Why learn Chinese

aluminiumoxide, my Chinese wife...but it took a while until I really caught fire (:

Well that suggestion is what made me sign up for Chinese instead of French and begin learning. I'm very glad I did as I've enjoyed it very much. It is because I have enjoyed my lessons at uni that I have joined up to chinesepod and I plan to go on learning Chinese after uni. I agree that just because something is usefull you will not be putting all you can into learning it. As can be clearly demonstrated by my Finance modules. What got you started?

I tried to describe my motivation, as much as would fit, in the bio section of my profile. I "discovered" Chinesepod in March 2006. My motivation hasn't changed since then. Before that, while my initial impetus was work related, learning Chinese to the point of fluency has since become an independent obscesion.

edekan, You can learn how to convert the characters to traditional here: http://blogs.chinesepod.com/2007/04/25/firefox-plugin-for-traditional-chinese/

I'm still motivated to get caught up on listening to every lesson, but it almost feels like the number of lessons and the vocab and other things I can learn from them multiplies as fast as the number of Chinese characters keep realizing I don't know! Just listen to lessons from the beginning of 2006. Fortunately ChinesePod's lessons aren't as numerous as Chinese characters.... yet. ;)

Ken, does that mean you will not provide the traditional character scripts here? I was told that they would be forthcoming...if so what is the timeline? Thanks,

It would be ideal to see the blog entries in the Connect section. In this case there are 2 pages to open to follow 1 discussion...

@henning, Actually, I'm treating this as a kind of test... more later. Reply wherever you wish.

It's interesting to compare the different types of comments you get between here and the blog.

ekdean Cpod does supply traditional characters. Please go to the blog Ken indicated and you will find how to have the website operate in simplified or traditional. (default is simplified) http://blogs.chinesepod.com/2007/04/25/firefox-plugin-for-traditional-chinese/ There are many facets of motivation for me. One of the stronger pieces involves my children. Since their birth, I only speak Mandarin with them. I am convinced that one; multilingual situation enhance a child's brain development , second, I believe the next generation of children will only benefit from knowing Mandarin. This being said, I would like to propose and additional level be added to Cpod. Level-Children entertainment- This level can just be read stories, and or songs that parents can randomly play for child-in addition, I know the adults listening to this level will also learn helpful phrases and vocab. What do poddies think of this idea?

Because it is an ancient and facinating language tied to an equally amazing culture. Please everyone take a look at this petition and please support the traditional form. The UN has not supported the traditional written form for 10 years. Ken, I am still waiting for the traditional lesson texts but I do like the changes made to make the website more user friendly! http://www.gopetition.com/region/237/8314.html

a thought Ken could be finding a publisher to work with. Your teachers make the podcasts, some being the work of the publishers, refer to the publisher materials for poddies to purchase, Cpod gets a kickback for publishers sales. Possible? Story books Many story books are starting to include CD recordings of the book, but there is a large hunk of the pie out there untouched. Not only would this service be for foreigners learning Mandarin, but any parent who wants their child to read Mandarin could be interested in this. Give me one percent of the kickbacks would ya?:)

I am interested in learning chinese coz it is challenging! ^^ I feel happy when i can finally recoqnize chinese characters when i read chinese article. The other reason is coz Chinese is very important now.. China's economic growth has brought a big influence in the importance of learning Chinese. One more other reason, Because I am a Chinese who is not living in China and who cannot speak Chinese! >.< I wanna be able to speak MY language... haha Btw, traditional chinese is more difficult, but.. somehow.. i do feel it is more artistic.. hehe => my friend told me this and i realised it right away

Because it's the coolest language in the solar system. ;)

I've been learning Chinese ever since I came to Beijing back in '98 because I wanted to be able to communicate with the people here and I wanted to be able to read the signs and menus, etc. :o) I still have a lot to learn though I've studied at Di Qiu Cun for 2 years and studied most of their textbooks twice. I want to be fluent too but it takes a lot of work and practice and if you don't have time, it's just not possible. As and English teacher, everyone around me wants to practice English and I speak English at home with my family. I have to be proactive about practicing with Chinese friends.

Because I'm studying mandarin at university. ^^

Because I am studying business at university and my Dad said that if I was going to take a language module then Chinese would be the most usefull in the future.

Well, I'm living in China over this year, and my wife is Chinese...

aluminiumoxide, what do *you* say? The "somebody said it might be very useful in the future" will not carry you very far. You should ask yourself: Is it *fun*? [believe me, it is. You just need to become crazy enough].

Man2toe, Interesting suggestion, but we'd have to look at the resources it would, require. I'll bring it up.