It has been a couple of weeks since the last selection of Mandarin related posts. I’ve also changed the format slightly. Rather than just posing a list of links I’ve included a short introduction to each link.
As usual, if you’ve come across something you think should feature in this weekly list, get in touch and I’ll include it in next weeks updated.
- How to Learn Chinese
Whilst recounting some of his experiences studying in Beijing, the author offers some impressively practical advice for all those learning Mandarin: “Studying Chinese. Don’t get too stressed out–just go out and talk to people.” - Of Language and Culture
“It is common knowledge that studying a foreign language involves studying a culture. Consciously or not, that is the main reason why people enjoy it.” I’m not sure I’d agree entirely but culture is certainly a key part of learning Mandarin. I especially like the observations about the pronunciation of 北京 (Beijing) - HOW TO: Learn and Practice Languages Using Social Media
Laura provides a quick roundup of various attempts to combine language learning and social media. Unfortunately there is no mention of ChinesePod (Learn Chinese with ChinesePod) or #MandarinMonday.
- Chinese-English Bilingual Ambigrams (via sinosplice)
These are just brilliant. When I look at them I instantly see the English, the Chinese appears after some considerable thought. My wife on the other hand sees the Chinese, and has to really look to see the English. Interesting how we are trained to pick out familiar patterns. - Using Twitter in Your Language Learning – Reading Practice
I think Twitter has great potential for practising a second language and perhaps I should expand on this idea in another post but, in the meantime, this link points to part of a series by Kelly looking at using Twitter as a part of your language learning toolset. This week she focuses on reading practice.
I am interested to know where do you practice your mandarin. What do you learn about the culture and what Chinese food do you like? I am a Chinese but not from China. I couldn’t speak mandarin well but after making friends with Chinese from China, I improved a lot in my spoken mandarin.
Hello Bill. I’ve visited ur blogs many times and I really like it. I’m a Chiense tutor(or…a person working in Chinese-teaching field) who wants to ask u for some advices. I really need some advices from local Chinese learners who live in UK. Can u please visit my website and give me some advices? (whatever kind of advices) I’ll really appreciate it! Thank you.
Mary, most of my Mandarin practice is at home or in the classroom. The biggest test (but I guess also the best opportunity for practice) comes when I actually visit China. With Chinese food, I generally try anything once. I’ve had some bad experiences but also some fabulous ones. The number one important lesson with Chinese food (especially when in China) is that presentation is not synonymous with taste. Some of the best food comes in restaurants that many Westerns would consider to be too chaotic (I almost wrote grotty) to even give them a second look.
I cannot link to my website on the previous comment. So I leave it here. Please Check
http://www.tutorhchinese.com
@Grace: I’m happy to discuss your site but at the moment it doesn’t appear to be online. Feel free to email me the link if you would like to discuss it at all.