Day Three

I am now into my second day of Chinese classes. The first day was taken up by three separate introductions (with three separate teachers) and working out exactly what I wanted to study. My goal of sitting the HSK level 5 greatly assisted my three teachers in their preparation work although one teacher has chosen not to follow the brief and do news study instead. Actually I really do not mind at all as the book is fairly interesting and it never hurts to do something different. 


Switching from a teacher's role to that of a student has given me a fresh perspective on studying. One of my teachers is excellent and I would hire her immediately if I ever ran a school. Not only is she entertaining, she has quickly sussed me out and realized I not only need structure but also a little push to get me to do some extra study after classes. 


Hence here I sit with all my devices making sentences. Boring perhaps but also very useful. What impressed me about this one teacher was that even though I am in Taiwan, she has tutored other students in preparation for the HSK and today she brought in copies of extra materials. I guess that was why she was assigned to me. 


I also like the way the institute I am studying at has divided my 3 hours of study into 3 lessons with 3 different teachers. That has helped break things up a lot. My only current struggle is the reading lesson which I requested the teacher to do. The HSK material is dry and it is stretching my character recognition. Reading a short paragraph on why one experiences hair thinning without a good diet is really not my idea of a fun time but again, it is all part of the process. 


So all in all, it is shaping up to be a great experience. I was not expecting to feel a sense of loneliness and culture shock when I first arrived but then I have not travelled alone for ages. I also hate eating alone and it did not help matters to have a dose of an upset stomach. The first meal perhaps? No comment. 


More observations on this experience to come and life in general as a student of Chinese. Off to do a bit of shopping. Getting free wifi at the stations has been a great help! Taipei is very connected!