Joe’s Diary – Week 1
I have studied Chinese for a period of time and I would like to express what I have learned so far.
The reason I study Chinese is, as everyone knows, because China is getting stronger in the global economy. Besides, learning another language will bring about more opportunities in the future. But what really attracts me is the extensive and profound Chinese culture. Learning is always easy to me except for Chinese. It is very difficult to pick up the pronunciation, meaning and stroke at the same time when learning a Chinese character, especially for foreigners like me who have no concept of Chinese characters in mind before. Even though learning Chinese characters is always challenging to me I am deeply attracted by the amazing square words (the shape that Chinese characters look like) at the first time when I saw them.
Chinese characters are aesthetically pleasing and vivid but not easy to master. I have encountered countless challenges during m y learning process, such as distinguishing words with similar pronunciation or shapes, pronouncing words correctly, and the four different intonations. The use of intonations is very important in telling the difference in the meaning of the same sound. Therefore, inaccurate pronunciation can result in misunderstanding. For example, some of my classmates mispronounce 同窗 (classmate) asa 同床 (bedmate). How embarrassing.
Learning measure words is also a big headache because I can’t differentiate and remember the use of them accurately. Chinese grammar is difficult too when it comes to specific sentence patterns, like sentences with the word “把” or “被 ”. Finally, I realize that learning Chinese is more challenging than I have imagined before after making several mi stakes in front of others. However, I believe that I can conquer it as long as I am persistent because where there is a will, there is a way. This is why I did not give up and decide to fight with bravery.
In order to improve my Chinese I practice more and extend my learning after school through watching Chinese channels or movies, mingling and communicating with Chinese friends more to learn Chinese in a more practical and authentic ways learning about the different aspects of China. Participating in social activities and a variety of competitions in Chinese, like speech competitions, is also
an effective way to strengthen my Chinese.
I have confidence in mastering and becoming proficient in Chinese no matter how difficult and hard it is because, after all, no pain, no gain. I hope that one day I can go to China to further my studies in Chinese culture and to taste dumplings at Wudaokou (a place in Beijing) free and easy.
我学汉语也有一段时间了，今天就说说我这一段时间学习汉语的体会。
我为什么要学习汉语呢？大家都知道中国越来越强大了，而且多学习一种语
我为什么要学习汉语呢？大家都知道中国越来越强大了，而且多学习一种语言会多一个机会，但最重要的是中国博大精深的文化深深吸引了我。对我来言会多一个机会，但最重要的是中国博大精深的文化深深吸引了我。对我来说，学其他课都不费吹灰之力，惟独汉语课非常困难。学汉字既要记字音，说，学其他课都不费吹灰之力，惟独汉语课非常困难。学汉字既要记字音，又要记字义，还要记笔画，谈何容易！特别是对一个脑子里连一点汉字概念又要记字义，还要记笔画，谈何容易！特别是对一个脑子里连一点汉字概念都没有的外国人来说，写汉字就如同登蜀道一般，真是难于上青天！但是，都没有的外国人来说，写汉字就如同登蜀道一般，真是难于上青天！但是，这些美妙神奇的方块字却牢牢地吸引着我。我还很清楚地记得，当时，学校这些美妙神奇的方块字却牢牢地吸引着我。我还很清楚地记得，当时，学校开始开设中文课，我带着了解一下的想法去听了一节课，那是我第一次看到开始开设中文课，我带着了解一下的想法去听了一节课，那是我第一次看到汉字，我对它简直是一见钟情。就在那一刻我就下定决心汉字，我对它简直是一见钟情。就在那一刻我就下定决心投入汉语的怀抱。投入汉语的怀抱。
汉语优美，但不好学。汉字生动，但不好记。我在学习汉语的过程中遇到的
汉语优美，但不好学。汉字生动，但不好记。我在学习汉语的过程中遇到的困难就像吃饭一样平常，多音字、形近字，平舌音、翘舌音，前鼻音后鼻音，困难就像吃饭一样平常，多音字、形近字，平舌音、翘舌音，前鼻音后鼻音，还有那四个声调，都是常让我犯笑话的水龙头。四声是我们外国学生学习汉还有那四个声调，都是常让我犯笑话的水龙头。四声是我们外国学生学习汉语的难点，发音失误也常常闹笑话。比如有的学生把语的难点，发音失误也常常闹笑话。比如有的学生把““同窗同窗””说成说成““同床同床””，就，就很尴尬。汉字这样的方块字对使用拼音文字的人来说很难，一字多音，造成很尴尬。汉字这样的方块字对使用拼音文字的人来说很难，一字多音，造成一些麻烦。外国人学中文的时候还有个大问题，就是搞不清楚什么时候要说一些麻烦。外国人学中文的时候还有个大问题，就是搞不清楚什么时候要说一个、一把、一条、一根等单位词。我听朋友说有次一个、一把、一条、一根等单位词。我听朋友说有次有个外国人正好要用刀，就直接跟旁边的人说:“给我一刀！”把旁边的人吓了半死。汉语语法也不太容易，尤其是一些特有的句式。我常常和我的中国朋友说：“我把饺子吃在朋友的家。”他们就用怪异的眼神看着我，后来老师纠正我说这儿不能用“把”字句，还给我讲了原因，那时的我从头到脚尖慢慢的发烫，从发烫慢慢地变红，恨不得找个地缝钻进去。经过这一件丑事后，我更发现学习汉语的难度比我想象地还要更高，但我相信只要有毅力就一定可以成功，因为“世上无难事，就怕有心人”，所以我并没有放弃对汉语的热忱，反而越战越勇。
我开始加强练习汉语的听、说、读、写能力，有时间我就多看一些课外的知识，无论哪一方面只要能增加我的知识我都会爱不释手，看中文电视、电影
也成为我课后的娱乐项目，找机会与中国朋友接触与沟通，从他们身上学到更实际的知识，从他们身上了解不同风貌的中国，进一步提高我的汉语知识面，还有一个方法更是促使我进步，就是参加各种汉语比赛和社会活动，例如说中文比赛。
我坚信，不管学习有多难，多么辛苦，我都要勇往直前，学好汉语。
我坚信，不管学习有多难，多么辛苦，我都要勇往直前，学好汉语。““不下苦不下苦功花不开功花不开””。我希望以后有机会去中国学习汉语、体验汉语。这样，我就可以。我希望以后有机会去中国学习汉语、体验汉语。这样，我就可以放心的放心的““在五道口吃饺子了在五道口吃饺子了””。
Read and Think
- What are the challenges you face in learning Chinese and how will you conquer them?
- Conduct a simple survey by asking your classmates the following questions about their perspectives on learning Chinese.
“你的中文学得怎么样” (How is your learning of Chinese so far?)
“你喜欢学中文吗?” (Do you like learning Chinese?)
“你觉得中文什么地方最难?” (What is the most difficulty in learning Chinese?
“你 会用 拼音在电脑上打（输入） 汉字吗?” (Can you type in Chinese characters with Pinyin?)
