Learning Chinese: Why should I bother?

Why learn Chinese?

You have to be from another planet not to notice the rapid economic progress and political influence of China on the world stage. You also have to be an extraterrestrial not to notice that about a quarter of the earth’s population speak Chinese. As the earth unfolds and China opens up, the Chinese language continues to grow. So do you still want to ask me why it is important to learn Chinese? Well, my friend get into the dragon’s soul and be one with it, from whence shall come opportunities to control it before it eats you.

History and the Spread of Languages

If history teaches us anything, it is that the spread of a language is always consistent with the economic and political power of the nation in question; moreso in this age of globalisation when the effects of that power resonates across the globe. We also learn that the sweeping tide of change is inevitable and those who emerge winners are the ones who are willing to see opportunity in that change and grab it. In other words ride with change and tame it and not let it tame you by force.

Language, Culture and Opportunity

So how do you create oppportunity for yourself in change? Well many ways. Ask yourself why almost every university in the world has a department of foreign languages. It is even more important in a global culture. Language is inextricably linked to culture. Language is the ultimate weapon in cross-cultural understanding and communication.  Language brings down barriers and creates opportunity. Opportunities that will often hit you when you don’t see them coming. I don’t know much about other places but in China a foreigner speaking Chinese quickly earns the respect and admiration of the Chinese. To the Chinese, being able to speak their language makes you a “tian cai” or genius. Imagine the blessings that come with being seen as genius in a foreign country like China.

Chinese People  and the  English Language

The Chinese are so aware of the opportunities that come with language that  an essential part of opening up to the world was  making English a compulsory subject at school. While many nations are still dragging their feet on introducing Chinese as a foreign language, the Chinese are wasting no time learning English as a foreign language in their schools.

For many years, several foreigners have been taking up English teaching jobs in China. Sadly enough, all too often in China, foreigners  do not feel the pressing need to learn the language. It is not uncommon to find many foreigners who speak little or no Chinese after many years in China. The greatest treasure a foreigner can take from China is the Chinese  language. The Chinese are leaning English as a foreign language to communicate with foreigners and  seize opportunities that come with it. ?   Armed with English, they continue to  take up those jobs that only come with bilingual skills. The question is: What are you doing to seize opportunities that come with learning Chinese in an increasingly globalized world economy? There are a litany of advantages the Chinese language provides that you will only fully comprehend when you start speaking the language.

How to start learning spoken Chinese.

Chinese is not as hard to learn to speak as most people think. In fact you can learn to speak very standard Chinese without ever learning the characters.  Most often, the need to learn to speak precedes the learning of other language skills like reading and writing. Spoken Chinese can be learnt using pinyin. Pinyin is simply understood as a westernized and romanized method of learning Chinese. With pinyin, you basically use the letters of the alphabet and similar but not exactly the same sounds, phonetics and phonics system as in English.

In an age of the internet , smartphones and a broad mix of portable and non-portable electronic devices,  you can do it yourself. You can convert your iphones, ipods, mobile phones and computers in your personal mobile classrooms. These devices have the power to careter for all learning styles.  The internet is loaded with tons of free Chinese lessons in mp3/mp4 formats which you can download and sync with your smart devices.

Doing it Yourself.

First of all identify your language learning style or styles. Language experts tell us there are mostly four kinds of language learners:

1. Visual Learners: They must see to learn so visual aids, slides, pictures, diagrams, handouts etc are their tools.

2. Auditory Learners : They need mp3 audio listening, tapes, lectures and discussions to learn.

3. Kinesthetic learners: They learn through experience, moving, touching, doing and exploring things.

4. Reading/Writing preference Learners: They learn through writing and reading.

So which is your  learning style? Well, you may find that you combine one, two or more of the above styles depending on several possible variables. Ok, enough of the theories. Simply put, you need to use the right language materials and teaching styles that you are.

Websites for Learning Chinese

These websites are highly recommended for learning Chinese.

Free Websites:

• www.chinese-ilab.com
• For auditory learners: Chinese-ilab.com offers free listening materials for learning Chinese through listening.
• For visual learners: This new generation of Chinese learning even offers video slides lessons in mp4 format. Again Chinese-ilab.com has some amazing video slides which you can access free. These videos will be the visual learner’s paradise. The videos also have text that appeal to the reading/writing preference learners
• For Kinesthetic Learners: The site has interactive games that prompt you to do things with your mouse and keyboards to learn.
• Chinesefortravel.com : This site offers free dialogues and phrases for learning Chinese. The mp3 files are also available for  downloading – www.chinesefortravel.com
• Chinese-tools.com: This site has a cool free dictionary and a cool forum for learning Chinese

Commercial Websites:

• Chinesepod.com : This website was started by a few foreigners in China. It has quickly transformed into an online Chinese learning company with paid membership.

Conclusion

The learning and speaking of mandarin Chinese cannot be over-emphasized. The  tools for learning Chinese are easily  available through modern technology.