Guest post by Principal Kevin Lewis of Mandarin World

Mandarin World is a newly opened Chinese language school in Shanghai - Pudong. We are offering group classes, online classes and also one on one tutoring. We can also aide people in getting student visas if they wish to study for a longer period of time in our school.

Our brand new school has five classrooms, two language clinics, a lecture room and an activity room, that also doubles as a TV room. We also have a beautiful lounge for students to chat in, a computer room for students to do self study, as well as a quiet study room. We have an English language DVD and Book swap service for our students and also a growing library of books on learning Chinese, as well as about China in general. Follow the link for some complimentary Chinese Language Learning Resources.

 
The whole idea of Mandarin World is that we don’t only provide students with a chance to study in the classroom, but also plenty of resources to learn outside of the classroom. I hope that students who come to our school will want to stay after their classes to make use of our facilities and to ‘hang out’ with fellow students and staff.

 
I have been told that there are approximately 200 schools in Shanghai offering Chinese language however I believe we have a few strengths that help us stand out from the crowd.  

• Firstly thanks to our contacts with many local universities we can supply student visas.

• Secondly we are foreign run so that we can try to offer foreigner friendly classes for our students.

Also when you are new like us, quality is the main focus - we care about every student - we’d be foolish not to! After hearing about many students’ complaints in relation to unhappy language learning experiences in other schools and colleges, I’ve taken those complaints to heart and we have tried to do our best to provide the best Chinese language service that we believe our students will be happy with.

However more importantly if you are not happy with our school, work with us to make the learning experience work for you.

To learn more about our school visit our website at Mandarin World

Want to know more contact Mandarin World 

CHIN202 Intensive Study Weekend Day One

Meanwhile in Sydney...

This weekend I shall be in Sydney NSW, UNE holds a study weekend for students who learn by distance education / online. I have been looking forward to going for some time. It is always good to meet others who share an interest in learning languages.

Skritter + Wacom Tablet = Faster Hanzi Learning

Just over a month ago I bought two new Chinese learning resources. These are a subscription to Skritter and a Wacom Touch Tablet.

   += Faster Hanzi Learning

Things I like about learning with Skritter:

• Keeps me interested and motivated 
• Allows me to track progress and time spent learning 
• Makes learning Hanzi enjoyable 
• Allows me to focus on words I need or want to learn 
• Integrates with MDBG allows lookups and adding 
• Allows me to add new words from websites with one click 
• Helps me revise 
• Gives a sense of satisfaction and achievement 
• Has ready made sets of vocabulary for NPCR texts 
• Can work on computer or iPad 
• iPad App allows offline practice and syncs when connected Am able to use my Wacom tablet to write hanzi with a pen
• Plus many more reasons to use Skritter

The Wacom tablet allows me to write hanzi with a tablet pen. I feel that this to be better than writing with a mouse. I can also use the tablet to write hanzi in Evernote, Windows journal, Photoshop and other programmes that use ‘Ink’ input.


The only disadvantage the tablet is quite sensitive and I feel it makes my hanzi 不好看Bù hǎokàn (unattractive) Looking at my sample tablet written hanzi below I think you will agree. 

我的汉字不好看。Wǒ de hànzì bù hǎokàn. 

Still it gives me satisfaction to be able to use technology to learn and practice hanzi.


I am interested to know how others are using Skritter. It is has many features and I am not sure that I have found them or use them all yet. I know that Skritter is a very popular hanzi learning tool. I wonder how many people are using it?


It would be good to know if anyone else is using a tablet to hand write hanzi on computers.


Does anyone use iPads for hand writing hanzi? I have not been able to find a satisfactory App to do this properly.

"Language skills vital in an Asia-led world"

"Language skills vital in an Asia-led world"

Ten reasons Australian students should be learning Asian Languages now.

10.  Australia's future economic prosperity depends on our ability to be part of Asia's economic growth.

9. Australian school students now perform at levels significantly lower than their Asian peers.

8. We are failing to provide students with knowledge and skills in Asian languages and studies necessary for their futures.

7.  Current Asian language education in Australia  is poor. Too few teachers, teaching inadequate programs to a small number of students.

6. By 2050 the broader Asian economy will the largest in the world.  The Australian economy in 2050 is predicted to be out of the top 20 economies.

5.  Parents should demand that schools teach increase Asian literacy and  language teaching.

4. Governments should be supporting schools that are currently or starting Asian language and culture programs .

3. Even if reforms were made now it will take between 10 and 15 years to train and employ teachers.

2. A plan needs to be put in place now with appropriate funding. This plan needs to improve the quantity and quality of Asian languages in Australian schools.

1.  If the Asian literacy, language and culture program is implemented properly the current weakness and deficit in our inability to engage with Asia, could become our advantage.


