For the first time today I spoke in Chinese to a local and received the response that I had sought (as opposed to getting a beer instead of the green tea I asked for…that’ll dog me for a while). I didn’t understand what the hell the lady was saying, but it seemed vaguely about what I had asked about, so I count it as a win!
Travelling as a pack, the Great White Migration + That Random Asian Kid Moving With It walked hesitantly through the Beijing University campus today, eventually ending up in its Democracy Building (I don’t know) for a few hours of training orientation. These next two weeks will be intensive TEFL training, and I’m already seeing a disconnect between the desires of what most of us want (to learn Chinese) and what our job wants us to do (to teach English). I am here secondarily for the teaching and mostly for the Chinese thing, but it’s already interesting to think about all the activities, strategies and communication skills I’m going to have to become fluent in first before I can start thinking about becoming fluent in Chinese. All those teachers out there reading this please duly receive my mad props.
Well it sounds like you are slowly making friends and making your way around. Good luck! And yes, I understand the ridiculously long plane ride. I’m sorry
Do most local expect you to speak the language? How do they react after you start speaking? Just wonder and I think things will get easier once you get over the inhibition and the necessity of daily living kick in.
Pouwie! Good to hear you’re still alive! I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventures. Please, inform me about government filtering
Hi Andrew enjoyed your blog. Don’t forget once you are in Shen Zhen you also has to learn cantonese. It probably harder than mandarin. Don’t forget to contact Dennis.
Andrew Omma also enjoyed your blog
@ Nethmi: You’re right, I shouldn’t complain – you do this a lot more often!
@ Dad: Actually today was the first time I departed from the main group (although really just for 10 minutes) and spoke with some locals all by myself. I’ll write about that soon.
@ Mark: Yup, alive and kickin’. The blog’s working beautifully! Tor isn’t much help though.
@ Uncle Oen: Hm, I’ll have to focus on my Mandarin first, I think, but hopefully I might be able to pick some useful Canto up too. Say hi to Oma for me!