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Learn a New Language: Why Learn Mandarin as Your First Chinese Dialect

Learning a foreign language is one of the best skills you can add to your repertoire. There are many foreign language courses to choose from, but if you are looking to learn a language that you can use in a wide range of settings, then Chinese should definitely be a top choice.

One of the unique things about Chinese is that the language has numerous dialects such as Mandarin, Catonese, and Hokkien, to name a few. Out of all of these dialects, however, there is one that is often seen as the most beneficial to learn: Mandarin. Why?

1. Mandarin is the Most Spoken Chinese Dialect

Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world with over 1.1 billion speakers. The language itself has numerous dialects, but Mandarin stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of how many people speak it. There are roughly 873 million people around the world that speak Mandarin. Simply put, those who learn Mandarin will be able to use their new skill more often, whether you are primarily a frequent traveler or looking for employment opportunities.

2. Growth of the Chinese Economy

It is no secret that China is one of the strongest economies in the world today. Businesses around the world are developing partnerships with Chinese corporations. Many Chinese companies are investing in business in North America and Europe. This is why being able to effectively communicate in Mandarin, which is the main dialect in Mainland China, is a valuable skill in the eyes of employers–and this goes beyond the typical position of “translator”. Nearly every department in a company could use someone who can speak fluent Mandarin.

3. Wider Range of Countries for Potential Employment

Mainland China isn’t the only place where Mandarin is widely used. There are many other countries where Mandarin is considered a major language. Also on the list are Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, and Hong Kong, just to name a few. Knowing how to communicate in Mandarin opens a wealth of employment opportunities in the fields of education, finance, technology, and more in these countries. If you are interested in finding employment in any of the countries mentioned above, knowing Mandarin certainly boosts your chances!

As you can see, learning Mandarin is definitely a worthwhile goal. If you are interested in signing up for Mandarin classes, make sure you sign up for a class organized by a respected language center like The Study. This allows you to take both an academic and practical approaches to learning the language. Similarly, these language centers also help you learn both formal and conversational Mandarin, helping you use Mandarin in any setting with confidence.

Why Freelancers Should Conduct Client Meetings in Co-Working Spaces

Freelancers have the freedom to work at their own pace, manage their own schedule, and not have to report to an office. The perks of freelancing have swayed many to choose this type of career path. It isn’t without its drawbacks, however, with freelancers often having to find places to work and/or to conduct meetings.

The popularity of the shared office space has helped solve this problem for many freelancers. The co-working spaces in Manila often provide the kind of office space that freelancers look for–more relaxed, no dress code, and good coffee. More important than the three, is a professional looking workspace where they can meet with clients or deliver presentations.

What makes it more professional or better than a coffee shop exactly?

Access to tools that will allow for better presentations
The primary reason to conduct meetings in a co-working space is because it allows the freelancer access to tools that will make their meetings and presentations so much better than if they had been conducted in a restaurant or coffee shop. Private rooms, projectors, large TV screens, conference tables, printers, and more, are all accessible to a freelancer even if it’s just for a one-hour meeting.
Meet more people / Networking opportunities
For particularly big projects, a shared workspace will also allow freelancers to bring in more team members, help their client network (if necessary) and meet people who may be able to assist in whatever project is being worked discussed.
Better atmosphere
Many co-working spaces are well-decorated and have a lot of natural light, yet they also have a very professional ambiance. This can make any meeting or presentation even better because the client will feel relaxed and at ease, a common effect of being surrounded by beautiful spaces and sunlight. Similarly, the general vibe of a co-working space lends you a bigger air of credibility and reliability as a professional as compared to conducting meetings in a coffee shop.
Accessible to the client
Most shared office space locations are in central business districts, such as Ortigas, BGC, and Makati, but others are popping up in unexpected hubs. This means that the office space is accessible to both the client and the freelancer, making it an ideal halfway point!
There’s still coffee!
The benefit of a coffee shop is the coffee. The good news is that most co-working spaces in Manila have made it a point to have great coffee. So there is no sacrifice on the part of either the freelancer or their client!

