Steve's sandbox

Tag: Taiwan

  • Cosmo de Bono: First Month in Taipei, September 2023

    2023/09 – 陳白宇
    我來台灣已經三個星期了。在這裡的時間過得很快，我現在已經適應了這裡的新生活。我住在台北，在國立台灣師範大學（NTNU）學習 10 個月。我每天上午有兩個小時的現代漢語課，週一、週二和週四下午還有專業語言課 – 古代漢語、文學和翻譯。我的所有課程都有一個語言誓約，就是老師和學生只能說中文。課程並不輕鬆，因為老師們教得很快，老師也給學生很多作業。每週還有筆試和口試，是為了檢查學生的進步。然而，這些都很有趣，而且我看得出我的中文已經有了明顯的進步。

    雖然我必須花很多時間學習，但我也發現課外時間對提高我的語言能力同樣有用。我現在是北師大合唱團的一員，每週一和週五晚上都要排練三小時。雖然這是一項很大的投入，但我每周可以花 6 個小時用中文跟台灣學生聊天兒，讓我練習口語。我發現聽別人說中文是提高發音和語調的最有效方法。

    在教室外面，我在台灣最難事情的是天氣。每天的氣溫都30 度以上。再加上潮濕的天氣，讓一切都變得有點累。但是到了十月份，天氣會變得涼爽很多，所以我打算到時候再開始去參觀台北有名的地方

    我和一對寄宿夫婦住在一起，他們是Greg和Risa（他們更喜歡用自己的英文名字）。他們非常友好，還養了一隻小狗。

    因為來台北的時間不長，所以我沒有更多的消息可以報告，但目前一切都很順利，我很高興能在這裡生活 10 個月！

    First Month in Taipei

    I’ve been in Taiwan for three weeks now. The time here has gone by very quickly and I’m now well settled into my new life here. I’m living in Taipei and studying at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) for 10 months. I have 2 hours of Mandarin classes every morning and on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, I have extra specialised language classes – Classical Chinese, literature and translation. All of my classes have a language pledge rule whereby teachers and students are only allowed to speak Chinese. The classes aren’t easy as they are fast-paced and the teachers assign a lot of homework. There are also weekly tests to monitor my progress. However, they are fun and I can tell that my Chinese has already improved a lot.

    Although I have to spend a lot of time studying, I’ve also found that my time outside the classroom is just as useful for improving my language skills. I’m now part of the NTNU choir and rehearse for 3 hours every Monday and Friday evening. Whilst this is a big commitment it allows me to spend 6 hours a week chatting in Chinese to Taiwanese students and become more familiar with the spoken language. I find that listening to people speaking Chinese is the best way to improve my pronounciation and tones.

    The hardest part of my time in Taiwan so far has been the weather. Every day has been at least 30 degrees Celsius. This combined with the humidity has made everything a bit more tiring. However, it’s due to become a lot cooler in October so I’m planning to start some proper sightseeing then.

    I’m living with a host couple – Greg and Risa (they prefer to go by their English names). They’re very friendly and have a small dog.

    I don’t have much more news to report as I haven’t been in Taipei for long, but so far everything is going well and I’m excited that I can spend 10 months living here!

  • Isabel Wasserman: My first few days in Taiwan – September 2022

    15th September 2022

    大家好我叫子悠，歡迎我的第一個報告！9月5號我來了台灣。因為有8天的隔離，我的台灣的經驗還是3天。我的第一印象是，台灣很熱，台灣人很友善，台灣的菜很好吃。

    我桃園機場到的時候，台灣的教育部的人等幫我，他幫了我買一個SIM，座隔離計程車去隔離飯店。我覺得台灣的教育部太友善了。隔離的時候，我很累所以我睡得覺非常久。隔離中，大學的課開始 了。我在網上聽了課。沒有課的時候我看了很多視頻因為我想知道台灣是怎麼樣。

