Back to the abc's.

After a five year break, I have finally returned to pick up my learning of the Chinese language. I can honestly tell you that the Chinese language has not gotten any easier. The advantage I do have is that I have completed the basic lessons a couple of times before so I can quickly soak up the content again. However I will start to get worried when the grammar and longer sentences start to be taught.

I am also proud to be the only Australian in my class. The other students are from France, Mexico, a Taiwanese born American, and four from Japan. One of the Japanese students doesn't speak English so I am not sure how well he will understand the lessons.

Now you may be wondering how the classes are conducted. To begin with, English is not meant to be spoken, although it is relied on to explain a concept in detail. The Chinese teacher's English is broken but fluent enough to understand her point. Essentially how the teacher is meant to teach in purely the Chinese language would be very difficult considering us students are there to learn Chinese; so life is a little confusing sometimes.

One funny example today, we had to practice using our tones and when we should change them. There were three sentences to practice with:

1. You are very good.
2. You are very lazy.
3. You are very early.

One guy that was practising change the Chinese word (by accident) from lazy to old. So the teacher was being told that she is very old. Although not taken seriously, it usually is funny when a language student mixes up their words. The house-mates that the Doctor and I had in Christchurch were very funny when they did that; and we all had a laugh about it too.

Anyway, speaking of practising, I had better get back to my homework. Heavens forbid that I don't do my homework and the teacher tells me off. However I may have the advantage of not knowing what she is saying and nicely smile back in total ignorance.

Till next time, haveagoodone...