Hi, I'm Yuli, and I want to share with you the story of how TeacherRob came into being.

In October 2024, I had just arrived in North Carolina, Although I had achieved a TOEFL score of 91 after three months of intensive study following college graduation, in real American daily life I didn't even know how to properly respond to a colleague's morning greeting of, "Hey, Yuli! What's up?"

​

I have two children, one 14 and one 6. My older son, at 14, had been taking one-on-one online English lessons twice a week with a Canadian teacher. My younger son, only 6, spoke nothing beyond "Apple, Banana" when we first came to the U.S. I placed him directly into a well-rated public elementary school. I still remember one day during the first week-he came home and said he hadn't had any water all day because he didn't know how to tell the teacher what he needed.

 

It was around this time that I met Robert at work. During a casual chat, he told me that before the pandemic he had worked for six years at a Chinese institution, teaching both children and adults online. But due to policy changes, the program had been shut down. Neither of us could have imagined that one day we would become close business partners!

 

In July 2025, right before taking my kids back to Shanghai for the summer, I saw the difference between my two children. My 6-year-old, who had never received any formal English training, was already speaking fluent "kindergarten English," playing freely with peers, running, biking, and kicking balls until sunset. 

 

Meanwhile, my 14-year-old (7th grade) was still struggling with language barriers, too afraid to make friends, and escaping reality by burying himself in online games.

That made me think: how can I really help my child? What kind of teacher and partnership between family and school does he need to overcome this? At school, he had systematic free ELS classes three times a week. I even contacted his teachers, the principal, and his grade counselor - we held a whole afternoon meeting to discuss how to help him. Eventually, I realized what he truly needed was a teacher who really understood him and was willing to teach according to his individual needs.

 

Just like every child has different food preferences, learning a language is the same. Some kids lack vocabulary, some struggle with grammar, and others - like my son - need confidence more than anything. When I looked at the various curricula from well-known institutions in China, full of standardized goals and exams (Oxford, Cambridge, etc.), I realized they were like pre-packaged meals: no matter what the child's taste or interest, everyone gets the same content and assignments. But ignoring children's differences in interests and abilities while trying to push them to the same level in the same timeframe is pure utopia. Think back to our school days - the star students in Chinese writing didn't become masters of beautiful prose through rigid, "scientific" courses. What drives rapid growth is interest. Education is never just science-it's an art: one soul awakening another!

 

Just as I had this thought, Robert approached me. He said:

“Hey, Yuli, I really miss teaching Chinese kids. They're so different from American kids-respectful, humble toward teachers, serious about learning, and able to focus so well in class! They're such a lovely group of children. Do you know how I could continue teaching them again?”

 

I was stunned, because I was about to ask him the very same thing: would he be willing to take on the challenge of creating something different for kids? It was the perfect match. I soon learned that he had even worked as a special education teacher at a public middle school-which explained the extraordinary patience, listening, and care he always showed!

 

Within a week, www.teacherrob.com was born. (He is such a man of action! At that time, I was in Shanghai and couldn't even help him with the work, but he was so eager to start teaching children with all his heart again.) Later, in August, we officially registered our business in North Carolina, obtained our federal tax ID, and set up our own little office.

 

Today, TeacherRob is dedicated to providing personalized one-on-one English lessons. Whether you are in China (we offer online classes), newly arrived in North Carolina, or an adult needing English for work, here you can access customized instruction at an affordable price.

 

For English beginners (young children):

We have TeacherRob's exclusive lesson plans covering daily life topics, helping kids quickly use English in real life. Even when using the same lesson plan, teachers adjust the content in real time according to each child's foundation and progress. So whether your child only knows "ABC" or can already hold daily conversations, they will learn something tailored to their level.

 

For exam preparation:

We use Oxford University Express: Step Forward, a graded adult ESL textbook series published by Oxford University Press, covering five levels. The curriculum emphasizes practical use and cross-cultural competence, ideal for learners aiming to thrive in the U.S. for study or work. Each level includes real-life topics and academic/workplace themes, integrating listening, speaking, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Unlike other institutions, we do not promise every learner will finish the program within a fixed timeframe- because every learner is unique. Instead, our goal is to offer fully personalized instruction, adjusting content and pace in real time. 

 

For advanced learners:

My favorite is exploring American public school curricula. Through the IXL system, we can take a glimpse into U.S. education. If your child already has some English foundation, I highly recommend studying subjects like science, math, or social studies with Teacher Rob. After all, English itself is a tool - its real purpose is to help us learn and explore more possibilities. And of course, Rob will also help students continue building their English skills along the way.

 

After each lesson, you will receive a detailed email summarizing what was taught, what your child needs to focus on, and suggestions for daily practice. There are no generic templates - only dynamic, personalized feedback tailored for your child. If you'd like extra homework for more practice, Rob will be happy to provide resources and even correct and explain them for you!

 

So why not book a free trial lesson today and see the difference for yourself?