Ichuan

As a part of my French teacher’s job was to explain French poetry, I tended to dispose of this part in as few lessons as possible. Of course, year after year, the method proved to be little sensible: the juniors could not understand a course run at university level and I had to explain everything twice.

Usually, when pupils do not understand, they get bored and begin to chat, to conduct experiments on how to fly a paper plane, and many other activities that have little in common with the subject of the French lesson.

Once, mine preferred to pretend to be riding a motorbike. Their arms were stretched out in front of them, their hands were clutching the handlebars and they were leaning to right or left, depending on the bend they had to take. It was a ballet, though it was danced by sitting people (and rather monotonous). At least, it was highly rhythmic.

I recognized this French rhythm, even if it was the first time I “saw” it. It was Victor Hugo’s verse rhythm. I flipped through my textbook quickly, to find a poem by Victor Hugo (you are sure there is at least one in any French textbook).

“Roar your motorbike to page xx and read in rhythm” I told them.

They read. Thanks to this ride, I was able to show them the significance of the rhythm in Victor Hugo’s poetry. It was not an explanation, but I kept the control of the situation; it was not so bad a result.

So, you want to learn to speak Chinese? And it’s no wonder why…with today’s world aggressively tapping into each other, we are culturally merging rapidly. The Chinese language has become increasingly popular, almost tripling the demand to learn the Chinese language in the past decade. High thanks to modern technology such as computers, cell phones, even MP3 players, language accommodation in these instruments is becoming the norm. Gone are the days of primary English communications on these devices, now you can speak and write the Chinese characters, as well as many other languages. In order to keep up with the technology advances, it is become crucial to pick up a second language in business as well. If you learn to speak Chinese, and you can demonstrate ability for the language, you are more than one step above others in career paths such a business, marketing, engineering and technology.

Our world is hungry for multi diverse individuals who can communicate effectively with other cultures. And why wouldn’t you want to learn to speak Chinese? It’s eloquent nature lends to the desire of understanding. The characters have become an art form themselves, basked across walls declaring deep meaning. It would be nice to be able to know what these refined instruments of communication were inspiring us to. There is a peace and balance somewhere within the Chinese culture and in their language. From their ways of life to ours is a bridge and by learning to speak Chinese we have began to cross it. With the call to learn to speak Chinese, countless sources have emerged for doing just that. Traditional methods of learning include classes, and private instructors. But today, it is easy to study the Chinese language online. Available resources include everything from history of the language to audio lessons.
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There is reason enough to learn Chinese in today’s world. In the business world, relationships with China are increasing it’s influence in our economy. Attractive candidates for employers will encompass the skills of being bilingual. In our personal relationships, we are becoming elbow to elbow with combining cultures. Even online, our communications to pen pals exist in Asian countries and the need to break the language barrier stronger than ever. In social-patterns, we have to adopt cultural sensitivities to those merging into Americanism. By learning Chinese we, with or without consciously knowing, have created more doors of opportunity all the way around.

For many, learning Chinese is not an option but a necessary means to higher objective. And equally, for many there is limited budget available in which to acquire the skill of Chinese. Thank god for the online resources abundant and available in which to learn Chinese free.

With a little effort, one can easily access the classes online, or download software to begin the learning experience. Shareware exists at little or no cost.
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