Anki, Quizlet and Skritter

 
I have used Anki, Quizlet and Skritter.

Quizlet is mostly free...a paid subscription will allow you to organise groups if you have classes to teach and add pictures to the cards. There are also games in Quizlet which I enjoy too. I have used Quizlet yet it does not have spaced repetition...however it is much more fun than Anki.

Anki is fine but not as user friendly as the other two. As it is mostly free and works across platforms. It has a very large following, but usually people love it or hate it. I fit into the later category  for me it is just too much work to set up.

Personally much prefer Skritter. I have been using Skritter for about half a year now.  Skritter does have spaced repetition, allows you to learn stroke order, tones, definitions and pinyin.  Lots of fun as it has a gamification feel to the learning. You also get lots of progress reports for your learning. I bought a Wacom tablet in July this year so I could write with a stylus rather than a mouse. This helped improved my writing of hanzi significantly. Skritter for me was the program that made hanzi learning very enjoyable indeed.
Both Skritter and Quizlet are also available as Apps for iPhone and iPad. Slightly different interfaces, but have the advantage of learn anywhere.

我 愿意 吃 一世 的 羚羊 肉 。I'll live on antelope till the end of my days.

Sometimes I really wonder about some of the example sentences I find.  I looked up 世, shì, life this gem popped up in the examples....  "I'll live on antelope till the end of my days." “我 愿意 吃 一世 的 羚羊 肉 。” It is hardly a sentence that I can just casually insert into a Chinese conversation. 小云：你好。 乔纳森：小云　你好。 小云：你吃了吗？ 乔纳森：我 愿意 吃 一世 的 羚羊 肉 。 小云:　？？？ Equally random was this line from Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin that popped into my head.   "Ooh, it makes me wonder, Ooh, it makes me wonder..." The steppingstones of China's stairway to heaven

Cross Post...though I am not cross

This is a modified repost of a comment I made on  the  Sapore de cina blog post about Remembering Simplified Hanzi and hanzi learning methods.  It is now more of an update on my way of learning hanzi. 

I use SRS for learning I tried Anki and didn’t like it. I now use Skritter and much prefer it. I like the tracking that it offers, the reminders, the interface, ease of use, user created mnemonics, gamification  and other features of Skritter.  I do use the iPad app for too. 

When I first start learning a set of characters or vocabulary I use Quizlet.  This online learning program keeps getting better and better with updates. I subscribe to this site. However, most of the site feels altruistic as much of it is free. It is also easy to set up cards and use them. Very portable too. 

As I am enrolled in a Uni. course we learn about one lesson of New Practical Chinese Reader: Textbook Vol.3 every two weeks. So this keeps me moving and I still try to only learn what I am going to use. Though this does not always work and I occasionally have to go back learn something that I would not use outside of the text or course work.  Still I am finding NPCR 3 more interesting than NPCR 2. 

I also print character sheets for the rare occasions I don’t have a computer or iPad to do study online. I have not hand written sheets recently as I find Skritter is enough.  I hope those stats that I get feedback are accurate and not just massaging my ego. 

I do have a large collection of Chinese course texts, Chinese Grammar books and Hanzi books. I prefer ebooks now. Because of the portability. Easy to look up things too. I am always on the lookout for new eBooks about Chinese language, grammar and learning if anyone has any recommendation I would like to hear them. 

he  comments and explanation of  Remembering Simplified Hanzi on the Sapore de cina blog reminded me of another text book for learning hanzi. There is a book from called  Tuttle Learning Chinese Characters. It has a method of mnemonics that differs to any other text that I have read. I quite like this method but do not use the text often. While I do like the book I don't have much time to work from another book outside of my Uni's set texts.  

These hanzi books will not suit everyone. There are a few negative posts around the Net on both of these books as the methods are not very 'pure' both rely on author made up mnemonics.  These mnemonics differ very much from traditional methods of hanzi learning. Yet both books have some merit and would suit some learners. I think it best to keep an open mind about learning Chinese methodology.  I do not think that one method is necessarily better than others. Horses for courses.  What do you think?

The three books in this post.

Sinovision - Chinese version of Sesame Street

Elmo to teach Sesame Street values to Chinese children.  There are now 30 different language Sesame Streets. Below are some key points of why there is a Chinese language Sesame Street. 