Ten things paraphrased from this source Language skills vital in an Asia-led world

Vietnam to hire more Taiwanese teachers as interest in Mandarin grows - CNA ENGLISH NEWS

Meanwhile in Vietnam....

Vietnam to hire more Taiwanese teachers as interest in Mandarin grows

As I prepare for my looming CHIN201 exam...

Dropbox

As I prepare for my looming CHIN201 exam I am using every moment of my time to prepare. Something that is helping me a great deal is a free app called Dropbox. This is helping me automatically sync my flashcards, study notes, books, audio, video and other Chinese resources. It is able to sync between my home and work. It is also syncing all my files between my computer, iPod and iPad. If you sign up and install Dropbox you have 2GB of free online storage. So as long as I have placed things in my Dropbox folder I have access to my study material. I think this has helped me a great deal as I have no excuse not to study. 

Have a look at Dropbox.

我每天使用Dropbox的。

Wǒ měi tiān shǐyòng Dropbox de.

Try Dropbox

Dropbox

泥娃娃 ní​wá​wa​ Clay Doll

泥娃娃 
ní​wá​wa​
Clay Doll

泥 娃 娃 ， 泥 娃 娃
ní wá wá ， ní wá wá
Doll of Clay, Doll of Clay

一 个 泥 娃 娃
yī gè ní wá wá
A Doll of Clay

也 有 那 眉 毛
yě yǒu nà méi máo
She has eyebrows

也 有 那 眼 睛
yě yǒu nà yǎn jīng
She has eyes

眼 睛 不 会 眨
yǎn jīng bú huì zhǎ
but eyes that cant wink

泥 娃 娃 ， 泥 娃 娃
ní wá wá ， ní wá wá
Doll of Clay, Doll of Clay

一 个 泥 娃 娃
yī gè ní wá wá
A Doll of Clay

也 有 那 鼻 子
yě yǒu nà bí zǐ
She has a nose

也 有 那 嘴 巴
yě yǒu nà zuǐ bā
She has a mouth

嘴 巴 不 说 话
zuǐ bā bú shuō huà
But mouth cannot speak

她 是 个 假 娃 娃
tā shì gè jiǎ wá wá
She's a fake baby

不 是 个 真 娃 娃
bú shì gè zhēn wá wá
Is not a real baby

她 没 有 亲 爱 的 爸 爸
tā méi yǒu qīn ài de bà ba
She doesn't have a dear dad

也 没 有 妈 妈
yě méi yǒu mā ma
There is no mum

泥 娃 娃 ， 泥 娃 娃
ní wá wá ， ní wá wá
Doll of Clay, Doll of Clay

一 个 泥 娃 娃
yī gè ní wá wá
A Doll of Clay

我 做 她 爸 爸
wǒ zuò tā bà ba
I'm her dad

我 做 她 妈 妈
wǒ zuò tā mā ma
i'm her mum

永 远 爱 着 她
yǒng yuǎn ài zhe tā
love her forever

| Repeat from start|

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

Study More Chinese

Visit Study More Chinese

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

Get aboard Mandarin bandwagon | Noosa News | Local News in Noosa | Noosa News

Some local news. Getting close to my part of the world.

Get aboard Mandarin bandwagon | Noosa News | Local News in Noosa | Noosa News

Too monolingual for our own good | Fully (sic)

An article about Australian Language Learning

Too monolingual for our own good | Fully (sic)

What is the best way to prepare for my Chinese course in listening & speaking? - Study More Chinese

Answers can be found here.

What is the best way to prepare for my Chinese course in listening and speaking? - Study More Chinese

The lost decade: learning Asian languages

An interesting and detailed article about the past 10 years of Asian Language Learning in Australia.  The article The lost decade: learning Asian languages goes into great detail about many of the problems of teaching and learning languages over the past decade.  While I was aware of the many of the reasons and problems of learning an Asian language, there was still much that I didn't know.  One of the best discussions on this topic I have read.

Asian language should be mandatory for Australian schoolchildren

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop has said that she will push to have this plan made coalition policy before the next federal election. Another bold plan proposed that is bound to cause trouble for state education departments, teachers, parents and students. I look forward to seeing what transpires. Asian language should be mandatory for Australian schoolchildren

Other articles of interest. Language study shuts up

NSW Education Department statistics;

• 43% drop in students studying languages in the last 15 years
• There has been a drop of 50,000 students studying Japanese since 1996
• Less than 9% of this years Year 12 students in NSW will sit a language exam
• NSW students are only required to study 100 hours of a language in years 7 or 8

While the Victorian Government has plans to make a second language compulsory for all students from prep to year 10 by 2015. Our kids to learn new lingo

If the number of students does not increase Australian student will fall behind international education standards. Generations of Australians will not have skills to develop business, political and economic relationships with Asia. Without government intervention language learning will further decline.

