I plug your classes whenever I get a chance. I feel you're one of the most talented and dedicated teachers my son has had a chance to work with in any setting.
-Camela R., Parent
Still the only extra curricular activity that my son never complains about. Kristina is amazing with the kids, very energetic and fun. As a Chinese speaker myself, I think her technique with teaching the kids is very effective - focusing on the tones which is one of the main stumbling blocks for people trying to learn this language.
-Ming L., Parent
We have our second child starting Kristina's Mandarin class, our son took one year of Mandarin and now our daughter has started. We really appreciate her methodology, fluency, engagement with the children, and ability to transcend ages and learning abilities and levels, as well as her enthusiasm and involvement even during the summer months. Kristina is an excellent language teacher, embracing the culture and social mores of language also, which is very important. And she makes learning fun!
-Lisa N., Parent
Kristina uses an array of methods to reinforce the learning and make it fun, whether it's kazoos (to practice tones) beans (to practice using chopsticks) or making colorful flashcards to learn vocabulary. She is an encouraging and creative teacher - and her enthusiasm for learning Mandarin is contagious!
-Nancy Y., Adult Student
We love the instructor. She makes learning Mandarin so much fun.
-Veronica A., Parent
Imagine a teacher who lessens the daunting task of learning Chinese by handing you a personal kazoo and packet of crayons at the first class! Imagine a teacher who helps students to help each other through dialogue and games. Imagine a teacher who has high standards, but is non-judgmental and supports you to get it right. Imagine a teacher who creates a sense of community, both in the classroom and at the family style Chinese feast after the last class. That teacher is Kristina Knight. There is no better language teacher in Portland!
-Mary V., Adult Student
My 5-year-old has been in Kristina's class all year and it has been a wonderful experience. Kristina has been an amazing teacher, she is energetic, patient, and creative. My son has a lot of energy and she harnesses it into amazing language skills, even after a full day of kindergarten! I fully recommend Chinese classes with her.
-Kelly, Parent
This was a MOST EFFECTIVE class for learning Mandarin Chinese!
-Maureen, Adult Student
Speaking out loud is so intimidating for beginning students. Portland Chinese Lessons gives the students lots of opportunity to do so in a supportive and encouraging environment - very helpful in overcoming that hurdle!
-Susan, Adult Student
Good and fun games and the making of paper cuts was the best part of the class.
-Zalahniah G., Parent
I recently attended a cooking class for making Jiaozi - Chinese Dumplings - because they are one of my favorite foods ever. After our teacher, Kristina, said that Jiaozi were her Desert-Island Food, I knew I came to the right place. She brought all of the ingredients (and then some) to make pork and vegetarian dumplings and dipping sauces. Making the Jiaozi was not difficult, but definitely labor-intensive because of the kneading, chopping and assembly work required. Kristina gave us directions and demonstrations along the way and was very eager to share her knowledge of Chinese culture. The end result was delicious steamed and boiled dumplings and leftovers to take home. They were definitely in the same league as my favorite restaurant dumplings. And best of all, I feel confident that I can replicate these at home with her recipe plus notes and cell-phone pics I took along the way. I would definitely attend any other cooking classes by her.
-Regina V., Cooking Student
-Camela R., Parent
Still the only extra curricular activity that my son never complains about. Kristina is amazing with the kids, very energetic and fun. As a Chinese speaker myself, I think her technique with teaching the kids is very effective - focusing on the tones which is one of the main stumbling blocks for people trying to learn this language.
-Ming L., Parent
We have our second child starting Kristina's Mandarin class, our son took one year of Mandarin and now our daughter has started. We really appreciate her methodology, fluency, engagement with the children, and ability to transcend ages and learning abilities and levels, as well as her enthusiasm and involvement even during the summer months. Kristina is an excellent language teacher, embracing the culture and social mores of language also, which is very important. And she makes learning fun!
-Lisa N., Parent
Kristina uses an array of methods to reinforce the learning and make it fun, whether it's kazoos (to practice tones) beans (to practice using chopsticks) or making colorful flashcards to learn vocabulary. She is an encouraging and creative teacher - and her enthusiasm for learning Mandarin is contagious!
-Nancy Y., Adult Student
We love the instructor. She makes learning Mandarin so much fun.
-Veronica A., Parent
Imagine a teacher who lessens the daunting task of learning Chinese by handing you a personal kazoo and packet of crayons at the first class! Imagine a teacher who helps students to help each other through dialogue and games. Imagine a teacher who has high standards, but is non-judgmental and supports you to get it right. Imagine a teacher who creates a sense of community, both in the classroom and at the family style Chinese feast after the last class. That teacher is Kristina Knight. There is no better language teacher in Portland!
-Mary V., Adult Student
My 5-year-old has been in Kristina's class all year and it has been a wonderful experience. Kristina has been an amazing teacher, she is energetic, patient, and creative. My son has a lot of energy and she harnesses it into amazing language skills, even after a full day of kindergarten! I fully recommend Chinese classes with her.
-Kelly, Parent
This was a MOST EFFECTIVE class for learning Mandarin Chinese!
-Maureen, Adult Student
Speaking out loud is so intimidating for beginning students. Portland Chinese Lessons gives the students lots of opportunity to do so in a supportive and encouraging environment - very helpful in overcoming that hurdle!
-Susan, Adult Student
Good and fun games and the making of paper cuts was the best part of the class.
-Zalahniah G., Parent
I recently attended a cooking class for making Jiaozi - Chinese Dumplings - because they are one of my favorite foods ever. After our teacher, Kristina, said that Jiaozi were her Desert-Island Food, I knew I came to the right place. She brought all of the ingredients (and then some) to make pork and vegetarian dumplings and dipping sauces. Making the Jiaozi was not difficult, but definitely labor-intensive because of the kneading, chopping and assembly work required. Kristina gave us directions and demonstrations along the way and was very eager to share her knowledge of Chinese culture. The end result was delicious steamed and boiled dumplings and leftovers to take home. They were definitely in the same league as my favorite restaurant dumplings. And best of all, I feel confident that I can replicate these at home with her recipe plus notes and cell-phone pics I took along the way. I would definitely attend any other cooking classes by her.
-Regina V., Cooking Student