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Post by ilunga on Sept 24, 2005 14:32:01 GMT 7
Thanks Nate, that's a great site. MK, you're right about keeping the thread on topic. If you really want to know, look at the seduction thread on machinecat. She's number eight
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Post by MK on Sept 25, 2005 15:08:50 GMT 7
I think this rikai site is going to help me a lot too, cheers Nate!
Now off to machinecat...
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Post by MK on Sept 28, 2005 17:16:43 GMT 7
Here's where you can get the Chinese Character flashcard program I mentioned earlier...I just leave it running while I am working and do a few every so often: www.andante.org/chinese.html
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Post by Nate M on Sept 28, 2005 21:46:12 GMT 7
Here's the website for Integrated Chinese, the set of textbooks used by my school, (the University of Minnesota): eastasia.hawaii.edu/yao/icusers/This website has a crapload of info, everything from tests and activity sheets to online animations of character strokes. Especially useful for people looking to learn how to write.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Sept 29, 2005 10:09:11 GMT 7
Nate, you're a brain, right? Then why not put these links on the links page, since learning Chinese is a very common need here, yes?
Or is there something I missed.
Oh, yeah, they are great links, thanks. Is there any way to get sound with them? So I can learn to say them. The wife isn't always available and when we are together we don't seem to practice this kind of thing.
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Post by MK on Sept 29, 2005 12:12:48 GMT 7
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Post by Mr Nobody on Sept 29, 2005 13:14:31 GMT 7
Ah, cool. Hadn't got that far. I was hoping the flashcards had sound, though.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Oct 14, 2005 7:00:25 GMT 7
I was given 3 boxes of flashcards for my birthday. 2 of my waiguoren friends have also purchased these sets and we have devised a game - strip flash. Hold up the picture on the card to your victim - s/he has to say the Chinese word. Don't know - take off something!
However, the rules are changed slightly from strip poker. The guy in the group is not allowed to take off anything (too scary to contemplate), we girls are allowed to count jewellery, nailpolish etc as stuff to take off, and evertime we get one right we put stuff back on! Fun to do - and because it is getting close to winter, not dangerous yet! By summer we will know all of the cards!
Take said flash cards to favourite hairdresser. Staff will test you on the characters - not the pictures, so you have to be able to read, not just know the word - and really mean staff will hold the characters upside down for you to recognise!!
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Post by acjade on Oct 15, 2005 18:38:26 GMT 7
I have a very sweet professor who is teaching me oral chinese. I'm teaching myself the characters with the help of some very thoughtfully and well-written books.
There is an abundance of material out there and the secret is to purchase it at your level of interest and committment. It's just a language. Therefore it's composed of sounds, ideas and structures.
To practise the level you are at is important. Begin with five minutes a day and work up to full time. Take the elephant by the ear.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Oct 15, 2005 18:49:20 GMT 7
Elephant? No wonder I am having problems. I don't have an elephant!
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Post by acjade on Oct 15, 2005 19:39:10 GMT 7
But you do have a pussy. Sweet.
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Post by ilunga on Oct 17, 2005 22:03:09 GMT 7
Haha Strip flash sounds great. Maybe I'll put that idea to some of the korean girls on my course. They're way too good though, I wouldn't stand a chance Hey Jade, I vaguely remember you making me a kind offer before, with regards to 'mei nv'. I'm kind of looking for a reasonably priced 'tutor'. Alternatively I could offer some English assistance in return but I'd rather not do it that way. Just a few hours a week. Do you know anyone?
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Lager
SuperBarfly!
Posts: 1,081
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Post by Lager on Oct 18, 2005 4:56:27 GMT 7
Ilunga--what school is this? Sorry if I'm making you repeat....
good luck - (I didn't learn much in my summer of study-too much writing out characters.)
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Post by Lotus Eater on Oct 18, 2005 13:50:47 GMT 7
Ilunga - whu not try teh university next door - there are plenty of girls there - and most of them are eager to practice their English. But is that the 'tutoring' you are looking for? Why not head for the pink hairdressers instead - way fewer complications! Or try the nightclubs, ask a girl to dance and see if she would like a 'language exchange".