    是在隔離飯店我發見了台灣的早餐。台灣的早餐真的好吃，我想每天3次吃。我特別喜歡燒餅，油條，還喜歡飯糰。真的好吃，便宜，也到下午不餓！在英國的時候我是不吃早飯的不健康的人，可是我覺得在台灣會變這習慣。台灣的奶茶也比英國非常非常便宜。我來台灣的以後我每天喝茶！我經驗了台灣的天氣的以後，我了解台灣人喜歡飲料的理由！

    在英國的大學我學了中文1年了，所以我很緊張，不知道我會不會寫這樣的報告。

    但是今天我知道了可能！我很開心，也想學多中文。

     

    Hello, my name is Izzi and this is my first monthly report.

    At first I was nervous to write a report in Chinese as I have only studied for a year so far, but after writing this I found that I have absorbed more Chinese than I had realised – and it was quite fun.

    I came to Taiwan on the 5th September but have been out and about for about three days as there was a quarantine.

    During quarantine I discovered Taiwanese breakfast, which is so delicious, filling and very, very cheap. I’ve also discovered the iced tea here which is equally delicious and perfect for the hot, humid weather Taiwan has. I’m really looking forward to going out and further discovering the food in Taiwan such as in the night markets.

    I am also really enjoying my Chinese classes so far, my teacher is truly wonderful and we use Mandarin rather than any English, which I am really finding useful to figure out how a native speaker would phrase things.

    One thing that has stood out to me since coming here is that I have changed quite a lot as a person. Compared to when I was a teenager, over the last few days I have found that I have become someone who is much less afraid of getting something wrong if it means I can learn from it. Even if my Chinese is not perfect, until it becomes perfect I am willing to go out and talk to people at the university here or order that nice looking drink – I am just much less shy. I hope to use this change to get in as much practice as I possibly can!

    To conclude, it has only been a few days in Taiwan but I am loving it so much and learning so much already, I’m truly excited for the months ahead of me.

     

    Taiwanese tea. My favourite flavour is winter melon (a type of gourd).
    Shao bing, a flakey pancake often eaten for breakfast in Taiwan, usually containing omlette and sometimes fried dough.
    The aftermath of sushi with a friend.

  • Looking back – Harry Martin, Japan – July 2016

    留学回顾

    我现在是牛津大学二年级的学生，我的专业是中文 ，我已经学了两年的中文了。由于牛津中文系规定二年级学生必须在中国留学一年，我从2015年9月初到2016年6月末在北京住了。我决定7月到台湾参加一个一对一的口语教程，而这个John Speak机构提供一笔奖学金。我可以肯定地说：这一年的留学经验给我留下了深刻的印象，让我获益良多。

    我觉得我应该给读者介绍一点点台湾的历史。台湾从古到今都有原住民，可是明代有一些华人从福建来了这里，在16世纪葡萄牙殖民者也来到了台湾，他们把台湾称为「福尔摩萨」，意思是完美的岛。直到1949年蒋中正和国民党逃离中国，他们到台湾建立了中华民国。

    西方人都不习惯台湾的气候。我觉得应该住上一年才可能应付。台湾的夏天气特别候热得要命。每天中午我到师大必定汗流浃背。还不到一个星期我的皮肤已经晒红了。去沙滩玩过一趟使我更红了。我期待回英国就恢复原状。

    由于我刚从中国大陆来台湾，我忍不住把中国和台湾的生活相比。对于食衣住行，中国大部分跟不上台湾。可是无论有没有差别，中国大陆也有很多值得一探究竟的风景。我认为台湾人跟大陆人一样友好，但是台湾人更多了一点的礼貌和文明。今年有好几次一个过路人停下来帮我找一个地方或者办一件事情。中国和台湾各有特色，而我知道未来几年我一定会回来这两个国家。

    虽然我只住在台北一个月就离开，但是我的中文突飞猛进了。大部分的进步来自于老师的教法和我结交的朋友，特别是我的室友们。但是不管我的中文进步得怎么样，一个月太短了。我还没离开，可是我已经在打算下一次再回来台湾。

