Job Discussion Forums

[sheeba]

[amandabarrick]

I came here knowing a little, studied really hard for the first year, now I can speak very fluently on any topic with correct tones and pronunciation and speed. Before I came to China I thought I would be able to communicate, but when I got here I didn't understand anything that was said to me. It took A LOT of talking and listening to others. But my vocabulary isn't extensive enough when it comes to technical terms or idioms, and my writing needs a lot of work, but my language hasn't fossilzed yet. I still study a little bit each day, but not as much as I used to.

AB

[sheeba]

Well dona Amanda !

I don't think fluency in Chinese is difficult if you are dedicated and passionate about learning the language . Although I've been here 13 months I only picked up formal books about 6 months ago and then and only then did my progress excel . I learn an awful lot from the books and listening.

[NorbertRadd]

China is the first place where I learned a language again.
When I went to Korea for new year, I found out my listening comprehension of Korean had improved from studying Chinese. i'd like to figure that out.

[benny2]

Hey guys,

I'm new by the way......
I lived and taught in china for 7 months this year and picked up quite a bit. I made a big effort in fairness, although I knew nothing before I left. I've been taking level 3 classes (pre intermediate) since I got back and I try to work on it when I have time.....I find listening the hardest thing, although I ramble forever about lots of things
I'm returning next year when I decide 0n the best job offer for me!

[nolefan]

The key to this language, much more than others, is dedication, discipline and perseverance. You gotta get a little bit done each day and keep doing it without falling victim to any of those empty excuses that are easy to use.

When I did the first Chinese Bootcamp, I was amazed at how fast my Chinese improved day in and day out. After coming back, i kept up the studying for a little while and it was all going well until i skipped one day to watch some NFL game. Once i skipped it once, it became easier to do. Since then I've had a hard time getting back into the groove and i can't wait to get back to the mountain where there are no distractions.

[rocknroll]

I have been here for 2 and half years.
The first week I couldn't spek any chinese. The first 6 months didn't try to learn anything except very basic questions like " where are you from ?" ,"how much?",numbers. Later in the last 2 years I never actually learned from books except just checking once in a while a dictionary for perticlular words. I can't remember words by reading from a book. I just listened and spoke to them back. I understand now quiet a lot unless they talk something really complex or difficult. I have discussed movies and politics but still would be difficult.

I can't read and write maximum I can would be 200 charachters since I don't sit and practice writing them.

Although I get confused between buy and sell ( mai )
Sugar and Soup ( Tang) but still I get away with it.

[7969]

i have a degree in russian, so i know what it takes to learn a new language. unfortunately, i've been lazy with mandarin. my listening is getting better but my spoken chinese needs a lot of work. i ahve the tools, now i just need to make the time for it.

[zhamr]

Was fluent before I came (this time) - took two years of torture - it was a while ago for me...

BTW - with a fair degree of fluency it is quite possible to pass yourself off as 'Chinese' because of the 'difficult language' phenomenon noted by Shuize in Japan. It is quite easy to claim kinship with one of the 55 minorities (so long as you are vague about which one - don't pick one of the 'easy' ones!). This is based on the following inescapable logic:
1. you speak Chinese;
2. Chinese is difficult and therefore only Chinese people speak it; therefore
3. you must be Chinese...
I have even 'invented' a minority to which I now proudly belong, the Ao minority (using 'ao' - the first character used to transliterate 'Australia') - childish really, I know, but it does generate some really interesting conversations about minorities in a somewhat humorous way.

For those of you who have found themselves on a plateau, hang in there!

[benny2]

heh heh, zhamr that amused me, Im gonna try it next time when I go back!

[no_exit]

Hehe, I've passed myself off as a minority before too. My ex-boyfriend used to go around telling people I was a Russian minority chick from Yili in Xinjiang, which was just enough detail to convince people, I guess, and since he's a minority himself the story "fit". Actually, just last week my erhu teacher convinced this (very gullible) guy at the instrument store that I was from Kunming!

Anyhow, I studied Chinese in college before I came here, and solidified what I learned through practical use here in China. I have been translating for over a year now (I started trying to get freelance jobs after I read my first real book in Chinese), and I speak Chinese without too many obstacles or issues. My Chinese improved through daily usage, speaking and reading. I don't really write that well by hand, as I find very few practical opportunities to write characters. I'm not into calligraphy and when I want to write something Chinese I can type it much more easily, so ...

I know too many people who are studying Chinese, but never actually use it. We are lucky to be in a Chinese speaking environment, where we can put our language skills to trial on a daily basis. I tell my English students they need to use their language in real life for it to actually develop, and the same goes for us. Use your Chinese every chance you get, try to talk about things that interest you, even if the conversation goes over your head. Find Chinese friends who are patient and who don't care about learning English. A lot of foreigners here spend hours on end copying characters into their notebooks, and very little time really using the language to communicate, and I think this hinders the process a lot.

[hemlokk]

In Mandarin, I don't care what anyone says but the tones make a HUGE difference. It'll frustrate you for months and months, but once you get a decent grasp on the tones, and can pick up a dictionary and can pronounce anything you see then things will start to click.

I've been in China a year and a half and before I came I never studied a word. I started with the Pimsleur Mandarin Chinese I and I highly recommend you do it every day..download it from winmx or wherever...It's GOLD, it teaches you simple grammar and tone memorization which will get you off your feet right away. Plus you can move at your own pace. By the time I got to Pimsleur 3, my self study had taked over and I knew most of what was being taught.

So basically I carry my little blue Oxford dictionary around and fill in words I don't know. So if I'm talking to the driver and I forget how to say the word 'temporary' (lin(2)shi(2)) I can fill it into a sentence like "zhong guo shi wo lin shi de jia".

I agree with sheeba about motivation...My motivation is sheer interest in the language and the ability to communicate -- Plus, I find the complexity of the script fascinating...Now I'm starting to understand more and more characters which has accelerated my interest in learning Chinese. ...But it's good to have some motivation about topics...I love Geography so the first thing I did was learn all the names of the countries and work with that.

GOOD LUCK!

I agree with

[Nauczyciel]

Well, I've come here knowing little and I'm leaving knowing little too I've found out it's enough to know the numbers, "Duo shao qian" ("How much is it") and "Tai gui le" ("Too expensive" - i'm not sure about the spelling) to deal with shopping quite well. For more complicated matters I always ask students for help. And some occasional "ni hao", "xie xie" etc. to make the students laugh or shop assistants smile is really enough you need to live for some time in China.

[pancakes]

[mandu]

my chinese is not very good,after being here for 5 years its pretty bad.i can order water and food over the phone.
i can count say the days of the week in chinese stuff like that.But i have to admit Im lazy and find it rather difficult to learn.