Student name: Mr. Brian Birk Johansen
Nationality: Danish
Time in Global Exchange Center: 24 weeks from 2nd. July 2012
1. Why do you study Chinese?
Well, there are several reasons for that.I always wanted to learn how to speak an asian
language, either Chinese or Japanese because of the story of the two countries. But because
everybody speaks about China, then I decided to study Chinese. And I havent regret it for
one second.
2.Why can you speak Chinese like this quick?
I study at Global Exchange Education Center in Beijing and have been studying here for 3,
almost 4 month now.But my original plan was only to study here for 7 weeks - well, these 7
weeks have now turned into 16 weeks. I had a job in Copenhagen which I was really happy
for, but I could feel deep in my heart that I wanted to learn more Chinese. And that I can
thank the teachers for here at GEEC.From day one, all the teachers and Advisor have been
very helpfull if I needed their help. Not once I have had the feeling they didnt wanted to help
me. Here at Global Exchange Education Center I have private lessons. Every day my teacher
gives me homework, new vocabulary list for me to study at home. We learn differently , but
what I do, is that I write one word, maybe 10 till 20 times, and moves on to the next, write
that 10 till 20 times, then I go back to the first and see if I remember the first one. Next day
my teacher and I speak Chinese where my teacher uses the new words to see if I
understand. Together we have a conversation where we practise using the new words.
The grammar is very difficult, and here I am talking about the construction of the sentences,
but here the teachers are very good in explaining how to use and also how to improve your
skills in using these constructions so it actually make sense.
Often I forget words that I worked with in the beginning, and the only way, again, is to
REPEAT, REPEAT and REPEAT:) Even that it is very difficult, I often practise my Chinese
when I go to the supermarket, or asking for direction. But when you see that they actually
understand what you say, and the other way around, when they say something and you
understand - then you really feel that all the hard work and many hours that you have
spended studying, its all worth it:)
My plan when I study chinese;
1. Write the new words down, memorize
2. Read the dialouges loud and see how much I understand
3. Afterwards, sometimes I also write a short story where I use the new words
4. Working with grammar, write sentences where I practise the constructions.
5. Speaking, speaking and speaking, go to the supermarkets, ask for help, ask for help,
directions etc. There more you use your chinese vocabulary, the more you will
improve your skills.
For anyone who is considering to study Chinese at Global Exchange Education Center, I can
only give them my higest remarks.I am educated teacher, therefor I also look at the
methodes the teachers are using, and they are really good teachers.
