Whether you're a complete beginner, understand Cantonese but struggle to speak it, speak Cantonese but cannot read Chinese, or want to take your language skills further, Cantonese Classroom helps you find the right starting point. Our student-centred adult courses offer a structured pathway to developing practical Cantonese communication and Traditional Chinese literacy skills at your own level.
Course Outline
A Clear Seven-Level Learning Pathway: Our adult curriculum progresses through Beginner (AB1–AB2), Intermediate (AI1–AI2), and Advanced (AA1–AA2), followed by Mastery (AMA), an open-ended level for continued language development. A placement assessment helps students find a suitable starting point.
Conversational Cantonese from AB1 to AI2: Develop practical listening and speaking skills through everyday situations, workplace topics, interactive conversations, and real-life tasks, while gradually building Chinese character recognition skills.
Chinese literacy deepens from AA1 to AA2: Build on Cantonese speaking skills to develop Traditional Chinese reading and writing, progressing from character recognition and short texts to more advanced reading, written expression, and analysis.
Open-ended Mastery (AMA): Students independently explore topics of interest, conduct research, analyze different perspectives, and develop their own writing styles through extended reading, discussion, and writing projects.
One-to-one private lessons are also available, tailored to each learner’s specific needs, language background, and goals.
AB1
Adult Beginner 1
Focus: Conversational Cantonese+−
Course content
Start with Cantonese pronunciation, common vocabulary, and simple sentence patterns through themes such as meeting people, introducing yourself, weather, and time.
Examples of expected learning outcomes
Introduce yourself and meet new people using simple Cantonese.
Understand and use essential everyday vocabulary and sentence patterns.
Ask and answer common questions about time and weather.
Take part in short conversations in familiar situations.
Become familiar with Cantonese sounds and build a foundation in pronunciation.
AB2
Adult Beginner 2
Focus: Conversational Cantonese+−
Course content
Expand everyday vocabulary and sentence patterns through work and daily schedules, while learning to express experiences, plans, and personal ideas.
Examples of expected learning outcomes
Describe personal routines and work schedules.
Describe past events and future plans.
Use a wider range of sentence patterns in conversation.
Pronounce Cantonese more accurately and confidently.
AI1
Adult Intermediate 1
Focus: Conversational Cantonese+−
Course content
Strengthen Cantonese communication skills through practical scenarios, including more complex shopping interactions and opening a bank account.
Examples of expected learning outcomes
Understand and describe everyday procedures, such as household chores.
Share shopping experiences, compare products, and express opinions.
Complete more complex tasks in Cantonese, such as opening a bank account or visiting a doctor.
Explain situations and express personal needs in complete sentences.
Pronounce Cantonese accurately and confidently.
Learn more complex sentence patterns.
AI2
Adult Intermediate 2
Focus: Conversational Cantonese+−
Course content
Develop greater accuracy and fluency in more complex everyday and workplace situations, including product design, personal health and wellness plans, and exchanging opinions.
Examples of expected learning outcomes
Clearly describe design concepts and workflows.
Explain your work and daily life in detail.
Introduce product features and explain personal choices.
Present viewpoints and reasons in a more organized way.
Choose from a varied range of natural sentence patterns and vocabulary as needed.
AA1
Adult Advanced 1
Focus: Character recognition and foundational reading+−
Course content
Building on existing Cantonese listening and speaking skills, students develop a foundation in Traditional Chinese literacy. Through everyday topics, common Chinese characters, and short texts, they explore character forms, pronunciation, meanings, and basic written Chinese expression. Reading aloud, comprehension exercises, and simple writing activities help students develop their reading and writing skills.
Examples of expected learning outcomes
Recognize common Traditional Chinese characters and words used in everyday life.
Understand basic written vocabulary and common sentence patterns.
Read and understand short Traditional Chinese texts.
Write simple sentences using learned characters and patterns.
Begin to recognize characters and read independently.
AA2
Adult Advanced 2
Focus: Advanced reading, analysis, and expression+−
Course content
Use news, current affairs, social issues, and cultural topics to understand more complex information, analyze content, and discuss ideas in depth. Strengthen Traditional Chinese reading and written expression while considering texts from different perspectives and organizing personal viewpoints.
