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?

Australia a popular destination for Chinese Millionaires

Some points about wealthy Chinese Tourists:

1. Australia is the third most popular destination of Chinese millionaires.
2. 60% of Chinese millionaires picked travel as their favourite leisure activity.
3. Approximately 30% of Chinese millionaires annual spending is used for travel.
4. Australia is ranked number three in attractive places for Chinese millionaires to visit.
5. Outbound Chinese luxury travel market is stable and set to reach 77 million tourists.
6. China's emerging millionaires are increasing. 
7. Chinese travellers are big spenders. Favourite purchases include watches and jewels as their most-favoured purchases.
8. Chinese travellers prefer to travel in style flying business or first class and staying in five star (or higher) hotels.

Some questions relating to Chinese tourism in Australia :

• Is the Australian tourism industry catering to the needs of this market by training staff in Chinese Mandarin and Chinese etiquette?
• How many workers in the tourism and leisure industry are learning Chinese Mandarin?
• Are Australian tourism employees and operators prepared for Chinese tourists?
• Do those working in the Australian tourism industry know that arrivals from China jumped from 156000 to 536000 last year?
• Are Australian tourism workers aware that the number of Chinese tourist visiting Australia has risen by 20% in the last 12 months?

The potential to revive Australia's tourism is here. 

Sources of information:

Australia a favourite among China's rich

Chinese Tourists to Australia Reach Record Levels

Bilingualism Across the U.S. - Best Colleges Online

Bilingualism Across the U.S. - Best Colleges Online

This was recently sent to me by a blog reader.

I like this infographic. The overall benefits of bilingualism is interesting.


Via: BestCollegesOnline.com

Return to China after ten years

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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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

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.  

Post Exam....what next?

Yesterday I sat my final exam for this semester. It was good to complete it. Right now I do not really have the same sense of accomplishment that I felt when I finished my assignments. Though I am relieved that I have finished first year of Chinese. While I have studied as much as I can this semester I feel that I must review my study methods and focus.

Now that semester two is over I am going to move on to the next stage of my learning journey. I learned yesterday that there is a formal speaking and listening exam next January. In preparation for my short intensive course of Chinese in Xi'An next year I shall do some self study. So I have one and half months to prepare. I have some resources where I can focus on speaking and listening.  So upward and onward to Xi'An.