Hongyang Tao started teaching Chinese at UBC as a sessional lecturer in 2022. Before joining UBC, Tao was involved in Chinese teaching at various institutions globally, such as Beijing Language and Culture University and Capital Normal University in China; Universita de Ca’Forscari in Italy; Nanyang Girls High School in Singapore; and Confucius Institute of New South Wales in Australia. Tao is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at UBC. Her research focuses include the Mandarin Chinese language in diasporas, heritage language maintenance, language socialization, and commodification of language teaching and learning.

As an enthusiastic and dedicated language instructor, Tao is always eager to create a warm and positive language-learning community to enhance the study experience of students. She is fond of developing student-centred and innovative pedagogical strategies, as well as tailoring and adapting authentic materials to ensure that language learning is as authentic and practical as possible.

Tao believes that despite the different backgrounds of students, there are universal aspects and experiences that can be related through love, language learning and intercultural awareness. It is essential to recognize and accommodate the unique motivations, goals, and learning styles of each student, adhering to the Confucius teaching principle of “有教无类，因材施教” (Teaching without discrimination, tailoring instruction to individual needs).