Hi, my name is Niel, otherwise known as Confused Laowai. I blog about my exciting, yet often confusing adventure learning Chinese.
Chinese Test Fail
No, it’s not me. I finished those almost a year ago. This time it’s a poor fellow who will probably fail his Chinese test. Have a look below. At first I did a double take, ’cause I wasn’t exactly sure why he wrote 下面的话 and 对不对. But look at the question! Hilarious! Poor guy. However, I wouldn’t go so far as to completely fail him on that question. I mean, his assumption wasn’t that far [...]
Introducing Chinese Basics
For the past three weeks I’ve been hard at work completing my final assignment for the academic year. After this, I start working on my research proposal for my Master’s Degree. The final assignment was to create a website on any educational topic. I decided to create Chinese Basics: a website that will teach you all the basics of the Chinese language. Think of it as a crash course into the world of Chinese. After [...]
My Mandarin research assignment
So, I have just sent of my program to four students to evaluate and test my program. I currently have a research assignment for my Master’s to develop a multimedia learning solution for whatever one decides on. I decided to develop a program that helps one revise and study words for an upcoming test (the 2nd years at my Uni have a test on June 2, thus have a week to use the program). I [...]
The Weirdest (and most beautiful) Chinese Idiom I’ve Seen
Recently for my Mandarin homework I came across an idiom that baffled me on its origin. The idiom is: 心有灵犀一点通 It means, according to MDBG.net: hearts linked as one, just as the proverbial rhinoceros communicates emotion telepathically through his single horn. Figuratively, it means to have a close rapport or two minds who think alike. Two hearts beating as one. However, going back over the idiomatic expression it just baffled me. Almost as if someone [...]
My Future in Mandarin
I’m finishing my University degree at the end of this year. It will probably conclude my formal Mandarin studies. I first wanted to go the China (specifically back to Beijing) to just mission around for a year or two. However, due to some change in plans within my family and friends, I’ve decided to remain in South Africa for at least one year, maybe two years. The reasons for this are because of the fact [...]
My Chinese Textbooks for University
Check this video out. This is my first video blog post. I show you guys my textbooks that I use for university. I am a total newbie (新手) at video blogging. If you like it let me know, otherwise tell me how I can improve! Also, excuse my South African English accent, haha. If you have any other questions about how my classes work or the textbooks, please ask away! P.S. – If you can’t [...]
Holiday Time
[Note: I'm going to try and mix my Mandarin and English a bit more. Ultimately I want to start blogging in Chinese. So, expect some random sentences and words mixed in between posts from now on. If I make errors please correct me!] So, I’m currently on my University holiday. 最近我和我的兄弟去了伊维萨 (Ibiza)，这个地方有很多的夜总会，虽然太贵了，但是很好玩儿。Also, visited my older brother in London. However, I’m back in my hometown (家乡), and still have 3 weeks left before University starts again. [...]
Watch out for the learning trap!
I’ve recently found myself in a new predicament. My Mandarin classes have stopped since early May due to exams. So, for the most of the time, I studied for other subjects and so, but I never spent time on Mandarin each day like I normally do during the semester. Yes, I read blogs and check out Social Mandarin every day, but I’ve fallen into the learning trap. I find all these great resources, but I [...]
5 Mistakes I made when I started learning Chinese
I’ve been studying Mandarin at University for about two years and 3 months. The mistakes I made, might not be mine particularly, but perhaps the way our course is structured. However, these mistakes can be applied to anyone starting to learn Mandarin. These “mistakes” are not necessarily bad, but it’s part of my current shortcomings in Mandarin that I still struggle with. Perhaps you can learn from me and try to fill those gaps earlier [...]
The Tipping Point
I’ve now studied Mandarin for two years and about two and half months in a formal classroom situation. It’s tough studying it in country that’s not China, however, I’ve think I’ve reached the tipping point. The point where input becomes spontaneous comprehension. Of course this is only within my vocabulary range, but I can understand if there’s a new word when someone speaks. After two years, before this year’s studies started, I felt inadequate with my Chinese; [...]
