Yuan Tian
School director, Mandarin teacher
I grew up in Beijing and hold a bachelor's degree in communications and TV production from the Communication University of Beijing. Afterward, I worked as a TV journalist in Beijing.
In 2005, I earned my Master's degree in Journalism and Media Management from the University of Westminster in London. I continued working as a journalist there.
In 2011, I moved with my family from England to Switzerland.
Teaching others teaches yourself. Through teaching, I become a student, enjoying every lesson, every moment, and experiencing the beauty of the Chinese language again and again without feeling like what I'm teaching is repetitive.
In the classroom, my students continually inspire me by creating beautiful stories and reading Chinese texts. Their perspectives broaden my own, and we learn from each other.
In China, we call teachers gardeners. It's a great joy to see every little flower in my garden grow and flourish. They have different shapes and colors and grow in different ways, but all are exposed to the sun. To build a garden, I continue to dig, plant, water, and spend more and more time in that garden.
My career
1998–2002
Bachelor in Communication and Television Production, Communication University of China, Beijing
2001–2004
Journalist, TV director, CCTV, China
2005–2006
Master in Journalism and Media Management, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
2008–2009
The Meridian Chinese Studies Centre, London, Certificate in Chinese Teaching (Tian Di Ren)
2007–2009
Journalist, freelance writer in London, Great Britain.
2014–2018
Chinese-English-German interpreter in Switzerland
2018–present
Mandarin teacher at various language schools and kindergartens
2019–2023
School Director, Mandarin Teacher, Chinese Cultural Association Zug
2022–2023
AMI Montessori 0–3 Orientation Course
2023–2026
Researcher for Multilingualism Project, University of Teacher Education Zug
2023-2024
AMI Montessori 3-6 Diploma Course
2024–2025
Montessori English teacher at Futura Montessori Tagesschule, Baar
2023-present
School Director, Mandarin Teacher, Tian Academy, Zug
2025-2027
AMI Montessori 6-12 Diploma Course
Languages: Chinese, English, German, Italian
Miao Li
Mandarin and Chinese art teacher
Miao Li is a focused and passionate artist and educator. She not only masters traditional Chinese painting and watercolor techniques, but also explores innovative forms of expression in contemporary art. As a curator, she regularly organizes exhibitions in Switzerland and is committed to artistic exchange between Asia, Africa, and Europe.
She holds a double bachelor's degree in Chinese Literature and Economics from Peking University and a master's degree in Art Market Management from the University of Zurich. This solid academic background lends both cultural depth and market-economic insight to her artistic work and curatorial projects.
For many years, she has dedicated herself not only to artistic practice and curating, but also to teaching with great joy – she particularly enjoys working with children. Using lively and playful methods, she introduces young learners to the world of art. Her teaching style is warm and natural, and she has an excellent grasp of how to unleash her students' creativity, transforming art into a bridge between different cultures.