Welcome to a captivating journey of linguistic discovery with Eunji, a dedicated Korean student at Mandarin Inn Chinese School. In this interview, we delve into Eunji’s unique experiences as she navigates the complexities of learning Mandarin in the bustling city of Shanghai. From her initial motivations to the daily challenges and triumphs, join us as we explore Eunji’s inspirational story that transcends cultural and language barriers.

Interview:

Eunji：My name is Eunji from Korea. I was studying in University in Seoul, but I took a leave of absence from university and came to China to study Chinese. I have been in Shanghai for 3 months already. When I have considered my class, I choose the HSK5 class. It’s because I need to study HSK5, and I also wanted to have a chance to converse with people who are at the same level as me. It’s been over a month since I studied Mandarin, and I am so satisfied with my class.

M: Why did you come to China?

E: Indeed, I have been studying Chinese in Korea for 2 years, but I realized there was a limit to improving my speaking skills there.I thought if there is a chance to talk with Chinese friends, it would be better for my Chinese.Moreover, I have been wanting to experience Chinese life myself.

M: Do you think it is useful for foreigners to learn Mandarin? Why? And why do you want to learn Mandarin?

E: I think Mandarin is useful for foreigners to learn. For example, for Korea, China is a very important country for business. A lot of companies in Korea want people who can speak Chinese and indeed they prefer them when recruiting. The reason why is that China is a big country and important, I think that’s the same all over the world for business. Besides, I have been interested in Mandarin and now, I am studying International Trade, so that’s why I’d like to learn Mandarin.

M: As a good student, how do you learn Mandarin? Would you like to share your tips?

E: I started to be interested in studying Chinese because of Chinese drama. However, only watching dramas like Chinese and studying Chinese were very different.  When I started to feel tired of studying, I tried to make some Chinese friends wherever I went and shared my interest with them in Chinese. And I listened to Chinese music and watched Chinese movies whenever I am free. At the same time, I have been studying HSK. It’s because after studying some new words and grammar, I can apply them when I am listening to music or watching movies. And it made me remember better what I have studied.

M: Would you like to talk about your teacher, do you like her? And What kind of teacher’s behavior will encourage you to learn Mandarin?

E: I really like my teacher. I prefer a teacher who wants to listen to my opinion and share together about a topic. And now my teacher is like that. These days, many teachers only like teaching words and grammar. However, my teacher right now is always trying to make me speak about a topic in Mandarin and give me some questions. That way encourages me to learn and keep having fun to talk In Mandarin.

M: You seldom ask for leave, what encourages you to keep doing classes ? We have many online resources, have you used it, and how do you feel about it?

E: I have only a few months to live in China so I’m trying to be at the class all the time. Also, when I’m doing self-studying at home, I always use online resources. For example, when I practice listening tests for HSK, I really need it and it’s very useful. I don’t need to spend time finding MP3 or others. 

M: We are doing a workshop normally once a month, how do you feel about it, and do you have any suggestions, or do you have any subject you are interested in?

E: To be honest, I couldn’t participate in any workshops because I have been busy. But if I am free next time, I really want to do it. I think if I do those activities, I could make more friends and have a chance to learn more things about China.

M: Do you have any interesting things during your Mandarin study or the problems you meet in your daily life as the language to share with us.

E: I guess even though I study Mandarin very hard, whenever I travel some parts of China, I cannot understand what Chinese are speaking because of 方言 (dialect). China is huge and there are a lot of people living with different accents. Sometimes It sounds so similar but sometimes very different. But I think it is a charm of Chinese only and makes us feel interesting. 

M: Finally, please say your favorite Chinese sentence, and why.

E: I love the song “月亮代表我的心-moon as my heart”（click the link to know more about the song） and this title is also my favorite Chinese sentence. Because it is impressive that Moonlight is compared to someone’s heart. I felt it’s a beautiful poetic sentence and I think it shows the characteristics of Chinese only.  

Conclusion:

As we conclude our insightful conversation with Eunji, it’s evident that her journey at Mandarin Inn is more than just about mastering Mandarin; it’s a story of cultural immersion, perseverance, and personal growth. Eunji’s experience serves as a beacon for all language learners, highlighting the invaluable benefits of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. 

Are you inspired by Eunji’s story and eager to embark on your own language learning adventure? Visit Mandarin Inn Chinese School or check our courses to learn more about our courses and start your journey towards linguistic and cultural fluency today!

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