Many freelancers are co-workspace agnostic, meaning they use the spaces that are most convenient for whatever they may need at the time. This is especially true if they are flexible in terms of vibe. The Study by Enderun Colleges features Free Pass Thursdays, where anyone can come and try the space for free. Visit [https://www.thestudyph.com/the-study-workspace/] to learn more!

How to Make Corporate Training Sessions More Effective and Productive

Corporate training is a must for both companies and employees. What was once a bonus or benefit is now part and parcel of strengthening company culture, motivating a team, encouraging loyalty, and making the most out of the teams hired for the company. Many HR managers find, though, that training, specifically what is learned in training, does not last long. This is likely due to many employees taking training less seriously than they should and seeing it as a free day.

To counter this, human resource managers and trainers can try any of the following four techniques.

Professional Trainers and Customised Programs
Every group and company is different. Both HR managers and professional trainers need to take the time to study their audience in order to customise the training properly and according to the goals that human resources and the company are trying to achieve. This is why working together with experienced professional corporate trainers is more effective than having another member of your team conduct the session. Professional trainers, such as the ones from The Study, are well-versed in the most effective teaching methods and are more than happy to adjust their curriculum and teaching style to better fit the needs of their clients.
Make It Fun
These days, all professional trainers know that one of the best ways to train is incorporate fun and games into the training sessions. Ice breaker games, games that get the trainees to stand up and move, and having contests between the trainees and employees is a good way to keep things lively. By doing this, trainers are sure that the trainees will stay off their phones and laptops and pay attention to the training.
Make It Personal
People are always curious to understand themselves better. Making some training sessions about the trainees or their personality traits will definitely get their attention. These activities can first be related to their personal lives and then brought to how what they have learned about themselves and each other can help them be better at what they do. The more personal learning they do, the more engaged they will be!
Hold Training Outside of the Company
Many companies hold their training sessions in-house. Although this helps save a bit of money, studies have shown that conducting corporate training in a third-party venue is actually more effective. Roughly 63 percent of people who have undergone corporate training claim that conducting training out-of-office helps improve their concentration and productivity. Fortunately, there are many events spaces, such as the venues offered by Enderun Events, that cater to the needs of corporate training sessions quite well.
Have Clear Action Steps
All forms of corporate training will not be as effective has human resource departments and managers hope unless there are clear action steps and/or goals given to the trainees. These action steps or goals should be measurable, once in six months time and another in twelve months time. Creating these will let the employees or trainees know that they need to take the training seriously. If what is learned will be made a part of and measured in their yearly key performance indicators, the training is very likely to be effective.

Red or White: How to Choose Wine That Matches Your Dinner

General knowledge among diners and dinner hosts would be that white wine goes with seafood and red wine goes with red meat. However, that may not always be the case. Enrolling in a wine course can definitely help expand your horizons and knowledge of wine pairing, especially for those who are serious enough and eager to undertake the complexity of the grape-derived beverage. Here are some tips to keep in mind even before taking that wine class.

Bubbles to Start off the Meal

If you are having a salty appetizer, such as crisps or fried finger food, a glass of sparkling wine is a good way to kick off the meal. Be it a Cava, Prosecco or Champagne, the acidity from this wine helps freshen and revive the palate, while not being too overwhelming for the food.

Acidity to cut the Fatty Fish

Seafood with a high amount of oils and natural fat such as salmon, crab and catfish are perfectly coupled with a glass of dry and crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. A citrusy Chardonnay will also work well in cutting the richness of a buttery seafood dish. If you are interested in veering away from the typical white wine with seafood, you can swap the white with a glass of light red wine such as a Pinot Noir or a Chianti.

Bold and Fruity for the Red and Juicy

Bold and fruity wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec or Pinot Noir pair well with juicy red cuts of meat or strong flavoured main courses. The fruity bouquet of the wine adds a sweet aroma to the meal, bringing out the natural sweetness of the meat and taking flavours to another level.

