Where to learn Mandarin in London

[delaneyj]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking for some advice on the best route for learning Mandarin at beginners level in London. I am an experienced sales professional in the telecoms industry, looking to gain experience in China.

Does anybody have experience of the European Centre of Chinese Studies (ECCS). How do its courses rate against the SOAS?

I am very keen to develop networking opportunities with people conducting business with China. On this basis, I think a Language Centre would offer more opportunities than private 1:1 tuition.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Joe

[guest1234]

Hi

Have a look at The University of Westminster. The language section is on Regent Street just down from the BBC . They do a day time and an evening course. The evening course is run by a very mad but fantastic teacher I will not give her name as she might hunt me down for calling her mad. It is a good class running from beginner upwards. It is very inexpensive compared to SOAS and has a very varied attendance. Give the evening co-ordinator a call and pop in to one of the classes to have a look. students from westminster are like a big family and the teacher goes out of her way to help both in term time and out. She still keeps in contact with past students who have gone the China and Taiwan to either work or further study.

hope this helps

phil

[Shadowdh]

I can second that... I have just started the full time course at Westminster and the teachers are fantastic, very enthusiastic and inspire you to learn... also much cheaper than SOAS...

[david lam]

Definitely Westminster Uni.

I've also studied at WAES and they don't even bother with the grammar there.

Go speak to Lillian Chia on the 3rd floor. She'll sort you out. Also buy Practical Chinese Reader (Vol 1 if you're a beginner).