Oh my God, this book is taking forever to read so I'm just going to talk about it as I read it instead of waiting until I finish it like I had planned.
The book isn't very long- it's only 188 pages but it isn't one of those books that keeps you hooked. You kinda have to force yourself to keep reading. So why am I reading it? Well, this book is written by a linguist who lived in Shanghai for a number of years and studied Chinese. While studying Chinese she realized that by understanding the culture of China it made learning the language easier and visa versa. So this book is about Mandarin but it's in regards to the Chinese culture which is a very interesting concept. Therefore, I keep reading. So far it has been interesting just not on-the-edge-of-your-seat interesting. And for someone who reads history books for fun, the fact I can't sit and read it through says something. Nonetheless, I keep reading.
One thing she has discussed is the Chinese version of love versus the Western version. To not paraphrase the entire chapter, I'll just say that unlike English the Chinese verbs do not have a past, present, or future tense. So when the phrase "I love you" in Chinese or 我爱你 holds no sense of being apart of a period of time. It encompasses all time. Just thinking about that concept a bit sounds far more romantic than our English version which gives the easy option of having an end to love.
In another chapter Fallows discussed the difference between common speech in English and Chinese. In English, being polite usually means being very nice and considerate. In Chinese it gives the impression that you're distancing yourself from one another. Chinese use more blunt, "rude" language to show a closeness to the person they are speaking to, almost like welcoming them or being intimate. So the Chinese actually think English are too polite! And here we thought we were being nice.
She talks about other things like how the Chinese view time and place and how they are intertwined as well as talking about tones and just how important they are to the Chinese language. It really is interesting it's just not exciting per se.
I'm going to continue reading and definitely recommend the book to anyone who wants proof that culture and language can help describe the other and should not be viewed without the other.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Extremes are not Good
With anything really, but particularly language, extremes are not going to cut it.
Although I fully believe vocabulary and grammar are very important to learning a language there seems to be so much more to it.
Many describe language as being a living thing because it is used by living, adapting people who then transform their native languages to fit their mood, trend, and society. To teach language in a way that holds one aspect it over another is teaching already outdated information and only a portion of it. How can someone take this outdated information and use it when that person doesn't have all the pieces? Language is a combination of many things; it is vocabulary, grammar, accents, alphabets (characters), and culture.
Stating this now, I now add a 6th thing to what makes a good language teacher- teaching culture.
The point is, it's all about balance and exposing students to everything. Focusing so much on one thing and letting everything else fall to the wayside is like hosting a party and spending all your time making the most awesome playlist that won't have to touched for hours- what is everyone going to eat?
Although I fully believe vocabulary and grammar are very important to learning a language there seems to be so much more to it.
Many describe language as being a living thing because it is used by living, adapting people who then transform their native languages to fit their mood, trend, and society. To teach language in a way that holds one aspect it over another is teaching already outdated information and only a portion of it. How can someone take this outdated information and use it when that person doesn't have all the pieces? Language is a combination of many things; it is vocabulary, grammar, accents, alphabets (characters), and culture.
Stating this now, I now add a 6th thing to what makes a good language teacher- teaching culture.
The point is, it's all about balance and exposing students to everything. Focusing so much on one thing and letting everything else fall to the wayside is like hosting a party and spending all your time making the most awesome playlist that won't have to touched for hours- what is everyone going to eat?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
5 Things that make a Good Language Teacher
These are just my observations and I encourage anyone to put in their 2 cents and tell me how I'm wrong/right.
1. Speaking the Language
Probably the most important thing you can do when teaching a language; otherwise, how are the students supposed to learn it? A language teacher told me that a teacher should speak the language about 50% of the time to beginners and then about 90% of the time to students of the higher levels. This way the students can be immersed in the language and be forced to learn it, in a similar way to when a person is in a country that doesn't speak their native tongue and quickly learns the words they need to get by. My sister actually further proved this theory for me by explaining how she took two classes with one teacher who spoke mostly English and then two with another teacher who didn't. She learned far more with the teacher who didn't speak English (even though the class was much harder) than with the teacher who spoke mostly English.
2. Teaching the Grammar
This may actually be as important as speaking the language. Native English speakers- think back to someone you heard who you felt couldn't speak English very well. Why did you think that? I've found it's usually because their grammar wasn't very good. Therefore, understanding grammar means understanding the language. It's basically the bones of the language and the vocabulary the meat. Another analogy would be the grammar is the equation and the vocabulary the numbers to fill in the equation.
3. Practicing Vocabulary
After just talking about how vocabulary is the "meat" of a language I hope you saw this one coming. Even if a student’s grammar isn't the best, if they know the vocabulary word someone will eventually figure out what they’re trying to say (hopefully). However, learning a bunch of words and then never using them is hardly going to help a student remember them. So using the vocabulary in class and having them create a memory to associate that word with is incredibly helpful. Also, if the student uses the vocabulary in sentences then the teacher can check their grammar at the same time!
4. Practice Speaking the Language
In order to be fluent in a language you have to use it, plain and simple; so making students speak the language not only boosts confidence but also helps them remember vocabulary as well as practice grammar.
5. Independent Study
I’ve never been a good studier but I know the benefit of being able to do so. There are some things students can do on their own, like practicing vocabulary, listening to the language, etc. For this reason, and because the teacher will not always be there, it’s important to promote independent study. It’s a great tool to use in the future, whether using it to learn a language or not, and when summer break rolls around the teacher isn’t going to be there to make sure the student is practicing the language. That responsibility is going to fall on the student’s shoulders and it’s the teacher’s responsibility to make sure the student is prepared for that moment.
Let me know what you think and if you agree or disagree or even your own experiences!
Courtney
1. Speaking the Language
Probably the most important thing you can do when teaching a language; otherwise, how are the students supposed to learn it? A language teacher told me that a teacher should speak the language about 50% of the time to beginners and then about 90% of the time to students of the higher levels. This way the students can be immersed in the language and be forced to learn it, in a similar way to when a person is in a country that doesn't speak their native tongue and quickly learns the words they need to get by. My sister actually further proved this theory for me by explaining how she took two classes with one teacher who spoke mostly English and then two with another teacher who didn't. She learned far more with the teacher who didn't speak English (even though the class was much harder) than with the teacher who spoke mostly English.
2. Teaching the Grammar
This may actually be as important as speaking the language. Native English speakers- think back to someone you heard who you felt couldn't speak English very well. Why did you think that? I've found it's usually because their grammar wasn't very good. Therefore, understanding grammar means understanding the language. It's basically the bones of the language and the vocabulary the meat. Another analogy would be the grammar is the equation and the vocabulary the numbers to fill in the equation.
3. Practicing Vocabulary
After just talking about how vocabulary is the "meat" of a language I hope you saw this one coming. Even if a student’s grammar isn't the best, if they know the vocabulary word someone will eventually figure out what they’re trying to say (hopefully). However, learning a bunch of words and then never using them is hardly going to help a student remember them. So using the vocabulary in class and having them create a memory to associate that word with is incredibly helpful. Also, if the student uses the vocabulary in sentences then the teacher can check their grammar at the same time!
4. Practice Speaking the Language
In order to be fluent in a language you have to use it, plain and simple; so making students speak the language not only boosts confidence but also helps them remember vocabulary as well as practice grammar.
5. Independent Study
I’ve never been a good studier but I know the benefit of being able to do so. There are some things students can do on their own, like practicing vocabulary, listening to the language, etc. For this reason, and because the teacher will not always be there, it’s important to promote independent study. It’s a great tool to use in the future, whether using it to learn a language or not, and when summer break rolls around the teacher isn’t going to be there to make sure the student is practicing the language. That responsibility is going to fall on the student’s shoulders and it’s the teacher’s responsibility to make sure the student is prepared for that moment.
Let me know what you think and if you agree or disagree or even your own experiences!
Courtney
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Xmas List I Sent My Family
So mom sent me an email confirming our stay in Paducah and I realized it's October and I haven't made a Christmas list! And no one's even talking about it! I guess it is over a month away. [my relatives and immediate family celebrate Christmas at our family reunion over Thanksgiving break to save on postage].. but oh well, I'll start it since I know what I need/want (i'll let you be the judge).
1. New Laptop （and no Aunt Joy, I'm still not taking yours)- I have officially met the "Blue Screen of Death" twice now and also had my computer think it wasn't plugged in and the battery dead. It's lived a good long life but it's gotta go. I need a computer with a webcam for when I'm in Shanghai, China so I can skype. It also needs to be able to hold a loooooooot of pictures because I have no idea how many I have but I have over 80 albums on Facebook and they don't have all of my pictures so that should give you some idea of how important that is. Obviously computers are expensive but this is primarily for school so it doesn't need to be super expensive. As long as it has the two things above and Word and Internet then we're good ;)
2. French Lessons During December- For those of you who don't know I will be picking up French again my winter term of school (starting January) so I have now until then to become practically fluent in it (which I never was by the way) because the teacher speaks French in class 95% of the time. So my plan is to do a little bit of studying everyday, maybe even seeing the tutor if I can't remember something, and maybe over skype take French lessons [in December]. The lessons are cheaper if I do them over skype but [do] NOT let that fool you- these things are exPENsive (I'm seriously considering doing this once I graduate now) so if you guys want to go together on this one or just give me money that'd be fabulous because I'm gonna need a looooot of help. (In case you were wondering, I am still taking Chinese).
3. Luggage- I do not have my own set of luggage and my next trip I'm going to be gone for 3 months. So I'm gonna need a lot of luggage. Just don't get me black. I'm begging you. Or pink. Or super floral. Why don't you just take me with you?
