Nationality: British
Occupation: Retired Teacher

Robert 's Experience

I took a 1-month course in Mandarin with East-West Connections in Beijing in September 2008.

The course was challenging, with 2 hours of intensive private tuition per day.  It was up to me to do as much homework and preparation as I could manage between one lesson and the next.  The tutor would then adjust the next lesson to provide what I was ready for.  Sherrill, my tutor, was an excellent English speaker, native of Beijing, and well qualified as a teacher both of Mandarin to foreigners and of English to locals.  She was charming and friendly but no easy taskmaster, and you certainly had to do your homework!  It was not a good idea to make the same mistake in consecutive sessions!

The course focused on practical everyday Chinese: speaking, listening, conversation, vocabulary.  There was no attempt to teach Chinese characters, writing or reading.  It was all to do with getting it into your head, and out of your mouth.  Much use was made of modern computer techniques and software, with one’s own terminal available throughout every session.

There were also arrangements with a University Chinese Language Department situated just a couple of hundred metres away, and joint courses were arranged with various degrees of flexibility.

There were also many extra-curricular activities: guided tours of the major sites in and around Beijing, and the opportunity to visit a staff member at her home, so that we could experience the life and circumstances of a local person.  There were also some splendid dinners arranged for students and staff in private rooms at smart Beijing restaurants.

I found that East-West Connections gave a most effective short course in practical Chinese, together with a memorable taste of many facets of Beijing life and culture, altogether a fascinating and unique experience.

Robert Lishman,

Liverpool, UK