Our team
Find out more about the people that make up the Confucius Institute.
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Prof. Deljana Iossifova, Director
Deljana is a Professor in Urban Studies and joined the CI in 2017. Having spent a significant time living and working in China, she aims to make the CI a resource for everyone wishing to learn more about the Chinese language and culture.
View academic profile
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Dr Yanqiao Dong, Chinese Director
Dr. Yanqiao Dong joined Manchester CI in 2023. She is Senior Programme Officer at the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation at Beijing Normal University. With an academic background in education, Yanqiao has extensive experience in university administration, especially in international affairs, international Chinese education and Confucius Institute affairs.
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Ms Karen Wang, Deputy Director
Karen moved from China to the UK in 1996. She oversaw the administrative operation of the first overseas degree programme in Singapore and currently contributes to the strategic direction and operational priorities of the Manchester CI.
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Ms Lucy Yang, Senior Language Tutor and Teaching Co-ordinator
A Senior Language Tutor and Teaching Coordinator at the Manchester CI, Lucy has been teaching Mandarin for over 10 years in China and the UK, sharing her expertise with Mandarin teachers from various UK CIs. Her research focuses on Mandarin pedagogy in the UK, teacher training and classroom ICT use.
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Nóra Blascsók, Marketing and Events Officer
Nóra joined the Confucius Institute in September 2023. Her role focuses on marketing the CI’s language courses and promoting and organising cultural events. She also manages the CI’s online presence and helps build new partnerships. Prior to joining CI, Nóra has had a career working in the non-profit and higher education sectors. She is passionate about intercultural communication and the arts and speaks five languages.
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Dr Tessa Harris, Support Officer
Tessa joined the CI in the summer of 2022. As the Administrative Officer, her main role is to organise Mandarin course registrations, HSK and YCT exams and cultural workshops, as well as general duties in the day-to-day life of the CI.
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Qiuyan Li (Rachel), Chinese Language Tutor
Rachel joined the CI in 2024. She comes from Yunnan Province, a region known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes. Her research focuses on teaching interaction and classroom observation. She enjoys Hanfu, practicing Tai Chi and exploring traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Email Rachel
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Miaomiao Ding (Maria), Chinese Language Tutor
Maria joined the CI in September 2024. She comes from Gansu, a province located in Northwest China. She is interested in Chinese traditional painting and calligraphy. Her research focuses on language learning and teaching.
Email Maria
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Yixuan Du (Kevin), Chinese Language Tutor
Yixuan Du joined the CI in September 2024. He comes from Yanting, Sichuan Province. His graduate major was International Chinese Language Education. With a strong interest in different cultures and histories, Yixuan is keen to communicate with you.
Email Kevin
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Bingling Shui (Sylvia), Chinese Language Tutor
Sylvia joined the CI in September 2024. She comes from Ningbo, a beautiful coastal city in Southeast China. Her research focuses on modern educational technology and Chinese grammar teaching. Sylvia has a strong passion for culture, especially traditional Chinese music and instruments.
Email Sylvia
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Yi Zheng (Sophia), Chinese Language Tutor
Sophia is from Heilongjiang. She is passionate about traditional Chinese culture, especially classical dance and Beijing Opera. She is skilled in teaching advanced level Mandarin Chinese and enjoys meeting students from different countries.
Email Sophia
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Yihui Zheng (Ivy), Chinese Language Tutor
Ivy joined the CI in September 2024. She hails from Zhejiang province of China. She has studied calligraphy since childhood and is passionate about literature and recitation. Her research primarily focuses on international Chinese education, Chinese language and literature, as well as cultural dissemination.
Email Ivy
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Chang Lu (Hayley), Chinese Language Tutor
Hayley comes from Weihai, Shandong Province, and joined the CI in September 2024. Focusing on Second Language Acquisition, she's interested in teaching both children and adults, and making comparative analyses. She also has expertise in Chinese tea ceremony, calligraphy and traditional handicrafts.
Email Hayley
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Qian Jing (Jane), Chinese Language Tutor
Jane comes from Anqing, a historical city in central China. With a great passion for different languages and cultures, she joined the CI team in September 2024 and is working as a Teaching Assistant at a middle school in Macclesfield.
Email Jane