Lower Alcohol to Complement the Spice

A low alcohol content and slightly sweet wine, balances out the bold and fiery flavours of a spicy dish. Try pairing heavily spiced dishes with a cold glass of Riesling or a dry red wine such as Shiraz or Syrah.

Sparkling to Emphasise the Sweet

A slightly sweet sparkling wine can take your dessert to the next level with its ability to heighten natural sugars, especially in fruit desserts. Serve a fresh berry tart with a glass of Moscato d’Asti, a semi-dry champagne or an Asti Spumante.

At the end of the day, wine is really all about preference. There’s no point in having wine if you don’t enjoy its flavor. If you know exactly what you like, there is no harm in going with your go-to bottle regardless of what you have for dinner. If you want to elevate your meal with complementary flavors that bring out the best of each dish, you may want to try pairing the “correct” wine with your food.

Why Work with a Third-Party Corporate Training Services for Your Next Seminar

Corporate Training is an essential part for your company’s growth and improvement. Although this training can be conducted in-house, many companies prefer to outsource professional trainers and work with third-party corporate training services. Here are four reasons why you might want to consider working with a third-party company for your next company corporate training:

Avoid Internal Biases

Although an in-house corporate trainer might know the ins and outs of your company and already have relationships with your employees, this may not always come to an advantage for you. Conflicts of interest may arise and problems may not be handled with transparency due to internal biases and the need for job security. Hiring a company that offers corporate training services will more often than not, ensure a neutral and professional outlook toward the training.

Seek Help from Experienced Professionals

When hiring third-party professional trainers you are assured that you are working with experienced professionals. These individuals can benefit your company by bringing their knowledge and expertise to the table. When seeking out your corporate trainers be sure to make a quick background check on them and the consultancy company that they are a part of. Do this by viewing their profiles and taking a look at their experiences and achievements to see if they are the right people for your company.

Cut Costs and Improve Timelines

One might assume that having an in-house trainer is the more cost-effective way to go. However, the process of hiring the right person can be a long and gruelling task, which can ultimately get in the way of budgets and timelines. Having years of experience in the field, third-party consulting companies already have specific corporate training packages that can be quickly tailored to fit your needs. This saves you time, effort and the potential headache of having to do things in-house. When the training gets conducted more efficiently and effectively, you end up saving time and cutting costs.

Get an Outsider’s Perspective

Sometimes when management and in-house trainers are so caught up in the organisation and trying to achieve goals, they might be missing out on what is right in front of them. Hiring a third-party consultant will give you the eyes and ears to present new observances and perspectives. Not only will these individuals have a more objective look at you company, but they also have the experience to help you identify issues and opportunities that you might not be seeing. Another advantage is bouncing off ideas with one another and having your ideas and goals validated by a second opinion that may be more experienced as well.

The Study by Enderun offers corporate training services with their roster of industry-experienced professional trainers. Our corporate training packages are tailored to fit the requirements of your company in order to ensure the best training and outcomes possible.

Our Top Tips to Make Learning How to Speak Tagalog (Filipino) Easier

The Philippine economy has been growing stronger over the last few years, attracting a number of international companies to invest and set up shop in the country. As a result, more and more expats are relocating to the Philippines for work. Although English is widely spoken throughout the Philippines, it may still be a good idea for foreigners to learn Filipino, the local language, especially for those who plan to stay in the Philippines.

Fortunately, learning Filipino is easier than it sounds. This is mostly because the language uses the Roman alphabet, which means you don’t have to learn a brand new alphabet. On top of this, the language has no silent letters, which means words will often be read exactly as they are spelled. These two are among the many reasons why learning how to speak, read, and write in Tagalog is relatively simple compared to some other languages.

