.
The video, which has garnered over 2 million views, resonated with viewers, many of whom shared their own thoughts on language learning and the tutor’s skills.
TikTok users praised her for mastering Mandarin, a language often perceived as difficult to learn, especially for non-native speakers.
One user, curious about her journey, asked, “How did you manage to learn Mandarin, especially considering the difficulty of the writing system?”
The tutor’s reply was simple: “I studied from kindergarten until Chinese secondary school, dear.”
Other users chimed in with their own experiences, with one parent commenting, “My child didn’t attend a Chinese school but learned Mandarin from his Chinese friends. Now, he can speak a little of the language.”
One comment in particular captured the sentiment shared by many: “This is Malaysia. I love seeing our people know more than one language.”
Watch the clip here:
