7 Tips for Improving Your Mandarin Chinese While in a Language Immersion Program

7 Steps to Mastering Mandarin Chinese in a Language Immersion Program
Studying Chinese in an immersion program can be an amazing time and can take your Chinese abilities to whole new levels of proficiency. Here are some steps that we've figured out from studying and living in Chinese speaking countries for several years. There is a lot you can do that just show up to class to help your Chinese. Being immersed in a Mandarin Chinese speaking environment presents a million different ways to make studying and learning Chinese easy, fun and productive. Equally important, the door of opportunity awaits you. Master Mandarin Chinese with these methods below and watch as new opportunities begin to pop up all around you. Without further ado, why don't you get out and try....

1. Getting a Language Partner
The most common and super effective thing to do. While in an environment with so many Chinese speakers eager to help you learn Chinese and learn your native language, finding a language partner is easy and smart! A language partner is just a friend whom you swap languages with in a meeting every week (or day/whenever you set up the time). They teach you more Chinese, while in turn you spend some time teaching them some of your native tongue. Language exchanges are a great way to help you get over your fear of speaking and also meet a new friend!

2. Read EVERYTHING
With a national language of Mandarin Chinese, no wonder all the signage is written in it! Take advantage of being in the environment that is covered in Chinese characters like a pizza is in cheese. Read the signs as you drive by on the bus. Read the menus searching for new characters and unique cuisine names even after you've already ordered. Pay attention to all of the safety labels and signs posted to get a feel of how to warn others of dangers in Chinese. Signage is a great way to improve you Chinese and its EVERYWHERE! Read it out loud or just to yourself, but make use of it while you can!

3. Dare to Speak
A big fear for most people when learning a new language is actually speaking it. When this fear starts to build in you, the best thing to do to conquer it is the same as any other fear: TAKE ACTION. Start speaking more to your teachers and answer more questions. Don't be shy on the street and try to work through your newly learned vocabulary and grammar to explain what it is you need. You will be amazed when your Chinese starts flowing out more and more naturally when you are sincerely trying to communicate something rather than just thinking of the words themselves. The best part is, you almost never will be met with someone laughing at you because you've already shown bravery and confidence in talking with them. People in general are very friendly and open; don't be scared and head out for a conversation with a stranger today!

4. Find Local Friends
This one may end up being a product of your previously found language partner. If not, even better! When you're in the immersion country one of the best things you can do to take your Chinese to the next level is find some local friends. Search through your college bulletin boards; join interest groups and clubs, participate in local events, and most importantly put on a smile and introduce yourself to people. Meeting and keeping some close local friends will be beneficial in more ways than you can imagine. Not only will they teach you colloquial phrases and help you learn more of the Chinese language, but they will also help you with any other problems you may have while learning in their country!

5. Don't Ask for the English Version
One thing you need to avoid is cheating yourself. Commonly waiters at restaurants will try to hand you the English version of the menu once they have an idea you may not understand the normal Chinese version. If this happens, refuse it and ask for the regular Mandarin Chinese menu. Many times not only is this a missed opportunity for some reading practice, but a lot of information gets lost in translation many times. This 'English' service may be helpful those only here on vacation, however to master the language you should be pushing your self into it as much as possible. This may come with the consequence of some weird dishes showing up on the table here and again, but hey, all in the name of progress!

6. Do What Your Mom Said Not To, Watch TV!
Obviously this one is to be exercised with caution. A better point is to get out and interact with real people in real time with real conversation. Obviously. However, watching television in Mandarin is really a great way to practice your listening AND reading skills. Most shows have Chinese character subtitles along the bottom, so you can listen to what's being said as well as see it. This is great for association of sound and sight, and will have you recognizing more and more characters with each episode. Find something that interests you and tune in every once and a while. Be careful not to over due it though, watching TV is a great relaxing down time study habit. However it is no match for being engaged and involved in the real Chinese-speaking world outside.

