Mr. Li earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he double majored in Chinese and Linguistics & Asian Languages and Cultures. He later completed a Master of Arts in East Asian Studies at UCLA with dual concentrations in Chinese Applied Linguistics and Modern Chinese Literature and Culture. His master’s thesis explored Mandarin pop music and its role in contemporary Chinese society.

Mr. Li has taught Chinese language and culture at Pasadena City College before joining BASIS Independent Dublin as the founding Mandarin faculty. He supported the dual enrollment program with South Pasadena Middle School and La Cañada High School. In addition to language instruction, he has also taught Chinese Cinema at Pasadena City College, helping students examine modern Chinese society, history, and culture through film.

Mr. Li is passionate about helping students develop both linguistic ability and cultural understanding. His academic interests include sociocultural and linguistic anthropology, as well as musicology, and he enjoys incorporating authentic cultural materials such as music, film, and popular media into language learning.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Li is a fashion and automobile enthusiast and a dedicated classical music listener. He is also a classically trained pianist and composer. In addition to his classroom teaching, he tutored students in AP Chinese and AP Music Theory and taught piano privately.

What drew you to join our school community? 

I was drawn to BASIS Independent Schools because of its strong academic culture and its commitment to intellectual curiosity. I value an environment where students are encouraged to think deeply, challenge themselves, and pursue learning beyond the minimum requirements. As someone trained in linguistics and cultural studies, I especially appreciate a community that values interdisciplinary learning and global perspectives. The opportunity to work with motivated students while helping them explore language, culture, and communication in meaningful ways made this an exciting place for me to join. 

What are you most excited about in your first year here? 

In my first year at BASIS Independent Dublin, I am most excited about getting to know my students and building a classroom environment where they feel comfortable experimenting with language and expressing themselves. Language learning becomes most meaningful when students connect it to real culture, music, film, and everyday communication. Furthermore, it is exciting to build a program from the ground up while navigating through brand-new textbook selection, planning activities and events, and decorating the classroom. I look forward to introducing students to different aspects of Chinese-speaking cultures and helping them see how language opens doors to understanding the world in new ways. Besides that, I look forward to meeting all my colleagues and discussing teaching strategies with them! 

What advice do you give students who want to succeed in your class? 

Consistency is the most important key to success in language learning. Small, regular practice, such as speaking, listening, reading, and reviewing vocabulary, makes a big difference over time. Don’t try to cram everything overnight or over a short period of time; it’s not going to work out long term. Also, try to focus on understanding the material during class, rather than blindly copying down what’s on the slides. Lastly, I encourage students not to be afraid of making mistakes and/or asking questions during class. Language learning is a process, and mistakes are often the moments where most learning happens. Curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to participate will take students very far. To quote my college advisor’s words, “the more you put in, the more you get out.” 

What do you hope students will remember most about your class years from now? 

I hope students remember that learning a language is not only about memorizing words or grammar, but about understanding people and cultures, as well as developing critical thinking skills and open-mindedness. If students leave my class feeling more confident communicating, more curious about the world, and more open to different perspectives, then I will consider that a success. On a macro level, I hope students can think like anthropologists: be curious and open-minded, and think like linguists: careful, precise, and attentive to detail. 

BASIS Independent Dublin is a Grades 6 – 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the BASIS Independent Dublin community? To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.