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Cantonese Lessons Hong Kong for English Speakers in Central Office

Conversational Cantonese Lessons Hong Kong & Online

Trusted by Professionals, Expats, and Elite Firms

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Private and small-group Cantonese lessons for English-speaking adults.
Useful for everyday life, getting around, and social or casual business situations.
Learn online, at our Central center, or at your home or office.

About Cantonese Lessons for English Speakers

This program is designed for expats and professionals who want to learn Cantonese in Hong Kong. Whether for errands, casual chats, or light workplace use.

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Our tutors use structured course materials, such as:

  • Communicate In Cantonese

  • Cantonese for Everyone

  • Cantonese in Communication - Listening & Speaking 1, 2, 3​

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Lessons formats:

  • Private 1-on-1 or small group (2–4 students)

  • Convenient time zones for North America, Europe & Asia-Pacific

  • Online or face-to-face in Central or at your home/office (HK$50–150 travel fee)

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We may also use popular textbooks such as Cantonese Step by Step or Fun with Cantonese to build vocabulary and expand your topics.

Communicate In Cantonese

Basic Cantonese Lesson 1 Introduction - Informal (First names) Lesson 2 Introduction - Formal (Surnames) Lesson 3 Greetings - Semi-Formal Lesson 4 Greetings - Formal Lesson 5 Greetings - Informal Lesson 6 Nationalities Lesson 7 Telephone Numbers Lesson 8 Age Lesson 9 Buying Fruit Lesson 10 Time Lesson 11 Opening Times Lesson 12 Dates Lesson 13 Birthdays Lesson 14 Festivals Lesson 15 Places Lesson 16 Taking a Bus Lesson 22 Taking a Taxi Lesson 23 Asking for Directions Lesson 17 Have you got...? Lesson 18 Going Shopping Lesson 19 Going to the Market (I) Lesson 20 Going to the Market (II) Lesson 21 Ordering Food Lesson 24 Making a Phone Call Lesson 25 Making an Appointment Lesson 26 Getting a Haircut Lesson 27 Booking Theatre Tickets

Cantonese in Communication 2

Intermediate Cantonese Lesson 1 – Introducing Something New Lesson 2 – Renting a New Flat and Consulting Advice Lesson 3 – Suggesting Ideas Lesson 4 – Commenting on a Movie and a Film Director Lesson 5 – Explaining Your Reasons Mid-term Review – Lessons 1–5 Lesson 6 – Reminding My Friends of Something Important Lesson 7 – Refusing Invitation or Request Lesson 8 – Complaining About the Services Provided Lesson 9 – Comparing Two Different Brands Lesson 10 – Apologizing to the Public General Review – Lessons 1–10

Cantonese for Everyone
Overview

Beginner Cantonese Lesson 1 – Greeting at the Airport Lesson 2 – You Are Here Lesson 3 – Accommodation & Check-In Lesson 4 – Money Exchange Lesson 5 – Self-Introduction Lesson 6 – Getting to Know a New Friend Lesson 7 – My Chinese Friend Lesson 8 – Chatting with a Friend Lesson 9 – Looking for a Place Lesson 10 – What Is This? Lesson 11 – Ordering Food Lesson 12 – Having a Dim Sum Lunch Lesson 13 – Buying and Bargaining Lesson 14 – Taking Public Transportation Lesson 15 – Finding Your Way

Cantonese in Communication 3

Advanced Cantonese Lesson 1 – Pearl of the Orient Lesson 2 – Eating in Hong Kong Lesson 3 – The Joy of Reading Lesson 4 – Smoking Ban Lesson 5 – Education in Hong Kong Mid-term Review – Lessons 1–5 Lesson 6 – Proposing Casinos Lesson 7 – Hong Kong for Sports Events Lesson 8 – Holidays and Cultures Lesson 9 – Law and Society Lesson 10 – Environmental Protection General Review – Lessons 1–10

Cantonese in Communication 1

Novice Cantonese Lesson 1 Introducing Yourself Lesson 2 Asking the Way Lesson 3 Going Out to Have Fun Lesson 4 Going Out and Shopping Lesson 5 Making Dinner Arrangements Midterm Assessment - Review & Assess Lesson 1-5 Lesson 6 Getting to Know New Friends Lesson 7 Seeking Advice from a Doctor Lesson 8 Talking about Holidays Lesson 9 Traveling in Hong Kong Lesson 10 Saying Goodbye and Farewell Final Assessment - Review Review & Assess L1-L10

About Your Cantonese Tutor

Cantonese-tutor-Hong-Kong-Aileen-aileen

  • 10+ years of experience teaching Cantonese to English speakers

  • Background working with professionals, executives, and corporate teams

  • Trusted by firms in finance, law, consulting, and luxury retail

  • Lessons are structured, interactive, and practical

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Aileen’s classes are flexible, structured, and engaging. Suitable for both serious learners and language enthusiasts.

