Been a while since I updated this blog, and there are a couple of things to report. Firstly, I passed the JLPT level 2! Yippee for me. I was actually a little surprised by this as I was only taking the test to see what it was like thinking I might be in a position to pass next year. Anyway, it turns out you only need t o get over 50% to pass because the test has become more difficult, which is exactly what I did, just. Anyway, a pass is a pass, and I'm pleased with it.
The other news is to report on a new site I've been using to study Japanese. Actually, this isn't a specific study site, it's a news site. It's called FNN News, and they have a lot of short video clips uploaded on their site, and the good thing is that they have the script printed below the video. This is priceless, because trying to catch the meaning of the video without the script is very difficult, but with the script you can, with the help of a trusty dictionary, make out the meaning of what the clip is about. My method is to watch the clip through once, then to read the script, looking up any words I don't know, then to watch the video again while reading the script, and to finally watch the video one more time without reading. By the final time I find that I'm able to understand what is being said, and I start to think about other things, e.g. the character of the people talking, or the reason for this news story, as if I were watching the clip in English. It's good stuff. Thanks to my teacher, Taka Sensei, for introducing this site to me.
Showing posts with label the internet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the internet. Show all posts
Monday, 17 September 2012
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Update and new thoughts on grammar
Well, what with summer holidays and the like it's been a while since my last post, so I'm just writing this as a quick update as to what's going on.
I've got a lot of topics that I want to blog about language learning lined up, it's just that I've come to the conclusion that I'm spending too much time blogging about it and not enough time studying, so I've decided to concentrate on the study a bit for the time being.
I'm using the Oxford Chinese site that I mentioned before, and I'm really beginning to appreciate the benefit of grammar exercises. I think I had been lulled into thinking it was not necessary by some quarters of the language learning world, and this has been detrimental to my progress. Looking back at this blog, I am not sure I would support everything I wrote here or here anymore (although think balance is probably the best way forward, and certainly there is room for both techniques).
It is an atractive proposal not to have to bother with grammar, but I'm finding that studying the grammar really gives you a better understanding of the language and helps to give you a firm foundation from where to build your sentences, and this in turn helps to raise confidence.
Anyway, I'm going to try to make my way through all these exercises over the next month or two, and then perhaps scout around for some new material.
In the meantime, I'll try to find some time for a blog post or two. If you have any thoughts on the benefits of grammar study please let me know in the comments below, or of course if you have any comments on my blog or language learning in general, feel free to drop me a line...
I've got a lot of topics that I want to blog about language learning lined up, it's just that I've come to the conclusion that I'm spending too much time blogging about it and not enough time studying, so I've decided to concentrate on the study a bit for the time being.
I'm using the Oxford Chinese site that I mentioned before, and I'm really beginning to appreciate the benefit of grammar exercises. I think I had been lulled into thinking it was not necessary by some quarters of the language learning world, and this has been detrimental to my progress. Looking back at this blog, I am not sure I would support everything I wrote here or here anymore (although think balance is probably the best way forward, and certainly there is room for both techniques).
It is an atractive proposal not to have to bother with grammar, but I'm finding that studying the grammar really gives you a better understanding of the language and helps to give you a firm foundation from where to build your sentences, and this in turn helps to raise confidence.
Anyway, I'm going to try to make my way through all these exercises over the next month or two, and then perhaps scout around for some new material.
In the meantime, I'll try to find some time for a blog post or two. If you have any thoughts on the benefits of grammar study please let me know in the comments below, or of course if you have any comments on my blog or language learning in general, feel free to drop me a line...
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Free online Mandarin lessons
I've been working my way through the lessons on this website for my Chinese studies:
It seems that it was set up by Oxford University—not sure how long ago, but some of the video looks pretty old.
Anyway, I thought I'd point it out as I've been enjoying working through the lessons. They're just about the right level for me, and all the dialogues attempt to have some amusing point thrown in at the end. Even if the amusing point isn't funny in itself, just the intention can raise a smile.
Another interesting point is the acting. The women that appear in every video are pretty bad at acting—it's painful in places—but they're supported manfully by a middle-aged bloke who does a good job despite the crick-inducing woodenness going on around him.
But besides the cheesy humour, and bad performances, it's useful material with some good exercises thrown in for practice after you've watched the video. Take a look.
It seems that it was set up by Oxford University—not sure how long ago, but some of the video looks pretty old.
