Looking for a motivated Chinese learner to study with!

[Ino75]

The biggest problem that I have in my Chinese learning journey is that I feel kind of lonely. I don't know anybody else studying Chinese around me and my Chinese friends/language partners since they are native speakers can't really understand what a non native has to go through when learning their language.

 

Therefore I would like to find a Chinese learner who would like to study Chinese together with me. As we are both learners we could support each other, updates what we have done, share resources and the most important thing try to speak Chinese full time (not like in a language exchange where you have to switch language at some point).

 

I don't know if it is the right place to put this post but I hope that I will find someone who also needs a language partner to stay motivated and share experiences. I have a solid intermediate level, aiming to reach an upper intermediate level within the end of the year. My listening and speaking are better than my reading and writing. The best would be to find someone who has about the same level as me (intermediate to low advanced) but the most important is someone who is motivated.

 

If you are interested, let me know or if you have any advice on where I can find a group or a website which could help to find a partner to study with, I would appreciate.

 

谢谢!

[xyz123abc]

Hello there! Welcome to the forums

 

I would be interested. However, your level is too high for me. I am a solid beginner!

 

I feel your pain: the only time I dared to do a language exchange, my partner absolutely ruined it for me: First trying to convince me that I didn't need to learn to use tones because "(we)chinese can understand", then never having the patience to let me finish even 1 sentence. ONE. Lesson learned: the person with the lower language level has to go first, otherwise the partner might not respect your half of the deal.

 

I hope someone can join your journey. And that someone else joins mine, as well!

 

继续加油

 

Oh! I almost forgot about the sites:

italki.com (has more people online)

govoluble.com (very variable, as the name. sometimes ok, some others empty)

 

there was a facebook like site, but it died early this year

studymorechinese.com

In case you find it, stay away from it, lol.

 

祝你好运

[Flickserve]

This forum supports your needs.

But it sounds like you are already in a Chinese environment or are you not living in China/Taiwan?

Asking for a language buddy is okay but I think there is more value at beginner stage and progressively less as your knowledge increases unless you are following a course. Why? Because of divergent interests and opinion on topics, and also the different speeds at which you learn.

Secondly, if you are intermediate, that implies to me you have accumulated a fair amount of knowledge on your learning process. Yet, how do you find a language partner who is intermediate in Chinese to have the skills to talk fluently? It sounds quite difficult to find such a person.

For an advanced learner to come to you, I am just wondering, what is in it for them?

[Luxi]

In another thread you mention TV shows and movies as one of your learning strategies. Have you considered subtitling? It is not as hard as you may think. There are web places where you can easily volunteer and try what is called "fansubbing" (ie, non professional subtitling) without much trouble and with a wide selection of videos for you to choose what you like. Even if you can only translate a few simple sentences to start with, though I suspect you can do much more than that, this is a good way to learn very fast.

 

If you feel translation is too hard, it's possible to join a team to simply edit other people's subtitles translated from Chinese into your language - is it French? Or English if you're comfortable with it. There's a great demand for non-Chinese people with a good foundation of Chinese to help improve the quality of subtitles, many translations are done by people whose first language is Chinese and are not 100% proficient in English. French, Italian and Spanish subtitling are also very much in demand. 

 

The best place that I know for this is Viki:

 

https://www.viki.com/

 

Although it says Korean Drama, it also has many Chinese series and films - more than there are volunteers to help with subtitling.

 

It's very easy to join, subtitling and editing are done online (no need to install anything and it is very easy), training is given if you need, there is support if you have problems and people are very friendly. Look under "Community" and have a look at the various sections. You could start in the "University" (training) or directly join one of the many teams working on projects.

 

I hope to see you there --- I'm part of the 'Rats of Hollow Island' team subtitling "The Three Heroes and Five Gallants" series based on a Qing Dynasty novel, great fun!   

https://www.viki.com/tv/30286c-the-three-heroes-and-five-gallants

[Ino75]

@xyz123abc: Thanks for the website, I know italki.com but I will have a look on the other website you suggested, it seems good. Regarding language exchange, like you I had bad experiences. I guess we could make a subject just for this.

 

@Flickserve : I am not in a Chinese environment that is exactly why I need someone to study with. When you are in your home country it is easy to lose motivation to keep learning. I have an intermediate level which is enough to communicate even though I am not fluent (my goal). I am sure there are a lot of people like me out there, at least I hope.

 

@Luxi : Subbing seems to be a good idea actually, I didn't think about it. I know this viki website, I used to watch dramas there. I will definitely think about joining one of the community. And you are right, French is my mother tongue. Thanks a lot for this advice.

[Yadang]

Not exactly what you're asking for, but you could try posting on the The 2016 Aims and Objectives Progress Thread with your goals and such. People usually update every month, as far as I can tell. I only just started posting there myself, but I've been wanting to for a long time as a means of motivation. Perhaps it could help you too!

[Ino75]

@Yadang : Thank you, I will try to post there, I might find someone !