Lessons I am looking forward to in 2009 ;-)

As everyone seems excited about the solar eclipse: Will there be a lesson to deal with it - and the moon, the sun, the planets and stars?

What about China's 60th birthday?

Btw: Anyone interested in heritage cars living in Beijing: Please welcome those historical beetle cars when they roll into Beijing on August 30th, 2009: www.vintage-volkswagen-challenge-2009.net

How about a lesson on this year's newly arrived first flush Chinese tea? Or something similiarly thrilling?

For us Germans newly arrived potatoes and the asparagus season are things to get excited about. ;-)

I have always wondered how to explain a character over the phone - if you really don't know much about it. Doing "米饭的米。" is ok only if you know that. How to describe a character radical-wise or something?

If not dinosaurs: What about the (in)famous Mouse and equivalent cartoon heros from China?

Mhm, this Economist feature on China in 2009 - albeit some months old - is not that optimistic of things ahead.

So, some Chinese jokes could be a new feat this year? I don't know if Chinese humour is very different from German or English humour, but it might be worth a try.

Is there some "humour day" in China like Red Nose Day in Britain?

RJ,

That is just hilarious ! "grabbing, with great conviction"[lol;so well put too].Gee,I wish I'd been in the seat across the aisle to see that....but how to stop from bursting out laughing?.You have a great sense of humour to share that with us .Thanks for starting my day with a laugh.

Henning,

yes, speaking of dinosaurs, on my way back from SH last week I sat behind the cutest little Chinese fellow (about 5 yrs old) on the plane. He was already bilingual and I am so jealous, but he dropped his dinosaur under the seats. In the dark I was sure I found it and ended up grabbing, with great conviction, a stocking only covered foot that belonged to the guy sitting behind me. This abruptly woke him up - how do you explain that real fast in Chinese? Anyway I did finally find the missing beast, but I could not remember how to say dinosaur in chinese. Great kid, not one problem in 14 hours. His father told me he has made the trip some 10 times already. Now to look up dinosaur before I forget.

Ah- 恐龙   (kong long) - tyrannosaurus Rex to be exact - 霸王龙 (ba wang long)

Speaking of "animal", I can't wait the cultural lesson about the Grass Mud Horse (草泥马). ;o)

Dinosaurs!

Anyone who has kids knows why.

a lesson on buying glasses would be handy

Something on shopping for Chinese curio and nick nack, e.g. chopsticks, silk tablecoths, cloisonnee stuff - a walk down an alley in Yu Yuan.

@ glacchia:

Just have a look on popupchinese - you will find HSK material over there.

In May I will stand for the HSK (basic). I would like to have some suggestions to prepare, exercises, mock examination, links, ecc.

Teacher's day (september 10th) would be nice - although, err, maybe we, the users, should be preparing something for you 老师们.

Hmm. 

I would like to see more on Chinese superstitions or maybe a scene about getting your fortune told.

Something on Darwin and evolution on his 200th birthday?

Earth hour (地球一小时) might be an interesting topic, too: http://www.wwfchina.org/earthhour/

Furthermore, I am looking forward to some more songs with catchy tunes and interesting vocab.

henning: Are you talking of that Chinese lunar lander module to explore the dark side of the moon?

The new CPod SciFi / space series that comes out in 2009!

no, I know about the chinese zodiac already BUT its always good to hear a NEW lesson about Chinese New Year!

:P

urbandweller:

Do you want explanations of Chinese zodiac signs, again?

YEAR OF THE 牛!!!