Anyway, I thought I'd point it out as I've been enjoying working through the lessons. They're just about the right level for me, and all the dialogues attempt to have some amusing point thrown in at the end. Even if the amusing point isn't funny in itself, just the intention can raise a smile.
Another interesting point is the acting. The women that appear in every video are pretty bad at acting—it's painful in places—but they're supported manfully by a middle-aged bloke who does a good job despite the crick-inducing woodenness going on around him.
But besides the cheesy humour, and bad performances, it's useful material with some good exercises thrown in for practice after you've watched the video. Take a look.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Ideas for journal entries
Been getting back into language studying after the past couple of weeks of craziness here in Tokyo. It was pretty hard to concentrate on other things while you have half your mind on the next aftershock, and the other half on the latest radiation readings in the area.
Anyhow, I'm starting to get back into the swing of things now, and I've been using Lang8 again a bit more recently. I seem to go through input and output phases, (I tend to output more in the way of writing rather than speaking at the moment, which I need to work on) and now I seem to have gone into output mode again by writing on my Lang8 blog.
The challenge with writing a daily journal is finding something to write about. I don't think my life is dull, but I don't seem to have the motivation to write about the ins and outs of daily life (again, I should probably work on this).
One tool I have been using to generate ideas however is the stumbleupon.com website. This website enables you to "stumble" almost randomly around the internet to find sites that other people have labeled as interesting. I say almost randomly, because the sites you do actually stumble through are regulated by your settings page where you can specify what your interests are, and thereby only stumble onto sites that are related to these interests. I find this site gives me some good ideas for journal entries on Lang8.
Writing this though I realise I should try to work on writing (and speaking) about more mundane day-to-day topics: as these are the kind of topics and language that I probably need to be more familiar with on a daily basis.
OK, that's my goal for this evening. One Lang8 entry about my day today. Hope it's not too dull!!
Anyhow, I'm starting to get back into the swing of things now, and I've been using Lang8 again a bit more recently. I seem to go through input and output phases, (I tend to output more in the way of writing rather than speaking at the moment, which I need to work on) and now I seem to have gone into output mode again by writing on my Lang8 blog.
The challenge with writing a daily journal is finding something to write about. I don't think my life is dull, but I don't seem to have the motivation to write about the ins and outs of daily life (again, I should probably work on this).
One tool I have been using to generate ideas however is the stumbleupon.com website. This website enables you to "stumble" almost randomly around the internet to find sites that other people have labeled as interesting. I say almost randomly, because the sites you do actually stumble through are regulated by your settings page where you can specify what your interests are, and thereby only stumble onto sites that are related to these interests. I find this site gives me some good ideas for journal entries on Lang8.
Writing this though I realise I should try to work on writing (and speaking) about more mundane day-to-day topics: as these are the kind of topics and language that I probably need to be more familiar with on a daily basis.
OK, that's my goal for this evening. One Lang8 entry about my day today. Hope it's not too dull!!
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Tweet log: 9 March, 2011 - 16 March 2011
A collection of my tweets from the 9th March to 16th March 2011 (starting from the bottom 9th March's fore-shock—main earthquake and tsunami happened on the 11th). One viewpoint from Tokyo, Japan.
easterngrean ニール
At the moment it feels like a decision between the news and the official line. Which is more trustworthy? We need a middle road.
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@tokyotimes It's ridiculous. I don't know why that newspaper is still allowed to operate.
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Never been so happy to see one of those annoying Japanese game shows on TV.. could cut down on the earthquake alarm like bleeping noises tho
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Sitting at work. Jolly well looking forward to the weekend to be honest.
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Quake last night was a real window rattler. Put the wind up me a bit. Following developments on the internet this morning. Off to work soon.
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Finally worked out how to use list/search function. Now just have to find out what it's called
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
test tweet #test
16 Mar
»
Crof Crawford Kilian
by easterngrean
A useful perspective on the Japanese earthquake http://bit.ly/hYw2Ih #jpquake
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
I have to say, I was undecided about twitter until this week. I absolutely love it now!!
15 Mar
»
shioyama The blogger fka 塩
by easterngrean
Doesn't get more poignant than that: Sympathy From Bamiyan to the People of Japan: http://bit.ly/ibj0nv
15 Mar
»
gakuranman Michael Gakuran
by easterngrean
全力を挙げる means to use all of one's energy / to the best of one's efforts. Edano uses it over and over again in his speeches.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
edano is saying radiation drops. Why are all these tweets coming through so alarmist!!
