Language Instructors

Senior Lecturers

Ben Wang

Ben Wang is Senior Lecturer of Language and Humanities at China Institute and he also teaches Chinese at the United Nations. He has lectured extensively on classical Chinese literature, literati painting, calligraphy, and theater at Columbia University, Yale University, Williams College, New York University, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others. As a translator, Mr. Wang received the National Prize in literature translation awarded by the National Literary Association of Taiwan. He was awarded Outstanding Citizen of New York City by the New York City Council in 2003. Since 1989, Mr. Wang has translated 39 classical Chinese poetic dramas into English.

Ping Wang

Ping Wang earned an MA from Long Island University in TESOL (Teachers of English for Speakers of Other Languages) and a BA from Peking University, Beijing, China in Western Languages and Literatures. She has been teaching Chinese as a second language to foreign students since 1983, first at Beijing Language Institute for nine years. After moving to the U.S. she taught at the United Nations and the City College of New York (CUNY). She currently teaches at China Institute, the United Nations, and SUNY.

Steve Zhang

Steve Zhang received graduate degrees in history and classical studies. He has extended experience in teaching Chinese at all levels as well as in curriculum design. He has published on literature, history, and culture in mainland, Taiwan and the United States and served on the board of editors for translation series Approaching China. He is currently a professor of Chinese language and culture at SUNY after years of lecturing at various schools such as City University of New York, Fordham University, Saint Mary’s College, and the University of Minnesota. He joined China Institute in 2005.

