Back in School

[Josh Markley]

Well here it is my first day back in classes.  his place makes me feel really old.  All my classes are filled with 18 and 19 y/o's  But you all know me I am making the best of it right now.  Looking and all the young cute girls.  I have only spotted on Chinese girl.  I was hoping to have a class with her, but I am sure she is in the smart kid classes.  Anyway so far so good.  I have a good feeling about the first two classes of the day.  I should at the very least get B's. 

[ttwjr32]

well keep us posted on how well you do   

[Jason B]

yes keep us posted on your progress and don't forget an apple for the teacher......

[Vince G]

After college I went to a computer/electronic school. I was in my 20's and there were "older" in there 50's men in class also, but we had a blast. Fast forward to 2003 I went back to school for accounting. I was 50 then. I wasn't the oldest in the classes but I became popular maybe because of it? I use to take the bus to school and these "kids" would see me at the bus stop and pull over and give me a ride. Some very attractive young women. But again we had a blast and made a large amount of friends there. So you have it right, make the best of it. It's worth the experience.

[Josh Markley]

Xu Lao Shi, is a very beautiful women not to mention a very humorous lady.  So I know I am going to really enjoy my Chinese class.  Even though we are going over things I have learned on my own, but practice makes perfect right.  I really didnt imagine so many students in this class.  I did meet one other chap who is there so he can learn and understand his girl better.  She Is Shanghianese, but in school here in the US.  So Jason thanks for the heads up I def take apples for brownie points haha.  Vince and your right at least in this chinese class I am already pretty well liked.  All these kids are so fascinated by China and my stories lite up there faces, pretty cool. 

[Josh Markley]

My new Chinese name is Mai Jie De, I guess it means heroic and strong.

[ttwjr32]

Josh,

your correct practice makes perfect or in my case as an old man it helps to retain it  lol!!!!

[Josh Markley]

Just to keep you guys updated have been struggling in my Chinese class, its no joke and we are moving quickly through the material.  I am passing with a weak B.  But very unexceptable.  Have a question for you guys, do you learn the speaking fast or the reading and writing of the hanzi easier.  I can read and write now.  Still can not speak.  I still think Immersion is the only true way to speak well.

[Arnold]

Jo-Ma , I think in my case having a chinese Wife is the best way to learn it . It is more Personal and at your own speed . You learn what you want to learn first , like simple sentences and have it written down at the same time . I can always tell when I pronounce it right , by Qing laughing . Yes , she wont laugh if i'm wrong . No no .. she wont slap me either . The hard part is remembering though day's later . See , I don't really try to learn it fluently .. just keep adding some new while I forget the older ones . She see's I'm trying , also knows I'll never learn it . So we are both happy with this .

[RobertBfrom aust]

Arnold , you are spot on , most of what I learned yesterday is forgotten today , but the other side of the coin is that Sujuan can yap away in English and most can understand her not bad for 9 months , but here at work she always talks in Mandarin so that is not really helping her , but she is a lot smarter than I , regards Robert .

[seagull]

Just to keep you guys updated have been struggling in my Chinese class, its no joke and we are moving quickly through the material.  I am passing with a weak B.  But very unexceptable.  Have a question for you guys, do you learn the speaking fast or the reading and writing of the hanzi easier.  I can read and write now.  Still can not speak.  I still think Immersion is the only true way to speak well.

I'm also studying Chinese and have been for two years. But I can barely say a word with correct pronounciation and have trouble understanding Chinese unless it is spoken slowly. On the other hand, I have picked up reading and writing a lot quicker. I guess for those of us who study in the classroom it is easier to learn the reading/writing, speaking/listening is something that will only come if you go to China and throw yourself in the deep end.

[chen yan]

Here is a Chinese competition TV programme , all the compititors are foreigners. Next year will be the 10th competition.

http://www.imgo.tv/watch_tv.aspx?TypeId=771&ClipId=55151&tid=771&cid=55151&fid=65267&OTypeId=771&styleId=1&fstlvlId=1#top
I recommend you to watch, you can see there are a lot of foreigner speak Chinese very well, hope you can have more power to study.
You can start watch from 21 minutes.

And here is the photos about this competition from the official webstie: http://www.chinese.cn/bridge/C09/node_3263_2.htm