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
edano brings some good news
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
I think my Dunkirk spirit just kicked in!
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
brilliant! jiayou means ganbatte! message from Sichuan earthquake survivors to people of Japan http://bit.ly/eIE5V9
15 Mar
»
gadyepstein Gady Epstein
by easterngrean
RT @wolfgroupasia: China reaches out to Japan: A Tudou video to Japan from Sichuan's earthquake survivors: http://bit.ly/dZmWph
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Just spent 2 hours uploading the wrong info onto our servers... Lucky I don't work for the electric company.
15 Mar
»
gakuranman Michael Gakuran
by easterngrean
State minister Renho asking people of Japan not to buy up or horde supplies that could be used for the victims in the north (Kyodo)
15 Mar
»
TOKYODANDY TOKYO DANDY (DAN)
by easterngrean
Thinking of the 50 workers on site at the Fukushima Power Plant risking their lives to bring the situation under control. THANK YOU
15 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
Can anyone help? RT @john_sir @tokyotimes any info on road conditions for going to Tokyo from #Fukushima/#Ibaraki direction?
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Stroke of luck. Got the last salad on the shelf in the conbini.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Quick check of the microsee-whatever levels, and I'm off out for lunch!
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Is "microsievert" trending yet?
15 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
Basically the situation is bad. But the danger is only for those in the vicinity. And sensationalist reports don't help. At all.
15 Mar
»
jdierkes Julian Dierkes
by easterngrean
Nuke safety commission briefing seemed to report sound of explosion in 2nd reactor at Fukushima No 1 about two hours ago.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Another explosion?
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Got a phone call from the BBC asking if I wanted to take part in an interview. Must be in a disaster zone.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
My Japanese is improving though! 予断を許さない ＝ can't make any guesses
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Possibly quake was closer to Tokyo. rather than being larger than other aftershocks.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Large aftershock woke me up. BBC incorrectly cites USGS for size and location. USGS is slow to update. Quake was short but sharp.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Things I wish I had: 1. A plane ticket. 2. A Geiger counter. 3. A PHd in plate tectonics. 4. A beer. Oh... I have number 4. just 1 2 & 3.
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Fairly big aftershock is greeted with stony silence here in the office. Usually there would be a few comments.. but nothing.
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@Ayumizw There are not many people here. The office is kind of quiet. All the lights are off etc.
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Sitting at work. Lights are off, only about half the staff have come in today. Feels very surreal. Feel like going home to be honest.
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
tsunami alert "appears to have been false alarm"- BBC
14 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
RT @BiggerInJapan NEWS: Iwate pref Ofunato 5 m wave retreating, possibility of big tsunami. Move to higher grounds immediately.
14 Mar
»
andyjr1975 Andrew Roper
by easterngrean
Terrifying “@scottlava: Whoa. RT @timheidecker: “@leeunkrich: This is absolutely unbelievable. ow.ly/4dvh0 #Japan #tsunami””
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
This page tells a story. - Earthquakes Past 7 days http://1.usa.gov/e1AmFH
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
More terrifying videos of the tsunami on TV.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Sorry, I shouldn't be so flippant, but it all kind of all feels hard to take in at the moment, especially with the language barrier.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
I wish my Japanese was good enough to know what the spokesman from the burning nuclear power plant up the road was saying.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Sono Inglese di Gerrards Cross: Japan earthquake March 2011: my experience http://bit.ly/g8Zt2e
13 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
RT @tokyorich This by @JamesinJapan is one of the best pieces I read on life in Kanto yesterday. http://bit.ly/eF8CmC
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Shocking tsunami home videos on TV—Looks like some people were either ignorant to the danger or just transfixed by what they were seeing.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Japan Earthquake - Ground shifts, water seeps during quake in Chiba, Japan youtube.com/watch?v=-LPGzz… via @youtube
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@andyjr1975 nice
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@andyjr1975 Great! Is that league one then? Sorry, I'm a bit behind. Argyle were staring extinction in the face last time I looked.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@andyjr1975 ha! Well, you know what they say. When it rains, it pours. how about the terriers?
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Wow, it's 1AM. Where has today gone? Just been glued to the TV and internet watching the coverage for the past 18 hours.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Only the newscasters in Fukushima seem to be wearing hardhats now. Not sure how much good that'll do in the event of a leak, though.
13 Mar
»
drockphoto Derek Montgomery
by easterngrean
It's probably not a good thing when #chernobyl is trending.
