Comments on: Language Learning is Messy III: Learn What You Need http://laowaichinese.net/language-learning-is-messy-iii-learn-what-you-need.htm Tips and Strategies for Learning to Speak Mandarin Chinese Thu, 17 May 2012 13:19:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: KF http://laowaichinese.net/language-learning-is-messy-iii-learn-what-you-need.htm/comment-page-1#comment-3398 KF Tue, 06 Nov 2007 10:15:21 +0000 http://laowaichinese.net/language-learning-is-messy-iii-learn-what-you-need.htm#comment-3398 I want to congratulate you. Most times I do feel that your advice is really helpful. And I do believe I learn something new many times I open your e-mail. It's true that there are many systems out there that work. (10 right ways to do it). The nasty trick is sticking to it. And the truth is maybe each trick has a lifespan.., some short some long. One thing that I have found to be important is to read / study variedly. That is sticking to one book actually narrows your focus to words used in a narrow context.., I cannot tell you how many "aha" moments I get when I start a new book or start cross referencing.., very exciting.., (I actually started this based on advice from two different chinese friends.., yes I'm hard headed).., I want to congratulate you. Most times I do feel that your advice is really helpful. And I do believe I learn something new many times I open your e-mail. It’s true that there are many systems out there that work. (10 right ways to do it). The nasty trick is sticking to it. And the truth is maybe each trick has a lifespan.., some short some long.

One thing that I have found to be important is to read / study variedly. That is sticking to one book actually narrows your focus to words used in a narrow context.., I cannot tell you how many “aha” moments I get when I start a new book or start cross referencing.., very exciting.., (I actually started this based on advice from two different chinese friends.., yes I’m hard headed)..,

]]> By: Sophia http://laowaichinese.net/language-learning-is-messy-iii-learn-what-you-need.htm/comment-page-1#comment-3396 Sophia Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:18:22 +0000 http://laowaichinese.net/language-learning-is-messy-iii-learn-what-you-need.htm#comment-3396 Another excellent post! The two approaches can be used to learn any language. Learning the situational conversations is a good way to get prepared and start a dialogue; Experiencing the lack of vocabulary and the urge to find the right words in the real world is for sure the most effective way to memorize the words. Another excellent post!

The two approaches can be used to learn any language. Learning the situational conversations is a good way to get prepared and start a dialogue; Experiencing the lack of vocabulary and the urge to find the right words in the real world is for sure the most effective way to memorize the words.

]]> By: Nicki http://laowaichinese.net/language-learning-is-messy-iii-learn-what-you-need.htm/comment-page-1#comment-3389 Nicki Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:58:20 +0000 http://laowaichinese.net/language-learning-is-messy-iii-learn-what-you-need.htm#comment-3389 I've done both the pro-active (I remember fondly learning the word for bicycle pump, going out and asking our security guard where to buy one, then wheeling my flat tired bike to the shop and asking for it) and reactive (wow this cold noodle dish is great, can you write it down for me?) approaches, and they've both worked well for me. The problem I've found with the reactive is sometimes I don't get into the situation where I need it again for a while, and by then....it's gone. I've been doing a sneaky proactive way recently....I teach a couple classes of 6-9 year olds once a week, with the aid of a T.A. who translates into Chinese for the kids when they don't understand. I've been looking up how to say our new vocabulary words for the kids in Chinese before I go to class, and then sneakily listening in to the translation and going over it in my own head. So the kids learn the new word in English, and I sneakily learn it in Chinese. All while getting paid for it! I’ve done both the pro-active (I remember fondly learning the word for bicycle pump, going out and asking our security guard where to buy one, then wheeling my flat tired bike to the shop and asking for it) and reactive (wow this cold noodle dish is great, can you write it down for me?) approaches, and they’ve both worked well for me. The problem I’ve found with the reactive is sometimes I don’t get into the situation where I need it again for a while, and by then….it’s gone.

I’ve been doing a sneaky proactive way recently….I teach a couple classes of 6-9 year olds once a week, with the aid of a T.A. who translates into Chinese for the kids when they don’t understand. I’ve been looking up how to say our new vocabulary words for the kids in Chinese before I go to class, and then sneakily listening in to the translation and going over it in my own head. So the kids learn the new word in English, and I sneakily learn it in Chinese. All while getting paid for it!

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