User Comments - lajiao
lajiao
Posted on: Christmas Surprise
December 24, 2008, 12:34 AM
Which characters do you use for iPhone? It sounds like the woman in the dialogue is saying 爱凤 (ai4 feng1). Is that correct?
Posted on: The Person Component
December 19, 2008, 05:27 AMJohn,
You're taking all this with a lot of grace. I couldn't bear to read everything, so sorry if this is repetitive. My thoughts:
Your focus on 部件 is the best way to learn characters. For me, understanding each component is the easiest way to actually remember what the overall 汉字 means.
I spent a lot of time grilling my tutor on 部件 and it helped a lot. By contrast, my teachers spent very little time on this stuff and just wanted me to memorize. But I'm terrible at memorization and prefer to analyze and understand.
So, I'd say, your overall approach is on track.
Memorizing 汉字 is the 800 pound gorilla of learning Mandarin. This is because it's boring. If you can make it just a little bit more intersting, you will be providing a tremendous service.
Of course, making Mandarin interesting is precisely what chinesepod does best! Your dialogues with analysis are the best tool I have found to learn with. I'm sure in time you'll find the right formula for teaching 汉字. Video is a sensible place to start.
One thought is to include more detail. Your first episode was lighthearted and sought to appeal to newbies with humor. Consider doing a longer episode that starts out with the basics (for newbies) but then examines some examples in detail. You may lose some newbies after the first 5 minutes but I think that's fine. You have to be really dedicated to learn 汉字 so appealing to the nerds is ok. Your enthusiasm will be contagious. Just a thought.
Good luck! :)
Posted on: Surviving Winter and Singles Scene for Expat Girls
December 13, 2008, 04:27 PMHere's a humorous take on this topic:
Posted on: Introducing the Grammar Guide
January 24, 2008, 02:24 PMHow do I find the grammar guide? The only link I could find is this one: http://chinesepod.com/lessons/grammar It says: "This section is coming soon." What's up?
Posted on: Lost Cell Phone
January 11, 2008, 04:22 AMThe last time I was in Beijing, I found a cell phone in a taxi and gave it to the driver. Afterwards, I thought it might have been better to keep it and wait for the owner to call. What do you think the chances are that the driver tossed the SIM and sold the phone?
Posted on: Forget It
November 15, 2007, 11:45 AMI like 算了. I wonder if I can use it when I am trying to explain something but have reached the end of my chinese capabilities and want to give up. (This happens often.) Is 算了 too abrupt for that?
Posted on: Personal Questions and Bargaining
November 11, 2007, 03:22 PMDepartment store bargaining - I bought a pair of shoes at a department store in Qingdao. After I told them it was too expensive, she told me she could discount the price. The discount was either 67% or 88% of the stated price. I was blown away.
Posted on: The Final Show
January 11, 2009, 04:48 PMAmber,
Your podcasts are amazing. I looked forward to them every week. I'm not sure what I will do on the weekends now...