12 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
These aftershocks are really something. It's almost every few minutes or so. This shaking feeling is going to be difficult to forget.
12 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
RT @hiromichii @tokyotimes Please tweet this for English speakers who don't understand Japanese living in Japan.http://is.gd/ZzgOu6
12 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Tokyo was shaking a lot, but everybody seems OK where I am. No injuries or damage as far as I can see.
11 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
that was pretty scary for a while there!!
11 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
http://amzn.com/k/G5X6TH9B9IXJ #Kindle
10 Mar
»
zonjineko zonjineko
by easterngrean
Only In Japan: Nude toothbrushes - love the details ^_^ http://ow.ly/4aIY7
9 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
一条小消息 | Lang-8 http://lang-8.com/56453/journals/840314 #lang8
9 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
I'm going to have to update my profile to read: gives slightly scared, on the spot reports to minor earthquakes in the Tokyo region.
9 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
thought I was going to have to leave my desk... slightly disappointed now.
9 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
long, long earthquake in Tokyo, about 2 mins.
9 Mar
easterngrean ニール
At the moment it feels like a decision between the news and the official line. Which is more trustworthy? We need a middle road.
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@tokyotimes It's ridiculous. I don't know why that newspaper is still allowed to operate.
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Never been so happy to see one of those annoying Japanese game shows on TV.. could cut down on the earthquake alarm like bleeping noises tho
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Sitting at work. Jolly well looking forward to the weekend to be honest.
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Quake last night was a real window rattler. Put the wind up me a bit. Following developments on the internet this morning. Off to work soon.
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Finally worked out how to use list/search function. Now just have to find out what it's called
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
test tweet #test
16 Mar
»
Crof Crawford Kilian
by easterngrean
A useful perspective on the Japanese earthquake http://bit.ly/hYw2Ih #jpquake
16 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
I have to say, I was undecided about twitter until this week. I absolutely love it now!!
15 Mar
»
shioyama The blogger fka 塩
by easterngrean
Doesn't get more poignant than that: Sympathy From Bamiyan to the People of Japan: http://bit.ly/ibj0nv
15 Mar
»
gakuranman Michael Gakuran
by easterngrean
全力を挙げる means to use all of one's energy / to the best of one's efforts. Edano uses it over and over again in his speeches.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
edano is saying radiation drops. Why are all these tweets coming through so alarmist!!
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
edano brings some good news
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
I think my Dunkirk spirit just kicked in!
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
brilliant! jiayou means ganbatte! message from Sichuan earthquake survivors to people of Japan http://bit.ly/eIE5V9
15 Mar
»
gadyepstein Gady Epstein
by easterngrean
RT @wolfgroupasia: China reaches out to Japan: A Tudou video to Japan from Sichuan's earthquake survivors: http://bit.ly/dZmWph
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Just spent 2 hours uploading the wrong info onto our servers... Lucky I don't work for the electric company.
15 Mar
»
gakuranman Michael Gakuran
by easterngrean
State minister Renho asking people of Japan not to buy up or horde supplies that could be used for the victims in the north (Kyodo)
15 Mar
»
TOKYODANDY TOKYO DANDY (DAN)
by easterngrean
Thinking of the 50 workers on site at the Fukushima Power Plant risking their lives to bring the situation under control. THANK YOU
15 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
Can anyone help? RT @john_sir @tokyotimes any info on road conditions for going to Tokyo from #Fukushima/#Ibaraki direction?
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Stroke of luck. Got the last salad on the shelf in the conbini.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Quick check of the microsee-whatever levels, and I'm off out for lunch!
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Is "microsievert" trending yet?
15 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
Basically the situation is bad. But the danger is only for those in the vicinity. And sensationalist reports don't help. At all.
15 Mar
»
jdierkes Julian Dierkes
by easterngrean
Nuke safety commission briefing seemed to report sound of explosion in 2nd reactor at Fukushima No 1 about two hours ago.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Another explosion?
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Got a phone call from the BBC asking if I wanted to take part in an interview. Must be in a disaster zone.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
My Japanese is improving though! 予断を許さない ＝ can't make any guesses
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Possibly quake was closer to Tokyo. rather than being larger than other aftershocks.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Large aftershock woke me up. BBC incorrectly cites USGS for size and location. USGS is slow to update. Quake was short but sharp.
15 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Things I wish I had: 1. A plane ticket. 2. A Geiger counter. 3. A PHd in plate tectonics. 4. A beer. Oh... I have number 4. just 1 2 & 3.
