Dedicated, fun and effective, we believe these are the best ways to teach and learn. Beyond the language, our team have direct knowledge and experience of Chinese culture making the experience of studying with us a fully rounded experience. We can even be a useful resource outside the classroom if you are planning a visit to the Orient!
Dr Moni Lai Storz
is an Associate of Monash Mt Eliza Business School, Monash University. Dr Storz spent many years researching and experimenting with accelerated learning methods for the teaching and training of a range of subjects – Sociology, Stress Management, Cross-Cultural Communication Skills, Learning Skills, etc. She was the first to apply Accelerated Learning techniques to the teaching of Chinese in Australia and this has been documented in her book Mind Body Power: The Self Help Book on Accelerated Learning (Times Books International, Singapore, 1989, Reprinted 1990, 1993)
Dr Storz claims that accelerated learning techniques have increased her creativity. She is the author of several published works: Notes To My Sisters (Times Books), Artworks of The Soul (GBS), Heaven Has Eyes (Monash Int.) and Switch on Your Mind (Allen & Unwin). Her books can be obtained from our Shopfront. Moni founded this Chinese Centre 14 years ago and is now currently our Academic Director and Principal.
Valli Lai is the Executive Director of ECCS. Originally from Malaysia, she has lived and worked in England for the past 30 years. Trained as and interior designer and with blue chip companies on her list of clients. Her background is in management and marketing. She was previously the director of Ensemble Corporation, a highly successful company specialising in corporate interiors. Ensemble won the Inner City award in 2002. She has a passion for self-development and has spent years exploring the subject. Her interest in Chinese culture and her belief in the potential of accelerated learning techniques is what made her start the ECCS centre in London. She continues to manage and direct ECCS in all of its activities.
Jennifer Li was born and raised in Scotland. She graduated with a Bachelors degree in Scottish Law. She came to London in 2007 and has recently completed her conversion into English Law. She speaks and writes Cantonese and has taught the language for five years. In the past, Jennifer has helped prepare students for GCSE and A-Level Chinese. In her spare time she enjoys reading, doing yoga and web design.
Yan Min comes from Suzhou and is currently doing his Doctorate degree in Law at Kings College of London. He has been in the UK for two years. He has a real passion for teaching and is an energetic speaker. He is interested in ancient Chinese philosophy and is happy to share this with his students.
Hong was born in Beijing, China. She has a diversity of work experience in film, theatre, arts and media, as well as being an accredited translator and interpreter. As a film industry professional, she has worked with some world renowned filmmakers like John Woo and Christopher Doyle. She has also worked with several UK-China arts &culture partnership projects from 2005 to 2008, starting off as a translator and then a Project Manager. As well as teaching at ECCS, she is a researcher, film editor, assistant director and video artist.
Ian Teh is the Director of ECCS. He grew up in the UK and graduated with a degree in Graphic Design from Bath University. Based in London he currently works as a photographer. His major photographic projects have been about social and environmental issues in China. Ian’s photographs have been featured in international publications such as Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker and The Independent Magazine. He was part of the World Press Masterclass, in 2001 and was finalist for the HSBC Foundation for Photography Prize in 2004. He was awarded first prize for the 2009 SOPA Awards and also received a high commendation for the 2009 Prix Pictet See his work on http://www.ianteh.com. With his past experience and interest in China, Ian has recently joined ECCS to manage and develop the centre in its activities.
Charlene Li is from Guangzhou. She always had the enthusiasm of language learning that she went to Xi’an International Studies University for English and International Politics Bachelor Degree. While she was in college, taught both Cantonese and Mandarin to students for 4 years. She is very passionate about teaching and will make her classes fun relaxing so that learning is a joyful experience and not a drag.
Sisi Dai taught Mandarin in Harvard Beijing Academy, where the majority of students are from Harvard, Yale and other Ivy League colleges. Her second Master degree is with UCL in Linguistics, after the MA in Linguistics and Language Acquisition at Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her expertise on linguistics studies gives her an in-depth knowledge in this area and adeveloped exceptional level of analytical skills as well as self-teaching capability.
Yao Lu is from Beijing. She has a Bachelor Degree with a major in English Literature and double minors in Psychology and Theatre Performances in the U.S.A. She is currently getting a Master degree in Education and International Development UCL in London. After her Master degree she will continue to do her PhD in Early Years Education.
