Learning Process...Before & After Moving to China
calkins
February 02, 2009, 12:24 PM posted in General DiscussionThis was in response to the following question from dunderklumpen. I thought it deserved its own thread, in case other expats wanted to chime in, and because I tend to babble.
dunderklumpen says 
3 minutes ago
Hi Calkins,
You live in China now, right? I'm curious to know what you think about the learning process before and after moving there. Would you have chosen a different approach to learning the language if you could "live you life again"? More or less reading, more or less listening to podcasts, more or less cPod (hehe, a "sensitive" question) and so on . How useful was the chinese you learned before going there?
Hi dunderklumpen,
I'm in Taipei now. I don't think there is a lot I would have changed, though I would have liked some more structure. Cpod is obviously a phenomenal resource, but it's difficult to create a really good study plan here and stick to it. I wish I had a bit more formal schooling on a regular basis, maybe 2 or 3 times a week.
I did have a native tutor off-and-on, but it didn't improve my Chinese as much as I had hoped (I guess that boils down to how good your tutor is).
I also did a lot of self-study, especially with grammar and learning hanzi since they're not a big focus on Cpod. Learning hanzi is obviously a bit easier now, since I see them constantly (it's actually quite a cool feeling to be walking down the street and say "hey, I know what that character means!").
I wouldn't change a lot about how I used Cpod, although now I would stress quality over quantity. When I first found Cpod, I wanted to soak up as much as I could...I was doing maybe 1 or 2 lessons everyday. I was studying a lot, but I wasn't retaining a lot (of vocabulary). I wouldn't recommend that, at least not for most people.
Now I study maybe 1 or 2 lessons every week. That way I can take my time and really learn and retain the vocabulary (I use PlecoDict daily to reinforce the vocab. - highly highly recommend). Doing this also allowed for more time to review, which obviously reinforced previously-learned vocabulary. Some people are sponges, but I'm not, so for me less is more.
The only other thing that has changed is the way I choose the lessons I want to study. Now that I'm here, there are subjects that are more important than others (like setting up a bank account, going to the doctor, mailing a letter, ordering a pizza ;-).
Before, I used to study the lessons as they came out. Now I study lessons that I know I will need to use soon (so as not to look like a moron). This really reinforces the vocabulary because I really need to know it and I am actually using it in a real-life situation.
And 9 times out of 10, I mess up a lot of what I learned. It's not too difficult going into a situation with some set phrases, prepared for what to say, but once someone starts speaking Chinese at warp speed, it's all over and it's back to the books (or internet in this case)!
I will say this, without ChinesePod and all the other resources I used for 2+ years, I would be completely clueless here. As things are, I'm just clueless...with the goal of one day being able to hold a decent conversation with a native Chinese. I can't wait for that day!
billbag
February 02, 2009, 05:08 PMhey Calkins,
concerning the new dress thread, ive got a great teacher for my eastern ways on how to treat a sweet young chinese lady.
although i do appriciate your magic words, those never hurt......
thanks
xiaohu
February 03, 2009, 02:54 AMCalkins,
I second the motion. 我完全同意你的看法。
That's why we have a combination of extensive reading and intensive reading. The extensive reading is just coming across with as much information as possible, it's a process of planting seeds.
The intensive reading/study part is the process of "watering and fertilizing" the seeds you've planted. Cultivating the garden, as it were.
Everyone's "garden" is different, and if you're not a "sponge" it doesn't mean you're stupid, or unable to grasp Chinese, it just means that your mind works in a different way.
EVERYONE is perfectly capable of learning this language, you just have to be diligent and smart about how you study, and I wholeheartedly agree that less is more.
Trying to learn 80 new works a day just isn't realistic, and actually counterproductive, whereas learning 8 new words a day is do-able for virtually every student of Chinese.
The key to everything is DILIGENCE. Don't give up, find a way to win! 加油！
cassielin
February 03, 2009, 06:46 AMBrent,
I totally agree with you in this case, "LESS is More" !
Just step by step一步一步（慢慢来）！
No need to rush!
加油my friend!^_^
hkboy
February 03, 2009, 08:09 AMCalkins,
I enjoyed your post. Did you mention how long you have been studying Chinese?
Thanks.
calkins
February 03, 2009, 08:40 AMHi hkboy, I've been learning Chinese for about 2-1/2 years...I would say "seriously studying" for about a year and a half.
I found Cpod in October of '07...this format of learning Chinese "on my own terms" really got me excited and helped me become more serious about learning the language.
Just curious, are you in Hong Kong? Studying Cantonese and/or Mandarin? If so, what are your experiences with the language(s)?
hkboy
February 03, 2009, 11:19 AMCalkins,
Thanks for the response. I'm always interested to hear about someone's path in learning a language. Yes, I'm living in Hong Kong and I've been studying Cantonese since September of 2007. I originally started with Mandarin too but found studying the both was a bit too much for my small brain.
I've decided to start this year by studying Mandarin. I really envy you guys because you have chinesepod. There is nothing even close to it for Cantonese.
Good luck with the Mandarin in China - or did you say Taiwan? Can you keep us updated on your journey with the language?
James
jhfjhkj
February 04, 2009, 05:40 PMHi 同学生，
all of us apparently have the same problem. "Less is more" seems to be the magic word. And the old latin "repetitio est mater studiorum" e.g. repeat endlessly until it becomes subconscious. But - as Ken says - learn patterns, tiny bits.
I myself made the big mistake to start with learning single words using flashcards.
One of the many useful online tools is the MDBG Dictionnary - http://www.mdbg.net-. It gives you many quick references and shows the stroke order.
Good luck
Walter in Berlin
dunderklumpen
February 02, 2009, 02:24 PMThanks for sharing your adventures!
I think it is difficult to get started with the characters. Of course, I could start do flashcards, but I know I will be better off if I practice writing them as well. But writing is tricky because one should learn the right stroke order from the start. And some basics about how to hold the pen, do the strokes, and similar. I guess a guided beginners course is what I need, before going over to learn more by myself.
Ten-four, that goes for me too :) Hehe, with my current technique (order food, speak for 3 minutes) I will be bankrupt before achieving any fluency in chinese...
I was also owerwhelmed when I came to cPod. I wanted to know everything. But I'm not a sponge person niether, so now I study fewer lessons. Ken frequently says consolidate. A good word.