... teaching English. Isn't that strange?I don't really intend to do too much English teaching out here, but I have gotten to know a young man who is a college student, and he is preparing for an English exam in a few months. He has been a great conversation partner for my Chinese learning. So, I thought perhaps today we could go over some of the materials that he is studying in preparing for his English language test.
As we went through an article that he was reading in his study book, I helped him with some pronunciation but mostly with explaining words and concepts and the meanings of each sentence. Although the article was in English (and because his English is not quite that good yet), I had to do all of my explanation in Chinese. This was excellent Chinese practice for me.
Having to teach or explain something in Chinese is a great way to practice Chinese. It's kind of like playing Taboo. You might not be able to say a certain word (because you don't know that word), so you use roundabout ways to explain something to get your point across. The primary goal is clarity of meaning.
And then, after I have explained something the best that I can in Chinese, my language partner says (in Chinese), "Oh, you mean ______!" Yes! That's what I meant! And just like that, I have learned a new word (and already have my definition for that word, in Chinese, since I came up with the definition before even having the word).
Secondly, having to teach something in Chinese can have some immediately gratifying results. If my language partner (English student) learns the points of the article, and the meaning of the words and their usages, then I feel like I was successful in my use of Chinese to explain all of these things.
2 comments:
That is so very cool. And never thought of that, but you make a good point. Your Chinese must be getting so good. That's great!
high "5" to you,Alvin. It is a great way of learning and helping.....
Post a Comment