[Tetra]

Exchange programs, FALCON, summer programs, whatever... there are many ways to go about it.

Most exchange programs here go to Europe.
FALCON? I'll try googling that.

I'm not sure how living in a place actually helps though.

[xiaoyi]

i'd like to know how to type traditional characters. i use PRC characters that i can type in using pinyin. but my computer can also do taiwanese using those funny symbols but i can't figure out how to use them!

[Aziraphale]

I'm not sure how living in a place actually helps though.

You're basically forced to use the language in your daily activities, such as buying food, getting around, asking for directions, interacting with the locals. Sure, there will always be a few who can converse in English, but everything else will probably be in the language you're learning (in this case, Chinese). And when you're immersed in surroundings predominantly Chinese, you learn to adapt and make a conscious effort to blend in so that you don't end up still sticking out like a sore thumb after a period of time.

Also, the point so many people make about learning a language with native speakers is that you pick up colloquialisms and little tidbits about local culture that you might never be able to if you learn a language just sitting in a classroom. Local culture is full of colourful colloquialisms that add an extra zing to learning a new language, and in a way, you feel that you're part of those living there.

[TrainDriver]

it would be lots of fun being lost in china while practicing mando. imo

[Tamago86]

I'm not sure how living in a place actually helps though.

Are you kidding me? o_o

[xinfinite]

i'd like to know how to type traditional characters. i use PRC characters that i can type in using pinyin. but my computer can also do taiwanese using those funny symbols but i can't figure out how to use them!

you mean 注音符號 (zhuyin fuhao) right? well, if you're from taiwan you would know. you can always type traditional using pinyin..

[Tetra]

You're basically forced to use the language in your daily activities, such as buying food, getting around, asking for directions, interacting with the locals. Sure, there will always be a few who can converse in English, but everything else will probably be in the language you're learning (in this case, Chinese). And when you're immersed in surroundings predominantly Chinese, you learn to adapt and make a conscious effort to blend in so that you don't end up still sticking out like a sore thumb after a period of time.

Also, the point so many people make about learning a language with native speakers is that you pick up colloquialisms and little tidbits about local culture that you might never be able to if you learn a language just sitting in a classroom. Local culture is full of colourful colloquialisms that add an extra zing to learning a new language, and in a way, you feel that you're part of those living there.

Eh...I already stick out amongst the waves of immigrants here
I think I'll start here I guess.

Are you kidding me? o_o

Never actually tried it before.
When I went back to Taiwan a couple years ago, it didn't really improve much even IF I had to use it everywhere.

[Tamago86]

Eh...I already stick out amongst the waves of immigrants here
I think I'll start here I guess.
Never actually tried it before.
When I went back to Taiwan a couple years ago, it didn't really improve much even IF I had to use it everywhere.

It takes a language to learn a language, the bigger your base knowledge of that language is the more you'll be able to learn and take in during your time in said foreign country. Kind of like building a house, a bigger foundation will hold a mansion, whereas a small foundation will hold a hut

[tian]

it would be lots of fun being lost in china while practicing mando. imo

ahahahha, i think it would be lots fun too!!

[TrainDriver]

japan for some weird reason , u can get by only speaking english. my japanese was all forgoten since school holidays kicked in (2 hrs a week isn't enough to be extremely fluent) and when i was in japan all i spoke was english and i got where i wanted to easily.

[Aziraphale]

Eh...I already stick out amongst the waves of immigrants here
I think I'll start here I guess.

Well, don't be afraid of learning a new language, or even brushing up on one that you already know. It is really not so difficult reading a children's book. You can always ask library/bookshop staff for titles that are suitable for your level.

[Chiyori]

what does " Go Juai Ke Ai" mean?

you havn't put in any tones..

but it seems to me that its " dogs are cutest ".. implying - you think dogs are the cutest domestic animals..
that is really random.

But the children books have uberly complex words that require me to flip open the dictionary >.<

Canadian Bacon wasn't as amusing as it could be though...
I swear, God of Gambling was more amusing than that.

Is there any way to learn chinese fast?

get a chinese gf.. or a girl from taiwan. Taiwan mandarin is so much better on the ears.. GO TAIWAN!!

[xinfinite]

^ I had no idea what that meant since the pinyin looked totally off.

How is Taiwanese Mandarin better on the ears.. maybe you're just more used to it.

[drance]

^ taiwan mandarin IS better on the ears . . . without all the tongue sound that china mandarin have . . . i'll prefer taiwan mandarin a lot better ....

but hey what do i know, afterall, i am from taiwan xD

[Tetra]

Well, don't be afraid of learning a new language, or even brushing up on one that you already know. It is really not so difficult reading a children's book. You can always ask library/bookshop staff for titles that are suitable for your level.

ugh librarians are ghey here. And I live beside the city library >_<
I can see why the international languages section is always so messy; no people to mend it.

get a chinese gf.. or a girl from taiwan. Taiwan mandarin is so much better on the ears.. GO TAIWAN!!

Or a chinese tutor.
Both could work, seeing how I value a relationship as a way to channel knowledge o_O

^ I had no idea what that meant since the pinyin looked totally off.

How is Taiwanese Mandarin better on the ears.. maybe you're just more used to it.

Don't blame her, she's korean. I blame her chinese friend for having whack pinyin skills though >.>
I think she puts more effort than me into it

Taiwanese mandarin doesn't have as heavy a slur as beijing mandarin...so maybe that's why the ones that don't come from mainland aren't used to it.

[dadedum]

^ taiwan mandarin IS better on the ears . . . without all the tongue sound that china mandarin have . . . i'll prefer taiwan mandarin a lot better ....

i think it also depends on who's speaking it though, i mean i prefer listening to Faye Wong's (mainland china) mandarin rather than Jolin Tsai's (taiwan) mandarin..

[Tetra]

i think it also depends on who's speaking it though, i mean i prefer listening to Faye Wong's (mainland china) mandarin rather than Jolin Tsai's (taiwan) mandarin..

I can also say the same for some mainlander's

[hazrd]

I prefer Taiwanese Mandarin as well.....sounds softer? But my Chinese teacher was from Shanghai....and his accent wasn't that bad. I guess it just depends on which part of China they come from; some are really hard to understand.

And Tetra...can't you just ask your parents for help?

-hazel**

[Tetra]

I prefer Taiwanese Mandarin as well.....sounds softer? But my Chinese teacher was from Shanghai....and his accent wasn't that bad. I guess it just depends on which part of China they come from; some are really hard to understand.

And Tetra...can't you just ask your parents for help?

-hazel**

...do you master a language through parents?
Actually, I tried, but since my mom's a chinese teacher, she teaches me the same way she teaches her students. It's pretty slow though >.<

Her students aren't exactly getting the best scores either, even though they're immigrants >____>

[Tamago86]

...do you master a language through parents?

..how do you think most chinese teenagers in the US know Cantonese?