Sanjay Garla from U.S.A (the gentleman on the right)
Cantonese Beginner 3 & 4 Full Day class (3/10- 16/10, 2012)
Cantonese Upper Intermediate Full Day class (17/10- 28/11, 2012)
Cantonese Upper Intermediate – Advanced (15/4 – 16/7, 2013)
From: Sanjay Garla
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2013 1:04 AM
To: Branda Kwong; KAM C CAT
Subject: hi!
Hi folks! I just wanted to let you all know that I started volunteering this week with a union here in San Francisco. I’m helping them outreach to Chinese workers. The Union lost their Cantonese speaking staff person almost a year ago and they haven’t been able to find a replacement. So I have been talking with the workers and yesterday i helped translate at a meeting. The meeting was conducted in Spanish English and Cantonese.
It was all really difficult for me, but the workers were really happy to have someone who could speak some Cantonese and they understood most of what I was saying. I also understood most of what they were saying.
I was so excited to finally see my hard work starting to pay off. I still have a lot to learn, but I think if am working on a daily basis with Chinese workers I’ll learn quickly.
I’m also glad now that I chose Cantonese instead of Mandarin. Some of the workers that I spoke with told me they can understand Mandarin but can’t speak it. But everyone spoke and understood Cantonese.
Thanks for all your support and training. I am definitely putting it to good use!
Sanjay
1, Why did you choose Hong Kong Language School?
— I chose HKLS because I wanted to have an immersion experience that was fun but also challenging at the same time. The method of teaching seemed both rigorous and engaging. Furthermore, HKLS is one of the few language schools that also sets up a homestay with a Hong Kong family. I thought this would allow me to get the most out of my short time studying Cantonese in Hong Kong.
2, How’s the school environment?
— Free coffee, tea, and biscuits along with cozy, air conditioned classrooms – what more can one want?
3, How’s the class atmosphere?
— The class atmosphere is pretty casual. I sometimes didn’t even realize that I was learning because we would become engrossed in trying to communicate about a variety of topics. Only after class would end would I realize how much I learned.
4, How’s your teacher? Was your class effective? Did you learn what you had expected?
— I had two different teachers, both of whom were extremely talented and effective. I’ve had several Cantonese teachers in the past and I can confidently say that the instructors at HKLS are by far the best I’ve ever worked with. They have the experience to explain grammar and concepts in ways that non-native speakers can understand. The teachers also teach a great deal about Chinese culture and thinking. All this is done in a conversational and fun way.
I enjoyed how rigorous the class was. Of course the instructor adjusts to the level of the class, but at the same time is always pushing students forward. I definitely got the experience that I wanted and felt that with the HKLS instructors I was able to learn very quickly.
5, Will you come back & take more lessons? Why?
— Yes! I plan to come back and take more lessons. I am so excited to be able to have conversation in Cantonese, but I know that if I want to perfect my Cantonese I need to come back and learn.
6, Will you recommend Hong Kong Language School to your friends? Why?
— Yes. I talk to a number of my friends about how great HKLS is. The teachers make HKLS the best. Attending classes at HKLS really made me realize how important it is to have experienced teachers.