7. Make Every Experience a Learning Experience
The world is your Chinese classroom while you're in the immersion country!. Try and make each day and activity and adventure and learning experience. For instance, when you need some things from the grocery store, grab some new vocabulary from your dictionary you can use at the super market. Or perhaps you've got a cold and need some medicine. Grab some new words and run down to the pharmacy or local clinic to explain what your symptoms are to the doctor. Every time you go out into the world there is an opportunity for you to use new words and ways to communicate your wants and needs. Take full advantage and make studying Chinese in a Chinese speaking nation. Its usually much more fun than just sitting in the classroom!

Remembering all of these tips, the most important thing to remember while in studying in the Chinese immersion program is to have fun. Studying Chinese doesn't have to be cramming new characters into your brain. Living in Taiwan, speaking to the locals, and enjoying your time are simple and excellent ways to ensure you have positive memories and associations with Chinese Learning. Plus, once you are able to understand the language of the world that surrounds you, you will be amazed at how many doors of opportunity begin to open up all around you.

This article was written by Christopher Collins, Program Director for Mandarin Taiwan Study Abroad. For more information visit http://www.mandarintaiwan.com/.

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Basic Spanish Lesson Or Beginner Spanish Lesson

Today we are going to take a look at a very basic Spanish lesson or beginner Spanish lesson. It's the type of lesson that you would have in your first day of school. Is a typical introduction scenario between two persons.

In Spanish the pronoun " Tu" is used to speak in an informal way (young people or friends) and " Usted" is used as a formal way (used with older people or authorities). So, in this lesson you will learn both, the informal way (tu) is to the left and the formal way (Usted: Ud.) is to the right). Also, incorporated are different ways to ask the same thing.

Luis- Hola, ? Como te llamas/se llama? (How do you call yourself?) ? Cual es tu nombre/ cual es su nombre? (What is your name?)

Cynthia- Me llamo Cynthia. (I call myself Cynthia)/ Mi nombre es Cynthia. (My name is Cynthia)?Y tu/Ud.? (And you?)

L- Me llamo Luis. (I call myself Luis)

C-Mucho gusto (Nice to meet you)

L- Encantado. (You have to say "encantado" if you are male or "encantada" if you are female)

C-?De donde eres/es? (Where are you from?)

L- Soy de Inglaterra./ Soy ingles. (I'm from England. / I'm English)

C- ?De que parte? (What part?)

L- De Manchester. ?Y tu /Ud.?, ?De donde eres/es? (From Manchester, and you? Where you from?)

C- De Estados Unidos. Colorado. (From USA, Colorado)

L- ?De que parte? (What part?)

C- Denver. ?Donde vives/vive? (Denver. Where do you live?)

L- Vivo en Manchester. (I live in Manchester)

C- Ah, yo soy de Denver pero vivo en Aspen. (Oh, I'm from Denver but I live in Aspen)

L- ?De que trabajas/trabaja? (In what do you work?) / ?A que te dedicas?/ ?A que se dedica? (To what do you dedicate your life?)/ ?Que haces/Que hace? (What do you do?)

C- Soy estudiante de economia y trabajo en marketing. (I'm an Economics student and I work in marketing).

L-? Cuantos anos tienes/tiene? (How old are you?)

C- Tengo 36 anos. Y tu/Usted? (I'm 36. And you?)

L-45.

If you are just beginning to learn Spanish, this lesson should be a great way for you to learn basic Spanish. And as I have already said, this lesson is an introduction to the Spanish to help you as a beginner students begin learning the basics of the language. I hope you enjoyed it and that you will begin to interact with speakers of Spanish.

Anna Rivera is a native Spanish speaker from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also a Spanish instructor and the author of 2 learning Spanish books. If you would like to get FREE instant download access to the MP3 audio and PDF transcripts to her Spanish lessons absolutely free AND read her reviews of the most popular learning-Spanish products, then visit her web site now in order to: learn Spanish online That's http://LearningSpanishProductsReviews.com/

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How to Find a Quality Online English Teacher - Some Tips

Considering learning a language with an online course but cannot find a reputable teacher? Stop worrying, because there are many tips on how to find a quality online English teacher. Those tips are to look for a one-on-one program, ask about the teacher's qualifications, and make sure the company you are considering is in an English speaking country. These few details will tell you if the person you are considering hiring can teach you the language you want to learn. English is the language you want to learn in today's business world. Search online with these parameters for the best experience possible.

