Meet Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett | Bilingual Language & Culture Consultant and Award-winning Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It all began with my desire to pass down my Chinese and Taiwanese heritage to my two mixed-race children, guiding them to embrace the cultures within our family, community, and beyond. At the same time, I wanted to show adult learners that Mandarin Chinese is not one of the most difficult languages in the world. Miss Panda Chinese was born in Hawaii, and the “Let’s learn Mandarin Chinese with Miss Panda!” streaming album was released, reaching children and families in the United States and all over the world since then.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Miss Panda Chinese is a bilingual language service that emphasizes the Joy of Learning: acquiring the Chinese language, embracing cultures, and thriving in curiosity. We work with families and adult learners who seek to advance in their professional careers. Our clients include families, corporations, and the foreign service community.

A core message I share is that Chinese is not one of the most difficult languages in the world; it is simply different. My goal is to help clients see the possibilities, recognize their or their team’s abilities, and achieve their language and cultural proficiency goals. Being the myth buster of this misconception about the Chinese language can be challenging, but witnessing the transformation in families, diplomats, and corporations as they experience the learning process is incredibly rewarding.

From providing language and culture instruction to learners on four continents to consulting for Word Party, one of Netflix’s top educational programs for children, I’ve learned that trust is the catalyst for effective communication and connection. Empathy for clients is key to understanding their needs, and active listening provides valuable insights to better serve them, regardless of their background.

As someone bilingual in English and Mandarin, with experience in learning five other languages, living on four continents, and working with Hollywood celebrities, I am adept at identifying clients’ needs and helping them reach their goals in an efficient and joyful manner. My work is driven by the belief that language and culture acquisition go hand in hand and that respect is contagious.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a movie lover and a former Warner Bros. executive, I recommend heading over to the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre, where you can see the handprints and footprints of Hollywood legends. Then, visit the Hollywood Museum to experience the rich history of the film industry. A behind-the-scenes tour of Warner Bros. Studios is a must, so be sure to schedule time for that.

You will also enjoy visiting the charming Santa Monica Pier, a classic L.A. landmark featured in many films like Forrest Gump and Barbie, to name a couple. It’s a wonderful spot to take a walk and relax. You can have dinner at a restaurant on the pier and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean to wrap up the day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The process is where the stories grow. When I was planning my streaming album, a professor generously provided me with a recording studio and making the project possible. During my work on the dual-language seasons of Netflix’s Word Party, the production team showed meticulous care and respect for cultural understanding. When writing Little Bun: A Bilingual Storybook About Feelings, my writing community group offered invaluable support throughout the publishing process. The journey is where learning and growth occur.

I am especially grateful to the Multicultural Kid Blogs group for their dedication to sharing resources about diverse cultures with families and educators. The friendships and wealth of knowledge I continue to gain from this group were invaluable during my time overseas and upon my return to the States. A big shoutout to Multicultural Kid Blogs!

Website: https://amandahsiung.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_panda_chinese/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandahsiungblodgett/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misspandachinese/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/misspandachinese