Tips for making my Chinese studies more enjoyable?
November 10, 2013 11:55 PM   Subscribe

I enjoy studying Chinese but I seem to be going through a slump at the moment. Any advice on how to increase enjoyment in my studying?

Hello,

I'm studying Chinese at the moment. I don't have a job but do have some savings so I'm able to study more or less fulltime. However, I'm starting to find that the time drags a bit during the lessons I'm receiving.

My teacher is a very capable person who does make the material interesting but I still find myself clock-watching sometimes. I've recently finished reading all the "essential" articles at Hacking Chinese which provided some useful information.

I'd be interested in any advice people could give me about reframes I could use to increase my motivation, or to make the time seem to go quicker. I suspect hypnosis could be a powerful weapon in this context. Does anyone have any favourite time acceleration resources or any other general advice?

Thanks for any help.
posted by Musashi Daryl to Education (19 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Do you have a smartphone? I know there are many language study apps out there that employ very creative ways to improve learning. Some quiz you and remember your answers and then focus only on your weakest areas. Worth looking at your options.

Also, even without a smartphone app, I'm sure there are web sites that do the same thing.
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 12:23 AM on November 11, 2013


Response by poster: Unfortunately I don't have a smartphone at the moment but I might buy myself one for Christmas. Can you suggest any mental tactics for improving learning satisfaction with a class?

I'm starting to think I might get an Angel Oracle deck or something similar, then surreptitiously sneak a glance at a card every half hour to provide a boost of motivation and also to reward myself for being in the lesson.

This is probably going to seem like a non-sequiter given the name of this question, but does anyone know of any good Angel cards for students?

Thanks for your comment.
posted by Musashi Daryl at 12:55 AM on November 11, 2013


Response by poster: I'd also be interested in any timer programs I can use so I know when the half-hour interval is up?
posted by Musashi Daryl at 1:24 AM on November 11, 2013


Talk to people in Chinese! HelloTalk is a very popular app for this and other languages. Check it out if you buy an iPhone.
posted by oceanjesse at 3:09 AM on November 11, 2013


but I still find myself clock-watching sometimes

And sometimes that's just the way it is with the study of anything difficult. One must endure many long and seemingly fruitless hours waiting to breakthrough to the next level. In the same way few people can learn to bench press 300lbs in a week, learning a foreign language takes time and strenuous effort: There are no easy solutions, apps, or quick fixes. Keep your nose to the grindstone Musashi Daryl and try to get the most out of each hour spent and measure success in months and not days or weeks.
posted by three blind mice at 3:21 AM on November 11, 2013 [5 favorites]


We have been over this before.

Every other month or so, you ask us how to make you like studying Chinese. Now you are at the point where you want to be hypnotized to make it more enjoyable, like the protagonist in "Office Space". Everyone goes through slumps, but this is chronic. You are studying Chinese and you don't know why. You need to figure out why.

I've told you this before, but learning a language is primarily its own reward. This is the case with many things. You probably don't need someone to talk you into watching your favorite movie. Most people probably don't need others to motivate them to run a marathon or make a pottery vase. If you are at the point where you are seriously considering being hypnotized into enjoying something, you should probably stop doing that thing.

Now, assuming that you want to keep learning Chinese, I suggest you stop taking lessons. This a serious suggestion. You should be at the point where you can do self-directed study. Study and read the things that you want to read: politics, celebrity gossip, sports et cetera. Spend the time with the language on things that interest you. The time will go quicker if the topic is something that you like because you have chosen it instead of something that another has chosen. Keep your teacher as a source whom you consult. And as someone who has been there, I think that studying a language full time is very hard to do. I spend an hour or two a day on it, and I frankly would keep that schedule even if I didn't have a full-time job. Unless you are at a regimented program like the DLI, I think there are diminishing returns for such extensive study.

Something like this can tell you when a half-hour has passed. I wish you the best of luck.
posted by Tanizaki at 4:17 AM on November 11, 2013 [3 favorites]


Studying a foreign language takes a lot of concentration and mental energy. Of COURSE you're going to lose focus/concentration/enthusiasm sometimes when you're doing it full-time. Hypnosis or time acceleration or angel cards are not going to do anything about that.

You can:

-Scale back on your lessons and replace them with time doing stuff that's relatively fun and easy in Chinese -- finding easy stuff to read, watching TV, going down to a bar with a Chinese friend and just casually chatting without too much focus on getting corrected.

-Try to incorporate more fun stuff into your lessons (probably not an option for a group class, but maybe for a private lesson.) Maybe you can take a 10-minute exercise break or a 10-minute sing-a-Chinese-pop-song break, or you can bring reading material you're interested in to study with your teacher.

-Accept clock-watching. Accept boredom. I have had a lot of language classes, and I've had a lot of moments of zoning out and wishing the class were over and feeling bored. But feeling bored doesn't prevent you from learning and getting a lot out of the class. Of course, it's not ideal, and you learn better when you're engaged in what you're learning, but it's unrealistic to believe that there's anything that can make you super-engaged and super-enthusiastic a hundred percent of the time. My old Japanese notebooks are filled with shopping lists and doodles, but... I still learned Japanese, y'know?
posted by Jeanne at 5:15 AM on November 11, 2013


Learn Chinese from more than one person. Search meetup.com for "Chinese", and you will find opportunities.

