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April - May 2007
Inside this edition:
WLE Excursion - Temple of Heaven (天坛)
One fine Saturday afternoon in Beijing, WLE students ventured out to explore one of the oldest temples in Beijing - the Temple of Heaven.
In Beijing there are four traditional and complementary Imperial Temples - the Temple of the Sun in the East (日坛), the Temple of the Moon in the West (月坛); the Temple of the Earth in the North (地坛)and the Temple of Heaven in the South (天坛), covering all four compass points.
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A perfect picture!!
No tourists... in front of
the Temple |
Group picture
in the middle of the famous bridge! |
Wendy (Mexico) learning the art of calligraphy from our tour guide Richard |
Out of these four temples, the Temple of Heaven is the most richly conserved and still maintains all of its magnificent Imperial architecture.
Each building within the central part of the park including the Circular Mound Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest has been restored to its original stunning beauty. We had great fun at the ancient echo wall which is nearly 200m long. If you whisper against the wall at one end you can hold a conversation with your friend at the other end!
We had a great time listening to our informative guide and whilst wandering around the park and the temples met many of the locals, some of whom were carrying their song birds around in old cages, others rolling old walnut shells or silver medicinal balls in their hands whilst singing to their own melodies.
Our amazing guide, Richard, not only told us the history of the Temple, but also gave us a great cultural lesson by showing us that not only was calligraphy written on paper it could also be practiced on stone ... and the way that water was used in this process!
A lot of calligraphy masters practice their art by writing Chinese characters on stone...we were all amazed by this temporary art form and were eager to also practice our characters by writing our names all around under the directions of our kind guide!
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A Glimpse into the Classroom - Beginner Mandarin
Learning to speak Chinese is like learning any other language ?it takes practice, practice and more practice!
However, having a great teacher and friendly classmates makes the learning and practice a lot easier to cope with. This holds true in my Total Beginner Chinese class. My classmates are from Spain, the USA, Germany, the UK and many other countries, and, like myself, arrived just last week in Beijing.
The international mix makes such a difference, as many of us have to use Chinese to communicate with each other in and out of the class.
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Christina (Germany)
showing her character writing! |
Jia Laoshi
listening to the students answers |
Our teacher, Jia Laoshi has taught Chinese to foreign students for several years. It is evident from her lively way of teaching that she has a love for not only teaching us how to speak her language but also keen for us to learn about her culture.
At the start of each new lesson we have a quick review of what we learnt the previous day. Jia Laoshi uses a range of methods including flashcards and asking us questions, as well as getting each of us to use yesterday's new vocabulary to ask each other questions. She carefully listens to our responses and corrects our pronunciation or grammar.
We all enjoy all these methods as it gives us the opportunity to learn from each other by listening to someone else's response, anticipating the answer and repeating any questions or answers given by our teacher.
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Jia Laoshi
with her students |
Students
trying to make sentences.... |
Today's lesson was aimed at enabling us to discuss our weekend and how we enjoyed it. As with each new topic, Jia Laoshi gives us sufficient time to practice the new words, and also to learn the basic grammar before we are given activities to do either in groups or in pairs.
Our teacher always makes our classes fun and enjoyable; she is always expressive in the way she presents the new topic and language we are about to learn.
The atmosphere in our class is warm and friendly which is very important, and we never feel embarrassed about making mistakes. After all, as she always says, making mistakes is part of learning. She uses our textbook as a guide and introduction to the topic, and complements our word-building and overall learning by giving us many other examples and exercises not listed in the book.
In the past week of being in China, it is such a confidence booster when we know that what we learn in class we can put to good use when we are out and about in Beijing.
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WLE Elective - Taijiquan (太极拳) at the Temple of the Sun
During April, WLE invited Professor Zhang from the renowned Taijiquan Academy in Beijing, to give a short introductory course into this ancient Martial Art form.
Practised by many people every morning in parks across China and many other parts of the world, Taijiquan is viewed as a genuine path towards health and inner tranquillity.
During the four weeks of April, WLE took us to one of the most magnificent parkland areas situated in the middle of Beijing's international Embassy area, the Temple of the Sun.
We were eager to learn the basic forms of this ancient Martial Art and were transfixed between the history of the park and its integral charm.
Whilst teaching us many movements and taking time to correct out gestures, Professor Zhang also instructed us into how Taijiquan can be applied to effective self-defense principles.
It was totally enjoyable to participate in this elective, and being able to learn Taijiquan from a master was an incredible experience! I am looking forward to practising everyday?
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WLE Accommodation - Living in Beijing as at home - Host Family
Every year, thousands of students come to China to study Chinese. Most of them stay in dormitories or in apartments with other foreign students, but it is those with the insight to choose to stay with host families who find themselves in a true immersion environment.
One such student is Ulrich Freiss from Germany, who has been staying with Mr. and Mrs. Xie since September 2006.
After seeing Ulrich with his host family, it becomes pretty obvious that he has been become a part of their family.
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| The best time of the day, eating with your host family |
The host family
compound nearby the school |
Ulrich's new family in China have so many anecdotes about their life together: Ulrich's food preferences, the visits of his family members to which Mr and Mrs Xie were invited, besides which, Ulrich really takes part in their daily life, as in helping with the dinner, going to the supermarket and spending weekends with them.