Finding a company that offers a one-on-one program is the easiest way to know you are guaranteed great lessons. The possibilities of how to find a quality online English teacher are endless when you look for a great one-on-one program. Every online program should include interacting with someone in English. If this is not offered to you then the program is not as good as others that are out there. Search for a program that will not only give you the one-on-one lessons but also with the same teacher for every single lesson. Continuity with your tutor will give you the best chance to learn to speak English.

Every teacher that you are considering should have a degree in English from a reputable university and should have a teaching certificate. You can always ask for documentation of the teachers qualifications. Any company or teacher that refuses to give you proof should not be trusted. Look at all the options before making a final decision of which tutor to learn from. The best ways of how to find a quality online English teacher rely on your abilities to navigate the options available to you. Consider an online teacher website that is easy to use and makes all the tools necessary available.

Take control of your experience learning to speak English. Find what works for you and go get it. When considering companies that can supply you with a tutor to start your journey look at where the company is based and their policies for hiring teachers. Several companies that boast native speaking teachers are not always truthful. Be sure to go with a reputable company that guarantees its teachers live in and are native to an English speaking country. Native English speakers will have insights and backgrounds that can help you along your path. These tips can help you make the decision of who will be your tutor.

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What Is the Fastest Way to Learn a Language?

The US government uses it, fortune 500 companies use it, heck, even Mormon missionaries use it when learning a new language. What is this program that is so effective that people who have never spoken a language can be in it in just a few months? What is the secret that can unlock your mind and make learning any language possible?

I once asked a friend who had mastered Chinese how he did it. His response was simple: "I moved to China and wanted to eat, if I couldn't speak, I might not eat or I might hate the food, I quickly learned." This man went from knowing zero Chinese, to passing an advanced level Chinese test 6 months later! When he told me this story, he confirmed what I had long suspected. The secret to learning a language isn't fancy software, it isn't years of college or high school courses, it is complete immersion into a language!

As exciting as this realization was, I quickly found this was no easy task. Most people just don't have the time or resources to move out of their country for a year and learn a language. So what solutions are there to complete immersion?

1. Find a native speaking friend who is willing to learn with you. The benefit to this is that it is free and can be fun for you and your friend. The problem is there is a good chance you don't know anyone who speaks the language you want to learn, or, if you do, they would rather speak English with you. That being said if you know someone you should ask!

2. If you have a friend learning the same language, decide with them to only speak in that language when you are together. For example, if you are learning Spanish, only use Spanish when together. Now obviously, you will encounter words that you don't know. When you don't know a word use the English equivalent, but keep the Spanish grammar. This method can greatly increase your ability to learn a language!

3. One last option is to sign up with a website that sets you up with native speakers. If you are only looking for chatting through reading and writing I would check out livemocha.com, they are free and allow you to chat with people from around the world. The downside is that those people are often trying to learn English, so they would expect you to help them as well. If you want a good website that connects you with both native speakers and other learners check out cafespeak.com. They focus on conversation, so essentially you would be utilizing Skype to converse with someone else in their native language.

Learning a language through immersion can be fun and exciting. Try one, two, or all of these methods to quickly immerse yourself in your language of choice. Good luck!

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Mandarin Chinese and English: What Are the Differences?

Mandarin is the not the Chinese language, rather, it is one of the many Chinese dialects. Around seventy percent of Chinese speakers use Mandarin. It is not only the accepted written language of Chinese, but it is also considered as the business language of China.

Many non-native Mandarin speakers believe that Mandarin is a very difficult language to learn, especially for those who are used to speaking the English language. But why is this so? Is Mandarin so different from English? Let us compare them.

Difference in origin

The English language is closely related to Flemish, Dutch, Low German and Frisians, which belong to the Germanic language family. Mandarin, on the other hand, evolved from Old Chinese and Middle Chinese. The fact that Mandarin and English originated from different language families might explain the major differences between the two tongues.