    未来年当我怀念台湾的时候，我一定感到开心中带著伤悲。虽然我一定会再来，但是我等不及了！

    View-of-Taipei-from-Elephant-Mountain

    ENGLISH:

    Looking Back on My Year Abroad

    I am currently in my second year at Oxford University, studying Chinese. I have already been studying Chinese for two years. In my institute a year abroad is compulsory and so from the beginning of September 2015 to the end of June 2016 I lived in Beijing. I decided to come to Taiwan in July for a 1-1 spoken Chinese course, and this organisation offered to sponsor me. I can definitely say that this year has left a deep impression on me, and been beneficial in so many ways.

    I think it is fitting for me to give a little background to Taiwanese history. There has always been an indigenous population here, but during the Ming Dynasty some Han peoples came to Taiwan from Fujian. In the 16th Century the Portuguese colonialists came to Taiwan and named it Formosa, meaning beautiful island. Lastly, in the 1949 Chang Kai-Shek and the KMT fled from China, they arrived in Taiwan and established the ROC.

    Westerners are generally never accustomed to the Taiwanese climate, I think you would have to live here for at least a year, and only then could you possibly handle the weather.

    Taiwanese Summer is particularly boiling! Every day at midday I would arrive at my university covered in sweat. Before one week was done I had already burnt, and a trip to the beach only worsened this. I’m waiting for when I get back to England and my sunburn can heal a little.

    As a result of just having come from China, I couldn’t help but compare China and Taiwan. Regarding lifestyle, China, in most respects, cannot compete with Taiwan. But regardless of the differences, China still has plenty of beautiful places, all well worth a visit. I think Taiwanese and Chinese people are both equally friendly, but Taiwanese people are a little more polite and courteous. Several times this year a passer-by stopped to help me find a location or deal with something pressing. China and Taiwan both have their merits, and I know I will certainly come back to both places.

    Although I will only have lived in Taiwan and left after a month, my Chinese has still progressed far. The majority of my progression was due to my teacher’s methods and the friends I made, especially my roommates. But regardless of how my Chinese has progressed, one month is indeed too short. I still haven’t left but I’m already planning the next time I come back to Taiwan.

    In the coming years when I remember Taiwan, I will surely be happy but of course a little sad too. Although I will definitely come back, it’s a long time to wait!

     

  • Samuel Franklin, Beijing, China – October 2014

    Beach at Taiwan, Kenting

     

    我已经在北京两个月了，越来越多地习惯了在这儿的生活。上个月，我和十一位同学开学了。我们每周从周一到周四，上十六个小时的课，包括语言，文学，报刊阅读和古代汉语的课。功课比较多，但因为每星期有三天的周末，学习的压力大体上不那么严重.

    对于学中文最好的方法，很多人都有自己的看法。比如说，有些人觉得与其花时间预习课本上的课文，不如尽力找中国朋友，练习说话。对我看来，首先需要决定你有什么语言目标。如果你只想说得很流利，你就会多花时间和中国人一起聊天。不过，如果你也想变得有学问，我觉得值得上课和复习生词。

    至今，我最享受上文学课。这不仅是因为我们有一位非常热烈的老师，还是因为我们有很多机会学习中国最有名最重要的原文。我们已经讨论了鲁迅<狂人日记>的意义，也学习了司马迁的一些历史故事。将来我们会读一些中国历史上的经典名著，包括<红楼梦>，<三国演义>和<西游记>。报刊阅读的课也很有用—我们每周要写一篇新闻文章的摘要，所以有机会看当地的报纸。

    课余除了加入一个足球队以外，我还加入了北大国际象棋协会。我是比较认真的棋手，代表英国二十一岁以下的象棋队，有时去国外参加国际比赛。今年到中国之前，我担心我可能没有机会保持我对西洋棋的热情。不过，北大的协会有二十多个会员，他们都很热烈。而且我发现到中国最厉害的两位棋手都是北大的学生—在中国排名第一棋手的丁立人和女子世界冠军侯逸凡！所幸的是，我上周遇见了丁，和他谈天了中国的棋手。