Examples of expected learning outcomes
Understand the main ideas in news and current-affairs discussions.
Analyze different perspectives and express well-reasoned personal opinions.
Take part in in-depth discussions in natural, accurate Cantonese.
Read and understand longer Traditional Chinese texts on varied topics.
Organize information and express analysis and viewpoints in writing.
AMA
Adult Mastery
Focus: Independent reading, complete writing, and advanced language use+−
Course content
Develop independent reading, complete writing, and advanced language use through varied texts, in-depth discussions, and writing practice. Cultivate independent thinking, critical analysis, and flexible language use.
Examples of expected learning outcomes
Independently read and understand varied Traditional Chinese texts.
Analyze text structure, language features, and the author’s perspective.
Write complete, coherent articles.
Discuss, analyze, and debate complex issues in depth.
Use Cantonese and written Traditional Chinese flexibly in different contexts.
Our teaching team makes learning feel like a game: gear up, defeat monsters, complete missions, and earn rewards.
We keep extra-soft tissues on hand because our students often laugh until they cry.
02Specialized
Our Own Professionally Developed Curriculum
Our professionally developed adult curriculum has a complete seven-level pathway: AB1 and AB2, followed by AI1 and AI2, then AA1 and AA2, with the open-ended Mastery level, AMA, beyond them.
Each level has clear learning themes and outcomes, supporting complete beginners, conversational learners who want greater fluency, and fluent Cantonese speakers developing advanced Traditional Chinese literacy.
Whether you are a second-generation immigrant, ABC or CBC, learning Cantonese for your partner, able to understand but not speak it, able to speak but not read Chinese, looking to improve your Chinese, or a native Cantonese speaker, you can find a suitable course. A free placement assessment helps you find the right level to begin.
One-to-one private lessons are also available, tailored to each learner’s specific needs, language background, and goals.
03Empowering
Putting Students at the Centre of Learning
Online classes have no more than four students, and adult in-person classes have no more than five. Everyone has ample opportunities to practise and receive feedback, unlike the teacher-centred model of traditional Chinese schools with ten or even dozens of students per teacher.
Through careful assessment and class placement, we group students with similar proficiency levels to create a supportive and effective learning environment.
Through conversations, stories, games, role-play, and real-life tasks, students learn to use Cantonese in meaningful contexts.
From the very first lesson, we encourage students to think independently, express themselves, and create, empowering them to take an active role in their own learning.
04Supported
A Complete Learning Experience
Free Placement Assessment
New students receive a free consultation so our team can understand their level, language background, and goals, and recommend a suitable class. They can also arrange a trial lesson to experience our teaching approach before deciding whether to enrol.
Community Events
Join Cantonese Classroom community gatherings to use Cantonese in a relaxed, natural setting and strengthen your confidence and enjoyment through real interaction.
Student Learning Kit
Students receive in-house learning notes to review lessons, complete homework, and track their progress.
What can I say about Cantonese Classroom! I spent a lot of my life feeling self conscious about learning Cantonese, even though I grew up in a household that spoke it. Something about being born in Canada and being culturally different made it feel like a big hurdle. Thankfully the fun teachings + encouraging methods that Chris + team use have really provided a safe landing spot for this :) I also love how the mission is to also help grow the echoes of the culture overseas. Thank you for helping so many of us CBC folk gain confidence and progress so much! 🥟📝
Highly recommend Cantonese Classroom with Lou Si Chris! As an adult learner, returning to Cantonese after many years felt intimidating, but he made the entire experience enjoyable, approachable, and incredibly rewarding. He is patient, knowledgeable, encouraging, and fun! He has a real talent for explaining concepts in a way that builds confidence and makes learning feel achievable. Cantonese Classroom allowed me to connect with my past Cantonese roots which was truly meaningful. He also went above and beyond by helping my husband and me choose a special Chinese name for our baby girl. This was such a thoughtful and personal gift, and something our family will cherish for years to come. If you're looking for a Cantonese teacher who is not only an excellent educator but also genuinely invested in his students' success, I wholeheartedly recommend him. Thank you for your patience, support, and for making this journey such a positive experience!