Difference in Alphabet

While the English alphabet is composed of twenty-six letters, Mandarin, on the other hand, does not have any. Instead, the Mandarin written language is composed of characters. Mandarin's logographic system is composed of about 10,000 characters, of which an average Mandarin speaker needs to know only about 3,000 to communicate with the language well. While in English, you need to put the letters together to form a word, in Mandarin each character corresponds to a word, which can be combined to form more complex words or concepts.

Difference in Phonology

Mandarin is a tonal language, which means it uses pitch to convey word meanings. In English, changes in pitch help express sentiment. Mandarin has four tones, high level, rising, dipping and falling; the neutral tone makes the fifth. These tones render different meanings to words.

In addition, English vowel sounds are more numerous as compared to Chinese. For example, words like full/fool and fit/feet are typically mispronounced by Mandarin speakers. Dipthongs, like the long vowel sounds, are usually shortened to make a single sound.

Difference in vocabulary

The combination of particles with short verbs to create phrasal verbs does not apply in Mandarin. In English, this is very common with verbs like "look up to", "give in" and others.

Difference in Grammar

Mandarin is not an inflected language. The sentiment is communicated through adverbials (such as time or manner), word order or contextual meaning. Different verb forms and tenses do not convey the perception of time in Mandarin. This is dissimilar to English where much of the idea is expressed through the use of verb tense and auxiliaries, such as in walk/walks/walked or is/was/are/were. Basically, the verb system of English is more complex than that of Mandarin.

Modal verbs (can, will, should, etc.) are limited in Mandarin. English, meanwhile, makes use of modals to express varying intensities or meaning. That is the reason why, for instance, Mandarin speakers may seem to be dictatorial when they make recommendations, requests and appeals.

The word order is also different between English and Mandarin. In questions, English inverts the subject and the verb, while Mandarin expresses this by adding words to indicate a question. In Mandarin, adverbials come before verbs; whereas there are many rules that direct their position in English sentences.

Indeed, there are significant differences between Mandarin and English. But this should not hinder you from learning Mandarin (if you are an English speaker) or English (if you are a Mandarin speaker) as learning both tongues brings so many benefits.

Daniel C Howard is a language teacher living in Asia. He has over a decade of experience teaching all ages a variety of subjects. For free info and lessons on Mandarin Chinese, please visit his blog here.

You can also sign up for a newsletter full of free language tips from Daniel's many hours in a class. And as a bonus, stay updated on all the new information on http://www.learnmagnificentmandarin.com/.

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Learn Japanese Fast: 3 Must-Follow Tips for Learning the Japanese Language

Japanese, with its unique alphabet and complex sentence structures, can be quite a challenge for Westerners to learn. Like all learning endeavors, though, you can make the process much easier and more efficient by doing a little planning before you dive in. In this article I am going to tell you three things you should do to make your Japanese language learning experience a pleasant, efficient and worthwhile one.

Discover Your Learning Strengths

Contemporary research based on Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences shows that there are 7 distinct types of learners: visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical. Before you jump into Japanese do yourself a huge favor and find out what kind of learner you are. To discover whether you're a linguistic or a logical-mathematical learner, just take one of the many free tests on the Internet. Go to Google and type in "Theory of Multiple Intelligences free test," and you'll find one.

Look at a few and use the one that has the most questions; you'll get the most accurate results that way. When doing this, keep in mind that you won't be just one type of learner. You will have much more strength in certain areas, though. Find your strengths and then design a Japanese language learning strategy that's best for you.

Get Friendly With the Katakana Alphabet

You may not know this, but the Japanese writing system has more than one alphabet. One of them is called Katakana. It is the simplest alphabet, and it is used to transcribe foreign words, to represent the names of plants, animals, and minerals, and to type out technical and scientific terms.

It is also commonly used to write the names of foods, which makes it very useful for you to know. In addition, it's a phonetic alphabet, so it's not too difficult to learn. If you study hard, you can master the sounds of the 48 characters of the system in an afternoon or two. So, before going out and trying to tackle Kanji, the much more difficult system of characters that make up the primary written form of the Japanese language, get familiar with Katakana. This will ease you into success, one step at a time.

