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Learning Cantonese?

4K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  Wonderful2016 
#1 ·
Hi
Can you help?

My son has moved out to Hong Kong. He needs to learn Cantonese. What is the best way to do it?

Steph
 
#2 ·
why does he need to learn cantonese? English is widely spoken,but if wants to learrn there are many places to learn.He should ask at a tourist informqaqtion office and they can point him in the right direction. I done it over 3 years at school in wan chai + help from co workers.

( after each class my head hurt so much I needed 2 paracetamol and copious amounts of beer)
 
#4 ·
if by Chinese you mean Mandarin, I would have to ask why? it is not widely spoken in HK. When I worked in Hong Kong, there was 32 staff, all local and every one of them spoke Cantonese and English, not one of them spoke Mandarin.
 
#5 ·
Yes...
most of the Hong Konger speak English. Don't worry
as i know...if your son is going in the retail sector or company that has business in China would suggest you to speak some Mandarin...Hong Kong is still very different from any city in China.

If your son will stay for a long time, just ask him to meet some local people...:)
 
#12 ·
Chinese (CANTONESE) and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. English is widely used in the Government and by the legal, professional and business sectors. Less than 2% of the population are ****nghua (MANDARIN) speakers.

I seriously think your son has been misinformed.
 
#14 ·
Learning a language is always good. Be it Cantonese or Mandarin. I will not think that Cantonese is needed to work as an aero engineer. The problem is that there is no aero industries in HK. Language is always a plus in finding a job.

I am just guessing that your son is not old but in his 20's or 30's. HK always need people with technical skills, discipline, common sense. He should definitely have some computer skills ~ and it is very easy to get a computer job. All industries need programmers, from banks to fastfood shops.

Hk also has a big financial/banking industry which need engineers to work on complex financial products. Ask him to try his luck there. If he got no clue on finance, ask him to take a night degree/course in Finance. That will get him out of the house and meet the real people working in real industry - who can hire him.

Anyway good luck.. It is a challenge. Lots of people has overcome this situation and your son will be able too.
 
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