爬中文山

I'm about to have my first ever lesson, using preply. Did you find that you have to try many different teachers?

On 3/10/2022 at 7:57 AM, TaxiAsh said:

I'm about to have my first ever lesson, using preply. Did you find that you have to try many different teachers?

 

Good luck. Take things easy. Don't have high expectations. ?

On 3/10/2022 at 1:24 AM, Flickserve said:

Good luck. Take things easy. Don't have high expectations. ?

I don't. ?

I am naturally a pessimist. 

I didn't used to be when I was young. But now I realise most things don't live up to expectations, so ready for it. 

 

But, I hope! 

Agree with Flickserve, do not have high expectations! I find it's best to give them a pdf of the textbook your studying, or the text, role play or whatever you want to study. You can't rely on them to have something ready for you, that's not a criticism - just when I first started I was expecting they'd find my level and then prepare something suitable. 

 

Almost every teacher I've ever studied with has been friendly, but I would not consider many to be good teachers. I've done a lot of one and dones. So, yes, I've gone though a lot to find ones that I like. The reviews in italki are mostly worthless as they are all 5 star. I currently have 1 main teacher(11usd/hr) and 2 very low cost ones(5/hr).  The main teacher I work through my textbook with and the other two I alternate once a week doing speaking practice following the units I've studied with the main teacher.

 

I've attached an example of the kind of speaking practice we do. This comes from the Chinese Made Easier workbook. I love these because they combine role play and discussion. I have never finished one of these in an hour because there is so much discussion that it can lead to, you can switch roles, etc. I also repeat them with the other teacher and usually do better the second time through.

 

I have also found that, mostly, they can't really "teach" you, they can just speak Chinese with you and point things out. The main benefit I think is that you know you have a lesson tomorrow, so it pushes you to get the book out and go through it so you are ready for the lesson. Another thing after the lesson, I'll be like - wow I really struggled talking with her about XYZ, and then read more about that topic/grammar structure/etc.

 

Incidentally, I read somewhere that Preply is more expensive than Italki, for essentially the same service.

cme 41 口语.pdf cme 43 口语.pdf

On 3/10/2022 at 2:54 AM, suMMit said:

You can't rely on them to have something ready for you, that's not a criticism - just when I first started I was expecting they'd find my level and then prepare something suitable. 

 

Almost every teacher I've ever studied with has been friendly, but I would not consider many to be good teachers. I've done a lot of one and dones. So, yes, I've gone though a lot to find ones that I like. The reviews in italki are mostly worthless as they are all 5 star. I currently have 1 main teacher(11usd/hr) and 2 very low cost ones(5/hr).  

Yeah. I don't mind really at first. I just need some speaking practice and correction. I have still never spoken to anyone live in real life! On wehchat I rarely speak, and when I speak to my chinese friends on it, I usually slip into English within 5 minutes, haha!! and use it more for reading practice. 

 

I need this now really, as I think I am in danger of losing interest in learning because I never use it! 

 

Depending on how this goes, I might sneak a PM to you and ask for your italki teachers to try them, as they they sound good!

On 3/11/2022 at 12:48 AM, TaxiAsh said:

I have still never spoken to anyone live in real life!

Would this be one of your targets?

On 3/10/2022 at 7:02 PM, Flickserve said:

Would this be one of your targets?

Definitely. The irony is, before lockdown (before I started learning) I was taxi driving and picking up Chinese customers several times a day! haha. Now I meet no one!

On 3/11/2022 at 12:48 AM, TaxiAsh said:

I might sneak a PM to you and ask for your italki teachers to try them

I sent you a PM

@suMMit

 

I am puzzled why you are using a HSK4 textbook. Your other learning materials seem to be at a much higher level and you have quite decent listening skills. 

On 3/18/2022 at 4:58 PM, Flickserve said:

@suMMit

 

I am puzzled why you are using a HSK4 textbook. Your other learning materials seem to be at a much higher level and you have quite decent listening skills. 

I'd say you're overestimating my level. My listening is ok, it might even be my strongest skill. I've mentioned watching 奋斗， but I pause nearly every line to read the hanzi, otherwise I cannot follow it. I also guesstimate a lot vocab meaning from the context - it is solidly native speaker material.

 

As for Hsk, I had started the Hsk series at book 3(having done other beginners textbooks instead of hsk 1& 2), and book 3 certainly felt easy, but I still gained a lot of practice by going through it.

 

HSK4 however feels like a sweet spot. Most of the new vocab in each unit has been passively known to me, but they are not words that I have been able to actively and flexibly use before. Same goes for grammar structures. The topics are also getting a little more abstract. So Hsk4 feels like the perfect level right now. Also, I'll be starting the second half 4下 very shortly, aiming to take the Hsk4 by November. I should be on Hsk 5 by years end, and 5 will certainly be challenging.