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Fairly big aftershock is greeted with stony silence here in the office. Usually there would be a few comments.. but nothing.
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@Ayumizw There are not many people here. The office is kind of quiet. All the lights are off etc.
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Sitting at work. Lights are off, only about half the staff have come in today. Feels very surreal. Feel like going home to be honest.
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
tsunami alert "appears to have been false alarm"- BBC
14 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
RT @BiggerInJapan NEWS: Iwate pref Ofunato 5 m wave retreating, possibility of big tsunami. Move to higher grounds immediately.
14 Mar
»
andyjr1975 Andrew Roper
by easterngrean
Terrifying “@scottlava: Whoa. RT @timheidecker: “@leeunkrich: This is absolutely unbelievable. ow.ly/4dvh0 #Japan #tsunami””
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
This page tells a story. - Earthquakes Past 7 days http://1.usa.gov/e1AmFH
14 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
More terrifying videos of the tsunami on TV.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Sorry, I shouldn't be so flippant, but it all kind of all feels hard to take in at the moment, especially with the language barrier.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
I wish my Japanese was good enough to know what the spokesman from the burning nuclear power plant up the road was saying.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Sono Inglese di Gerrards Cross: Japan earthquake March 2011: my experience http://bit.ly/g8Zt2e
13 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
RT @tokyorich This by @JamesinJapan is one of the best pieces I read on life in Kanto yesterday. http://bit.ly/eF8CmC
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Shocking tsunami home videos on TV—Looks like some people were either ignorant to the danger or just transfixed by what they were seeing.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Japan Earthquake - Ground shifts, water seeps during quake in Chiba, Japan youtube.com/watch?v=-LPGzz… via @youtube
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@andyjr1975 nice
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@andyjr1975 Great! Is that league one then? Sorry, I'm a bit behind. Argyle were staring extinction in the face last time I looked.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
@
@andyjr1975 ha! Well, you know what they say. When it rains, it pours. how about the terriers?
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Wow, it's 1AM. Where has today gone? Just been glued to the TV and internet watching the coverage for the past 18 hours.
13 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Only the newscasters in Fukushima seem to be wearing hardhats now. Not sure how much good that'll do in the event of a leak, though.
13 Mar
»
drockphoto Derek Montgomery
by easterngrean
It's probably not a good thing when #chernobyl is trending.
12 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
These aftershocks are really something. It's almost every few minutes or so. This shaking feeling is going to be difficult to forget.
12 Mar
»
tokyotimes Lee Chapman
by easterngrean
RT @hiromichii @tokyotimes Please tweet this for English speakers who don't understand Japanese living in Japan.http://is.gd/ZzgOu6
12 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
Tokyo was shaking a lot, but everybody seems OK where I am. No injuries or damage as far as I can see.
11 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
that was pretty scary for a while there!!
11 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
http://amzn.com/k/G5X6TH9B9IXJ #Kindle
10 Mar
»
zonjineko zonjineko
by easterngrean
Only In Japan: Nude toothbrushes - love the details ^_^ http://ow.ly/4aIY7
9 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
一条小消息 | Lang-8 http://lang-8.com/56453/journals/840314 #lang8
9 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
I'm going to have to update my profile to read: gives slightly scared, on the spot reports to minor earthquakes in the Tokyo region.
9 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
thought I was going to have to leave my desk... slightly disappointed now.
9 Mar
»
easterngrean ニール
long, long earthquake in Tokyo, about 2 mins.
9 Mar
Friday, 7 January 2011
Using Google images
Yesterday I had a lesson in Chinese about ordering in a restaurant. I'll be honest, I'm a complete dunce when it comes to food. Even in English I have trouble describing dishes and tastes, so trying to do it in Chinese is an Everest sized task for me. Anyway, I left the class with a list of Chinese food stuffs on my sheet of paper and as I sat down to go over the vocabulary today I was struck by a great idea: Google images!
Check it out. Just punch the word into google and you get the perfect idea of what you're looking up.
From the top we have:
粽子 zong4zi: a rice ball in a leaf
春卷 chun1juan3: spring rolls
馒头 man2tou: steamed bun
羊肉串 yang2rou4chuan4: lamb kebabs
粥 zhou1: congee
在香港我吃了真好吃的粥！
Check it out. Just punch the word into google and you get the perfect idea of what you're looking up.
