Introduce yourself

Oops!  I thought I was posting to Senior Newbies.

Where's the Senior newbies group?  I think I'm in between a newbie and an elementary speaker.  I haven't entirely mastered the different newbie lessons, but I find the elementary ones more interesting and they offer more things to learn.  Sometimes I'm also just lost when it comes to grammar and different structures.  So that's where I'm at for the moment:)   

Hi All:

I'm a newbie too, but have been studying long enough to be using the newbie lessons only for continued exposure to the basics.

I'm ready now to sink full time into the elementary training. I have taken several elementary lessons, and find that I can take these pretty well.

I'm starting to develop a "feel" for the language. What were just noises to me a few months ago in the newbie world, now shine thru to me in the elementary lessons as what really are parts of the philosophy, that is the Chinese language. Anyone who hasn't been "struck" by the fact that Chinese structure is philosophical in nature probably isnot ready to advance past the newbie stage.

I can put together a few basic sentences, but there is SO much left to learn because I can't really say that I have even the most basic grip on the Mandarin language. So, I'm joining up to enhance my training, grow stronger, and perhaps become a real Mandarin speaker some day.

Glad to be aboard!

Hi to you and Ali.  My name is Dave,   I have been married to a Chinese girl in China for more than a year. I have traveled extensively in China.   She has taught me much Chinese, but dosen't speak much english. So I am like you regarding enhancing my mandrin. There is much to learn and I thought I would start in newbee. look forward to learning with you. 

Ni hao!  I have been teaching myself Mandarin for a couple of years but my progress has been very slow.  I think CPod will be useful but I'm struggling with how to use it.  When I go through a lesson I understand it but when I go back to it a week later it's all new to me again.  Does everyone go through lessons once and retain them (if so I'll never learn this!) or is there some system of review and reinforcement that I'm missing? Anyway, hello to all and I'm looking forward to being part of the group.

Hi coloradomike:

My own system is to read the transcripts to see the words (vital) and then listen to a recording for a couple days until I can build - not remember - build -the sentences in the dialog.

After that, I keep that lesson in with the new ones, and continue to "wheel" the lessons randomly, skipping quickly thru those I have mastered, just as a review, until I "chance" upon a new one. Then it's time to invest another couple days to master the new lesson.

This keeps things exciting and interesting - and I am learning FAST.

I don't pretend to have stumbled upon any secret, but it works for me, so maybe it will help you.

Anyway, good luck with the studies.

Later,

Mason.

Ni hao!  I'm Chris.  I got interested in Chinese, as I would eventually like to work there.  I'm currently listening to the podcasts on my commutes to and from work.  I haven't been on chinesepod that long, I am taking the approach I listen to all the newbie lessons, and repeat the whole cycle instead of trying to "master" one lesson.  I figure this is more realistic to the real world. I find then I pick up the common elements through all the conversations.  What do others do?

I do want to get on to learning chinese characters.  Any advice on the best way to learn them?

ah! Am I the Lurker in Chief?  Maybe...

OK.

I am an aussie who has been living in Tokyo for almost 20 years now.  I taught myself Japanese to a reasonable level and have now decided on a new challenge, Chinese.

I am a professional language teacher and I really appreciate the well structured chinese pod lessons.  If  I had had Japanese pod 20 years ago I would have progressed a lot farther with that language a lot quicker!

anyway, I look forward to your comments or questions.