Nationality: Australian
Occupation: Chief Executive Officer

Philip 's Experience

 

What other schools promise, EWC delivers!

 

After 2.5 years of living in Shanghai, China and only being able to say “ni hao” or “xie xie”, I went from zero capability in spoken Putonghua, to being able to hold a basic conversation with people after 4 weeks.

 

I’m no expert in language, as I’m an Australian and we’re often been accused of butchering the English language, let alone attempting to speak a second language.

 

In four months, I was able to use hanzi to send and receive sms and e-mail messages to my Chinese friends, colleagues and clients. That and my spoken Chinese has made an enormous difference in my business dealings with local Chinese as CEO of the companies I’ve been leading here in China. Taking four months away from work to learn how to communicate, has been worth the sacrifice I had to make, more than 100 times over.

 

EWC gave me the tools and various software applications to accelerate my learning, learn how to question when I didn’t understand the spoken word and expand my vocabulary in very practical ways that have had an enduring impact in being able to communicate with and speak to people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from being fluent, however, I now have the confidence to try the spoken word and the Chinese are always willing to help me and correct my tones when I get things wrong.

 

The efficacy of EWC’s programme was proved to me when I had to sit the entrance exam for the Chinese Language University in Beijing after 4 weeks of study at EWC. This was to determine whether I went into the beginners, standard or advanced class. I made it into the standard class to my great surprise. What blew me away the most after starting at the University, was sitting with fellow students who had been studying Chinese for at least 2 years and how my speaking ability was on par with them, just after 4 weeks. I still find the same today, when I’m asked to speak to foreign expat students about the recruitment market in China.

 

EWC’s curriculum and that of their Chinese Language University affiliate is a powerful combination of reading, listening and speaking, supplemented by one-on-one tutorials that cover off the day-to-day practicalities of living in China and being able to do the basics, of going to the bank, getting your hair cut, clothes dry-cleaned and sending parcels back home.

 

Having returned to China in Jan 2009, this time Beijing, after being away for a year in Australia, I have engaged EWC again to take me to the next level in my Chinese language speaking capability, with tailor-made weekly classes.

 

Lastly, I think it’s important to note, that I didn’t find EWC, my Chinese secretary in Shanghai found them after researching most of the schools in China. My brief to her, was I have 4 months and I’d like to learn Chinese; find me the best school you can and I don’t care where it is. When she took me though EWC’s programme in Beijing, we both knew it was the best decision and it can be for you too.

 

Enjoy the challenge of learning!

 

Philip Beck (贝曦贤)

Chief Executive Officer (首席执行官)

Meijob.com