Aileen Ting

What Students Say About Our Cantonese Lessons

Quoted from real Google reviews. See All Reviews →

UK Finance Professional

“My company gave us a training budget, and I used it for Cantonese with Aileen. The lessons were enjoyable."

Read Full Review →

Singaporean Trader

"I’m taking 50 hours of Cantonese lessons. I started from zero and I’m really happy with the progress so far."

Read Full Review →

French Expat in Finance

“Excellent teaching. Very patient and kind. I look forward to continuing the lessons.”

Read Full Review →

Frequently Asked Questions about Our Cantonese Lessons

  • How much do Mandarin lessons cost?
    Mandarin lessons at Mandarin Tutor Hong Kong start from HK$250. Travel Fee (if at your location): • Walkable from Central: HK$50 • MTR accessible: HK$100 • No MTR access: HK$150 Booking & Cancellation Policy: Please book and cancel at least 24 hours in advance.
  • What makes our Mandarin classes stand out compared to larger schools?
    Personal attention tailored specifically to individual student needs. Tutors handpicked by lead tutor Aileen Ting for excellence and dedication. Small-scale classes focusing on quality learning over profit. Direct oversight and continuous curriculum refinement by an expert Mandarin tutor.
  • How long does it take to learn Mandarin fluently?
    It depends on study consistency and learning methods. 📌 Casual learners – 40-50 hours for HSK 1 (lessons 1x/week, often skipping) 📌 Intensive learners – 200 hours to B1 (daily practice + regular lessons) 📌 Full fluency (C1-C2) – 750-2200 hours (with immersion & consistent practice)
  • Is it difficult to learn Mandarin?
    Not with the right approach! Mandarin has simple grammar compared to many languages Pronunciation and tones take practice but are manageable
  • Is Hong Kong a good place to learn Mandarin?
    Yes! Hong Kong is a great place for expats and professionals to learn Mandarin. Useful for business & finance careers – Mandarin is essential in the workplace. High-quality private tutors available – Flexible learning options, including 1-on-1 lessons. Exposure to Mandarin – Despite Cantonese dominance, Mandarin is widely used in business. More culturally familiar environment – Easier adaptation for Western learners compared to China.
  • What is the easiest way to learn Mandarin?
    The fastest way to learn Mandarin is through structured private lessons, consistent review, and immersion. Step-by-step learning – Start with pronunciation & Pinyin Build vocabulary naturally – Learn practical words first Practice speaking daily – Real conversations boost fluency Personalized lessons – Private tutoring helps you progress faster
  • Am I too old to learn Mandarin? (For 40+ learners)
    No! Brain plasticity allows language learning at any age. 40+ learners often excel in grammar and structured learning.
  • Can I learn Mandarin at home?
    Yes, with online tutoring and self-study. Some tutors, including me, offer home lessons. Private online lessons Apps & flashcards – Effective vocabulary building Listening to Mandarin TV, podcasts, and real-life practice
  • Is Cantonese harder than Mandarin?
    For most learners, Mandarin is easier than Cantonese due to its simpler structure and standardized pronunciation. Fewer tones – Mandarin has 4 tones, while Cantonese has 6-9 tones. Simpler & more logical grammar – Mandarin follows clearer sentence structures. More standardized pronunciation – Cantonese has regional variations and colloquialisms. Cantonese has unwritten words & complex tonal shifts – Some Cantonese words can’t be directly written in standard Chinese. Cantonese speakers learn Mandarin faster – Since Mandarin is the standard written form, Cantonese speakers already learn written Chinese in school.
  • How much do Cantonese group classes cost?
    Other language institutes in Hong Kong: Charge HK$220–280 per 45–60 minutes. Sessions typically last 1.5–3 hours or full-day intensives. Group sizes usually range from 4 to 8 students. At Cantonese Tutor HK: Small-group classes (2–4 students) at HK$250 per hour. Course lengths: A1 Beginner: ~30 hours A2 Elementary: ~60 hours B1 Intermediate: ~90 hours One free 30-minute private makeup lesson after every 4 completed group lessons. Please contact us for detailed package information and upcoming class schedules.
  • How much do Cantonese private lessons cost?
    Private Cantonese lessons at Cantonese Tutor Hong Kong start from HK$250. Travel Fee (if at your location): • Walkable from Central: HK$50 • MTR accessible: HK$100 • No MTR access: HK$150 Booking & Cancellation Policy: Please book and cancel at least 24 hours in advance.
  • How many students are in each Cantonese class?
    Other language institutions: Minimum 3 students, often up to 8 or more in a group. At Cantonese Tutor HK: We keep group sizes small: just 2–4 students, so you get more personal attention.
  • Who is the Cantonese tutor?
    Aileen Ting, a trilingual Cantonese tutor with a degree in Applied Foreign Language 10+ years of experience teaching adults in Hong Kong Successfully taught over 100 students 27 five-star reviews on Google Structured academic approach, adaptable to casual or fun learning styles View More
