Brand Story
About mackey-dokey (Mandarin Learning)
When I first started teaching Mandarin to children in the United Kingdom, I couldn’t find the right materials. My students came from all over the world — England, India, Greece, Germany, Hong Kong, Mainland China — and the resources available were either only in simplified or traditional Chinese, too old-fashioned, or just not engaging.
So, I started creating my own.
I grew up surrounded by six languages. At home, my family spoke Cantonese and Hokkien. At school, I learned English and Mandarin. After class, I went to Japanese school simply because I loved Japanese culture. Later, I lived in France as an exchange student and continued to learn French for pleasure. I know the struggles of learning a new language, and I also know the joy that comes with it.
Learning a language is not just about words. It’s about stepping into another culture, seeing the world through a new lens, and becoming someone who understands and respects the stories of others. It helps children grow not only as capable individuals in a globalised world, but as thoughtful people who care about what’s happening beyond their own borders, even going back to ancient times.
I believe learning a language builds both minds and hearts. It boosts confidence, creativity, and cultural awareness. And yes, it even strengthens brain cognition.
That’s why at mackey-dokey, learning a language is more than just learning a language.
We also have sister brands — mackey-dokey (Book Review) which recommends books for toddlers, and a personal brand under my name, Rachel W. Mak. I'm the founder of mackey-dokey and an educator who believes that placing human values at the heart of education, beyond mere academic success, is the key to creating the better world we aspire to build.
Thank you for walking this journey with me.