Still, there are a few ways you can make learning Filipino even easier. If you are interested in learning Filipino, here are a few tips you can try:

Enroll in Filipino Classes for Foreigners

Many language centers, like The Study, will offer Tagalog 101 classes or Filipino classes for foreigners. Tagalog is one of the main dialects of the Filipino language and is the dialect taught in schools throughout the country, which is why most Filipino classes will focus on this dialect. An introductory short course is often enough to help you learn how to hold simple conversations in relatively fluent Tagalog with locals.

Keep a Small Notebook Filled with Words

Keep a small notebook that you can keep in your pocket or in your bag at all times. Fill it with a few lessons from your classes, as well as several words that you want to add to your vocabulary. You can then use this notebook to review during your free time, such as during the ride from your residence to your office or during your lunch break.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Locals The Meaning of Certain Words

Filipinos are some of the friendliest people in the world and are genuinely happy to see foreigners making the effort to learn Tagalog. As you continue to socialize with your local co-workers and friends, you’ll inevitably hear them talking in Filipino. Try to keep up and don’t be afraid to pause a group conversation if you don’t understand what a particular word or expression means. Not all Filipino words and expressions translate well into English and your friends would be more than happy to teach you the meaning of words you’re struggling with.

Listen to Local Radio or Podcasts

There are times when the exact pronunciation of Tagalog words can be difficult to determine just by reading words off of a textbook. To help you with this, try listening to local radio stations or podcasts to hear the pronunciation of certain words. This is a great way to learn vocabulary as well since many of the top radio stations and podcasts speak in “Taglish” or a mix of both Tagalog and English. This is helpful since you can use context clues to understand the meaning of some words you may not be familiar with. Overall, listening to local radio and podcasts also helps you get used to how fast the language is spoken.

What is a Co-Working Community and Work Environment Like?

One of the biggest draws of a co-working space is its work environment. Cultivated by the work-place layout (often an open plan with easy access to lounge areas and a kitchen), which promotes an interactive workplace and easy communication, the co-workers and the community manager are able to naturally and organically develop a shared workplace that suits the community’s needs. This major characteristic is what defines the space and the co-workers who choose to work there.

Every co-work space, in fact, has a specific vibe. Some work spaces might have a more artsy vibe, attracting graphic artists, writers, game developers, designers, and photographers. Other workspaces have a more right-brain vibe, which brings in cryptocurrency, app developers, and web developers, to name a few.

The purpose of a co-working community lines up with one of the most attractive factors of co-working: collaboration. Many freelancers, small business owners, and lean startups value being able to converse and collaborate with others. Idea sharing and helping each other with various projects is another defining characteristic of most co-working spaces, and this kind of interactive workplace does very well when those working in it are in fields similar enough for easy partnerships and teamwork.

More than just work, however, a co-working community naturally spends time together due to shared interests. This promotes the healthy human interaction that people need, but don’t always get in a work-from-home set up or in some traditional office setups. These relationships are further strengthened by the events hosted by the co-work space, which can both be for fun or for personal development that may lead to further collaboration.

A co-working community is formed by both the vibe the community manager sets and the people who work and cultivate the culture of the shared workplace. Shared interests, events set up by the co-work space, and the office layout all contribute to the creation and cultivation of the community. What co-workers achieve and enjoy is the valuable and enjoyable experience of working in their chosen environment, which many claim lead to a healthy work-life balance along with a sense of purpose and meaning to their work.

What can you gain from all of this? The co-working environment and community have been proven to improve productivity and reduce stress levels by a sizeable margin, especially when compared to working from home. Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and professionals have taken advantage of the positive community found in co-working spaces to get tasks done and accomplish their goals for years. If you think you and your business can benefit from this kind of community, don’t hesitate to book a slot and try co-working today!

Why Online Language Courses are Great for Learning a New Language

Speaking a foreign language is one of the best skills to acquire today given how interconnected the world is now. Whether you plan to move to a foreign country in the future or your job requires you to work closely with foreign-speaking expats, being able to understand and converse in a different language is advantageous in many ways.

