The Chinese class out of all the other classes I have (except for auto where you basically never have homework at all AND in addition can do homework in the class. Hence giving me lots of freetime at home to finish the book.) is probably the least stressful of the courses I take. Currently this is my 3rd year in the Chinese class.
However, even though I've spent 3 years learning Chinese at school I don't know much Chinese. I know plenty enough for tests and homeworks, yes, but hardly know much beyond that scope. If I was to be talking with natives I would probably be struggling for words and have trouble keeping up. My speaking and pronunciation doesn't seem to be much of a problem though oddly.
Even then, the class is mostly based on doing stuff I don't think most other class would do. This would include doing making word poster (Start with a Chinese word and connect it with a different word. So lets say I have the word 'large'. I would connect this word with different word that either starts with 'l' or 'e'. Only in Chinese), making stories out of vocab words we know, watching lots of Chinese videos, and doing projects every month and so; whilst missing a bit of poster part here and there. That said, yes the class inevitably has school books and all those shiny trinkets, and I am required to read it, understand it, digest it, and do it for homework and what not. Basically listen to tapes, read up on grammar rules, and other mentally demotivating stuff.
I expect my Japanese to be better then my Chinese in order of magnitude after I've gone through summer vacation. Never believed in classes myself since I could never ever by the name of Tech, what I did last year for chemistry or what in the world was that all about funny smiley shapes in geometry and why two eyes are there and a semi circle on the bottom just because some funny French looking phrases says so? Anyway there's the Chinese 101 class for you.
However, even though I've spent 3 years learning Chinese at school I don't know much Chinese. I know plenty enough for tests and homeworks, yes, but hardly know much beyond that scope. If I was to be talking with natives I would probably be struggling for words and have trouble keeping up. My speaking and pronunciation doesn't seem to be much of a problem though oddly.
Even then, the class is mostly based on doing stuff I don't think most other class would do. This would include doing making word poster (Start with a Chinese word and connect it with a different word. So lets say I have the word 'large'. I would connect this word with different word that either starts with 'l' or 'e'. Only in Chinese), making stories out of vocab words we know, watching lots of Chinese videos, and doing projects every month and so; whilst missing a bit of poster part here and there. That said, yes the class inevitably has school books and all those shiny trinkets, and I am required to read it, understand it, digest it, and do it for homework and what not. Basically listen to tapes, read up on grammar rules, and other mentally demotivating stuff.
I expect my Japanese to be better then my Chinese in order of magnitude after I've gone through summer vacation. Never believed in classes myself since I could never ever by the name of Tech, what I did last year for chemistry or what in the world was that all about funny smiley shapes in geometry and why two eyes are there and a semi circle on the bottom just because some funny French looking phrases says so? Anyway there's the Chinese 101 class for you.