From the top we have:
粽子 zong4zi: a rice ball in a leaf
春卷 chun1juan3: spring rolls
馒头 man2tou: steamed bun
羊肉串 yang2rou4chuan4: lamb kebabs
粥 zhou1: congee
在香港我吃了真好吃的粥！
Saturday, 4 December 2010
The flashcard debate
 |
| One of my more personalized flashcards |
But I've begun to think that as far as absorbing vocabulary and sentences goes, maybe using podcast material is more beneficial over the long-term. Podcasts give you more context, and are certainly more interesting than the flashcards, which are really just a series of unrelated, random sentences.
I follow a few other language bloggers on the internet, and I know that there are those that are against flashcards, and those that are for. I'd probably say that I'm in the 'for' camp for now, just from the point of view that they are a good tool for remembering certain phrases, and for remembering Chinese characters.
But they do have their drawbacks. One of the main ones—which is really the reason I have begun thinking about them a little more critically of late—is that you really do have to tailor them for yourself, and this can be time-consuming. I sometimes find myself spending more time, looking for, copying and pasting, and uploading sentences, than I do actually thinking about them in a meaningful, semantic way.
But like I said my current deck of cards has definitely helped me progress in some ways, especially with the pronunciation, so I'll keep them ticking over for now I guess, just to keep my options open.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Getting immersed
I haven't written a post for ages, and there's an excellent reason for that. All my time has been taken up studying and blogging in Chinese. It's great! I got caught up in the whole flashcards thing, and that has been keeping me busy, but now I've also got myself up and running on China's version of twitter. Come and check it out at:
http://t.sina.com.cn/easterngrean
All good for getting immersed. Also getting into some Chinese music through this search engine.
And even started watching a bit of TV and listening to the radio here.
There are no excuses anymore!
Tweet
http://t.sina.com.cn/easterngrean
All good for getting immersed. Also getting into some Chinese music through this search engine.
And even started watching a bit of TV and listening to the radio here.
There are no excuses anymore!
Tweet
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Journal writing deleted on italki
I wrote a journal entry on italki about the audio recording site Rhino Spike.
Admittedly, although I claimed to be sharing the benefits of the site with italki users, my reasons for writing it were self-serving.
I uploaded a load of Chinese Mandarin sentences on Rhino Spike that I wanted recording to put with my Anki flash cards, to help with my mandarin pronunciation.
These haven't been recorded yet, so I figured I'd try and get a few more Mandarin speakers using the site by writing a little piece about it in Mandarin and posting it on italki.
Anyway, I just received a message from another user telling me that she just saw my entry moments before it was deleted (by the administrators we presume).
Why would they do this?
They don't want competition from other language sites?
These two sites are hardly in direct competition. And I'd have thought if italki really wanted to help their users, they'd at least encourage this sort of information sharing.
Seems like overkill on their part to me. They see another website being talked about and they immedietely delete the entry?
Is this what the internet is about?
Or is Rhino Spike a blacklisted site in mainland China?
I can't really see why.
Anyway, here's my entry for those poor souls at italki!
我觉得这个网的概念非常好。
大家知道这个网站马？
http://rhinospike.com
你的想听的外语文章能录被讲母语的人录下来。
我想录的上载句子很多。
你有空就看看一下这个网站
Admittedly, although I claimed to be sharing the benefits of the site with italki users, my reasons for writing it were self-serving.
I uploaded a load of Chinese Mandarin sentences on Rhino Spike that I wanted recording to put with my Anki flash cards, to help with my mandarin pronunciation.
These haven't been recorded yet, so I figured I'd try and get a few more Mandarin speakers using the site by writing a little piece about it in Mandarin and posting it on italki.
Anyway, I just received a message from another user telling me that she just saw my entry moments before it was deleted (by the administrators we presume).
Why would they do this?
They don't want competition from other language sites?
These two sites are hardly in direct competition. And I'd have thought if italki really wanted to help their users, they'd at least encourage this sort of information sharing.
Seems like overkill on their part to me. They see another website being talked about and they immedietely delete the entry?
Is this what the internet is about?
Or is Rhino Spike a blacklisted site in mainland China?
I can't really see why.
Anyway, here's my entry for those poor souls at italki!
一个实用的网站
我觉得这个网的概念非常好。
大家知道这个网站马？
http://rhinospike.com
你的想听的外语文章能录被讲母语的人录下来。
我想录的上载句子很多。
你有空就看看一下这个网站
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