For Jaden Zhao Ziyu, Cantonese is not just a school subject. The language is a live score of the jokes, songs and everyday rhythms that have become a part of her identity.
It’s particularly noteworthy because Jaden is a cross-border student; she lives in mainland China and attends school in Hong Kong.
The Form Five student at TWGHs Kap Yan Directors’ College grew up in a multilingual environment, which taught her to recognise the differences between Cantonese and Mandarin as well as appreciate the diverse cultural values each tongue carries.
“Through Cantonese immersion, [the language] has become more than grammar and a tool for communication to me; it is home and a compass for everything I do,” the 16-year-old said.
Jaden said her passion for the language grew because of encouragement from the people around her.
“Their support made me curious,” she said. “The more I learned, the more I became interested in the cultural aspects – films, songs, jokes and daily life. Cantonese stopped being just a school subject; it became part of my identity and gave me a sense of belonging.”
Overcoming the odds
Jaden was candid about the technical linguistic hurdles and psychological barriers she faced. “Putonghua has four tones whereas Cantonese has nine, and using the wrong tone for the same word can completely change its meaning. Consequently, learning Cantonese demanded considerable time and patience,” she said.
Equally difficult was the internal voice that told her she would never master the language. “Changing this defeatist attitude was a significant challenge,” she said.
Her strategy was built on staying steady and being patient with herself. “I adjusted my own perspective by accepting that mistakes are an inherent part of the learning process. I practised consistently and acknowledged small achievements,” Jaden explained.
She measured her success in tiny, human moments: “Every time I noticed myself getting a little better at speaking or understanding, I felt motivated. When I could say a sentence more naturally than before, or when I understood a joke without needing a translation, it reminded me why I started learning,” she said.
To challenge herself, Jaden joined student language competitions, such as the 22nd Biliteracy and Trilingualism Composition and Speech Competition in Hong Kong, where she placed third.
“To prepare for competitions, I used all three languages in daily life,” she said, adding that she spoke with friends, listened to the news, wrote short essays and recorded her voice to find weak spots.
“The competition showed me that my love for languages is a real strength. It gave me confidence and motivated me to dive deeper in the future.”
Passing the baton
Jaden said she wanted to use her story to show others they could learn Cantonese too.
She mapped out a mission: to pass on the “warmth of Cantonese” – the small, human textures that make the language. Her goal is to make Cantonese a living language among students with a Putonghua background.
“I have helped organise impromptu speech sessions, trained juniors in communication and debate, and created spaces where mistakes are part of learning,” she said. “I tailor methods – stories and songs for younger learners; conversation practice for adults; and patient repetition for those who struggle with tones.”
Jaden said she was driven by the desire to build supportive learning environments for others that she never got to experience herself.
Culture first, grammar second
Jaden said she felt the best way to learn a language was through its culture, to “discover what makes it interesting”.
“My plan was hands-on: visiting community centres, working with minority groups and sharing my story as proof that Cantonese is learnable.”
Memorable moments included seeing quieter students find their voice, peers laugh together at a shared joke in Cantonese and a ripple of confidence that made the language feel communal.
Now, as she evolves from learner to advocate, the young student plans to host more talks and structured mentoring to build a community where all pupils can support one another.
“I want future Cantonese advocates to believe that anyone can learn this language, regardless of their background,” she said. “Above all, I hope the warmth of Cantonese continues to spread.”
Jaden’s commitment to language promotion and cultural preservation was recognised at the 2025/26 Student of the Year Awards, where she won the Linguist (Cantonese) category. The awards were organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
