User Comments - RJ

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Actually I do use both approaches. For elementary lessons I do not look at anything. I just play the dialogue sentnces and the expansion sentences without looking at the hanzi or the english. Then I play it while checking out the hanzi.  Never the english and I usually skip the full lesson (sorry Ken). For intermediate lessons I do vocab and study some before listening to the dialogue sentences and then last, the lesson tape that includes the banter. When I can, I will move up a notch and use the same technique using intermediate and upper intermediate lessons unless I find a better approach. I am planning to experiment some now.

Pete

I agree that filling in the gaps is useful but you can only do this effectively once you know enough. If I know 90% of the vocab and the context I can fill some gaps but if one only knows 20% of the vocab you cant do it. At least not very well. I also need to confirm the "spelling" of the word I think I heard at some point even if I got the meaning. I dont want to walk away with bad information. I guess this is where we disagree. Yes being able to fill the gaps is true mastery as you say and certainly I strive for it as you suggest, but one must pass through different levels to get there. You can not just be there because you decide to be. During that trip through those different levels you need varying degrees of help and it doesnt mean you will always need it. I strive for the same goal as you but you are just way ahead of me. I want as much info as I can get from the lessons so when I am in the real world where there are no crutches, I can better fill those gaps. In the real world catching the meaning is enough, but in the classroom I want to know all the words for sure. Since I can, why wouldnt I? Leaving something unknown just leaves knowledge on the table that I could use later when filling real world gaps. I do the best I can, but then I want to know the complete answer. Why is this a sin?

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Its not that I am lazy, I get satisfaction from working things through, and yes they may stick better, but there is a limit to what I can do. At some point I need the written help to fill in the gaps and provide the ah ha moments. Those stick best actually.

Sebire

thanks for the advice. I will give it a try. I do have a long commute every day during which I listen and of course I listen many times over, but there is some distraction.

Im going to try listening blindfolded :-) (not while driving of course). Perhaps this will improve my auditory senses. Currently I do not have anyone to talk to and talking to myself always brings strange looks :-) Public transportation is rare in most of the US unfortunately otherwise I would jump at that chance.

Posted on: Tea Tasting

Monica

I think you have it right:

http://everything2.com/title/white%2520tea

Last year I had a friend bring me some white tea from China. I expected to like it even more than green tea, but I was somewhat disappointed. Green tea still suits me best.

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

lots to think about. Im considering just concentrating on doing listening and speaking exercises for a period - lets say 6 months, to see if I can improve in that area. Any thoughts on how to make that work?

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Sebire

interesting. Thanks. Im going to experiment some. I for one wish I could eat, sleep, and breathe Chinese but I just cant. Not until I hit the lottery that is.

Posted on: Introducing Shen Yajin (Helen)

Shenyajin

I dont know why they wait until someone has been with us for months before introducing them. I feel you are already fairly well know, well received, and a great addition, but since you have now been formally introduced, welcome aboard.

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Tim

I use the same sequence - vocab, dialogue, and then the lesson. Ele lessons I no longer listen to.

Sebire

you say the chat is easier than the dialogue. This is so different from my experience. So way way different. Fascinating, but please share your secret. I guess I have to learn to listen better.

Posted on: Is it far?

Hello  mystic

gongsi is a company. Gongzuo is work or a job.

Posted on: Introducing Shen Yajin (Helen)

PWP allowed me to dive much deeper into Chinese culture, history, and language than I could do on my own. It will be years, as Mark has also mentioned, before I can read poems "without" Pete. Thanks Pete, and I will revisit all of these again over time. As for Elvis, well, we all have different tastes :-). Great job. 

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Bobt

I will look for the FSI. My hope is to some day reach a point where I wont have to be so analytical. Cpod can not be all things to all people and I use whatever else makes sense, but cpod is 90% of my program and I am happy with it.  If I want to learn Chinese, its up to me, not up to them, to do the work. The easier they make it the better, but the buck stops here. I do not like the attitude that its a sin to look at a transcript at some point, and those transcripts should be available within reasonable resource requirements of course. Guys like Raygo who do translate some of the chatter are quite helpful to me. These recent QW's are also helpful and based on the comments, I am not alone.