“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.” | Chinese Proverb.
嗨 my beloved reader! I hope you are doing well. For those who have been with me from the beginning, you probably know about my love for learning languages. So far, I can fluently communicate in over 3 languages, one of which is Mandarin ㊗️. I have been learning Mandarin for almost 6 years now and after some requests from friends, I have decided to take on the role of a teacher. This is how was born the idea of ZhouSanShuoHan in English 'Let's speak Mandarin on Wednesday' my newly launched project, which I am thrilled to present to you in this post. Thank you for joining me.
A brief overview of my journey with China.
I arrived in China on March 5th, 2018 after spending two months at the Confucius Institute of Felix Boigny University, where I learned the basics of the Chinese language. Then, I enrolled in the language department of UIBE (University of International Business and Economics) for two semesters. This year has served as a sabbatical year for me after graduating from high school, allowing me to gain clarity on my future study plans. I earned the CSC (China Scholarship Council) scholarship in 2019. As a result, I had to spend an additional year studying Mandarin at the Capital Normal University (CNU) in Beijing before starting my Chinese-taught program in September 2020. Thanks to my time there, daily learning, and interactions, I was able to reach the HSK5 level within three years.
How did I learn Mandarin?
I started my language-learning journey at the Confucius Institute, and to be honest, it wasn't easy. Since I was in a French-speaking country, my only chance to practice was in the classroom and with a few classmates I bonded with. However, when I arrived in China, things became more interesting. Despite initially struggling to understand anything, being surrounded by people who spoke the language greatly enhanced my listening skills. Additionally, having no choice but to speak up whenever I was outside helped me improve my speaking proficiency. Apart from the four semesters I spent in a Chinese Teaching Program, interacting with Chinese friends also played a significant role in learning and memorizing everyday words not covered in class.
I also enrolled in some online classes on Coursera, specifically 'Chinese for HSK5' and 'Chinese for HSK6,' and committed to reviewing a set number of words each day. Being in China provided me with the opportunity to immerse myself in Chinese culture, which contributed to my ability to 'think in Chinese'. However, if you are currently unable to travel there, you can still create a Chinese environment by listening to Chinese music, podcasts, or watching Chinese movies.
7 reasons to study Chinese in 2024?
— China is a rapidly growing country: China's rapidly growing economy presents an opportunity to indirectly connect with a thriving global market. By learning Chinese, you can open yourself up to numerous job prospects in this expanding economy.
— Chinese is one of the most spoken languages: The Chinese language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 1.3 billion speakers.
— Job opportunities in China: Learning Mandarin can indirectly open up job opportunities in a country as large as China. There are numerous job options available for non-native Mandarin speakers, such as working as an ESL teacher, and various fields including trade, import/export, IT, technology, writing, hospitality, marketing, language-related, and entertainment.
— Business Opportunities: As a traveler and especially a business person, you might want to visit China. By learning how to speak Chinese you will be able to connect with the locals and have better exchanges with your partners.
— Studying in China: China is not only known for its manufacturing industry but also for its affordable higher education. Tuition fees and living costs are much cheaper compared to other countries, making it ideal for students on a tight budget.
— Career opportunities involving Chinese: Many career choices exist in industries as diverse as manufacturing, steel, construction, electronics, technology, real estate, finance, entertainment, embassies, export business, and government. Proficiency in Mandarin can help you find many well-paid positions as a teacher, translator, interpreter, tour guide, content writer, and much more. You can also work in the enormous tourism, travel, hotel, leisure, and hospitality sector. Knowing how to speak Chinese is always a great advantage if you wish to work in those companies that operate in these sectors.
— Chinese is helpful in many countries: Chinese is spoken not only in China but also in various countries across Asia and Southeast Asia. Chinese translations can be found on signage, menus, and other forms of communication in these places, and there is a significant presence of Chinese-speaking communities with whom you can always connect.
Here comes ZhouSanShuoHan.
周三说汉 in pinyin ZhouSanShuoHan is born from the willingness to share what I have been taught and to help people who are interested in studying Mandarin at their own pace and without pressure. I choose Wednesday (ZhouSan) 'cos it sounds nicer compared to the other days such as Monday (ZhouYi) or Friday (ZhouWu). So, every Wednesday, we'll teach new words, and new expressions to help you navigate one of the world's most widely spoken languages. We started 3 weeks ago. But don't worry if you are new, you can still catch up.
🔗Our channel link :
© ZhouSanShuoHan by @mouniirah_deme.
Dear reader and dear learner, I am deeply honored to assist you in your journey. I can assure you that we will enjoy a pleasant experience together as I am fully dedicated to providing you with the utmost quality. Thank you for your interest and support. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to meet in person in a classroom setting someday. Until then, may God bless you. Take care.
With love,
Mouniirah.
♥
Sources:
Comments