For the next three weeks I shall be in Xian. I will be doing a three week intensive Chinese language course at Shanxi Normal University. I have been looking forward to this for the past six months. Fortunately I will not be going alone as there are other students from my university going.
Last October marked ten years since I came back from China. I taught English for just over a year at a college in Harbin. I am looking forward to seeing China again.
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31 December 2011
29 December 2011
谢天谢地 xiètiān-xièdī
2011 Reflections
I have had a very prosperous and beneficial year. Overall I have much to grateful for and so I am very thankful.
谢
天
谢
地
xiètiān-xièdī Thank heavens
Mnemonics
谢
天
谢
地
I have had a very prosperous and beneficial year. Overall I have much to grateful for and so I am very thankful.
谢
天
谢
地
xiètiān-xièdī Thank heavens
Mnemonics
谢天谢地
28 December 2011
2012: The Year Mandarin Chinese Becomes a 'Commonly Taught Language'? | Asia Society
This is an interesting reflection on the future of Mandarin Chinese in America (perhaps even the whole world). It looks back at how the 90s was the decade for Japanese language. It also predicts that Mandarin will be a commonly taught language from 2012 onwards.
While it may be obvious that learning Chinese is going to facilitate economic benefits, there are other advantages. Learners of Chinese language and culture will have academic betterment. Sounds like a good future.
While it may be obvious that learning Chinese is going to facilitate economic benefits, there are other advantages. Learners of Chinese language and culture will have academic betterment. Sounds like a good future.
25 December 2011
24 December 2011
Merry Christmas! 圣诞快乐 | Dear Dim Sum
Happy Christmas Everyone
Explanation of the Hanzi for Christmas Greetings from Dear Dim Sum.
Merry Christmas! 圣诞快乐 | Dear Dim Sum
Explanation of the Hanzi for Christmas Greetings from Dear Dim Sum.
Merry Christmas! 圣诞快乐 | Dear Dim Sum
What is the purpose of the White Paper? | Australia in the Asian Century
"The White Paper will examine Australia’s past and future links with the diverse nations in Asia. It will review our current government policy settings and strategies, consider the potential contribution of business, non-government organisations and individual citizens and provide a blueprint to navigate the Asian Century – a period of transformative economic, political, strategic and social change."
"Interested people and organisations are invited to make a written submission to the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper."
What is the purpose of the White Paper? | Australia in the Asian Century
Deer Valley schools embrace Mandarin Chinese instruction
Deer Valley Mandarin Chinese Project
"The students spend only half of their school day speaking English and are the driving force behind Arizona's first-ever partial immersion program for Mandarin in a public school."
"The students spend only half of their school day speaking English and are the driving force behind Arizona's first-ever partial immersion program for Mandarin in a public school."
22 December 2011
Pinyin news » Hong Kong’s pride in Putonghua
Pride in the Mandarin language (Putonghua) in Hong Kong has risen from 18 percent in 1996 to 34 percent today.
Is it worthwhile learning another language?
Great podcast from the BBC that asks "Is it worthwhile learning another language?"
21 December 2011
澳大利亚 àodàlìyà
Inspired
by Dear Dim Sum's
post about “Old
Gold Mountain”
I started thinking about hanzi for countries and cites. So I had a
look at the hanzi for Australia.
澳
大
利
亚
àodàlìyà
Pulling
it apart
澳
ào means deep
bay /
cove /
harbor. For a mnemonic I am thinking Botany Bay in Sydney, one of
many deep harbours in Australia.
大 means dà
big, great, vast, large, high. Second mnemonic the vast Simpson
Desert.
利 lì means gains, advantage, profit, merit. Third mnemonic is that coal (and
other raw materials) Australia sells to China for profit.
亚
yà means Asia; second. Final mnemonic is that geographically Australia is
part of Asia.
澳大利亚 àodàlìyà
20 December 2011
"making children learn foreign languages in school holds them back..."
"I think making children learn foreign languages in school holds them back...".
I was quite shocked to read this comment. It was one of the comments used to justify why languages should not be taught in Irish schools. There are more to be read in the full article. Which is very supportive of language teaching and learning in Irish schools.
Chatterbox - The Irish Times - Tue, Dec 20, 2011
I was quite shocked to read this comment. It was one of the comments used to justify why languages should not be taught in Irish schools. There are more to be read in the full article. Which is very supportive of language teaching and learning in Irish schools.
Chatterbox - The Irish Times - Tue, Dec 20, 2011
10 Lessons American Schools Can Learn from China
Quite an interesting article on the different ways America and China are approaching education.
10 Lessons American Schools Can Learn from China | Online Universities
10 Lessons American Schools Can Learn from China | Online Universities
19 December 2011
控 kòng 'control', is character of the year in China
控 kòng
to control / to sue/ to accuse / to charge
BBC News - Kong, or 'control', is character of the year in China
to control / to sue/ to accuse / to charge
BBC News - Kong, or 'control', is character of the year in China
Merry Christmas | Learn Mandarin Chinese – Easy to learn Chinese language – www.ninhao.com
Follow the link to find ten holiday greetings in Hanzi, Pinyin and English. Reminds me of an Advent Calendar. Enjoy.
