Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Carrie Kellenberger has kept a home base with her husband in Asia since 2003. Carrie and her husband offer free ESL teacher placement services around the world through their company, Reach To Teach. She is also a freelance writer, editor, and photographer in Taiwan. Visit www.carriekellenberger.com for more information.
I’m studying Chinese in Shanghai and I’m finding it pretty hard, although I have to say I’m starting speaking and grasping some words in shops and the streets. However, it’s depressing that despite my efforts people don’t understand me! This is due to the different tones that give words different meanings and my pronunciation must be very bad, and the fact that there are many dialects. But I’m not getting despondent, I’ll get there some time
I know what you mean. I’ve been in Chinese-speaking countries since 2003. I’ve studied in China and Taiwan and there are STILL days when I can’t make myself understood. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that most people are surprised to hear a ‘foreigner’ speaking Chinese. I’ve often had full conversations with one person and then turned around and said the same thing to someone else and they didn’t understand. I really think it has to do with who you’re talking to and how much of an effort they are making to understand what you are saying.
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She’s improving with every episode. Quite entertaining. ^_^
.-= Fili´s last blog ..Hertzliya Beach–Israel – People =-.
I agree. I spent some time going through her upcoming videos, and she’s got some truly great moments.
I’m studying Chinese in Shanghai and I’m finding it pretty hard, although I have to say I’m starting speaking and grasping some words in shops and the streets. However, it’s depressing that despite my efforts people don’t understand me! This is due to the different tones that give words different meanings and my pronunciation must be very bad, and the fact that there are many dialects. But I’m not getting despondent, I’ll get there some time
Angela,
I know what you mean. I’ve been in Chinese-speaking countries since 2003. I’ve studied in China and Taiwan and there are STILL days when I can’t make myself understood. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that most people are surprised to hear a ‘foreigner’ speaking Chinese. I’ve often had full conversations with one person and then turned around and said the same thing to someone else and they didn’t understand. I really think it has to do with who you’re talking to and how much of an effort they are making to understand what you are saying.