I've been taking classes with Cantonese Classroom for several months, and the experience has been great! The classes are practical, engaging, and well-designed to provide a reasonable level of challenge.
Teacher is very accommodating and flexible with classes. Encourages any questions and goes at a great pace for learning, many different units and topics are prepared so, it makes continuous learning fun as well!
I have been studying Cantonese with Chris for a couple of months and the progress has been amazing. Chris really takes the time to help you learn and understand. It has been a great experience and would definitely recommend even if you have never spoken the language before.
Chris is a very supportive and organized teacher. He would use a variety of materials to teach students. His enthusiasm and professionalism helps to keep each student on track. Highly recommend!
Chris is a great teacher! He has an excellent way of teaching as he is very patient, flexible, and goes at an appropriate pace depending on your level of knowledge! I had a difficult time finding a teacher in Toronto that taught Cantonese, so I was very happy to find Cantonese Classroom and I would highly recommend Cantonese Classroom and Chris to learn Cantonese!
A great and affordable way to learn Cantonese! I joined the virtual beginner class and thanks to Teacher Chris' lessons and encouragement, I can hold simple conversations in Cantonese. I enjoy the interactive style of the class and how we've focused on simply speaking Cantonese early on, rather than writing, grammar, and exact tones. Would highly recommend!
I have been taking adult Cantonese classes for complete beginners for a few months now and am very happy with my progress. Teacher Chris is an excellent teacher with a thoughtful curriculum, detailed feedback, and great teaching strategies. He is also very friendly and funny, making the class a great environment. Would highly recommend!
I have been learning cantonese with Chris for a little over one year now, I have made immense progress and Chris has ensured a fun and stress free environment to learn. Thank you!!
I'm thrilled to have finally found a Cantonese school in Toronto that offers fun and flexible classes. I thoroughly enjoyed my classes at the Cantonese Classroom. My teacher, Chris, was both engaging and supportive. He was extremely accommodating to my learning level, and I was able to find classes that suited my level and schedule. With his help, I was able to get the feedback I needed to finally learn to read Jyutping (the standardized romanization of Cantonese). This is jump-start to my progress in Cantonese. I also enjoyed the high level of interaction with the other students in the class. Highly recommend the school!
I've been attending Cantonese Classroom and taking Chinese lessons for a while now, and it's been a fantastic experience! My Cantonese has improved so much thanks to the engaging and practical lessons. A big shoutout to my teacher, Chris — he's amazing! His teaching style is funny, clear, and super easy to follow, which makes learning both enjoyable and effective. Highly recommend to anyone looking to learn or improve their Cantonese!
Chris is a very responsible and patient teacher. His standard pronunciation and clear explanation made my study enjoyable. The class combine regular teaching and everyday life experiences in HongKong. I did learn a lot.
I started taking class with Chris from 0, and in few months I'm already able to support a simple conversation with native speakers. A strong emphasis on conversational practice, which helps you quickly pick up the basics of the language and start applying it in everyday life. I highly recommend this class if you want to learn Cantonese
Chris is an enthusiastic teacher who is knowledgable on a systematic yuet ping system (like ping yin but for Cantonese) which makes it easier to grasp learning Cantonese. He makes his own lessons from scratch and shares a pdf for students to follow along and retain and finds many ways to make learning fun through videos, games and encouraging conversation. I am an adult student in a virtual class with a little Cantonese background and found myself improving with his classes.
I can wholeheartedly recommend any adult learners that have some background with Cantonese to learn Cantonese at Cantonese Classroom. It is the only that teaches adults well beyond the basics. I grew up in Toronto and speak Cantonese with my parents but, like many Canadian-born Chinese, I cannot read and my Cantonese is unsophisticated. I was frustrated that there is no school that teaches beyond the beginner level for Cantonese. Chris, the founder, personally created a curriculum that was initially personally tailored for me as the first advanced adult learner. Chris has expanded the class to a small number of other advanced adult learners and I very much enjoy being able to converse with my classmates about topics that are well beyond the ability of a beginner, such as world news. I've taken many language classes, for several languages, and I've found Cantonese Classroom to be the most engaging language school and I've made the most progressive under Chris's tutelage.
