My Chinese ability has never progressed...

[piquant]

My background - I am half Chinese and grew up speaking basic Cantonese to extended family, but never became literate in Chinese and never developed an adult/professional vocabulary. After college, I went to BLCU for 3 months of intensive Mandarin study and reached a good intermediate level. If anything, I found that I picked up conversational Mandarin very easily (certainly compared to the other international students), but was forced to progress at a slow pace because of the need to learn characters. I was told that my pronunciation was quite native. 

 

After this period, I found a job in Hong Kong and have been working here in the 7 years since. In the beginning, I enrolled in evening Mandarin courses, but soon became too busy to take studying seriously. Within 1-2 years, I had forgotten most of the characters that I had learned. I am surrounded by Chinese people at work and listen to Mandarin conversations taking place around me all day, but don't use the language much myself. I have developed a decent listening ability, but lack the vocabulary and confidence to speak Mandarin in a professional environment. 

 

I am planning to change jobs soon and will probably have 2-3 months of "garden leave" between contracts. My new role, still in HK, will be much more China-focused and I would like to spend this time developing my Mandarin conversation ability (whether through self-study or enrolling in a program of some sort in HK or on the Mainland). At this stage of life, I tend to think that serious study of characters would be a poor use of my time, as I would only forget most of what I learn once I become preoccupied with work again. 

 

Can anyone recommend a plan of study or a place of study suitable for someone like me over this coming period? It would have to be something that I can start on pretty short notice. Thank you. 

[geraldc]

I think a one to one tutor and a personalized study programme would be better. I can recommend a tutor in HK if required (retired back to HK after years teaching Mandarin and Cantonese at SOAS)

[Matty]

I think reading in Chinese works well, learn to read some easy books and just slowly keep pushing it. Don't make it a chore, but use it as leisure reading. This way you wont forget the characters as easily as you'll see them much more.

It's probably not going to help you a whole lot over the next few months, but I recommend it as a long term hobby.

[skylee]

OP, you have been in HK for 7 years? Have you got your permanent ID / citizenship yet? If you have, you might wish to consider registering as an elector/ voter so you will get the right to vote in the upcoming elections.

Sorry that this is off-topic.

[French]

I'm in a similar spot as you. I'm Chinese French (I speak my native dialect fluently), I began an intensive course 1on1 a week ago. I'll be studying for 3 months.

I don't need to write either but I feel like reading and training writing on my own could consolidate my knowledge and help me remember Chinese for a long time (I could keep on reading on my own after my intensive course).

I post my experience about choosing a school here after visiting 8 schools : http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/45852-Intensive-Chinese-Course---What-to-Expect-?#comment-347669

I have 4 lessons of 50 minutes per day, 5 days a week. 2 lessons for reading Chinese and 2 lessons for talking about various topics. I ended up learning 500 characters (reading and using them orally, writing about 50% of them) during my first week but I spent all my free time studying about at least 10 hours a day (4 lessons plus self study).

Like you, I already have a decent Chinese level when it comes to listening and speaking (I easily manage daily life), so learning how to read basic characters was quite fast as you already know the meaning.

[gato]

If you don't learn to read, it'll be hard for you gain much vocabulary beyond a conversational level. Just imagine how much English you would know if you could not read. I bet your mistake last time was not using a flashcard system to help you remember the characters. If you use something like the Pleco dictionary and flashcard app on your phone and keep with it on a daily basis, it should be relatively easy for you learn the characters you need to read within a few months' time. Being able to read, especially in your areas of interest, will make learning the language that much more rewarding and therefore effective.

[French]

I do agree with Gato. While self learning English, reading after achieving a certain level became a huge help to improve the language, grammar and vocabulary wise.

[piquant]

Thanks for the input! How true is it that it will be hard to progress conversationally without learning to read/write? I think it might be true generally, but it might be a different case for people who grew up with a dialect of Chinese. I work in a bank in HK and know lots of overseas-raised Chinese who can't read/write, but conduct calls and meetings with Chinese managers all the time as well as ABCs/CBCs who grew up in Cantonese-speaking households but picked up conversational Mandarin while working in China. Learning the characters would be great, but I have an upcoming business need for the conversational Mandarin and would prefer to spend those thousands of hours progressing conversationally than memorising characters for "shoe" and "knee". I would love to become literate, but at an older age, time is limited and it becomes a tradeoff. I'm not looking to reach the pinnacle of fluency, I just want to get to the "functioning ABC in China" sort of level and be able to socialise with business contacts in China. Substantive business communication will probably still need to be done in English. Keep in mind that I have been listening to Mandarin in my work environment every day for 7 years, so I have sort of passively kept up with some level of study.