Studying to prepare for a trip to China

[jbradfor]

There is a chance we are going to China in 2012, so I was thinking of changing my study goals to focus more on what would be more useful to touring. But I'm not sure what that would be?

This trip is not for business, so I don't need to learn anything related to business. Obviously general improvement in reading and speaking skills are good, but I'm not sure how useful they will be. I can't see myself having an in-depth conversation with the taxi driver on the philosophy of different economic systems, and my conversation skills are currently adequate (but just barely) for general tourist issues. While being able to read more on signs is quite a personal thrill, I have a long ways to go before I can rely being able to read Chinese-only signs for most things, both in terms of comprehension and reading speed, certainly more than I can achieve in a year of part-time self-study.

The only topic that came to mind is to learn a lot of food words. That might be the most useful thing I could do. Or maybe the names of various body parts and illnesses in case in need to go to the hospital?

So any suggestions on particular areas to study before a trip? Any textbooks that people have used that they have found useful?

[abcdefg]

The only topic that came to mind is to learn a lot of food words. That might be the most useful thing I could do.

That was also the first thing that occurred to me: Menus and regional cuisine. This website might be a fun starting place unless you are already too advanced:

http://www.howtoorderchinesefood.com/

[jasoninchina]

Do you know what cities your trip would include?

1. Food is a must. Learning all sorts of phrases related to food, restaurants, dining in general.

2. Transportation, asking for directions, etc.

3. Hotel vocabulary

4. Basic information about yourself. Who you are, where you're from, what you do, etc.

Just some ideas

[jbradfor]

Thanks for those responses. [And thanks too to anyone that took the time to think about it even if you didn't have any ideas!]

Maybe I will do some food words. Anyone have a good list of words to SRS? Some time back someone posted this list, which I could convert into flashcard format if there is nothing better.

@jasoninchina, do you happen to know of a good book for that? I've looked through various guidebooks and phrasebooks, but they don't really seem to do a lot for me.

[feihong]

Why not read Iron Wok Jan? Here are links to scans (in traditional):

http://www.dm5.com/Type.aspx?id=155

http://www.dm5.com/Type.aspx?id=5241

[jbradfor]

Similar to what jasoninchina suggested, I was thinking of trying to learn some useful phrases. I started to look at a phrasebook I have, and it's just not working well for me. I already know all the characters in the phrases, so I don't have to learn that. But I can't seem to remember the entire phrases.

Has anyone at the intermediate level or above found a phrasebook beneficial? If so, how did you use it? Did you enter the phrases into anki or something, or repeat it over and over?

[feihong, I'll take a look at those as well....]

[anonymoose]

Isn't your wife Chinese? Forget the study, and just take your wife.

[jbradfor]

Yes, but she's from Hong Kong and speaks Cantonese. Which, alas, isn't very useful in Beijing and even Shanghai.

[Which results in a whole lot of issues when we travel, as people always speak Mandarin (or Korean, or Japanese, or wherever we happen to be....) to her. Language dynamics are very interesting in China, it's rather, ummmm, "interesting" how native Chinese people treat other Chinese when they think they are ABC and can't speak Chinese.]

[besides, what type of man am I if I rely on my wife to take care of these things? ]

[889]

Study a map. It's almost impossible to have any sort of a conversation in China -- even in English -- without geography getting a mention. You need to know where the provinces, the big cities, the big rivers and the big mountains are. The better your geography the more you'll get out of your trip.

[tooironic]

I second 889's suggestion. In fact anything to do with locationality (this is north of that, take a right there, near the local PSB, etc) is pretty essential for getting directions.

Not sure you need to know everything about Chinese food - just the basics will suffice. There are so many dish names in China it's almost limitless and you'll have more fun learning about them as you discover them.

[Gleaves]

Maybe that Travel in Chinese series? I've never watched it, but might be useful.

[jbradfor]

Geography. That's a good idea, thanks. I recall this thread, which I've been meaning to use...