Instructors

Wenjin Bi As an experienced bilingual teacher, Ms. Bi joined China Institute in 2014. Ms. Bi holds a MA in Education and is a New York State Certified teacher in teaching Chinese Mandarin and ESL. In addition to teaching Mandarin Chinese and ESL at NYCDOE, she is also a Chinese curriculum evaluator for the NYCDOE Department of English Language Learners (DELLS) and a mark reviewer of New York State Chinese teaching certificate assessment items. Ms. Bi has rich experience in teaching Chinese as a foreign/second language at China, South Korea and the United States. She focuses on developing students’ listening and speaking skills which have been highly regarded and reviewed by her students.
Qinji (Jill) Chen received her M.A. in Teaching Mandarin as a Foreign Language and TESOL from New York University. She is a New York State certified Mandarin Chinese teacher and has been teaching in the NYC public school system for over a decade. Throughout her teaching career, she has worked with beginners to advanced students from diverse ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds. She is dedicated to implementing authentic materials and real-world pedagogies in her Chinese language classrooms and promoting intercultural communicative proficiency and interaction. Ms. Chen joined the China Institute in 2024.
Judy Deng received her MA in Education from Tsinghua University and BA in English Language and Literature from Tianjin Foreign Language Institute. She is currently a Chinese language instructor at the United Nations headquarters and has been an instructor at China Institute since 2003. She has more than two decades’ experience in teaching Chinese.
Nan Deng received her M.A. in Foreign Language Education and TESOL from New York University. Growing up in Beijing and Canton (Guangzhou), she speaks Mandarin and Cantonese. She is a New York State certified teacher in teaching Chinese Mandarin and ESL. She is a dedicated teacher in the field of teaching Chinese. In addition to working as a full time Mandarin teacher at New Utrecht High School, she also gave speeches at various academic seminars, such as the professional development sessions held by Social Studies Supervisors Association (SSSA) and Developing Chinese Language Teachers (DCLT).
Xiaoling Dong received her MA in Chinese Classical Literature from Heilongjiang University, and Ph.D. in the same field from Harbin Normal University. She had 17 years of professional experience in teaching Chinese as a second language at Heilongjiang University, with one year of teaching experience in Japan. In addition to Chinese language courses for international students, she also taught Chinese classical literature courses. Since joining China Institute in 2015, she has been teaching various popular courses such as Advanced Reading, Heritage Chinese, and Pre-Advanced Chinese through Videos. Currently, Dr. Dong is also an Adjunct Lecturer of Chinese at SUNY. An interesting side note, Dr. Dong is an active poet herself.
Qian Hou received her M.S. in Business from Fordham University and B.A. in English Interpreting & Translation from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. After she realized her genuine interest in teaching and education, Qin pursued professional training in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language from Beijing Language and Culture University and holds a certificate in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages issued by the Confucius Institute. Since 2015, she has been a teaching assistant and then a teacher of Chinese at a few higher education institutions, including Middlebury C. V. Starr School in Beijing and the School of Chinese as a Second Language at Peking University. Qian is passionate about teaching Chinese and spreading Chinese culture. Also, she is experienced in developing teaching materials based on students’ language level, interests and cultural background. Qian joined China Institute in 2019.
Xiaohong Hou received an undergraduate degree in Chinese language and literature from Henan University. She completed an M.A. degree in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics (Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language) from Beijing Normal University and a second M.A. in Foreign Language Education from New York University. Before joining China Institute, she taught at Beijing Normal University, Princeton in Beijing, Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, Middlebury College, and the University of Vermont. She currently is a senior language lecturer at NYU.
Xiaolin Lin holds a M.A. in Teaching Chinese as a foreign language from Beijing Normal University. In 2007, she was chosen as an exchange scholar by the Confucius Institute of Michigan State University, where she taught various levels of Mandarin language and cultural exploration courses to high school students online and adults on campus, and later K-5 Mandarin immersive programs for three years. In 2010, she received her M.A. in TESOL and Foreign Language Education from New York University. She is a New York State TESOL & Mandarin Chinese certified teacher. Since 2011, she has been teaching various Mandarin language and Chinese culture courses at a private school on the Upper West Side of NYC. She has over ten years’ extensive experience in teaching Mandarin language and Chinese culture at various levels, curriculum design and program enrichment. She loves teaching, reading, traveling and savoring food. Ms. Lin joined China Institute in 2018.
Bingyan Ma holds a MA in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics (Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language) from Beijing Normal University. She also holds a Certificate of Putonghua Proficiency at Level 1 (Superior). She is a teacher with rich teaching experience. Before joining China Institute, she taught Mandarin courses at Beijing Normal University and the University of Manchester in UK. She worked as a teacher of Chinese at China Institute from 2016 to 2018 before returning to China. Now she is a lecturer at Dongguan City College in China while pursuing her EdD (Doctor of Education) in International Chinese Language Education at Beijing Normal University. She continues teaching classes remotely in the Adult Education Programs for China Institute.
Karen Ma received her MA in Chinese Language and Literature from the University of Washington. She has taught, tutored, and designed language and Asian culture curricula in China, Japan, India, and the US and worked with a broad range of students, including adult professionals, college students, and middle and high schoolers. The institutions she has taught at include St. John’s University in New York, Sophia University in Tokyo t, and the American Embassy School in New Delhi. She has also published widely as a regular film reviewer and contributing writer for various media, including NPR, The International Herald Tribune, The Japan Times, Asahi Evening News and South China Morning Post. An avid connoisseur and promoter of Chinese culture and film, she has given speeches at various venues in China and Japan and has taught college-level Chinese culture and film courses at the Beijing Center for Chinese Studies between 2015 and 2017. Currently she is a Mandarin language instructor, working remotely, with the Washington DC-based International Center for Language Studies. She joined China Institute in 2021.
