The PIE: What percentage of your business comes from agencies?

JB: We have about 30% coming from agencies and 70% of business we work with corporations, and work with some institutions and some individual students. The top three nationalities are US and German and French.

The PIE: Are there any particular nationalities which find it easiest to learn Chinese?

JB: Not really. There are people learning very good Chinese from the US, Brazil, Germany and Spain.

The PIE: And how long would it take, because to me it seems like a very difficult language. How long would it take for me to become conversational?

JB: Simple conversational will take three months. And quite modestly fluent conversational six months. In nine months I believe you will be reading Chinese newspapers and talking with Chinese people.

“Chinese people respect it more when a foreigner makes the effort to learn and to talk”

The PIE: You really think so?

JB: Yes, at our school, because I think it’s a misconception that learning Chinese is really difficult. There are two difficult elements, one is tones, another one is character but it’s not rocket science. It’s learning a language. As long as you’re putting your heart and hard work towards it – and in the environment you have to use it and practise it – you will learn very fast in China.

The PIE: And do foreigners find it easy to talk to Chinese people in China?

JB: Very easy, and the Chinese people respect it more when a foreigner makes the effort to learn and to talk.

The PIE: And how do you see the future for Mandarin House?

JB: We want more people around the world to take an interest in learning Chinese language, and we will expand our capabilities to help people achieve their Chinese language learning, no matter where you live.