DreamChaser | Estela Lin
General Information
Name: Estela Lin
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 32
Job Title/Company: Mandarin Teacher, the founder of Excellent Chinese teacher
Education Background (if any): Teaching foreigner as second language /Spanish
In-depth Questions
1. Tell us a little about who you are.
I am Estela, a Mandarin teacher in Taiwan. I teach Taiwanese Mandarin plus share Taiwanese culture and life with those who are interested in Taiwan.
2. What sparked your interest in starting your business(es)?
I noticed that there are many Mandarin teachers who teach Standard Mandarin but not Taiwanese Mandarin. Many students learn Chinese but don’t understand when speaking to Taiwanese. I want to teach them more street Mandarin and how Taiwanese really speak Mandarin in daily life.
3. If applicable, tell us about your full-time job and/or any side hustles you might have.
Being a Mandarin teacher is my full-time job
4. Who are you most influenced by?
No one
5. What was your first job, and how long did you hold that position?
I was an international salesperson for 5 years.
6. Can you share one of your proudest achievements with us?
My one-on-one private class. I have my teaching style which is different from a traditional school. I don’t need to rely on a school or language center. I can find students on my own, which means I don’t need to follow outdated ways to teach or textbooks.
7. What were your initial goals with your work? How have they evolved?
I just decided to do what I like. It has given me the space and freedom to enhance my craft and have been able to learn a lot about being an educator.
“ There is no best idea, every idea is good. All you need to do is to have progress in your mindset so you can have better, and better ideas every time”
8. What do you think is the most important life skill you learned through your work?
The most important life skill I have learned to far is to keep a positive attitude and never give up, even when life is against you.
9. Where do you hope to be in five years?
I hope my video class for total beginners and intermediate students can be very successful and Excellent Chinese Tutor can be the most well-known online Taiwanese Mandarin center for those who want to learn to speak Traditional Chinese.
10. What is a typical day like for you?
I usually spend a lot of my day teaching, preparing lessons, marketing, and exercising to balance out a lot of the time sitting at the computer.
11. What was the biggest obstacle you’ve faced so far in the process of pursuing your goals?
The biggest obstacle is time. I do not have enough time to do everything I want to do. I am constantly working on my craft.
12. When do you get your best ideas?
There is no best idea, every idea is good. All you need to do is to have progress in your mindset so you can have better, and better ideas every time
13. Can you share with us one time that you failed and what you learned from that failure?
I was looking for a shortcut before for having a better life/job, But there is not one. I realized it is important to do things step by step to reach my goals.
14. How do you unwind?
I love to explore and travel.
“don’t give up when it gets hard because it will be and the only thing you can do is push past it. ”
15. What did you want to be as a kid?
Like most kids, I aspired to have a big dream. I wanted to be President.
16. Can you share a sacrifice you have made to pursue your dream?
What people need to sacrifice is their relaxing time. I don’t have much leisure time with my family because I must constantly work.
17. What would you tell someone else who is interested in entering your field?
It is not easy but entering this field now, I see many people trying and only a few stay. The most important thing is don’t give up when it gets hard because it will be and the only thing you can do is push past it.
18. What do you hope people take away from your story?
Nowadays, everyone likes easy and simple things, but having a better life is not easy. I hope everyone can put more effort into what they like and not give up on trying to reach their goal.
Want to Learn Taiwanese Mandarin or Support Estela:
Instagram: estelamandarin
Website: Estela Mandarin