If you don't want to actually speak with people in a language you are prepared to spend the next few years learning and mastering, you might as well give up now.
posted by oceanjesse at 6:21 AM on November 11, 2013


Do you like reading comics? Perhaps pick up comics or manga translated to chinese (I do that for french at the moment), and learn that way?
posted by TrinsicWS at 6:48 AM on November 11, 2013


I kinda agree with Tanizaki, but when I was studying Mandarin, I remember really enjoying Chinese sitcoms like Jia you er nu.
posted by tinymegalo at 12:33 PM on November 11, 2013 [1 favorite]


There's a website called Chinese forums, where you'll probably get more varied and experienced advice.

From personal experience, as someone who is highly proficient in Mandarin, I think that learning a language is done best when you have a reason to use it and an environment in which to use it. I lived in China a total of 9 years, and basically being able to use the language to talk to people in daily life and learn more about the culture was fascinating, and really my biggest motivation. On the other hand, when I learned Spanish in middle and high school, I really wasn't into it because it was all in the classroom and I didn't really see the point (THEN I went to Mexico for a semester in college, and learned to speak really well and found it interesting)

I would say two things:

1. You need a motivation for learning Chinese, and

2. You should try to speak with native speakers and watch/read Chinese media as much as possible.

Honestly, Chinese is not as hard or scary as it is rumored to be. There aren't any special "hacks" besides using the language and having a motivation to use it. It seems like you may be lacking motivation. Do you have plans to go to a mandarin-speaking country? There are programs and scholarships available. Are you interested in Chinese culture? Why are you studying the language? I think these are key questions.
posted by bearette at 1:09 PM on November 11, 2013


I studied Chinese and although I never tried it, a teacher once told me that the best way to learn is what he called the "pillow method". He was implying that if I had a Chinese-speaking girlfriend, my learning experience would be enhanced (or what you call "increasing enjoyment"). I'm not sure if having a relationship with a Chinese-speaking person is an option for you, but it is, it certainly might change the motivational dynamics.
posted by Dansaman at 2:08 PM on November 11, 2013


I answered "group study" in your last question as well, and it still holds true. Studying with a group of people is SUCH a motivation.

But I agree with Tanizaki that you really don't seem like you want to be learning Chinese at all. I have also found it difficult to concentrate while studying, even with a teacher or a group, and I never thought I should hypnotize myself into it. That is just the nature of the beast.
posted by chainsofreedom at 2:26 PM on November 11, 2013


Try installing QQ (a chat software ubiquitous in use among Chinese people that I would say is the equivalent of MSN chat in its heyday), and then randomly search for people, add them and then chat (by typing) in Chinese. It could be interesting.

This is also where I warn you to google about QQ and spyware. I don't use it anymore because I'm paranoid it might contain spyware, but when I was just beginning to learn Chinese it was fun to use. You can also voicecall with people in China for free over QQ.
posted by rozaine at 11:32 PM on November 13, 2013


Response by poster: Thank you everyone for your advice. It's such a blast being part of the MetaFilter community even if people sometimes are critical of me.

There's a lot of content here. The main point I want to address is my motivation. I recently completed a degree in Economics with Chinese Studies as a mature student. My long-term aim is to become a researcher studying the Chinese economy.

I'd say my motivation for learning Chinese is generally reasonable but the main problem with the lessons is that I'm marching to the beat of someone else's drum. I can't put on techno music and zone out in a meditative state like I can while practising Hanzi.

I've probably got as much advice here for this question as I'm likely to get, but can you recommend any techniques for improving learning in the class, or reducing mental fatigue (if I were really fired up the classes might naturally be more interesting)?

The suggestion to use interesting material in the lessons sounds like a good idea: do you have any ideas for where I can start with interesting Chinese language material? Do Marvel have a Chinese language division?

Thanks again for your help.
posted by Musashi Daryl at 12:20 AM on November 14, 2013


I read your follow-up this morning and thought about it during my commute to work. I am replying again because you asked questions in your follow-up. I think the fundamental problem is that those new questions were largely answered in the responses you've already received.

The main point I want to address is my motivation. I recently completed a degree in Economics with Chinese Studies as a mature student. My long-term aim is to become a researcher studying the Chinese economy.

This is what I would call a theoretical or "on paper" motivation. In other words, it is a motivation that makes perfect sense. Everyone has a number of such "on paper" motivations. Every crystal meth addict has a motivation to stop using. Most people have a motivation to eat healthfully and engage in regular physical exercise. However, despite these "on paper" motivations, many people don't do these things. The reason is because it is Too Damn Hard.

"It makes perfect sense" is rarely enough to get people to do something they otherwise don't want to do. What you have described is an external motivation. You need intrinsic motivation. The cruel thing is that the research indicates that overemphasis of external motivation can decrease internal motivation. You need internal, intrinsic motivation. This what I meant when I said that studying Chinese needs to become its own reward. In other words, the same reason you have for eating your favorite ice cream. No one has to talk you into that, I imagine.

the main problem with the lessons is that I'm marching to the beat of someone else's drum.