For the most part, people interested in learning a new language enroll in foreign language classes. With the rise of technology and the Internet, however, online language courses are now becoming a popular way to learn Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, French, and other widely spoken languages. Why is this the case? Here are some of the main advantages of taking an online course:

Learn at Your Own Pace

Everyone learns things at a different pace. Some people understand certain concepts faster than others and vice versa. This can be a problem when trying to learn a new language in large groups because there is a chance that some people might not be able to keep up.

Online language courses allow students to learn at a pace that best suits them. In the event that they find one lesson difficult to grasp, they can spend more time practicing, allowing them to move on to the next lesson after they’ve mastered it. This places the focus on actually learning instead of making “learning” a competition.

Interaction Yields Better Retention

Many online language platforms, such as the ones offered by The Study, use technology and creativity to make lessons more interactive. This interactivity is important because it encourages students to apply what they’ve learned in a practical manner. The result? A study by the Research Institute of America showed that online language students are able to retain more information for longer periods of time. This ability to retain what one has learned is incredibly important, especially when learning languages that use a different “alphabet”/set of characters.

Easier to Fit Into Your Schedule

Life can get busy for many foreign language students. This is especially true for those who have regular jobs. Online Mandarin classes and other foreign language courses allow these students to study at a time and place that is most convenient for them. This is a significant advantage because it ensures that students are always in a mental state that is conducive to learning, instead of being distracted by other goings-on in their lives. At the same time, online platforms help fill in “idle time” (long commutes, etc.), allowing students to stay productive.

Of course, this is not to say that face-to-face language courses are irrelevant today. Classroom sessions still play a vital role in learning a new language thanks to the interactions between students, helping them feel more comfortable when speaking conversationally. However, if you find yourself not having enough time to actually attend in-class sessions, know that learning through online platforms is also a very effective and efficient way to reach your goals.

Cooking Classes: 3 Simple “Fine Dining” Recipes for an Impressive Date Night

When people think “romantic date,” they often think “fine dining”. This can, however, become quite expensive very quickly–not to mention that the formal atmosphere can make it difficult to really enjoy a meaningful conversation. For those who are willing to try their hand at creating their own fine dining dishes, taking up culinary short courses is the solution!

Here are three easy recipes you can use to impress your date when entertaining at home!

Braised beef ribs
Anyone who has taken cooking classes in Manila has probably discovered how easy it is to braise beef, and what they thought was fancy was really a walk in the park!

What you need:

1 or 2 beef short ribs, cut into pieces (bone in)

2 tbsp tomato puree

2 heads of garlic (cut horizontally)

1 sprig rosemary

Beef stock

Red wine

Salt and pepper

Olive oil

What to do:

Preheat the oven to 180C

Season the meat generously with salt and pepper.

Place a roasting pan on the stove top. Pour in about 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once heated, brown each side of the beef pieces on the roasting pan. You should hear a sizzle.

Place the garlic heads, open side down, onto the pan, which should now have the beef juices.

Take the tomato puree and slowly cook that down into the pan. Put in the sprig of rosemary.

Pour in about ½ bottle of red wine and allow to cook for 15 minutes or until the wine has been reduced by half.

Pour in the beef stock, making sure that half of the beef pieces are still exposed.

Place the roasting pan in the oven and allow to braise for two hours.

Once cooked, take the beef pieces and plate them on a serving dish. Pour some of the sauce on top of the pieces and garnish with parsley.

Serve with your choice of sides.

**Roasted duck legs**

Blue cheese pasta
Assuming neither you nor your date have an aversion towards strong tasting cheeses, this is the easiest fine dining dish you can create!

What you need:

½ pack of any pasta (fussili or penne preferred)

1 wedge blue cheese

¼ bar of butter

¼ cup of cream

Salt

Basil

What to do:

Bring one pot of water to a boil and season the water with salt. Put in your pasta and set the timer for 8 minutes.