• Chinese version of Sesame Street
• Fun fun Elmo
• Elmo represents the aspirational desires of young children
• One purpose is to bridge China and the USA
• Help the Chinese define their images beyond their shores
• See a world beyond China.  
• The production of this version of Sesame Street is based in China
• The puppeteers are Chinese, the set is Chinese and the writers are Chinese
• An authentic Chinese version of Sesame Street
• A growth in Chinese media and a growth in education

The creation of a Chinese language version of Sesame Street looks like a very well thought out strategy to for children to be educated in the values that have been part of this long running education series. The program has been reinvented over and over since its beginning in 1969.  I wonder how popular the program will be with Chinese children and parents?

Chinese language and culture learning more controversial than you thought!

Chinese language and culture learning more controversial than you thought!

It seems that the Confucius Institutes are a subject of controversy in Britain. Have no fear though the British press is alerting the public of the danger.  One might just as well attack the Alliance Française , Goethe-Institut or Dante Alighieri all three institutes have been around for a long time imposing their beliefs and culture on the unwary. All institutes forcing this through the innocent medium of language and culture.  Are these  also clear examples of 'ideological infiltration'?  Which is the accusation agains the Confuscious Institute.

How dare the Chinese invest money, resources and teachers and who knows what else to help foreigners learn Chinese language and culture. Be careful Ozzies we have a few Confucius Institutes of our own in Oz. They also go under the name of Hanban.  We also have Confucius classrooms. So Aussie bogans you need to be aware of the dangers of learning another language and culture. Mothers lock up your children they might learn something.

Read more of the details of the British controversy. Chinese ambassador attacks 'cold war' fears over Confucius Institutes

"Some people are not comfortable to see the rapid growth of Confucius Institutes. They cling to the outdated 'cold war' mentality," Liu Xiaoming Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

"They criticise Confucius Institutes for being a tool of China's 'national propaganda'. They label teaching Mandarin as 'ideological infiltration.' So they have from time to time made irresponsible remarks in western media." Liu Xiaoming

America too has some issues with Confucius Institutes;

What are the Confucius Institutes and why are there so many of them?

US clampdown on visas for teachers upsets China

500,000 tweets debate restrictions on Confucius Institutes teachers

Free Chinese Lessons, Learn to Speak Chinese

Found this excellent resource for learning. Topic based practical lessons. Definitely worth a look.

Chinese Learner  Learn Mandarin Chinese  Online Free

Basic Chinese Expressions 36 lessons with audio

LEARN CHINESE: SPEAKING CHINESE 20 Lessons with audio files

Everyday Chinese 144 Lessons

LEARN CHINESE: CHINESE GRAMMAR

汉语语法入门 An Introduction to Chinese Grammar

Grammar 中文笔记 - 语法:

汉语语法入门 An Introduction to Chinese Grammar

Found this grammar guide in Chinese Notes. It is an excellent resource.