Merry Christmas | Learn Mandarin Chinese – Easy to learn Chinese language – www.ninhao.com
Merry Christmas | Learn Mandarin Chinese – Easy to learn Chinese language – www.ninhao.com
Everything you need to know about China
I just saw this on My Chinese Notebook Blog. Thanks for this great find. It is such a good resource it is worth sharing here too.
Everything you need to know about China
Everything you need to know about China
17 December 2011
人山人海
I just learned this
idiomatic expression. It is one that I can and will remember
instantly.
Breaking it down;
rén means people
人山
rén shān means mountain of people
人海
rén hǎi means sea of people
人山人海
rén shān rén hǎi means crowds.
Instant mnemonic.
"For an amount of time" in Mandarin Chinese
Another excellent and straight forward explanation from East Asian Student.
"To express that an action was carried out over a certain length of time, English uses often “for”. This is a very versatile word in English, so there a few different points to consider when expressing the same thing in Mandarin."
I always find these examples useful.
"For an amount of time" in Mandarin Chinese: translation and grammar
I always find these examples useful.
"For an amount of time" in Mandarin Chinese: translation and grammar
16 December 2011
Mandarin Chinese and marine biology among the 'atypical' classes on tap at B-R - Taunton, MA - The Taunton Gazette
Found another very positive article about students who study Mandarin in an American high school in Raynham, Massachusetts, America. I like students who are willing and interested in learning languages. We need more of these type of students in Australia.
Mandarin Chinese and marine biology among the 'atypical' classes on tap at B-R - Taunton, MA - The Taunton Gazette
Mandarin Chinese and marine biology among the 'atypical' classes on tap at B-R - Taunton, MA - The Taunton Gazette
HISD to open Chinese immersion elementary school in 2012 | abc13.com
Houston, Texas to open
Chinese immersion school in 2012
HISD to open Chinese immersion elementary school in 2012 | abc13.com
Building an Asia – Literate Australia
This report is about
three and half years old now. It was written as a post 2020 Australia Summit report and recommendation. The summit was held in April 2008
and the report was presented about one year later in 2009. I find
the report interesting as it sets out many recommendations that are
still being discussed and debated now. It seems our current federal
and state governments have failed to act on any of the advice and
recommendations that were obvious about four years ago.
This quote is a good
summary of what the report aims were;
“This
Report is not intended as a criticism of the Rudd governments
National Asian Languages in Secondary Schools policy; we applaud it
for resurrecting a national program to promote Asian language
education. We intended to promote discussion of the need for a more
comprehensive and extensive program of Asia literacy. “
Alas the funding for
the resurrection of National Asian Languages has run out. There seems to be very little action taken on the advice of the report. The full
report can be read here Building
an Asia – Literate Australia
15 December 2011
When did the capitol of China name change from Peking to Beijing?
When did the capitol of China name change from Peking to Beijing?
14 December 2011
Flexible education helps students go the distance
This is really great news article about students who have come top in their language classes. What is surprising is that the students are distance education students. They must have really great teachers and have very good motivation to learn language. I am really impressed with these students.
Tones are more important than you think - Hacking Chinese
This is an excellent explanation on why getting tones right is so important. It dispels they myth that you will be understood despite getting the tones wrong.
Tones are more important than you think - Hacking Chinese
Tones are more important than you think - Hacking Chinese
Push for Mandarin in schools | Sunshine Coast Education | Primary and Tertiary Education in Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast Daily
Meanwhile on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. As far as I know there is only one school teaching Chinese on the Sunshine Coast.
The Major Differences Between Education in U.S. and China
I found this an interesting infographic about the differences between American and Chinese Education. Click for a detailed view.
Created by: Online University Rankings
 |
| Click for a detailed view |
“Pleasure reading” key to second language learning | Scoop News
Some interesting research. I wonder how much of this research transfers to Chinese Mandarin or Japanese. It takes much longer for literacy to be gained for students with an English speaking background.
13 December 2011
Get aboard Mandarin bandwagon | Noosa News | Local News in Noosa | Noosa News
Some local news. Getting close to my part of the world.
The Secrets of Successful Language Learning
The Secrets of Successful Language Learning
Free ebook follow the link --> Smashwords - The Secrets of Successful Language Learning - A book by David Bolton
04 December 2011
Open University Beginners' Chinese
Quite often on the
Chinese learning forums I read there are people seeking a place to
begin learning Chinese. I Found this free course yesterday. Aimed at
absolute beginners this course has excellent explanations of the
basics. Very thorough texts on a variety of must know beginner
information. The modules of work include;
- The Chinese Language
- Introducing Yourself
- Describing Activities
- Names of Languages
- Food and Drinks
Each of these main
catagories has many sub sections. This is a Moodle course and has
many quizes and tests that you can reinforce your learning. The
quizes are corrected and you can get instant feedback. Redo these as
many times as you need to get a better score. Overall this course is
an academic yet practical course in basic Chinese. If you are a
serious about learning Chinese this is an excellent place to begin
Open
University Beginners' Chinese
 |
| Beginners' Chinese |
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