#1 Learning Reflection

Freshly emerging from CHIN131, I started CHIN133 with an overflowing excitement and enthusiasm to learn more about the Chinese language and culture. And CHIN133 satisfied my expectations immaculately. To analyze my learning more thoroughly, let us look at the following two learning objectives for this course and discuss in-detail how I was able to improve. 

• Knowledge–Characters: I believe character recognition is one of the most important lessons to grasp when learning about the Chinese language. In identifying the distinct structure and components in a character, students must be able to distinguish a character’s meaning. I have always been relatively decent at recognizing characters however, over the past couple months, I discovered my competency for character recognition has notably declined. With at least 50 new vocabulary terms being added to each lesson, my brain began to run into challenges when differentiating one character to another. In the end, all the vocabulary terms looked like a jumble of lines. However, I am proud to say I was able to overcome this obstacle through my completion of Character Wiki Assignments. Character Wiki Assignments encouraged me to seek small details within the character which help me recall the character’s respective definition. In completing Character Wiki Assignments, I was also able to improve within my intercultural competence as I researched about a character’s fascinating etymology. 

• Pronunciation: However, in comparing my starting point with Chinese to my current state, the biggest improvement I have observed in my learning progress is within my speaking proficiencies. I cannot deny that pronunciation is one of the most fundamental objectives when studying the Chinese language. With the language’s complex four-tone system, one incorrect tone number and the entire significance of a term changes. Ever since CHIN 131 I had always carried a fear of making mistakes, so I was never able to confidently read passages or answer questions in-class or during OP sessions, afraid to read the term in an incorrect tone number. However, with 陈老师’s unique teaching style which encourages students to speak out in front of the class, I was able to improve my speaking abilities to noticeable lengths. The Chinese phonetic system will always be an immense challenge for me – I still have a hard time articulating tone number 4, not to mention, pronouncing any word combinations with the phonetics “r” – however I am nonetheless improving and I plan to continue to improve by speaking out in class as well as potentially in public environments. Although it is a rather small achievement, I am still nonetheless proud to have gathered the courage to answer questions in class, no matter how erroneous I may sound. 

But, speaking and character recognition is not the only skill which I demonstrate immense improvement. I have also improved significantly in terms of the variety of topics I can now eloquently discuss in Chinese. For instance, in studying Lesson 6, I can answer phone calls and request favours all by using polite, respectful Chinese expressions. In studying Lesson 7, I can now comment on my performance on an exam, not to mention talk about my study habits as well as my strengths and weaknesses when learning a language. In studying Lesson 8 and 9, I can describe my daily routine as a student as well as further expand upon my shopping addiction. I can state Chinese currency and recount interesting shopping experiences where I purchased interestingly coloured or ill-fitting clothing selections. And finally, in studying Lesson 10, I can discuss one of the most important topics of all: transportation! I can distinguish several means of transportation, then identify which transportation method I prefer. I can also explain different routes in scrupulous detail which I believe can prove helpful during my time at UBC since there is high potential for me to come across a lost Chinese student at UBC in which sense I can use my knowledge about transportation to help them arrive at their desired destination.

#2 Cultural Exploration 

Culture I believe is by far the most essential subject when studying the Chinese language. And, throughout CHIN 133, I have learned a ton about Chinese culture by talking to countless people of diverse Chinese backgrounds. For example, in class, I was able to interact with 陈老师 who is an individual born and raised in Taiwan. Here, I learned about the cultural differences between Taiwan and mainland China. For instance, in Lesson 10, 陈老师 informed the class how, unlike mainland China who pronounces 麻烦 as “máfan,” Taiwanese people will often articulate the second character with tone number 2: “máfán.” In contrast, during OP sessions, I was offered an opportunity to converse with university students from Chinese speaking countries. Here, I learned the cultural differences between Canadian universities and Chinese universities. A memorable difference I recall between the two post-secondary institutions is the student’s outlook upon grades. Academic scores play a huge role within the lives of Chinese university students primarily because a higher grade most often directly connects to the acquisition of a stable profession. With this, I learned competition rates in universities are significantly higher. In China.  By contrast, in Canadian universities, there appears to be more of an emphasis on building valuable connections, rather than an oppressive pressure for good grades. And, at last in interacting with community members, specifically mother figures, with a Chinese speaking background, I was able to learn more about Chinese food culture. I work at a restaurant where several of my regulars have a Chinese speaking background. In interacting with my clients, I was able to learn the importance of food within Chinese culture so much so the subject of food is even incorporated as a form of greeting. Unlike English speakers who use basic phrases like “Hello, how are you doing?” to greet one another, Chinese people will often use the phrase “你吃饭了吗?” which translates to “Have you eaten yet?” to address the counterperson. 

All this cultural knowledge I gathered across CHIN 133 has most certainly affected my experience positively. In learning about a country’s culture, the language learning process not only becomes easier but also far more interesting. It is also through an understanding about a country’s culture which I can understand the cultural nuances integrated within the language. For instance, in being aware about the influence of Confucius ideology within Chinese culture, I can better understand why character 子 which signifies “son” is placed under the character 学 which signifies “to study” or the character 字 which signifies “letter.” It is because in the past, when Confucius ideology was all the rage, only boys were permitted to study in China. Isn’t this so fascinating? It is absolutely incredible how a country’s attitude about society can be reflected upon its writing system! Learning about Chinese culture has for certain elevated my learning process to a whole new level of fasciation.

However, learning about a language’s culture goes beyond satiating my curiosity. In fact, intercultural competence allows you to acquire diverse perspectives about the world and therefore become a more knowledgeable person in-general, which is why I plan to use my learning and exploration of cultural similarities and differences to facilitate my interaction with people with not only a Chinese background but also with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. Looking back once more to the course objectives, in addition to enhancing my Chinese speaking, writing as well as reading abilities, CHIN 133 has also built, reinforced and encouraged me to develop new strategies which will contribute to my life-long learning. In this sense, in learning about Chinese culture, I was able to explore new means to approach people of cultures I am unfamiliar with.  I have discovered the best way to establish a meaningful relationship with an individual who comes from an entirely foreign cultural background is to take the additional time to learn more about his/her culture. Even expressing a minute though genuine interest towards the counterpart’s culture will immediately make you appear like a more approachable, good-natured person. Another important factor I discovered through my cultural exploration during CHIN 133 was the ability to welcome new cultural components. At times, I encountered elements within Chinese culture which startled or contradicted my initial outlook upon life. However, as I have learned in CHIN 133, I realized I must learn to respect one another’s opinions and welcome new perspectives in regards to controversial subject matter; because this attitude, I discovered, will not only help you communicate better with people of diverse cultural backgrounds, though it will also help you become a more embracing person overall.