目录 Contents

1. 导言 Introduction
2. 词类 Parts of Speech
   1. 名词 Nouns
   2. 形容词 Adjectives
   3. 动词 Verbs
   4. 助动词 Auxiliary Verbs
   5. 代词 Pronouns
   6. 数词 Numerals
   7. 量词 Measure Words
   8. 副词 Adverbs
   9. 介词 Prepositions
   10. 连词 Conjunctions
   11. 助词 Particles
   12. 叹词 Interjections
   13. 象声词 Onomatopes
3. 词组 Phrases
   1. 主谓词组 Subject-Predicate Phrases
   2. 动宾词组 Verb-Object Phrases
   3. 联合词组 Coordinative Phrases
   4. 偏正词组 Endocentric Phrases
   5. 数量词组 Numeral-Measure Word Phrases
   6. 补充词组 Complementary Phrases
   7. 方位词组 Phrases of Locality
   8. 同位词组 Appositive Phrases
   9. 固定词组 Set Phrases
   10. 介词结构 Prepositional Phrases
   • 常见介词结构 Common Prepositional Patterns
   11. “的”字结构 的 Phrases
4. 句子成分 Sentence Elements
   1. 主语 The Subject
   2. 谓语 The Predicate
   3. 宾语 The Object
   4. 状语 Adverbial Adjuncts
   5. 补语 Complements
   6. 定语 The Attributive
5. 单句 Simple Sentences
   1. 动词谓语句 Sentences with a Verbal Predicate
   2. 形容词谓语句 Sentences with an Adjectival Predicate
   3. 名词谓语句 Sentences with a Nominal Predicate
   4. 主谓谓语句 Sentences with a Subject-Predicate Phrase as the Predicate
   5. 无主句 Subjectless Sentences
   6. 独语句 One Word Sentences
   7. 简略句 Elliptical Sentences
6. 句子用途 Sentence Use
   1. 陈述句 Declarative Sentences
   2. 疑问句 Interrogative Sentences
   3. 祈使句 Imperative Sentences
   4. 感叹句 Exclamatory Sentences
7. 动作的状态 Aspects of an Action
   1. 动作的进行 The Progressive Aspect of an Action
   2. 动作的持续 The Continuous Aspect of an Action
   3. 动作的完成 The Perfect Aspect of an Action
   4. 将来的动作 Future Actions
   5. 过去的动作 Past Actions
8. 用特殊动词谓语的句子 Sentences using Special Verbal Predicates
   1. “是”字句 是 Sentences
   2. “有”字句 有 Sentences
   3. “被”字句 被 Sentences
   4. “把”字句 把 Sentences
   5. 存现句 Existential Sentences
   6. 兼语句 Pivotal Sentences
   7. 连动句 Sentences with Verb Constructions in Series
9. 复句 Complex Sentences
   1. 并列复句 Coordinate Complex Sentences
   2. 偏正复句 Subordinate Complex Sentences
10. 表示比较 Expressing Comparison
    1. 用“比”表示比较 Using 比 to Express Comparison
    2. 用“跟”表示比较 Using 跟 to Express Comparison
    3. 用“象”表示比较 Using 象 to Express Comparison
11. 词汇 Vocabulary
12. 参考文献 References

新实用汉语课本 New Practical Chinese Reader 3

I have just started a new text book 新实用汉语课本 New Practical Chinese Reader 3. This is a sort of milestone in my learning. I think this is the last in the series that my University uses. Having started learning the first lesson there doesn't seem to be the sudden rise in difficulty that I found between the first and second text. Perhaps I have just become used to the methodology in the texts.



New Practical Chinese Reader: Textbook Vol.3

I really have only one crtiticism of these series of text books. I think that sometimes the books are not very practical. Vocabulary and conversations in the set text about Beijing opera, Shaoxing opera and classical novels I personally do not find very practical. I suppose that last sentence makes me sound like a Philistine, however I do not think I will have many opportunities to use 红楼梦 Dream of the Red Chamber (first completed edition 1791) by Cao Xueqin, one of the four great novels. Despite this the text is mostly practical and challenging enough to make learning Chinese interesting.

Why Languages Can Make Us Smarter, Safer, and Better Looking - Global Learning - Education Week

Some important issues are discussed in the Why Languages Can Make Us Smarter, Safer, and Better Looking  from Global Learning blog.

There are two basic arguments for second language learning;


One; learning a language is good for national security and economic competitiveness (this argument is a good one for politicians and business leaders)

"this can make our nation stronger"

Two; learning a language  is good for cognitive and cultural benefits (good for those in the arts and education business and parents)

"this can make my kid smarter"

Both arguments have received media attention in the USA. There seems to be much recent research about learning the language in the early years of school (the earlier the better). It is believed that starting language learning in middle school and high school is too late and not so beneficial. 

Read more details here;  Why Languages Can Make Us Smarter, Safer, and Better Looking 

Chinese Songs for Learning Mandarin

Chinese Songs for Learning Mandarin

For learning Chinese vocabulary singing songs is an excellent method. It is not really my prefered method for learning language. However, some of my fellow students really enjoy doing this. These sites will have a variety of popular and traditional songs.




Sing Chinese Songs - Listen to Chinese music and learn Chinese with famous Chinese songs

Chinese Songs - Chinese Tools.com

English and Chinese Conversation Topics

Found this practical list of sentences on 一步一个脚印 (One step at a time) blog.