Like I said, stop taking lessons. Keep contact with your teacher so you can ask questions from time to time. You strike me as being at the point where you can study on your own. Do that. That way, you can study whatever you like, so you will then have no one to blame but yourself if the lessons are boring.

I can't put on techno music and zone out in a meditative state like I can while practising Hanzi.

You can't "zone out". You have to be engaged. And specifically to this point, there is no such thing as "practicing hanzi" separate from "practicing Chinese". Your efforts will proceed much better when you eliminate this false dichotomy. If you want to "zone out" while doing something, how much do you really want to do that thing? This is that "hypnosis" thing again.

do you have any ideas for where I can start with interesting Chinese language material? Do Marvel have a Chinese language division?

There is "help me" and then there is "spoon-feed me". No one here can tell you about interesting Chinese language material because no one here knows what is interesting to you. You want to work in studying the Chinese economy, so how about reading Chinese economic news? That sounds like a good idea to me. Are you interested in sports? Read Chinese sports news. Are you interested in cooking? Read Chinese cooking blogs. Do you like comics? Read Chinese comics. You get the idea.

I did some Googling for you and it does not appear that Marvel publishes Chinese-language comics.

I'm sorry, but it just feels like you want to jump from A to D without having to put in the time and work of B and C. If you don't like learning Chinese, I don't understand how you can end up doing research in Chinese. We can't talk you into liking something.
posted by Tanizaki at 7:13 AM on November 14, 2013


Response by poster: OK, thanks for your advice. Your suggestion to stop lessons seems a bit dramatic. I think I would like to continue lessons so I have regular input from a native speaker. Although I recognise it would be possible to practice the language with a native in other ways, using a textbook in a formal lesson provides structure and ensures I cover all the HSK material at a particular level over a particular period of time.

There is actually a website called "Chinese Hacks" which highlights interesting material. I don't think it's spoon-feeding to ask people for material they consider interesting. Economics material is probably dry compared to e.g. a simplified translation of Dream of the Red Chamber (I don't know if such things exist, I haven't searched for it yet).

I'd also say that when you practice Hanzi, you can put yourself in a learning trance, where you pay attention to the stroke order but are also slightly disassociated so the time seems to pass more quickly. I've used a program called MindVIP which was very good for that, but the effect worse off after a few Hanzi sessions.

Still, I think your advice was basically good and would like to thank everyone here again for their assistance.

Do you know of any sites similar to Chinese Hacks?
posted by Musashi Daryl at 4:46 AM on November 15, 2013


I'm not too sure what your level currently is in Chinese, but here's some of the stuff I use as an early-intermediate student of Chinese:

-Television on Youku. There's a Chrome browser extension you can install to get around the region locking. There's a lot of kid's shows on here, but what I really like to watch is nature documentaries, because there's a calm, clear voice as the narrator. 自然密码 is the one I watched quite a bit, but I'm sure there's lots. (It's Chinese dubs of English-language nature documentaries, but this is okay for me!)

-Pop music. It's hard to find Chinese pop music that I genuinely enjoy -- your mileage may vary -- but what's nice about music is that if I read through/translate the lyrics, and then put it on my iPod and just let it cycle around, over a long period of time the lyrics really drill themselves into your brain. It's been a couple years since I seriously studied Spanish, but I can still sing a lot of "Lamento Boliviano" and "Mentira." Also, official music videos are usually subtitled, which is nice! The Reddit Chinese pop page is a good resource here, although there's a mix of Mandarin and Cantonese stuff.

-Children's books. It's easiest for me to find stuff originally written in English that's at an easy level and find Chinese translations of it -- like the Magic Tree House series (神奇树屋), "Clementine's Letter" by Sara Pennypacker, Harry Potter, "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George.

And if you live near a bookstore or library that has Chinese-language children's books, just try out a whole bunch of random stuff.

There ARE also easier versions of Chinese classics. this is a series I use, that has the four Chinese classics -- Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, Tales of the Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms -- for children; they have illustrations and pinyin along with abridged, simplified language. But I still find it's easier to read contemporary children's literature because the language is more everyday.

-Manga. So far it's mostly been easier for me to find things written in Japanese and translated into Chinese (although the translations are in traditional characters), but native Chinese comics are also around.

You can also look at things like the Tales and Traditions series, and the biographies by Grace Wu. They're written for Chinese learners, so they're somewhat more learning-oriented and less fun-oriented, but it's still more fun to read a biography of Jay Chou than an article about economics, and because they're specifically written for Chinese learners I feel like they try to work around some of the trickiest things about Chinese-language material written for native speakers.

Hope that helps.
posted by Jeanne at 3:18 PM on November 16, 2013 [1 favorite]


If you are more advanced and don't mind dealing with traditional characters, then I recommend cheesy Taiwanese romance novels.
posted by Jeanne at 3:19 PM on November 16, 2013


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