  • Where are Cantonese classes held?
    Lessons are available at: Your home or office My office in Central, Hong Kong Online via video lessons
  • Is it better to learn Cantonese or Mandarin in Hong Kong?
    It depends on your goals. Cantonese is essential for daily life, work, and socializing in Hong Kong. Mandarin is widely spoken in China and has more structured learning resources. Cantonese is harder to self-study due to limited structured courses & fewer qualified teachers. 📌 If you live in Hong Kong, learning Cantonese is more practical.
  • What is the fastest way to learn Cantonese?
    General (self-study): Use apps, TV, songs, reels, and daily speaking for regular exposure and practice. With Cantonese Tutor HK: Small-group classes plus general practice are enough for steady progress. ✔ For highly motivated learners, occasional or extra private lessons help tailor content and address individual challenges. The key? Stay consistent — the more practice and exposure, the better. Be patient; progress takes time.
  • How long does it take to learn Cantonese?
    If you’re joining a Cantonese class in Hong Kong, progress depends on the class type and your practice. At Cantonese Tutor HK (group classes): A1 Beginner → ~30 hours A2 Elementary → ~60 hours B1 Intermediate → ~90 hours ✔ This is faster than self-study (200–400+ hours) or larger group schools, thanks to our small-group focus and structured support. ✔ For extra support, group students can add occasional private lessons at HK$400/hour (no need to buy a full package), though some students may progress well without them.
  • Can I understand Mandarin if I learn Cantonese?
    No, Cantonese and Mandarin are separate languages. Cantonese uses Traditional Chinese, while Mandarin mainly uses Simplified Chinese. Cantonese has unique words that can't be written in standard Mandarin. Cantonese speakers may learn Mandarin faster because of shared characters, but English speakers will not automatically understand Mandarin by learning Cantonese.
  • Where are the Cantonese classes held?
    At Cantonese Tutor HK, our group classes are held in three formats: Online via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet In person at our Central office At your location if you form your own group (friends, family, or colleagues) Transportation fees for classes held at your location: Walkable from Central: HK$50 MTR-accessible areas: HK$100 Locations without MTR access: HK$150 We offer flexible group class arrangements based on your needs and group size. To discuss your preferred setup, please email us at aileen@mandarintutorhk.com
  • Do I need Cantonese or Mandarin for daily life in Hong Kong?
    You can live in Hong Kong speaking only English, especially in expat or tourist areas. But you may face higher prices or limited access outside these zones. In local neighborhoods, Cantonese is preferred and helps you connect with shopkeepers, restaurants, and markets. Mandarin can be useful too, especially in Kowloon or places hiring mainland Chinese staff. Many taxi drivers, market sellers, and canteen workers appreciate when you use even a few Cantonese or Mandarin phrases — it can lead to better service, smiles, or even friendlier prices. ✔ Learning Cantonese is not required, but it opens doors and helps you experience local life more fully.
  • What do I need to bring to class?
    Notebook, iPad, or laptop – Use paper or digital based on your preference. PDF materials provided – Choose your own textbook if preferred.
  • What are your rates for private lessons?
    Private lessons start at HK$600 per hour, with a minimum package of 8 prepaid hours.
  • How much do group classes cost?
    Group classes start at HK$200 per person per hour for groups of 3–4. For two participants, the cost is HK$300 per person per hour.
  • Do you offer discounts for prepaid packages?
    Prepayment is required for all lesson packages. While no additional discounts are provided, this ensures commitment and progress.
  • What is your cancellation policy?
    A 24-hour notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling. Refunds are not available for missed sessions.
  • What age groups do you teach in children’s classes?
    We teach children aged 7 and above, focusing on exam preparation or homework support. Exceptions can be made for younger children if parents prioritize fun and engagement over strict progress.
  • What materials are used in children’s lessons?
    Age-appropriate course books, videos, and interactive activities ensure effective learning tailored to each child's needs.
  • Do you offer corporate language training?
    Yes, we provide Mandarin and Cantonese training programs tailored to corporate needs, from beginner-level teams to industry-specific requirements.
  • Can you customize lessons for specific industries?
    Absolutely. We offer specialized language solutions for finance, trading, e-commerce, and other industries. These programs include relevant vocabulary, presentations, and communication techniques.
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