100 English and Chinese Conversation Topics (with Pinyin) 


'via Blog this'

Chinese language learning in Ireland and Indonesia

Meanwhile in Ireland

"A growing number of Irish school students are expected to learn about Chinese culture and language as a result of a new programme that has been developed for Transition Year students."

New Transition Year course in Chinese culture and language 

Chinese culture and language course for Transition Year students

Chinese class will spread to 50 schools
Meanwhile in Indonesia

"Indonesians are going mad for Mandarin in record numbers as they look to give their careers a boost by taking advantage of China’s growing economic influence and its improved ties..."

Chinese language is playing a significant role in building business relations not only between the two nations (China and Indonesia), but also among business around Asia.

Chinese Challenge: More Indonesians Learning Mandarin

'via Blog this'

Chinese most popular foreign language for Thai students - The Nation

Chinese most popular foreign language for Thai students 

"Chinese has become the most popular foreign language among Thai students, according to a top education official.

Almost 300,000 students at 700 schools administered by the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) study Chinese, said Usanee Watanapan, deputy director of the Bureau of Academic Affairs and Educational Standards at Obec."

Meanwhile in Thailand

'via Blog this'

Call to drop Chinese lessons for Year 12 | The Australian

There has been a call to drop Chinese lessons for Year 12 students.

This is a radical idea. Many good points are made in this article. These include;

• Students should give up competing with Chinese background speakers
• Teach Chinese only up to a year 10 level while interest in the subject remains strong
• Re-engage these learners to study Chinese at a tertiary level
• Clumsy system streaming of students needs to change
• Universities need to look to be flexible if the secondary students stopped learning at year 10.

All very interesting and adding to the Chinese language education debate / discussion in Australia. Call to drop Chinese lessons for Year 12 | The Australian:

'via Blog this'

Rudd's latest game of Chinese whispers: join Weibo

"Australia's former prime minister Kevin Rudd has rekindled his love affair with China by embracing the popular Chinese social media site, Weibo."

Read more: Rudd's latest game of Chinese whispers: join Weibo:

'via Blog this'

Australia has dropped the ball on Asian languages

"Australia has dropped the ball on Asian languages"

This article echoes yesterday post Speaking their language prudent lesson in new history

Kevin Rudd says Australia has to lift its game to reverse declining student enrolments in Asian languages "if we are to secure our future in this century of the Asia-Pacific".

The Queensland backbencher foreshadowed speaking about the issue of Asian language take-up at greater length throughout the year.

Aust failing on Asian languages: Rudd

BBC News - Is English or Mandarin the language of the future?

I found this article very interesting.

BBC News - Is English or Mandarin the language of the future?

VICTORIAN schools will form "clusters" to teach foreign languages

"VICTORIAN schools will form "clusters" to teach foreign languages under a state government plan to turn around the dramatic decline in the number of students learning a second language."
 
Schools join forces to rescue languages

Asian language 'vital for syllabus'

"ASIAN languages should be compulsory for every school student because many will go on to work in Asia's fast-growing economies, says the accounting body CPA Australia."

This article in the Australian highlights some of the recommendations of the CPA an accounting body in Australia. At present there are only 300 (non background speakers) year 12 students studying Mandarin in our senior schools across the nation. The article states that learning an is vital to engage with Asia now and in the  future. 

Melbourne University's Joe Lo Bianco, an expert in language education is calling for a more moderate approach to the national curriculum with an emphasis on language learning. Lo Bianco recommends a gradual build up of language teachers and quality programs.

Asian language 'vital for syllabus' | Story & Education Stories | The Australian

龙 2012 Year of the Dragon

龙

2012 Year of the Dragon begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. Apparently dragons are energetic, robust and stubborn. They  are honest and courageous, and they inspire trust. People admire them. They know how to get what they want. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. It is the most eccentric sign of the Chinese horoscope. 

Their generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart.  Their self-sufficiency can mean that they have no need for close bonds with other people. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. In Chinese astrology the dragon is the only animal of the Chinese zodiac year that is not real. 

龙  is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness.  2012 is the Chinese year of the dragon. So what does 2012 hold for a person born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon? Such people double their efforts in whatever they do - work, education and other projects. Their natural talent and abilities should stand out with great results.  May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to you. 

龙