Mandy Ng holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature and a Master of Teaching Chinese as an International Language from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is a graduate from Columbia University with a master degree in East Asian Language and Culture. She has been a lecturer at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Community College for 7 years. She is also a veteran reporter for a major Chinese newspaper in New York and a former TV producer at an International Chinese TV broadcast company.
Shouwen Pan was a professor of English at Jilin University before joining China Institute in 2017. In 2000-2001 he was a William Fulbright Scholar sponsored by the US State Department and hosted by the University of Mississippi. In 2007 he received his PhD degree of English Literature at Nankai University. In 2008 he began to do research on Chinese classics by applying the Western literary critical theory. In 2010-2014 he taught classical Chinese philosophy, classical Chinese literature and Chinese at the Confucius Institute of Rutgers University. In 2015 Dr. Pan published his monograph Interpretation and Translation of Dao De Jing《道德经解译》. In the same year, his scholarly paper “On Lao Tzu’s Special Subjectivity and the Self-Sufficiency of Tao Te Ching” was published on the Journal of Changchun University. In 2017 he finished his research project on “International Promotion of Classical Chinese Philosophy and Literature” granted by Jilin University and Department of Education of Jilin Province. At China Institute, in addition to teaching and tutoring Chinese language lessons, Dr. Pan has been offering a very well-received course of his specialty: Understanding Dao De Jing.
Rency Qu has a Master’s Degree in Adolescent Education of Chinese from Hunter College. She has a wealth of teaching, tutoring and curriculum design experience in various programs and Language Schools including Hunter College Chinese Startalk and Flagship Program, Teng Fei Language Center, East-West School of International Studies, and Brooklyn High School of the Arts. She’s passionate about teaching, and enjoys working with students from multiple backgrounds. Currently, she is an adjunct lecturer of Chinese at Fordham University, and has been teaching at China Institute since 2014.
Jie Ren earned a master’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language from Fudan University, China. With 15 years of experience teaching a second language to students of diverse backgrounds, she brings a valuable ESL perspective to her Mandarin classes. She applies her expertise in language acquisition to create a curriculum that emphasizes conversational skills, cultural immersion, and practical application, blending traditional methods with interactive, modern techniques. Ms. Ren enjoys practicing Chinese calligraphy, playing piano, and exploring culinary traditions from different regions of China. Her personal and professional life reflects her commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding through language education. Jie Ren joined China Insitute in 2023.
Jia Situ holds a BA from Hunter College and an MA in Teaching Chinese and TESOL from New York University. She holds certificates in both teaching Chinese and teaching Chinese culture and traditional art. She has taught Chinese at various institutions, including The New School, Shuang Wen After School Program and FGS Chinese School, etc. She is currently teaching at Nightingale-Bamford School.
Wei Tang is an experienced teacher and freelance writer. He has over 20 years of working experience in media, business, and cultural sectors in both United States and China. Prior to coming to the United States in 1997, He has taught Chinese language and literature at Central China Normal University in Wuhan and was a visiting lecturer at Augustana College in 1990. He is the author of book America: A Country Who Dares to Self-Critique, and has published numerous articles in newspaper, magazines, and online blogs. He holds a B.A. in Chinese language and literature from Central China Normal University and an M.B.A. from Saint Ambrose University.
Xiaoling (Charlene) Wang A native of Beijing, Ms. Wang holds a BA in Oriental Literature and Culture from Beijing University, an MBA from Temple University, and is a licensed CPA in New York State. She previously worked as a financial officer at the United Nations Office of Project Services and as an auditor at Deloitte & Touche LLP. However, Ms. Wang discovered her true passion lies in teaching and education. During her seven years living in Hong Kong (2007–2014), she taught Mandarin at the Hong Kong International School, and for an additional four years until 2018, she contributed to the school’s cultural events and organizational responsibilities. After returning to New York, she pursued a TCSOL (Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate at Teachers College, Columbia University. Drawing from her extensive experience in both business and education, Ms. Wang has developed a particular interest in teaching Chinese culture and Chinese business etiquette. She joined the China Institute in 2019.
Yanyan Wang received her M.A. in Adolescence Chinese from Hunter College in 2017 and her B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature from Sichuan Normal University in China. She is a certified New York State Mandarin teacher for grades K-12. She also holds a certificate of native Chinese language arts from China and a Certificate of Putonghua Proficiency at Level 1 (Superior). Ms. Wang has extensive experience planning, developing, and implementing effective curriculum for students from diverse backgrounds. She joined the China Institute in 2018.
Fei Xue received her M.A. in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at Peking University, China and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Japanese Language and Culture Studies from the University of British Columbia, Canada. After moving to NYC, she pursued a professional certificate in TCSOL (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language) from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has abundant experience in teaching and tutoring Chinese for learners of all ages and various levels. Fei is also experienced in differentiated instruction and lesson planning for targeted audiences. Fei joined China Institute in 2018.
Wenxi (Maisy) Zhang is the Resident Faculty and Program Coordinator in the Adult Language and Studio programs at China Institute. She holds a MA in Foreign Language Education-Chinese and TESOL from New York University and a BA in Chinese Language and Literature from Hunter College. Before joining China Institute in 2016, Maisy taught Chinese at various institutions including Montclair State University and Hunter College. In addition to teaching Chinese, Maisy has been practicing Chinese calligraphy since an early age and has won prizes in several national and international competitions. She has been teaching calligraphy since 2009.
Xiaojing Zhang received an MA from Hunter College in Education. With over 30 years of teaching experience in both China and the US, Ms. Zhang is one of the most experienced teachers at China Institute. Ms. Zhang is certified in both NYS and China. She completed the STARTALK teacher training programs at Hunter College, the University of Virginia, and the University of Pennsylvania in the years of 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. Ms. Zhang has worked with students with diverse backgrounds and at all levels. Before joining China Institute in 2019, Ms. Zhang taught Chinese and other subjects at various institutions in New York City, including the Flagship program at Hunter College, Brooklyn Technical High School, Long Island City High School, and Tzu Chi Academy School. Ms. Zhang now is a Chinese teacher at St. Michael’s School in Flushing, NY.