Tag: Language Learning
Why the Mother Tongue Matters
The Root of Connection and Cultural Vitality
Language is culture. Our mother tongue keeps our cultural heritage alive. The mother tongue helps us stay connected to our traditional, cultural values and our roots.
An Unexpected Treasure
I can’t help thinking about how discouraged they must have been when they had to leave China so soon after working hard to learn the language and start a new ministry… But God wasn’t finished with either them or his people in China.
Education for Chinese Christian Families—Another Way
Guardian visas for parents of young children studying abroad have opened another education opportunity for Christian families in China.
3 Questions: Chinese through Scripture
Last month I had the opportunity to meet Shuguang Wang, the author of a new textbook called Chinese through Scripture. I looked at the book and my first thought was, “I sure could have used this in 1990!”
A Numbers Game
I’m not the tidiest or most organized person in the world, so the expression luan qi ba zao (乱七八糟) was one I learned and took to heart early. A direct translation is “chaos seven eight in a wretched state.”
Keeping a Cow
Practical Language Learning, Then and Now
Language learning must be useful to be effective. What phrases and vocabulary were essential in years gone by, aren’t making it into the language textbooks of today.
Take Language Learning Seriously
A Book Recommendation
For many engaged in cross-cultural service (or preparing for it), language learning is often one of the most daunting tasks. Especially for those of us whose only experience is Spanish or French class in the American educational system, we are wholly unprepared, and most likely don’t even know where to begin.
Supporting Article
Ministry Among Minority Students
This article addresses the joys, challenges, and frustrations of reaching students from ethnic minority groups in China.
Reflections on a US-based Chinese Language Journey (2)
The key question in language learning was answering a simple question: How do I maximize contact time with the language?
Reflections on a US-based Chinese Language Journey (1)
A life-long language learner shares insights from his journey towards mastering Chinese.