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Post by ilunga on Oct 18, 2005 15:14:11 GMT 7
Lager, it's Shaanxi Normal Uni in Xi'an. Lotus, I'm starting to think having a gf who doesn't speak much English would be, erm, rewarding. I've had a few girls approach me on campus, keen on practicing their English but I don't really want that. I don't really want to approach random people. It's quite hard to meet Chinese people actually. I don't spend a lot of time on campus. I've thought about putting up a sign in one of the bars but I don't see too many students in there, so don't think I'd get much feedback. A fellow student told me today one of his teachers fixed him up with a graduate student who charges 20 an hour so I'll try going down that route. As for Pink Salons - not my cup of tea I did the whole boom-boom disco thing ad nauseum in Luoyang. I still go to clubs once a week or so but not that interested anymore. 'But is that the 'tutoring' you are looking for?' Yes and no. I want the best of both worlds ;D
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Post by moderntime on Oct 30, 2005 8:48:13 GMT 7
I've been studying Chinese on and off for as long as my university students have been studying English (6 years+), and yes, my Chinese is at an equal level with their English. In addition to what other posters have suggested, here are a few other things that I've found useful just to keep it more interesting for me, so that I'm not just writing pages and pages of characters (not that I'm knocking this, but my hand gets tired!)
- Karaoke videos are great because as the singer sings, the character is highlighted. - Watching Chinese movies twice, once with the English subtitles on to get the meaning, then a second time with the Chinese subtitles on, to practice my listening skills. - Reading comic books. A lot of the text is pretty basic, and repetitive, so it's good for character recognition, and the pictures can give visual cues to figure out the meaning. I really like Japanese comic books in translation, actually. - Translating pages of novels. Sure, it takes forever, but it really keeps me on my toes.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Oct 30, 2005 11:37:11 GMT 7
Translating pages of novels? Hen lihai! I only tackle very short poems!! (And restaurant menus)
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teleplayer
Barfly
Ni3 you3 hen3 duo1 qian2. Gei3 wo3 yi4dian(r)3 ba.
Posts: 541
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Post by teleplayer on Nov 1, 2005 2:28:57 GMT 7
Hi all, My first post and I promised Raoul I'd not be too droll. Wanted to second Nate M's Integrated Chinese suggestion. That's what's used here at UNC-CH and a good many other universities. I'm a fan of the character order writer at USC: www.usc.edu/dept/ealc/chinese/newweb/character_page.html And for sound, the pinyin/character/tone sound test at: www.pinyinpractice.com/ There are a zillion ways to get lost in all the IC study material on-line in a variety of formats. Look forward to getting to know you guys. Wo jiao Jack
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Newbs
SuperDuperBarfly!
If you don't have your parents permission to be on this site, naughty, naughty. But Krusty forgives
Posts: 2,085
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Post by Newbs on Nov 1, 2005 6:33:54 GMT 7
G'day teleplayer and welcome.
Why don't you hop on up to the public house and introduce yourself fully. George is buying a round of drinks right now.
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Post by Dragonsaver on Nov 1, 2005 15:18:28 GMT 7
[quote author=teleplayer board=library thread=1127184538 post=1130786937 And for sound, the pinyin/character/tone sound test at: www.pinyinpractice.com/ [/quote] I tried this but did not get any sound. Any idea why???
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Nov 1, 2005 16:23:29 GMT 7
Hi Teleplayer. Welcome. I hope to get to know you better. My husband (Lei Shan) is a huge Tarheel fan. His winter jacket has a big NC on it. The team colors go great with his baby blue eyes.
End of hijack. Back to learning Chinese. It's a struggle for me. I'm lazy. I get by in day-to-day life here, but my experiences could be so much richer if I could only communicate with those around me.
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Crippler
Barfly
Beware the conspiracy!
Posts: 345
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Post by Crippler on Nov 1, 2005 16:25:35 GMT 7
Do you have your speakers turned on?
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Post by con's fly is open on Nov 1, 2005 18:49:41 GMT 7
Howdy, Telepalyer! What Newbs said. I'm finally getting that I have to start learning to read. I thought not speaking chinese in the old joint was hard, but it's utterly paralysing here! I'll simply have to start blocking off some time to memorize and practice drawing characters. And jotting down questions to ask at school. I know the only thing that will work will be actually making an effort. Geez, you'd think they'd have a surgical procedure by now. Wait- then I'd be out of a job.
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Nov 1, 2005 21:49:16 GMT 7
That's exactly the trouble I'm having. What's up with that? If you find an easier way, please let me know.
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teleplayer
Barfly
Ni3 you3 hen3 duo1 qian2. Gei3 wo3 yi4dian(r)3 ba.
Posts: 541
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Post by teleplayer on Nov 1, 2005 23:11:58 GMT 7
Dragonsaver, quote author=teleplayer board=library And for sound, the pinyin/character/tone sound test at: www.pinyinpractice.com/ [/quote] I tried this but did not get any sound. Any idea why??? ************************** I don't know unless you need to download and install flash player. I went to link direct from your posting and heard all. ( As you run you curer over the "ma's" on the cover page you will hear the ma in correct tones.) Will see if I can find out for us all. It 's a fun way to learn characters and pinyin. jlw
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