China Simplified: Language Empowerment - Softcover

“A lively and original approach to navigating the bottomless mysteries of Chinese language and culture. Stewart Lee Beck is a knowledgeable guide on how to understand China better, and how to have fun along the way.”

— David Brooks, Chairman, Coca-Cola Greater China and Korea

“I suddenly feel as if the scales have been lifted from my eyes. You truly demonstrate how understanding the language unveils so much about the culture.”

― Carol Potter, Executive Vice Chairman at Edelman

“China Simplified does an excellent job demystifying what can often feel like an impenetrable place. I wish a book like this existed when I moved to China.”

― Dan Washburn, Chief Content Officer, Asia Society

“With humor and clarity, Language Empowerment weaves together rich cultural and linguistic background information of the Chinese language with practical implications for daily communication.”

― Michael Volz, Chinese Program Coordinator, University of Missouri

“Totally authentic. I am encouraging my local Chinese friends to read this book to understand how to more effectively relate to non-Chinese speakers.” 

― Christine Ng, Managing Director, BBH China

"Language Empowerment is a well-written and entertaining guide to Chinese language and culture, revealing insights that many teachers and textbooks overlook. It should be recommended reading not only for language students, but also for anyone else who wants to understand how Chinese people think, act and talk."

― Olle Linge, Mandarin Language Educator, Founder Hacking Chinese

“China Simplified takes seemingly intimidating and incomprehensible pieces of Chinese culture and makes them easy and fun. For someone with a thirst for learning about things Chinese, this series is a great entry point.”

― Joe Tatelbaum, former Vice President Li & Fung; China resident since 1982

“They’ve cracked the code! China Simplified demystified Mandarin for me, and now many of my clients.”

― Mary Rezek, Executive Coach and Founder, Saatori, Ltd.

“Having lived in China for nearly 20 years, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the book. The authors grasp very well that their audience varies from expert Mandarin speakers to total newbies. Well done!”

― Mark Secchia, Founder, Sherpa’s Food Delivery

“I love China Simplified. What I would have given for this no-nonsense, elegantly simple advice on China when I was there.”

― Louise Ardagh, Head of Small Business at Bankwest

“Katie and Stewart have done a great job of pulling together all the best ideas that are shared by China lifers and putting them in a book. It’s fun, but you’ll also be far better prepared for the challenge ahead.”

― Owen Caterer, Founding Partner, Caterer Goodman Partners

“An entertaining and easy read with a twist of humor. I’ve learned an enlightening cache of information about the country, its people and its language from a non-native speaker.”

― Paul Chin, CEO, Bacardi Greater China, North Asia & Oceania

“Language does indeed offer a key to the gates of China. This book makes people feel like an Old China Hand in a flash!”

― Rudi Messner, Partner/Director, Zotter Shanghai 

“This book should be required reading for every foreigner before getting on the plane to China.”

― Miao Jun, former HR Director, Asia-Pacific, Milliken Inc.

Better understand modern China and discover the secrets of more efficient language learning. Authors Stewart Lee Beck and Katie Lu first connected as struggling student and language professional over ten years ago. They collaborated on this book to share their many entertaining experiences and insights gained along the bumpy road to Mandarin language proficiency.

The China Simplified book series explores and demystifies the country and its people for the rest of the world. By shifting our collective attention beyond the 1% (hot-button issues in the mass media) to the other 99% (relevant conversations about language, history, business, and more), the China Simplified team hopes to raise cultural awareness and increase mutual understanding.

PRAISE FOR LANGUAGE EMPOWERMENT

"I suddenly feel as if the scales have been lifted from my eyes."
— Carol Potter, Executive Vice Chairman at Edelman

"A lively and original approach to navigating the bottomless mysteries of Chinese language and culture."
— David Brooks, Chairman, Coca-Cola Greater China & Korea

"Ridiculously funny, uncomfortably accurate, and totally memorable!"
— Grant Horsfield, Founder, naked Group

"I wish a book like this existed when I moved to China."
— Dan Washburn, Chief Content Officer, Asia Society

"It’s not a textbook; it’s just stuff you should know."
— John Pasden, Founder and CEO, AllSet Learning

"I learned an enlightening cache of information about the country, its people, and its language from a non-native speaker."
— Paul Chin, CEO, Bacardi Greater China, North Asia & Oceania

"Totally authentic."
— Christine Ng, CEO, BBH China

"Reveals insights that many teachers and textbooks overlook."
— Olle Linge, Mandarin Language Educator, Founder Hacking Chinese

"Weaves together rich cultural and linguistic background information of the Chinese language with practical implications for daily communication."
— Michael Volz, Chinese Program Coordinator, University of Missouri

"This book should be required reading for every foreigner before getting on the plane to China."
— Miao Jun, former HR Director, Asia-Pacific, Milliken Inc.

READER BENEFITS

The China Simplified team hopes you enjoy Language Empowerment.

And check out the second book in our series: History Flashback!