Saturday, 16 July 2011
Sunday, 29 May 2011
How To Enjoy Learning Chinese
If you've finally decided to learn the Chinese language, you may notice that studying it is quite challenging. After all, Chinese is known as one of the languages that are more complex, one that can't be mastered in just a short period of time. Learning to speak or write Chinese feels just like going back to grade school where you need to memorize vocabulary lists and spend hours on grammar.
There are ways of learning the Chinese language in which you don't have to detest the fact that you're going to sit down and memorize groups of words each day. Here are some ways that you can enjoy the Chinese language and actually embrace learning it:
The best courses in learning Chinese will focus on conversations that can be used in the real world. What makes learning boring is when students are coerced to learn phrases that they won't even get to use when they face a Chinese speaking person. You will enjoy more if you get to use the sentences that you learn as soon as you get out of the classroom.
Learn the Chinese culture as well. You're either tasked to learn the language or you just want to learn something new this is why you're studying Chinese. No matter what your reason is, learning would become more fun and pleasurable if you learn about the traditions and culture of the Chinese people. They are a unique nation and immersing yourself in their culture will make you appreciate the fact that you're learning their language - no matter how complex it is.
Find out what kind of approach your trainer is going to use. Is he the bookish type of teacher? If so, prepare yourself for hours of mind-numbing and yawn-inducing study. But if you've got an enthusiastic teacher, then you're most likely to learn the language in just a few weeks.
One other method that can be fun is to tape Chinese news broadcasts and soap opera. This keeps you up to date when it comes to Chinese happenings plus you get to learn their language in the process. If you can't find a Chinese channel on TV, then you can go online and check on Chinese newscasts. Watching and interpreting these shows on a daily basis will help you get used to understanding this foreign tongue.
If you're a big fan of Chinese recipes, then you might also want to go online and print a copy of a delectable recipe. Or you may want to do it the other way around - you can create an English language version of the Chinese recipe that you want to cook. Translating the words one at a time would make you more accustomed to deciphering the language one word at a time.
There are various ways of learning the Chinese language without actually straining yourself. Keep in mind that learning becomes much easier if you're enjoying what you do. So go ahead and learn Chinese in the most enjoyable manner that you can. Pretty soon, you'll be conversing like a pro!
Gabriel Lim has been speaking,reading and writing the Chinese language for over 20 years.
With his bilingual background, he is in a unique position to understand and convey the subtleties of the Chinese language to foreign students.
Combined with his unconventional approach to learning, he is currently teaching beginners how to absorb the Chinese language effectively and have fun in the process.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabrielz_Lim
Friday, 27 May 2011
Mandarin Chinese Language Learning Strategies For Bodily-Kinesthetic Learners
Learning the Chinese language can be difficult, so it is important that you develop a proper learning strategy before diving into your studies. Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences is a great theory to reference when developing your learning strategy. The theory states that there are seven distinct types of learners, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical. This article will focus on learning strategies for bodily-kinesthetic learners.
What Are Bodily-Kinesthetic Learners
Bodily-kinesthetic learners are people who are very in touch with their bodies. They are good with their hands, and they enjoy using movement, making things, and touching objects. They can be found in a range of professions, from dancers to surgeons. These are the type of people who tend to communicate as much with their body language as they do through spoken words. If you are one of these learners you will learn well through physical activity, role-playing, acting, and many other types of hands-on learning. You should incorporate physical objects and tools into your learning strategy.
Learning Strategy 1
If you are a bodily-kinesthetic learner, you need to get your hands on real objects, so, when learning basic vocabulary words, do just that. For example, if you want to learn the names of basic kitchen items, start collecting those items and using them as study tools. Instead of using flash cards to memorize, for example, the names of eating utensils, get real knives and forks and chopsticks and put them into a box. Memorize their names by reaching into the box, pulling out an item and reciting its name in Chinese.
Learning Strategy 2
Role playing is a powerful tool for anyone learning a foreign language. It is especially powerful, though, for bodily-kinesthetic learners. If you are one of these learners, you need to find a partner ASAP. There is an unending supply of role-playing activities when learning Chinese. For example, you can act like you're in a restaurant, a travel agency, or a hotel. You can ask each other for directions or have mock business meetings. You can even spend an entire day together acting like tourists or tour guides, or anything else you like. The important thing is to communicate as much as possible using Chinese.
Learning Strategy 3
If you are a bodily-kinesthetic learner, you are good at acting out, which means you most likely deliver passionate speeches. You may or may not be a great speech writer, but that's not important here. What's important is the delivery. So, what you can do is go online and search for famous speeches that have been translated into Chinese (there are lots of them). Memorize the speeches and then deliver them to your friends and family members.
Learning Strategy 4
Building things is a powerful way for bodily-kinesthetic learners to remember things. How can this help you learn a language? Well, say you want to learn how to discuss family in your target language. You can actually build a family tree. It doesn't have to be too sophisticated or time consuming. You can use paper and other objects, or just draw a picture. It's the act of creating something with your hands that will help you learn.
Summary
If you are a bodily-kinesthetic learner, you need to be active. Don't just sit at a desk and memorize vocabulary words. If you do, you will become bored and lose interest in your studies. Instead, collect physical objects and use them as study tools. Be sure you stay active, building, creating and performing as you learn.