Translation of the original chinese text
I first heard about Brandon in a WeChat group. Thinking that “adding him wouldn’t cause any problems,” I decided to contact him, and when I told him I wanted to take a trial lesson, he gladly agreed. During our first class, I was impressed by his kind and engaging way of teaching, and by his cheerful personality, so I decided to keep studying with him — and now, a little more than a year has passed.
When I arrived in Italy, my language level was quite poor, and adapting to the new linguistic environment and study method was really difficult. Moreover, because of my naturally lazy personality, I didn’t put in much effort, so every time I tried to communicate with Italians, I found it hard and kept feeling a sense of rejection. However, Brandon’s approach is truly unique: it’s not like traditional teaching, which focuses on memorizing a fixed number of words and grammar rules every day. Together, we explored various parts of the language by observing it from the point of view of a native speaker. He knows how to masterfully balance the logical structure of the language with the emotional depth of communication. This approach allows students to grasp the essence of a new language and understand its unique character.
Brandon loves his job deeply and firmly believes in his principles. He proudly told me that he has collected dozens of Italian songs and texts to transform them into unique learning materials through his method, and that he has created several in-depth grammar guides. He revealed to me that ever since he was a child, he had dreamed of becoming a good Italian teacher — a goal he has fully achieved. I love being around energetic people, and his passion for teaching is something that always inspires me.
Every time we start a lesson, Brandon breaks the ice by asking: “What did you do today?” When someone knows how to truly listen, they create a sense of calm that makes the other person feel comfortable. This small gesture ensures that the lessons are never stiff or overly formal. Brandon often expresses his disapproval of conventional teaching methods: he believes that the relationship between teacher and student should not be hierarchical, but rather based on equality, inclusiveness, and open communication — a perspective that perfectly aligns with my own. As a former student at a prestigious provincial school, I understand very well how additional social pressures, such as hierarchical ones, can be extremely harmful both to learning and to mental well-being.
In his relaxed and welcoming environment, I find the courage to open up, and sometimes I jokingly ask him first: “What did you do today?” In those moments, a wonderful understanding arises between us, and he starts telling me about his days as an Italian.
Over time, we have become very good friends, and we confide in each other about our difficulties, the stress of life and study, our opinions on social issues, and many other things. Brandon is a very thoughtful person and is always ready to help others, almost like a psychological counselor. This way of communicating always encourages me to share with him the joys and worries of my life. Our conversations go far beyond language learning: they touch life, emotions, culture, and much more. He always remembers the topics we talk about and brings them up unexpectedly in later conversations.
The first time I met him in person, I found him to be just as friendly as he is online. We took a walk and chatted in a nearby garden, and when we came across a small puddle, he started explaining to me the difference between “pozzanghera” (puddle) and “stagno” (pond), improvising a live lesson. I thought it was just a playful moment, but then, as we passed a lamppost, a handrail, and a pedestrian crossing, he explained all their names to me. That same evening, I received a short summary from him with all the vocabulary we had learned during the walk.
Sometimes he talks to me about Italian idioms and explains that there is an identical rhetorical expression in Chinese. Some of these words are not even common for me, as a native Chinese speaker. It amazes me how two peoples so far apart, with such different origins, can share such close parallels. My previous foreign language teachers rarely had the time or experience to connect two linguistic cultures with such clarity. This has greatly deepened my love for the Italian language and its culture. Little by little, I began to communicate with the mindset of a native speaker, and no longer as a student being tested — a true transformation. For me, this change in perspective is far more important than learning a few extra words or grammar rules.
For anyone passionate about languages, mastering one is a gradual journey. It requires time, patience, and above all, genuine enthusiasm — and in this sense, Brandon can be an invaluable ally. If you are truly determined to learn, taking his lessons is a choice you will not regret: he is engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate. Personally, despite some challenging moments, it has been absolutely worth it — far more interesting and inspiring than I could have ever imagined.
China, September 18, 2025
Chen Yulu