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It's an all-ladies show today. Jenny, Catherine and Sarah are here to talk about the week's upcoming lessons. We've got shows on everything from plumbers and remodeling to going home for the holidays. The team will also discuss this week's guests and the very first ChinesePod Virtual School class! Sarah's also got lot of news regarding changes to the site and some things we're all looking forward to in the upcoming year.
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Great show- interesting and fun. I think the exam thing in China is very difficult for people in the Europe to understand. It is a real cultural difference and makes learning exchanges difficult, because students in China are just locked into rote learning with no free time to explore other interesting topics if they are not part of their exams.
Thank you Jenny, Catherine and Sarah for the show :)))
Yeah, this is very difficult for Chinese people, especially, children to explore something new. They don't seem to be able to organise their time for studying and having a rest, which is not healthy at all. They just study all the time from very early age. Probably, that's why many Chinese people wear glasses.
I'm looking forward to studying the coming lessons :))) I agree, we are nerds in a good sense of the word :)))
We're nerds in the best sense of the word! What can be cooler than language learning mixed with technology? It's like a really fun form of sociable geekery :-)
As for children's work-life balance in China, I wouldn't say their lack of "free" fun time is a question of bad time-management skills (poor kids shouldn't need to worry about organising their time anyway, surely?); I just think their parents and teachers pile on the work, so much so that they have no choice but to study round-the-clock.
If they're not at school or doing homework, then they're learning to play the piano, or sing, or paint, or whatever else that will give them a competitive edge when they finally graduate. It's tough, especially as most will be the only child in the family (cannot imagine the pressure).
Nothing wrong with a nerd. The geeks, as we all know, will inherit the earth.
I'm pretty sure they already have.
Plumber's crack...'nuf said. :)
Nerd in Wikipedia :
Nerd is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests that are age-inappropriate rather than engaging in more social or popular activities. Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a loner by peers, or will tend to associate with like-minded people.
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Hi Bababarwan,
I only said that I use the new meaning of a word when this new meaning is already widespread among the native speakers of all english speaking countries. If this new meaning is not widespread among native speakers, I assume it's also not widespread among non native speakers.
If the evolution of a word is only used in an english speaking country or in a region of an english speaking country I will consider this evolution as part of a dialect based on common english. I already encounter local dialects from Singapore, Australia, South-Africa, Nigeria and South-California.
Right,I see.I would have a couple of thoughts on that.First that I would think that a little difficult to guage....or is it? For example I wouldn't have the foggiest about how a word like nerd is used in Nigeria.Do you have any insights on that front? Secondly,I would have thought in general though that this evolution of nerd was relatively widespread as the world becomes more homogenous and through the widespread exposure to,in particular,American culture.But as I say I think your interpretation of the word depends on context,intent,and your viewpoint.
The simpliest way to gauge whether the definition of a word is widespread or not may be to use a "common" (non-partisan) english dictionary.
For example, if you use "One whose IQ exceeds his weight" as a definition of Nerd, it won't be appropriate everywhere. ;o)
hehe,I like it,but you've got me a bit worried:is that pounds or kilos mate?
If you use the Imperial Units here, I guess you're at a huge disadvantage. ;o)
jajaaaah, but once we are all nerds, we are social again :D
What are you talking about--? Learning Mandarin (on, or off, CPod) is such a popular pursuit it's fairly embarrassing, if you are a nerd and have appearances to keep up.
not where I come from, not where I come from :)
The ladies have raised the stakes for visitors bearing gifts to the Chinesepod office. :-)
I am still haunted by exam memories till this day. The worst part is that you have to bring home the test paper for your parents to sign and see.
The last time I was in Shanghai doing network engineering for my American friend for his China based company, he pointed out one of the reasons he brought me from the states.
He said that the local engineers he had met would be able to do exactly what he asked, but no more.
In other words they seemed to not be able to conceptualize "what-if scenario" based questions to expand his network. That seems to follow the learning by rote memorization that earlier posts pointed to and its unfortunate because expansive thinking is important in my field.
The problem I see is I'm not sure its a skill you just learn on demand. It seems to me to be more of something you're raised with. :/
@hughborg707
I'm no expert, but I'd agree with the connection you've made.
Kids in Chinese schools are so busy learning, but are seldom encouraged to question any of it. Your experience highlights the result of this type of education (and the continued influence of Confucius!).
Whoa! I just heard you guys talk about me! Haha!
Hey girls, just wanted to say I especially enjoyed last week's selection of topics:) Since I actually want to go through ALL of them, I don't think I will be able to look at any of this week's lessons;)
Hi, daphnedawn - really pleased to learn that you're enjoying the lessons from last week (please do keep this feedback coming)!!
I'd be interested to know how many people do study every single lesson in a week (I shouldn't think there are many, especially considering that includes all the Advanced levels!). Certainly puts my efforts to shame :-) 加油! 加油!
...'it includes all the Advanced levels'...Did I say ALL of last week's lessons ??? ;) For me at least, studying every single lesson of a particular week is going to be a big exception..and challenge:)
Wow - let us know how you get on! You never know; maybe this exception will become the rule for you ;-)
We really enjoyed visiting the Chinesepod team last summer! My two young sons had an instant crush on Jenny, and thought it was really cool to meet the people whose voices their mum is always listening to on the computer.
Will the grammar guide be available to non-premium, basic subscribers?
I enjoyed meeting with Jenny and seeing the home of CPod on a beautiful October day last year.
下一次在见。
Your fellow female language geek,
思怡
Hi 思怡!
Yes the grammar guide will be available for basic subscribers as well. Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to the ChinesePod office! Feel free to pop in again soon!