User Comments - stavros
stavros
Posted on: Language Power Struggle
August 14, 2012 at 7:27 AMOnly yesterday, at university (I study in Australia), a Chinese student deliberately sat next to me in order to speak English. He knew that I was studying Chinese but only spoke in English. Actually, at the time he showed initiative, I was studying Chinese and listening to Chinesepod. As I have become quite accustomed to this kind of thing, I knew that it was in my best interest - as well as his own - to speak in only English, take him seriously, show respect, give a little face and even go so far as to offer advice. While we talked, I showed him englishpod.com and antimoon.com. I even showed him the SRS program anki. After I left him, I couldn't help wondering why he only wanted to speak to me, a student who is actively studying Chinese as opposed to a local student who has no interest in the culture or the language. Given his speaking ability, which was just as good as my own, I knew that this student hadn't done the work but somehow had slipped through the gates to be enrolled in a prestigious university. I can only wish him the best, and I know in my heart of hearts, he needs to do a lot more work in order to speak English with anything resembling authority. The point of this comment, it is best to take people seriously and not undermine their efforts to learn English. Perhaps they are undermining your own, but you also know in your heart of hearts, you can always go back to Chinesepod or use all these effective tools which are freely available in the digital era.
Posted on: Fan Death
August 10, 2012 at 3:51 AMI tip my hat off to both the voice actors for emphasising the "th" sound in "death". Both are deliberately wrong. I guess this is something that only English speaking foreigners who have taught English in China can appreciate. But at the same time, I am sure both the voice actors laughed their heads off after they heard the podcast.
Posted on: A Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
August 10, 2012 at 2:02 AMMcCulture aside, if you do decide to "work through" this TV show, you will fall in love with the characters and forget all your intellectual pretensions.
Posted on: A Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
August 8, 2012 at 3:35 AMThis dialogue is very similiar to many scenes in the TV show 媳妇的美好时代。I say this thinking of the tone and situation. For those who haven't heard of this TV show, then I recommend it. The level of language is only a small step higher than what has been presented in this dialogue. 媳妇的美好时代 is both funny and touching. Before anybody asks, yes the show is very dumbed downed. An educated Chinese would not watch it. But its level of language is almost perfect for an upper intermediate learner. With the aid of an on-line dictionary while you watch it, you should be able to understand about 70%. Well, at least you will get the gist.
Posted on: A Creepy Guy
August 8, 2012 at 2:43 AMMy comment "confident young women" was written with the 听话 girls in mind. In my experience, I prefer to deal with a feisty, savvy and sassy girl compared to a 听话 girl. I've had countless girls turn red in the face or drop their heads in shame when I initiated conversation (perhaps its my dashing good looks that induces such a response). It became so common, I felt terrible for having ruined the poor girl's day. I always told myself providing I was treating people with respect and courtesy, then I was not responsible for how they feel. At the same time, when this happened, I always asked myself what type I would prefer to deal with. Sorry to say, feisty wins out. Sure, some girls can be mean - but that is part of the game. Perhaps in later lessons, statements such as 已所不欲， 勿施于人 (do onto to others as you want done to you) can be taught. The chances are good, this statement is floating around in one of the more advanced lessons.
Posted on: A Creepy Guy
August 7, 2012 at 8:47 AMThis kind of phenonmen is universal. These girls could be in a bar in New York, London, Paris or Sydney - the exact same scenario might happen with different cultural characteristics. If this in fact is common, then it is fair to say that Chinese women have become increasingly confident since the days of Open and Reform. Don't get me wrong: a confident young women is a good thing. This type (in the dialogue) seem to capture a lot of attention - as well as the imagination of a certain type. However, the question begs: what about the 听话 girls.? Or are they now a thing of the past? The chances are good "a creepy guy" would not find them very appealing.
Posted on: Language Power Struggle
August 3, 2012 at 7:02 AMComplete agreement. Naturally, when beginning a language, a student will require instruction in their native language. The sound system and writing system of Mandarin Chinese requires careful instruction, and it can be easily understood in the student's native language. However, I wasn't referring to beginners when I wrote the above. What I was referring to were students who had reached intermediate or upper intermediate, a stage where motivated students can negotiate meaning only through the target language. In other words, this is a stage where the student has done the work and they should be rewarded. In my opinion, because a student has worked very hard to reach this level, the teacher is obligated to communicate with the student, give gentle guidance and create a anxiety free environment; they should have both the training and the faith that they are being understood. This is something that a student should expect. From what John says about the Chinesepod teachers, they will attempt to communicate with a student at this level in only the target language - but will only speak in English only to clarify some points. Arguably, this is something that every student may require regardless of their level.
Posted on: Language Power Struggle
July 30, 2012 at 4:47 AMIt needs to be stressed that the people you meet on the streets are not teachers. They do not owe you anything. They can answer you any language that they like. However, a teacher should answer you in Chinese and encourage you to speak Chinese at all times. While I studied in China, this was the case. While I studied in my own country however, the teachers felt obligated to speak English. In my view, they did me a great disservice. Not only did they waste my time, they also wasted my money. It became abundantly clear that at my university there was no mentality or culture for ecnouraging students to speak Chinese.
Posted on: Table Manners in the West
July 25, 2012 at 3:51 AMJenny's comments about Chinese 排外 and 看不起外地人 is very interesting. Does this only apply to Chinese and foreigners? Or does it also apply to Chinese to Chinese, that is, Chinese considering Chinese who are from other cities or provinces as outsiders? Or, could it also refer to Chinese not being welcoming to others who are not within their circle of friends, family or status group? This requires elaboration. How much is this notion particular to Chinese culture and how much is universal? As all the poddies would be acutely aware at this stage in their studies, in order to reach a higher level they need to integrate and commune with Chinese. That is, they need to make genuine friends. If they are 外地人 they need to be aware that "some" (not all) Chinese 看不起外地人. But then again the question begs: what is a 外地人？
Posted on: Language Power Struggle
August 15, 2012 at 7:35 AMI live in Melbourne. Yes, I meant what you said. Although our conversation was very brief, I could sense he struggled with speaking. However, I based my comments on what he asked when I showed him anki. He asked what a certain word meant, 暗示. After I told him, he muttered it under his breath, trying to remember it. According to Chinesepod (and my own belief) this is a high frequency word. A student at university level, who is studying a discipline through their foreign language, should know it. But I guess, there are some things you can get away with and you don't have to know it all, high frequency or not. At any rate, the above situation is illustrative of the many ambiguous aspects of inter-cultural communication.