Here, in no particular order other than the order in which they came to my mind, are some of my favorite language learning quotes: 1. Everyone you meet knows more than you do about something, so you might as well be quiet and learn. (Eugene Nida) 2. It is said that children learn languages from […]
What Does Ju Mean?
Another question that I am commonly asked by newcomers, especially after they have been around for awhile and have started to pick up some new words and phrases is “what does XX mean?” If you are at all familiar with Chinese, you will understand the un-helpfulness of a question like this. The Chinese language has […]
How Long Does it Take to Learn Chinese?
Since I’ve been in China for 28 years, and speak Chinese reasonably well, I am often asked 2 questions (by foreigners), neither of which have easy answers. One is “are you fluent?” My response is usually “fluent enough to get myself into and out of trouble.” The second question is even harder: “how long did […]
Language Week at Outside-In
I’ve decided to blog around a theme this week, namely the Chinese language and language learning. Each day there will be a new post related to that theme. At the same time I am launching a subscription drive, complete with a “lucky draw.” New subscribers and/or those who recommend new subscribers will be entered to […]
Start Seeing Mops
I’m a compulsive observer. I think it is partly due to a very curious nature, partly due to having grown up overseas, and partly due to training that I received in acting classes in college, when our professor would send us out into the community to just sit and observe. We would sit for hours […]
A Letter to Chinese Language Learners
With the end of the semester upon us, I know there are thousands out there who are completing a course of Chinese language learning. Maybe it was a semester; maybe a year; maybe two years. It doesn’t matter. The hard slog is nearing an end ( or perhaps already over for you), and you’re ready […]