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| Ulrich and his host parents |
Ulrich's (Germany) room |
Seeing Ulrich interact with his family makes you understand why Ulrich's Chinese teachers are so impressed with his language skills progress. Living with Mr and Mrs Xie has not only given him daily practice outside of the classroom and enabling him to use all the language that he has learnt at WLE, but he also gets help with his homework as well as learn about the ways of life in a local Chinese family.
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WLE Media Event - Studio recording of Up-Close with the Vice President and CEO of Microsoft China
In addition to learning Mandarin in the classroom, WLE students are always being invited to experience China and see it's many aspects through activities and excursions. This month, WLE students were lucky enough to be invited to China Central Television recording studios to join the studio audience in the recording of one of China's most watched English Talk shows 'Up Close', watched by millions of viewers.
The special guest of this particular 'Up Close' episode was Mr. Tim Chen, Vice-president of Microsoft and CEO of Microsoft China. It was both exciting and interesting to learn first hand the challenges confronted by Microsoft in China, Microsoft's long-term perspectives on the Chinese market and also about Mr. Tim Chen's own personal career.
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Kristen (US),
presenter for the picture |
Our group in front of CCTV |
As someone who has brought business success to both Motorola and now Microsoft, the talk show host Eyee Hsu asked Mr. Chen for some helpful hints on how to become a successful corporate leader, which we all took careful note of. It was very interesting to learn about his life, professional career, and personal life in such an intimate manner.
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Tim Chen
and the Up-Close program team |
Tim Chen,
Eyee Hsu and our students |
One of the highlights of the day was the interactiveness of the show and being able to have the chance to give our own comments about new technologies and how they had changed our lives over the past 20 years, as well as having the opportunity to ask Mr. Chen questions about future Microsoft projects and his personal career.
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WLE Business Course - Graduation Ceremony
This month, WLE China Business students attended a graduation ceremony to mark the end of the latest eye opening and informative course giving them insight into the business environment here in China.
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| Linda (Norway) and Jarod (USA) with our Business Program Manager |
Mahsa (Sweden) and Rickin (UK) ready for the picture |
Throughout the 5 week course students are provided with the opportunity to hear personal stories, challenges and about the rewards of working in China from different senior managers and executives. During the Business Seminar Series, a number of speakers from a diverse range of industries are invited to speak on a variety of China business related topics, including a general overview about the economic situation and foreign companies in China, the legal industry in China and talent management in companies working here.
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WLE's Business course is not only held in the classroom but also in direct contact with the business environment in China.
Students have the opportunity to visit a number of companies from as diverse a range of industries as the fully state-owned winery Dragon Seal Winery, the property company Eastlake Villas, to the consolidator and distributor of McDonald imports in China, Havi Food Services. During these visits students are able to gain first-hand experience of these companies’ operations, production, quality and management control systems, staff training and overall business operations in China.
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Student Interview: Thomas Gethings
Name: Thomas Gethings
Country of Residence: Ireland
Citizenship: Irish
Profession: IT Research Consultant
Educational background: Honors Degree in Computing
Brief Work History: Mobile Communications Research Assistant, Computing Lecturer, Barman
Languages spoken: English, Irish, Basic German, Basic French
Hobbies: Traveling, Music, Reading, Pool, Movies, Archery
Is this your first time in China?
Yes.
Why did you decide to participate in the Martial Arts Program?
I was studying for my Masters Degree in Ireland prior to coming to China. Towards the end of the first year of research I decided to take a year's break; I wanted to travel and do something new and exciting. While I was looking into options for a year abroad my friend suggested the WLE Martial Arts and Chinese Language course. The course looked really well organized and full of trips and activities to really immerse you in the Chinese culture. Learning about the Chinese language and culture always interested me and the added novelty of learning Wushu in China influenced me to choose this course.
How are you finding your studies in China?
Excellent. The course is really well organized and with both the martial and non martial arts electives I am finding it hard to find free time during the day, there is always something you can do. At first I found the Wushu training difficult, but as with the language studies, a little effort goes a long way.
Have your studies been what you expected them to be?
To be honest I didn't really know what to expect before I came here. In a way I think that it was probably a good thing not to have any previous misconceptions.
What do you find most interesting about Beijing?
The culture, I have traveled to a number of different countries and there really is nothing quite like China.
Can you share with us a few memorable experiences whilst in Beijing/China?
The visit to the Shaolin Temple and training at the Temple is probably one of the best memories so far. WLE have also organized many interesting activities which are unforgettable, training with a Wushu World Champion, and many of the social nights out to mention a few.
How has your experience in China changed you?
Hmmm it's hard to say, the only thing that I can notice now is how much the martial arts training has improved my physical fitness. And, I suppose I am a little more open-minded now.
Will you come back to Beijing/China?
Maybe, I intend to see as much of China as I can during my stay here but I could definitely see myself stopping by again in the future
What advice/tips would you give to others who plan to come and study in China?
Learn some basic Chinese before you come here! Without the help of WLE I would have been well and truly lost in my first few weeks here. Things are becoming much easier as I learn a bit more of the language every week. |
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