Yeah mandarin class :D

Stefan

Mandarin class has been a great experience at learning the Chinese culture as well as meeting new people. I've learned many new things each day so far and I'm very happy that I chose to stick with the course. Learning the language seemed difficult at times but it's more fun than stressful in my opinion. I learn so much and get to speak a different language with people from entirely different backgrounds.
Figuring out new things and pronouncing the different tones brings a fun experience into every class. Hearing songs of pinying and the menbers of the class working together to create words really shows the spirit of the class trying to learn the language. Everyone works together to help everyone else and we all learn at different paces but, we help each other get by. I am having a great time in the class, in fact i think its my favorite period of the day, i hope to continue to learn new things everyday as well as help others learn alongside me.

Cracking Pinyin

Hey team,

I've gone on the internet and hunted for you again for resources to help you master pinyin. I've added another link under "Master Pinyin" on the sidebar. Please do use the resources that I found for you as it is my sincere hope you will be fluent in Chinese someday in the near future.

Hottest Widget Ever for Learning Chinese

Hi guys,

I'm just as motivated to teach this class as everyone is to learn. PinYin has been difficult for everyone. As your lao shi, I have also been struggling to find a way to help you master the Chinese phonetics. Now comes the hottest widget for practicing pinyin. This is your 24/7 on-call pinyin specialist.

Simply click on Mandarin PinYin Talker to the right and you'll see a new window of PinYin Talker. Try to type in Lin2 Lao3 Shi1 for a surprising result. The number indicates the tone of each word.

Please try as hard as I have tried to find it.

Enjoy!

Lin Lao Shi

Lauren

I LOVE THIS CLASS!
Mandarin is totally my favorite class of day, and it's an awesome way to start the morning. Pinyin is really fun to practice, but it's really really hard. The video helps though. =] I think this is going to be a really fun but difficult class, and if anyone wants to help me with my Pinyin I'm totally open to it. =]

Chris Falzone

I have only attended two classes, but so far I enjoy the class very much. The first day I was totally completely lost; however, after Stephan helped me catch up I’m a alittle more comfortable with the class. It seems like a fairly difficult class, but I really want to learn how to speak Mandarin. I enjoy learning all the sounds because they are so different than English. I can’t wait to be able speak in mandarin, even if it’s only a quick conversation like “Hi, How are you?” or something like that. I’m not really sure of what else to write. Oh yeah, I also liked playing the games in class, and I really enjoyed watching and singing a lot with the Pinyin in 6 minutes video on youtube. Haha, it was funny.

hellooo

Well here is the ill video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEl0P9CmCag Everyone should watch it. and, here another good video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weR8hK2u3Q4&feature=related

wo ai tai mei

Ancient Chinese Humor

I was in Boston this weekend and came came across a book called "Wit and Humor from Ancient China." I thought humor would be a good way to look into one's culture and language although it is not free of difficulties.

Here's a piece I'd like to share with you.

The Top Hat

Flattery is referred to as "placing a top hat" (戴高帽/dai gao mao）on someone's head. Two disciples appointed to their first official posts went to see their tutor. The latter told them: "in this world, following the proper path will do you no good. It is better if you place top hats on other people's heads."

One of the disciples said: "You are right. Most people in this world like wearing top hats. You, however, are an exception." The tutor was very much pleased with this comment.

Upon leaving, this disciple said to his companion:"I've just given away my first top hat."

Welcome to CA Mandarin Class

Hi all,

I thought it was a great idea to keep our learning going even when we are not together in class. Mandarin is a difficult language; but it doesn't mean we can't master it and have fun. A lot of people don't even take the first step to try and I congratulate every one of you in this class on your first step. An old Chinese saying goes, "a thousand mile journey begins with one step." This will be a journey for all of us. Regardless what your motivation is to be here, let's all help each other get as far as possible in this journey.