Perhaps the most challenging aspect of being in an intermediate level class is the number of new words (words, not characters) that we learn everyday. While not all of them are useful, most are. Some even come as phrases or expressions that would be good to know in real life, such as 要不然 (yao bu ran = “or else”) and 各种各样 (ge zhong, ge yang – “all kinds of things”). My classmates and I have estimated that we are given anywhere from 25 to 50 new words to learn EVERYDAY.

Memorizing them alone is overwhelming enough. But to be expected to use them correctly too? It’s tough, but as everyone knows, the most important thing about learning a language is practice and repetition.

Why is it that the first conversations most foreigners learn to have in Chinese are with cab drivers and waitresses? Because as a foreigner, you’re heavily dependent on taxis. You say the words for “right”, “left” and “go straight” often enough so you learn them quickly. And waitresses? I don’t know of any beginner Chinese learner who did not learn the word for “beer” in his first week of school.

But back to the sheer volume of words we are now expected to remember…

I figured there was only one way I could deal with the frustration (and guilt) I feel for not learning fast enough all these useful Chinese words and phrases

I think, like everything else we want to do in life, we need to focus. 

I don’t mean focusing on just studying hard and memorizing them by rote. I am a big believer in doing things for the sheer pleasure of it. So I picked the top 3 topics or situations that interest me the most and have promised myself to memorize and learn to use these related words well. 

For instance in my case, I have already decided that I would like to focus on the following “topics” or “industries” for my Chinese studies. They are:

1. Travel and tourism. So words for transportation, scenery, activities, etc. would be things I would be interested to learn and love to use as I now like to move my topics of conversation with Chinese people from the weather to places of interest in China (and of course, selling the Philippines!).

2. Food and dining. Always a good topic and useful as it is something we use everyday. I’ve learned more than one word to say “taste” and “flavor” as well as the different kinds of  of dishes available (chicken, beef, pork, lamb, fish, etc.).

3. School business terms. Like “enrollment”, “class schedule”, “tuition fee”, etc. I have been getting involved some of Live the Language’s administrative work, and even find myself doing simple translation for the teachers’ school documents and between new students and our office assistant, Sofia (cute as hell but never get into a car with her driving!). It’s pretty cool and something I enjoy very much. Plus, I will definitely have the opportunity to practice them often.

I am a fan of simplifying. Maybe I am going soft but I really don’t expect myself to learn all 200 plus words every week. Because as I have proven, the key to learning new words is to use them right away – and often! Only then will it stick. 

Later on? Well, maybe I can learn advertising terms… and yes, even scuba diving terms! If my friend Steven gets around to writing that English-Chinese dictionary of scuba diving terms (complete with pictures) like he promised, then I should be on my way!