About Us: Presidents page
Honorary President (UK), James Kynge (More...)
"China's economic rise and the evolving diversification of its culture have created a wealth of opportunity. An acquaintance with the Chinese language allows people to access this opportunity in a deeper and broader context, regardless of whether the individual motivation is commercial, academic, professional or simply an abiding interest. Some 30 years ago, the number of UK citizens with an inclination to study Chinese or to live and work in China represented only a slender fringe in society and, also in those days, the welcome extended to outsiders by the People's Republic remained guarded and cool. Now, however, intimations of China's presence are found even in commonplace expressions of everyday life, and hundreds of thousands of British people live and work throughout the Chinese mainland. The establishment of the Association for Speakers of Chinese as a Second Language (ASCSL) provides an invaluable forum to help members network among themselves, understand new developments in the rapidly changing UK-China environment and encourage those starting out in their careers, as well as seasoned "China hands", to locate the opportunities that suit them best. I am delighted to be a part of it."
"China's economic rise and the evolving diversification of its culture have created a wealth of opportunity. An acquaintance with the Chinese language allows people to access this opportunity in a deeper and broader context, regardless of whether the individual motivation is commercial, academic, professional or simply an abiding interest. Some 30 years ago, the number of UK citizens with an inclination to study Chinese or to live and work in China represented only a slender fringe in society and, also in those days, the welcome extended to outsiders by the People's Republic remained guarded and cool. Now, however, intimations of China's presence are found even in commonplace expressions of everyday life, and hundreds of thousands of British people live and work throughout the Chinese mainland. The establishment of the Association for Speakers of Chinese as a Second Language (ASCSL) provides an invaluable forum to help members network among themselves, understand new developments in the rapidly changing UK-China environment and encourage those starting out in their careers, as well as seasoned "China hands", to locate the opportunities that suit them best. I am delighted to be a part of it."
Honorary President (China), Lance Browne CBE (More...)
"Learning a language is a journey: you set off, you study, you struggle, you improve, you reach a higher plateau where you linger, you continue another steep ascent to the next plateau, you pause again and so it continues. Sometimes exhilarating, sometimes depressing.
This is particularly true of learning to speak, read and write Chinese. No ordinary language which can be 'picked up', the Chinese journey can be especially arduous and so it is important to travel it well, in good company, amongst friends.
By providing a professional and social forum to exchange experiences and advice, our Association will make our shared journeys a little less lonely, a little easier, a deal more interesting and hopefully more rewarding too.
Through us the members, the Association will become a known centre of excellence and the recognised interface with the business, government and academic communities in search of expertise.
I look forward to continuing our journey together."
"Learning a language is a journey: you set off, you study, you struggle, you improve, you reach a higher plateau where you linger, you continue another steep ascent to the next plateau, you pause again and so it continues. Sometimes exhilarating, sometimes depressing.
This is particularly true of learning to speak, read and write Chinese. No ordinary language which can be 'picked up', the Chinese journey can be especially arduous and so it is important to travel it well, in good company, amongst friends.
By providing a professional and social forum to exchange experiences and advice, our Association will make our shared journeys a little less lonely, a little easier, a deal more interesting and hopefully more rewarding too.
Through us the members, the Association will become a known centre of excellence and the recognised interface with the business, government and academic communities in search of expertise.
I look forward to continuing our journey together."