Alarming and disturbing news indeed. I wonder if we have reached rock bottom yet.

Something to balance all the negative reports I have been blogging recently A feel good story can be found here. Teacher's leadership in languages applauded However, reading this carefully there is sound advice and warnings about current langauge learning in schools.

Meanwhile in Sweden. 'Every school must teach Chinese' Go Sweden Go!

Thoughts and Reflections

I finished my first year of Chinese learning at University last week. The final exam was not what I expected, however I will know how and what to learn for the next ones. I did not do as well as I had done on my assignments. I think I was quite anxious before the exam. I knew the vocabulary and grammar quite well. Yet I did not feel that I did my best. Despite the final exam I have had a really productive and enjoyable year of study.

As mentioned in my last post I am fortunate as I am able to go to Xian for three weeks of intensive study. Out of all the macro skills speaking is my poorest ability. Sometimes I feel I am learning in isolation. This is the downside of the distance education language learning course. I am able to teach myself to read, write and listen, but speaking is not possible. I can of coure listen and repeat to course texts and materials. However, in reality I do not feel able to hold a very simple conversation. I have no opportunity to speak with a native speaker. I live in what is a rural and remote area so my choices are very limited. Though I am not proficient in speaking, I am still looking forward to the three weeks of language classes and opportnities to speak.

Right now I am very relaxed about my language learning. I am listening to my Pimsleur Chinese course materials fairly regularly. I occasionally have a look at other resources. I am not pushing myself and I think I am getting better results than I did pre exam. I have an chance now to make some progress in a more relaxed learning environment. Shall keep this up for a few more weeks and see how it works out.  

In Sync with feeds and emails

For some reason my formal Mandarin learning at UNE and some of my supplementary resources are somewhat synchronised. I subscribe to some feeds and emails that deliver daily Chinese words and phrases. For the past week or more these words and phrases align with the vocabulary of my texts. I find the feeds and emails help me to pick up a quick phrase or be able to practice a new word.

Here are some links to some of the subscriptions and feeds that I am currently getting;

MDBG Vocabulary Feeds All the HSK levels

About.com Daily Mandarin Lesson

Chinese Word of the Day

Chinese-Course.com has a daily sentence email 

You can subscribe to my blog Chinese Mandarin Learner

 

I also subscribe to other blogs and websites of language learners. While these learners are often at a very different level to mine, they are still very useful. Sometimes it is enough to know that others are on the same learning journey as myself. The other blogs inspire me to learn more.

Mandarin Tone Change Rules

This is the best explanation of Mandarin Tone Change Rules. I have struggled with this all year and now I finally found a clear and concise summary of tone changes.

On another page on the same site is a clear explanation of Mandarin Tones. It begins

"Tones are probably the biggest difficulty for anyone learning to speak Mandarin. As a learner, you have to go through a long process from total unawareness of tones to eventually mastering them (which will probably take years)."

I am relieved to hear that it takes such a long time to learn the tones as I thought I wasn't mastering this as well as I could. As I am learning Chinese via distance / online education, have no opportunity to speak with native speakers and am often time poor, I feel a bit better about not mastering the tones at this stage of my learning. Much appreciated East Asian Student.

Memrise Flash Cards

I am trying a new flash card website called Memrise It is a free online flash card program / system. The first time I used it I didn't like it much...but returning to it I have found it useful. To make your own card set is not as easy as it could be, but I persevered and ended up getting useful set for NPCR lesson 16. There are many wordlists already created for HSK and multiple Chinese text books. I prefered to use my own as I much prefer my pinyin with tone marks instead of numbers.

The learning methodology behind Memrise is that it uses memory techniques to optimise learning. It uses spaced repetition system. As well as this it has an interesting interface with a garden metaphor. So you plant seeds in a green house, plants in a garden and water plants. It is expressing the the growth of you memories. The idea is to experience the flash cards in a dynamic environment. The Memrise Blog explains all this in some detail.

Something I haven't explored in detail yet is the Mem Stream a page where you can make mnemonics and have them rated by other language learners. There is also a Leaderboard which has your ranking out of all the users for the day, week, month and alltime. At present I am 4102^nd....I was 6532^nd yesterday.

So I am going to persist with Memrise for a while to see if it helps me learn my vocabulary. I will of course also contine to use Quizlet ( I really like the tests that can be generated) and Hanlexon to make hanzi practice sheets and lists.  

Learning Chinese? Infographic

Just found a very interesting Infographic from the Asia Society

Take a look Asia Society Infographic  

Here is another What are the Hardest Languages to Learn?

I am not sure if I am inspired or overwhelmed about the comment on the bottom left corner of the above infographic.

Lastly  China vs. America in Education America Meet China Interesting facts with huge numbers. The graphics do a great job to present the information, but the numbers are incredible.


What do you think? Your comments and feedback are very welcome.