Virtual teaching and Mandarin
Could Virtual Teaching revolutionise Mandarin learning? Given the vital daily role that technology plays in the modern world, it should come as no surprise that new approaches to teaching are developing more rapidly than ever. As a teacher I can honestly say, not a...
Learn China: The ecological civilisation?
China has been named a world leader in clean energy, along with India and the US. So, what is setting China ahead of the rest of the competition? President Xi Jinping has called for China to become an ‘ecological civilisation’, shifting towards clean energy. This...
Colours in Chinese Culture
Colours in Chinese culture have many associations. In this blogpost we look at the meanings behind some colours and their contexts. To wear green hat is widely thought to mean the wearer’s partner is unfaithful. Although this story goes back to 14th century China, it...
How do I pay in China?
How do I pay in China? With my first trip to China for a few years coming up I’ve been asking myself, how do I pay in China? Not so long ago the question of how to pay in China would have been an easy one to answer. With cash or by putting a card into a machine....
Business Cards in China
Whether social, business or work- related, business cards in China are a vital part of social interaction. Of course, one reason is that business cards are an easy way to exchange information. However, the symbolism and treatment of business cards in China goes deeper...
Chinese Speaking Celebrities
Chinese Speaking Celebrities If you’re asked to name 3 Chinese speaking celebrities, I bet I can guess who you’d go for. Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Lucy Liu, right? One thing that can make Chinese feel so alien is how little we hear it in media. The Chinese celebrities...