Language hurdles are the most significant impediment to our ability to live and work abroad, yet living in a foreign country and immersing oneself in the local culture is the quickest and most effective method to acquire a language.
So, if you’re going to teach English in China, how should you go about learning Mandarin?
Self-talk is important.
Sometimes the most difficult part of learning a new language is not the difficulty or the learner’s capacity to learn, but rather the fact that you don’t know where to begin. Why not try chatting to yourself in Chinese to get your bearings? as an illustration,
“Good morning, everyone. “How are you doing?”
“How about you?” says the narrator.
“Excellent, thank you very much.”
or
“Are you planning anything for the weekend?”
“Do you want to go hiking with me?” “No, do you want to go hiking with me?”
“All right, this sounds fantastic!”
When you are not at home, talking to yourself might seem a bit unusual, and it may even lead others to believe you are suffering from a mental illness. As a last resort, pick up your phone and pretend to be talking with a Chinese buddy to escape humiliation and awkward situations.
Increase the frequency of your practice sessions
Make it a point to practice Chinese every day, no matter what shape it takes or where you find yourself. “Practice makes perfect,” as the old adage goes. You may spend many hours studying at the public library or just memorizing some Chinese terms while riding the metro.
Become fully immersed
If you are fortunate enough to get hired as an English teacher in a large Chinese metropolis, you may not be required to study Chinese as a second language since the vast majority of people you encounter will be able to communicate with you in English. For everyone who want to learn Chinese, it is necessary to first break the habit of intentionally speaking in English. Spend as much time as possible immersing yourself in Chinese language learning in your daily life, such as reading Chinese children’s books (don’t be embarrassed; no one cares what you’re reading), watching Chinese movies (which are usually with English subtitles), and learning to sing some simple Chinese songs.
Consider the language of Chinese
When you have gained a basic understanding of Mandarin, you should attempt to think about some easy questions in Chinese, such as “What am I having for lunch today?” —- Hamburger with a side of veggie salad.” You may even think about how to pronounce these Chinese words in the proper tone as you utter them.
Be Unyielding in Your Struggle with Yourself
To become fluent in a foreign language, you must have a strong sense of persistence. Learning Chinese is a challenging process, and the most important thing to remember is to never give up. For example, you may see a familiar Chinese character on the subway but be unable to recall the character’s pronunciation or meaning at the time. Instead of just telling yourself, “Forget it, buddy,” take a minute to seek up the definition in the dictionary.
Believe in yourself; your Mandarin will improve as a result of your English teaching experience in China. Put forth the effort to learn Chinese on a regular basis and never give up; you will soon be able to communicate effectively in Chinese.