Hey all.  I think it’s time for an update of what I’ve been doing lately. 

My travels are over for a short time so I’m enjoying the Wuhan area to the fullest – my old favorite spots and some new ones.  I’ve been over to Hankou a few times with some friends to shop on 江汉路, eat at restaurants and enjoy the public parks.  I haven’t been to Liberation Park (解放公园) since last September and knew they were doing some renovations there.  Wow…what a difference!  They planted new flowers everywhere.  Honestly, it’s one of the nicest parks I’ve been to in China in the past year.  真的！

As you can see I’m trying to use Chinese more in my daily life.  It’s one way I’m trying to improve my Chinese language ability, by reading, writing, listening and of course speaking.  Looking back to when I first arrived in China last year I am proud of the time I have put into learning Chinese.  However, I’ve also been extremely frustrated lately, feeling that my Chinese oral skills are not improving that much.  There have been a few times when I thought to myself, “I will never become fluent in Chinese.”  One night last week, when I was practicing with my Chinese language partner, I could not think of one Chinese word to say to answer her question…my brain “locked up”.  Man, was I mad.  So, I took a break to think about things.

First, I realized I was being too hard on myself.  Second, one of the reasons I’ve felt bad about my Chinese skills lately is that I’m comparing myself to foreign students at WuDa and their Chinese ability.  It’s very common for people to compare what they have, who they are, etc to other people…it’s a fact of life.  The problem is it is not something you should focus on.  I remembered I have a busy life here at WuDa, with teaching and interacting with all my Chinese friends, and that I don’t always have the same amount of time as the foreign students.  And, I might learn a little differently than others. Or, maybe I wasn’t working hard enough.  So you see, I became a little more realistic with my Chinese ability and it allowed me to change my attitude, something psychologists call “reframing”. And since then I’ve tried to create a time each day where I just focus on Chinese and nothing else.  If I focus on what I am doing, and my language ability, I cannot fail.

The same goes in any foreign language, I think.  I’m glad I’m studying a language while teaching another one so I can understand a bit more of what the students are going through.  And as a teacher and a friend, I suggest the same to you.  If you are frustrated with your ability, if you are one of the many Chinese students who tell me “I can’t express myself in English very well,” try reframing your attitudes.  Are you being too hard on yourself? What could you do differently?  Are you spending time improving your ability?  Remember, the most critical thing one must do when learning anything, be it a language or a musical instrument, is that you actually do it.  So 加油！

I can’t believe the semester is almost done already!  Time certainly does fly.  I will be going back to Ohio in less than a month now, to spend a month with my family and friends.  I will hopefully be able to stop in New York City on the way home to visit some friends and experience New York with different eyes.  I have heard that people who live out of their mother country for a while sometimes see things differently when they return; I’m wondering if I will be one of those people.  But I’m sure my trip home will go very fast and I’ll be back in Wuhan before I know it.  Yes, I’ll be back for another year!  There are any more things to do and experience here.

Finally, I wanted to let everyone know, if you haven’t heard already, that the 4^th annual Wuhan University Summer Intensive English Program, sponsored by WuDa and Ohio State University, will be happening this July.  I know it’s during summer vacation, I know it will be hot in Wuhan (太热了！) and I know it costs a little bit of money, but this is truly an exceptional place to improve your oral English skills.  I talk a lot about a good language environment and how Chinese students face difficulties learning English in China.  Well, this is the perfect oral English environment, with 30 American teachers that are bringing American culture with them.  You will be asked to speak English for most of the day – so much practice!  And, you’ll be able to spend time with them outside of class in activities such as sports, music, drama and many others.  I promise you, if you give a great effort in this 4-week summer program you will see an improvement in your English ability.  But remember, you have to do your part of the work by trying!  Don’t be shy!

Ok, time to get some work done.  Until next time!