In a large pan, over low heat, put in the butter. As it slowly melts, add the blue cheese. You can choose to only use half the wedge so as not to create an overpowering sauce. Slowly stir the butter and cheese mixture, breaking up the cheese so that it melts. As soon as the cheese has melted, pour in the cream slowly. You don’t want a sauce that is too creamy or thick. Taste the sauce as you add the cream so as to adjust the flavour of the cheese.

Remove the pasta from the heat. (If the eight minutes are done). Drain the water and toss the pasta.

Pour the pasta into the pan, and coat the pasta with the cheese sauce.

Pour the mixture onto a serving dish and garnish with basil.

Fine dining need never be tricky at home. There are plenty of culinary short courses or cooking classes in Manila, such as the courses offered by The Study, that teach you amazing and tasty recipes that help you look forward to date night at home. Similarly, these courses introduce you to various techniques that will help you master any recipe you find online. If you are looking to improve your skills in the kitchen, do not hesitate to sign up for a culinary short course today!

8 Products and Apps That Help Boost Your Productivity While Co-Working

The rise of shared office spaces and sustainable freelancer lifestyles gave way to the development of a myriad of productivity apps. Having to work remotely or not always being in the same office space encouraged teams to find solutions that would give them the ability to stay in touch, align with projects, and keep themselves productive despite the lack of a designated or formal workspace.

These days, however, it isn’t just the freelancers, co-workers, and start-up entrepreneurs using the apps. Teams in larger companies have also turned to these apps as a way to manage their teams, monitor the workflow, and meet goals. With more and more users, however, there are more and more to choose from, and that can get confusing. The list below shows eight great apps that will help boost productivity and keep teams on track!

Trello
A virtual bulletin board, with tasks, to-dos, and file sharing options! Trello is great for those who have a small workspace or have a shared office space because an actual/physical bulletin board is not needed. Tasks and announcements can be archived so as to retrieve data on old projects while providing an extra data room for files.

Zoho
One of the most popular CRMs and often used by larger companies that have to manage big databases or multiple sales accounts, Zoho is becoming increasingly popular for its latest features, such as automated email blasts, the ability to embed forms on websites, and more!

Asana
An amazing way for project managers to stay on top of multiple projects and keep productivity up. Asana allows PMs to assign tasks, set deadlines (teams are given email reminders), and allow for team coordination with its file sharing and chat features.

Slack
Those who value a quiet office space will value Slack! Often used for its chat features, and the fact that it can create chats between companies and teams, Slack takes coordination and virtual meetings to a more convenient and effective level.

Hootsuite
Social media managers are grateful for Hootsuite every day of their lives. This social-media-scheduling app allows managers or teams to schedule posts months in advance, freeing up their time to do other tasks.

HelloSign
Anyone who works in a co-working space in Manila will know the challenges of having to print and provide hard copies of documents. HelloSign makes that easier by giving those who work remotely the ability to sign and monitor the most important documents without having to print them. That makes it pretty earth friendly too!

Google Drive
One of the most used apps (since pretty much everyone has a Gmail account), Google drive is one of the best data rooms available to teams. Shared drives, the ability to edit the same file while tracking changes, and more, it’s sometimes the virtual equivalent to having the same desktop.

Dropbox Paper
Real-time collaboration on the same document can happen on Dropbox Paper. Insert files, excel sheets, schedules, timelines, and more! Of course, assignments and deadlines are included. Perfect for project management, team meetings, and keeping organised.

Monday.com
True to its name, this app is making those Monday blues just a little easier. Designed to help teams collaborate and for team leaders to ensure productivity and proper work flow, Monday.com helps both the team and those managing them track projects quickly and efficiently.

Plenty of those who use co-working spaces in Manila use these apps or others. Often, the final productivity app use will depend on the team personality or the company management. Some companies prefer something more relaxed and hip, while others would like something more formal. Researching and testing out each one is usually the best way to determine which will be the most effective for a team.

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