4. I feel like that's a lot right there...
5. Money?
6. An all expenses paid trip to somewhere warm for spring break so it can feel like spring?
7. Guaranteed As in my classes?
8. A place (i.e. condo, townhouse, house，etc.)?
9. I would say a new camera if I can't find mine but I HAVE to have a camera before Thanksgiving so I can take pictures of everyone.. I mean that just goes without saying.
10. HGTV's Sarah's House on DVD?
That's absolutely all I can think of right now... I really don't need a lot... It's just the few things I need are a lot :p
Love Always,
Courtney
1. New Laptop （and no Aunt Joy, I'm still not taking yours)- I have officially met the "Blue Screen of Death" twice now and also had my computer think it wasn't plugged in and the battery dead. It's lived a good long life but it's gotta go. I need a computer with a webcam for when I'm in Shanghai, China so I can skype. It also needs to be able to hold a loooooooot of pictures because I have no idea how many I have but I have over 80 albums on Facebook and they don't have all of my pictures so that should give you some idea of how important that is. Obviously computers are expensive but this is primarily for school so it doesn't need to be super expensive. As long as it has the two things above and Word and Internet then we're good ;)
2. French Lessons During December- For those of you who don't know I will be picking up French again my winter term of school (starting January) so I have now until then to become practically fluent in it (which I never was by the way) because the teacher speaks French in class 95% of the time. So my plan is to do a little bit of studying everyday, maybe even seeing the tutor if I can't remember something, and maybe over skype take French lessons [in December]. The lessons are cheaper if I do them over skype but [do] NOT let that fool you- these things are exPENsive (I'm seriously considering doing this once I graduate now) so if you guys want to go together on this one or just give me money that'd be fabulous because I'm gonna need a looooot of help. (In case you were wondering, I am still taking Chinese).
3. Luggage- I do not have my own set of luggage and my next trip I'm going to be gone for 3 months. So I'm gonna need a lot of luggage. Just don't get me black. I'm begging you. Or pink. Or super floral. Why don't you just take me with you?
4. I feel like that's a lot right there...
5. Money?
6. An all expenses paid trip to somewhere warm for spring break so it can feel like spring?
7. Guaranteed As in my classes?
8. A place (i.e. condo, townhouse, house，etc.)?
9. I would say a new camera if I can't find mine but I HAVE to have a camera before Thanksgiving so I can take pictures of everyone.. I mean that just goes without saying.
10. HGTV's Sarah's House on DVD?
That's absolutely all I can think of right now... I really don't need a lot... It's just the few things I need are a lot :p
Love Always,
Courtney
Monday, October 3, 2011
Ｌｉｆｅ ａｎｄ Ｓｃｈｏｏｌ ｄｏ ｎｏｔ ｍｉｘ．
So there's been a change in plans.
For one, the plan is now to go to China/Taiwan/wherever I can during the Summer. This is for a number of reasons. The number one reason is two friends of mine are getting married and I'd really like to see them happily married。 Number two is if I went in the fall I would also miss my two year anniversary with Jerry, not to mention his birthday as well. Number three would be I'd be less likely to room with Kim next year cause I have a feeling the school is just going to place me wherever they can once I return. Whether it's actually possible to do is another matter. It sounds like I have to go with another school program if I want to go in the summer. We'll see- I have an appointment with the International Office tomorrow to discuss this.
The second thing to possibly change would be adding French next semester instead of Japanese. The reasons for this are I have no interest in Japanese anymore and it's too similar to Chinese for it not to be confusing. Second, I took French for 5 years and Japanese for only one. Third, I might be able to finish enough French classes to have it as a minor before I graduate. I am in the process of setting up a placement exam with the French teacher to see if this is possible.
And I just got an email from my Chinese teacher saying she wants to see me.
That's never a good sign and after my Dad warned me about talking about teachers on this I'm wondering if she read this anｄ ｔｈｉｎｋｓ Ｉ ｈａｔｅ ｈｅｒ．
For one, the plan is now to go to China/Taiwan/wherever I can during the Summer. This is for a number of reasons. The number one reason is two friends of mine are getting married and I'd really like to see them happily married。 Number two is if I went in the fall I would also miss my two year anniversary with Jerry, not to mention his birthday as well. Number three would be I'd be less likely to room with Kim next year cause I have a feeling the school is just going to place me wherever they can once I return. Whether it's actually possible to do is another matter. It sounds like I have to go with another school program if I want to go in the summer. We'll see- I have an appointment with the International Office tomorrow to discuss this.
The second thing to possibly change would be adding French next semester instead of Japanese. The reasons for this are I have no interest in Japanese anymore and it's too similar to Chinese for it not to be confusing. Second, I took French for 5 years and Japanese for only one. Third, I might be able to finish enough French classes to have it as a minor before I graduate. I am in the process of setting up a placement exam with the French teacher to see if this is possible.
And I just got an email from my Chinese teacher saying she wants to see me.
That's never a good sign and after my Dad warned me about talking about teachers on this I'm wondering if she read this anｄ ｔｈｉｎｋｓ Ｉ ｈａｔｅ ｈｅｒ．
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