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Learning a Language Abroad | ||
Tags: Living abroad | Immersion | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Immersion, Schools & Certificates |  | |
| freakyqi Newbie United States Joined 5968 days ago 32 posts - 43 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Mandarin | Message 9 of 9 18 July 2010 at 4:13pm | IP Logged |
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I lived in China for 2 years, after taking only one Chinese 101 college course and studying a little extra on my own. Considering that was my level when I moved to China, I improved immensely, and very quickly, once living there. But you have to be willing to put yourself among locals in every way you can. Don't live among other foreigners if you can help it, shop in local markets or on the streets where the sellers may be of a lower economic level and not able to speak English (that applies very clearly in China). Don't even bother making foreign friends (well maybe a few, but don't get in a rut hanging out with them). Talk to anyone you can about even little unnecessary things in that language. I'd ask the door guard about the weather, or ask the lady in the elevator where I could find a good particular food dish nearby. I turned around to a little old lady on a bus carrying a bouquet and I commented that they smelled nice, and I asked if it was her birthday. She laughed and went on with a little story that I only understood about 10% of, but I managed to reply something and it was nice.
DO IT!!! Be brave, and while you're there, put yourself out there and talk about anything you can, with anyone. You'll LOVE it, and you'll come back a different person. 2 persons have voted this message useful |
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