    最后，我十一的时候去了台湾。我呆了七天，参观了很多地方。除了台北以外，我还去了华联，高雄，野柳和垦丁。我过得十分愉快，那里的天气和海鲜都总是非常好。我享受逛夜市，和当地人练习说话（在那儿他们说得更慢），参观国家公园和经验台北的夜生活。我强烈地推荐任何人去台湾旅游！哦，我还看到了一些猴子。

     

     

    ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

    I’ve already been in Beijing for two months now and feel increasingly at ease with life here. Last month, my eleven classmates and I started lectures. Every week we have classes Monday through Thursday, with lessons in language, literature, newspaper reading and classical Chinese amongst others. Whilst we are set a lot of work, the three day weekends mean work pressure is never overly severe.

    As for views on the best way to study Chinese, many people will say different things. For example, some consider making friends and speaking as much as possible to be the more effective than spending time staring at texts. I think it’s most important to first clarify what one’s language goals are. If you only want to speak fluently, then it may be effective to chat with as many Chinese as possible. However, if you also aim to become literate, then I think it is worth keeping attendance at lectures and putting in the hours at home.

    So far, I’ve most enjoyed my literature classes. Not only because we have a very passionate lecturer, but also as we have had chances to study China’s most famous and important texts in their original form. We’ve read and discussed the significance of Lu Xun’s ‘Diary of a Madman’, as well as some of Sima Qian’s historical stories. In future, we’ll also be reading some of China’s historical classics, including ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’, ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ and ‘Journey to the West.’ Our newspaper lessons have also been very beneficial – every week we write a short essay on an article of choice from a Chinese periodical, so we also have the opportunity to engage with the local press.

    Outside of class, apart from joining a football team, I have also become a member of Peking University’s chess club. I’m a relatively serious chess player; I represent England at under 21 level and have gone abroad on occasion to play in international tournaments. Before starting my year abroad, I was worried that I probably wouldn’t have the chance to keep up my chess in China. However, the University club has over 20 members, all of whom are passionate about chess. Moreover, I recently discovered that two of China’s strongest players are both students at Peking University – China’s number one Ding Liren and Women’s World Champion Hou Yifan! Last week, I was very fortunate to have the chance to meet Ding and talk to him about China’s chess talents.

    Monkeys in Taiwan

    Finally, I also went to Taiwan for the National Holiday. I spent a week there and travelled to various places. Other than Taipei, I also went to Hualien, Gaoxiong, Yeliu and Kenting. I had a wonderful time there, and the weather and seafood were two constant highlights. I enjoyed strolling through the night markets, practicing my Chinese with locals (they speak a lot slower there), visiting the national parks and experiencing Taipei’s nightlife. I wholeheartedly recommend anyone to go to Taiwan for holiday! Oh, I also saw some monkeys.

  • Taiwan for the National Holiday

     

    I spent a week Taiwan and travelled to various places. Other than Taipei, I also went to Hualien, Gaoxiong, Yeliu and Kenting. I had a wonderful time there, and the weather and seafood were two constant highlights. I enjoyed strolling through the night markets, practicing my Chinese with locals (they speak a lot slower there), visiting the national parks and experiencing Taipei’s nightlife. I wholeheartedly recommend anyone to go to Taiwan for holiday!

    最后，我十一的时候去了台湾。我呆了七天，参观了很多地方。除了台北以外，我还去了华联，高雄，野柳和垦丁。我过得十分愉快，那里的天气和海鲜都总是非常好。我享受逛夜市，和当地人练习说话（在那儿他们说得更慢），参观国家公园和经验台北的夜生活。我强烈地推荐任何人去台湾旅游！哦，我还看到了一些猴子。