Work With a Native Speaker From the Beginning

When learning a language that uses the same alphabet as your own, for example, if you're a native English speaker learning Spanish, you can learn a lot just by adjusting your own pronunciation. When learning Japanese, though, you will be making sounds that are totally and completely different than anything you are used to. For this reason, it is imperative that you work with a native Japanese speaker from day one.

Fortunately, doing this is as easy as ever. You have several options. One is to find a local Japanese speaker and work with him or her in person. This is a great option, but it is also the most expensive. The next option is to use language learning software or online instruction. These programs, in the early days, were not very good. Today, however, you can get high-quality, fully interactive language learning software programs recorded by native speakers for under a hundred dollars. This is much cheaper than hiring a personal Japanese tutor, and you can repeat lessons over and over until you're satisfied that you have learned them.

Finally, if you want a totally free option, you can do a language exchange over the Internet. All you do is go to a language learning forum and search for a native Japanese speaker who is willing to teach you Japanese in return for you teaching him or her your native language, whatever it may be.

It doesn't really matter which option you choose. Just make sure that you're working with a native Japanese speaker right from the beginning; it's much harder to fix bad Japanese pronunciation than it is to just learn it correctly in the first place.

Final Thoughts

Learning Japanese can be challenging for Westerners, but, with a bit of planning, you can have a great learning experience. To ensure success, find out what type of learner you are, learn the Katakana alphabet, and work with a native Japanese speaker from day one.

Check out my Rocket Japanese Review. My honest and in-depth software reviews are the best on the web!

Or, for more great learning tips, check out my blog, The Live in Asia Blog.

Have a great day!

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Chinese Language Learning Strategies For Interpersonal Learners

As outlined by Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, there are 7 distinct kinds of learners, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, musical, visual-spatial, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical. As a pupil of the Chinese language, you will discover that, while you are able to use approaches from all 7 of the individual learning models, you will be more at ease with some than with others. Pay attention to your inner thoughts, and gravitate towards the exercises you feel most comfortable carrying out. This particular report will present Chinese language learning strategies for people who are intepersonal learners.

What is an Interpersonal Learner?

An interpersonal learner is somebody who loves interacting with other people. These people are usually particularly understanding, and they normally show empathy for other people. They generally have a lot of acquaintances and possess superior street smarts. If you're one of these styles of learners you will excel whenever taking part in group exercises, seminars, and by participating in dialogues, no matter how easy they may be.

Learning Strategy 1

Interpersonal learners excel in group activities, and their study techniques ought to center on interaction. Fortunately, this is often easy to do when learning another language, seeing that everybody desires partners to converse with. You ought to take an active part in setting up parties or some other social get-togethers where the chief goal is to practice talking in Chinese. For instance, you can host a dinner party where the aim is to speak about food in the Chinese language.

Learning Strategy 2

Join organizations which are organized by individuals who are native Chinese speakers. This can seem difficult at first, and it would, in fact, be extremely hard for most of us. Your high level of comfort in interpersonal situations, however, allows you to succeed in most of these circumstances. You can join almost any group. For example, it is easy to join a Chinese trekking group, or perhaps some sort of civic group that meets often.

Learning Strategy 3

Socialize with native Chinese speakers. This might seem to be a bit fake or dishonest, but it doesn't have to be. Just be genuine in the beginning and then allow your natural interpersonal skills take over from there. Take your new friend out for lunch and ask for their help. Most people love helping others, since it makes them to feel useful and significant. And, surely, since English is not their native language, you may as well help them with their studies. It's a win-win position for everybody.

Learning Strategy 4

Enroll in a Chinese language learning class. If you're an intense interpersonal learner, you will definitely get bored rather quickly learning alone. Some sort of classroom environment, on the other hand, will provide you with the social interaction you desire. Additionally, don't just be a part of a class. Also make certain that you spend as much time as you can with your teacher, as the increased individual attention will encourage you to study more.

Conclusion

Interpersonal learners need social interaction to keep encouraged and learn up to their potential. If you are secure in and quite often desire social situations, and if you have a lot of friends, you're almost certainly an interpersonal learner. If this is the case, you should design a learning approach that is based around social interaction.

Get more Learn to speak Mandarin tips by visiting my 8-article series hosted at the famous Squidoo!

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