As somebody who has ancestral ties to Sze Yup regions of China, I've always wanted to speak the languages that my older relatives spoke. Chris far exceeded my expectations when he first started teaching the class I was in. Chris puts high focus into our knowledge in Cantonese and is very patient when it comes to me and my classmates learning development. Thanks Again to Wong 老師 and other teachers.
I am an adult learner taking lessons now with Chris for over 3 months and have nothing but praise. I have felt I have been able to make good progress and I can do simple introductions, talk about my hobbies, what I enjoy to eat, and make small talk about the weather. Chris, is an excellent teacher and understands the needs of his students. He puts a lot of care into making lessons interactive, playful, funny, and engaging. The lessons are a lot more interesting then what you would get from a university level language course. The teaching is personalized and you are paired with students of similar skill level. I highly recommend taking a course and learning a new language!
토론토에서 성인이 들을 수 있는 유일한 광동어 수업임! 온라인으로 진행이 되기 때문에 영라인에서 멀리 살고 있어도 충분히 들을 수 있고 무엇보다 선생님의 재치있는 강의와 수업 자료 덕에 습득 속도가 빨라짐 때때로 외부에서 성인반 학생들끼리 만나서 직접 광동어 대화를 연습해 볼 기회도 있음 선생님이 알아서 레벨 맞는 사람들끼리 매칭해 주기 때문에 한명에서 상황에 따라 최대 네명까지 함께 배울 수 있음 광동어 배워보려면 여기 수업 강추
Chris Wong, Cantonese Classroom’s Curriculum Director and Founder, is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT), a registered teacher in Hong Kong, a curriculum developer, and a writer. He has over ten years of experience developing and teaching Chinese-language curricula in Hong Kong and Canada. Since 2023, he has led the Cantonese Classroom team in developing Cantonese and Traditional Chinese courses for students of different ages, levels, and language backgrounds, overseeing instructional design, learning assessment, and teaching quality.
Chris previously served as a curriculum development officer at the Centre for Advancement of Chinese Language Education and Research at The University of Hong Kong. Working with the Hong Kong Education Bureau, he designed Chinese curricula for more than fifty elementary and secondary schools and provided professional training for teachers. He has also taught Chinese and General Studies at elementary schools and served as an advisor to the Chinese Debate Team at Hong Kong Metropolitan University.
Beyond teaching, Chris is dedicated to Cantonese research and writing. He authored A Linguistic Study of Taboo Phenomena in Cantonese, a book held by university libraries including Stanford University, the University of Toronto, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Education & Credentials
Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)Ontario College of Teachers
Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)OISE Continuing & Professional Learning, University of Toronto
Registered TeacherHong Kong Education Bureau
Master's Degree in Chinese Language and LiteratureThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityDistinction, CBS Scholarship for Distinguished Postgraduate Students, Dr. Chan Kin Leung Memorial Scholarship
Postgraduate Diploma in EducationThe Education University of Hong KongDistinction, Dean’s Honour List
Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy, Chinese)Lingnan University (Hong Kong)Dean's Honour List, Received the Talent Development Scholarship for three consecutive years.Debate Team Captain
Cantonese Classroom brings together educators and professionals with backgrounds in Chinese language education, elementary and secondary teaching, early childhood education, translation, linguistics, and journalism.
Each team member contributes unique expertise in teaching, language, communication, and curriculum development. By combining these strengths, we create structured, engaging, and practical Cantonese and Traditional Chinese programs tailored to learners of different ages, abilities, and language backgrounds.
A graduate of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Teacher Apple has worked as a journalist in both Hong Kong and Canada. She brings her expertise in attentive listening, thoughtful questioning, and clear communication into Cantonese lessons, helping adults and teens develop practical speaking and listening skills.
