User Comments - go_manly

Posted on: Getting to Know CPod Teacher Helen (and exciting content news)!

I think expert opinion is divided as to whether to consider Cantonese a separate language or a different dialect. Generally, two dialects are considered different languages when they are not mutually intelligible. Can a Mandarin speaker who has never been exposed to Cantonese understand the Cantonese tongue, and vise versa? (I'm not sure if the reciprocal case exists) If not, they are should be considered as different spoken languages.

Posted on: Asking for a Raise

The things you've mentioned, I consider to real life, not esoteric. They mightn't be done regularly, but most of us paint a house, or do repairs to a roof, at some point in our lives. As such, I have no problems with them being included in Intermediate lessons. And I agree, I want to be able to explain things from my Western life when I visit China.

Posted on: Asking for a Raise

You are right, in that there is more to each lesson than just the theme described by the title. But if the 'colourful frame' is designed to make the lesson more interesting, I actually find those lessons do the opposite for me, and are a real turn-off.

Yes, sentence patterns are repeated regularly, and that is the value of CPod. But what they don't do is give us a grounding in everyday 'concrete' vocabulary, as I've described above. There is no point in knowing sentence patterns, if I can't fill them with things I would choose to talk about.

The words I had in brackets were only sample situations - you can change them if you don't think they apply. It was the un-bracketed vocabulary that was important. Chinese houses still have ceilings, don't they? And presumably at least half of the objects in my list. Surely there are other things happening in Chinese homes that don't involve food, friends and family.

Posted on: Asking for a Raise

It seems we are actually arguing a similar point. What threw me was your apparent belief that a lesson (a series??) on Evolution would be more worthwhile from a language perspective that a lesson on interpersonal relations.

I do agree there should be more 'nuts and bolts' stuff, in lieu of some of the more esoteric lessons (and despite my personal interest, I count Evolution amongst the esoteric). I'm sorry, lessons on Pirates, Jewish Holidays, Chinese Idol, Zombies, Zodiac, Beauty Pageants, Godzilla, Ninja, Drug Dealing and Wii just don't cut it with me. Oh yeah - and religion.

For starters, I would like to be able to point to anything in my home, name it, and be able to describe what it is used for, how to use it, and how to fix it. The following words may have been used in lessons, but not enough for them to sink it: (turn the) doorknob, paint (the ceiling), (lay the) carpet, (see my reflection in the) mirror, (threaten the neighbour with the) carving knife, (clean the) oven, (play the) stereo, (lay in the sun on the) balcony, (punch the) wall, (tip a bucket down the) drain, (stack the) telephone books, (circle the) calendar, (cover the) frying pan, (ignite the) gas, (check the) electricity meter, (go back out out wipe your feet on the) doormat, (wake the neighbours with the) lawnmower, (slam the) front door [I'm guessing qiánmén, but I really wouldn't know], (raid the) medicine cabinet, and the list goes on.

As I said, some of those words may have been covered once, but how many times have we seen chòu dòufu, something I am certain never to touch in my lifetime.

Lets leave the esoteric stuff to UI and beyond.

Posted on: Hobbies: Music

Is Melbourne University High School the same as Melbourne High School? I teach at North Sydney Boys HS, and we play Melbourne High every year in a sports competition.

Posted on: Hungry Traveler: Dongbei

No suggestions, just wondering. If every region has been covered, I guess there is no reason to take this further. I'm not an expert here (that is, I know absolutely nothing) so I will trust CPod to make the call.

Posted on: Hungry Traveler: Dongbei

CPod,

It seems the Hungry Traveler series ceased with this lesson. Are there plans to do any more?

Posted on: Going to the Doctor

Yes, thanks Connie. Looks like I missed it too.

Posted on: Hobbies: Music

I hadn't realised that High School in QLD started with year 8. It starts with year 7 in NSW. Anyway, I just did a search, and I see that QLD plan to fall in line with the rest of the states - they will start HS with year 7 by 2014.

Posted on: Hungry Traveler: Dongbei

Thanks for that - I hadn't noticed it.