School Bells

[JBI]

Not to derail the thread, but have you seen Raise the Red Lantern by Zhang Yimou, Qimi? I recently saw it and it was fabulous! It even made me enjoy hearing Chinese opera.

Try watching 12 hours straight of it - it will drive you insane, especially traditional productions that are usually performed in no-longer-existent dialects. Reading Chinese opera is far more pleasureful than watching it, I'm afraid - it is rather sad, but that is probably why the operas that seem to be most studied now are known for their literary quality rather than their theatrical quality.

Not saying Chinese opera is good or not (though you would need to specify which kind, as Chinese opera is different by tradition in every city) but that 99% of Chinese people under 50 would probably agree that they will never desire, or be able to sit and watch a whole opera from head to tail. in addition to this, most would go insane in 5 minutes.

The general form Chinese opera takes now on the mainland is various programs broadcast for mostly old people on TV (in various languages) as well as school trips or short videos showing the most famous 5 minutes of any opera (which most people cannot even stand).

That being said, I will say the reason is simple - people don't like the music, and the emphasis has traditionally not been on the music, but more on the performance. In a world with cinema and developed effects, a juggler is no longer a ticket seller like it used to be.

[Lykren]

Yep, I'm pretty sure the fact that the music was set within a film whose visuals were beautifully developed helped me take in the little that was served. The actress He Caifei's beauty didn't hurt either.

[qimissung]

The only way to learn Chinese is literally to write every character out as many times as you need for it to stick in your head. Most people who come here to study seem to get nothing out of 2 years of constant classes (20+ hours a week).

Generally you need to forgo Pinyin as soon as possible if you want to move onward with your studies.

Thank you for the good advice. I actually do write out many characters. I just need to do it much more often. That and practice the dialogue in the text so that I can learn how to use the words themselves. I just don't spend enough hours on it, although I have reached a place where I can see that if I only would, I could make some actual progress.

I also find Quizlet somewhat helpful in learning the vocabulary.

[papayahed]

Ha! For the past three weeks I've been in turnaround and still managed to do all my homework assignments.

[papayahed]

1 class down 15 to go. New semester starts today.

[OrphanPip]

Well, I finished my MA last week. I have an interview at a college for a teaching position Wednesday.

[papayahed]

Well, I finished my MA last week. I have an interview at a college for a teaching position Wednesday.

Allllll Riiigghhttt! Congratulations!

[qimissung]

1 class down 15 to go. New semester starts today.

I like your positive attitude. How is it going to school while working full time? Because I could not do it. How do you do it, anyway?

[qimissung]

Well, I finished my MA last week. I have an interview at a college for a teaching position Wednesday.

Well, well, well, congratulations! It seems like just yesterday you were telling us you had applied.

[OrphanPip]

Well I will be teaching one course in the Fall. It won't be enough to live off of, but it is a start of building a teaching resume. Now I just need to find something to fill another 30 hours of my week so I can eat.

[papayahed]

I start back in October.

[Scheherazade]

1 class down 15 to go. New semester starts today.

Well, I finished my MA last week. I have an interview at a college for a teaching position Wednesday.

Congratulations to both of you!

As of yesterday, I am done. Been studying non-stop for the past six years and I'm done! I don't have to write another report or complete another project.

Well, till the time I decide I should gain another qualification...

[papayahed]

As of yesterday, I am done. Been studying non-stop for the past six years and I'm done! I don't have to write another report or complete another project.

Well, till the time I decide I should gain another qualification...

OMG!!!! Congratulations!!!

It's been 4 hours, which new qualification did you decide on?

[Scheherazade]

OMG!!!! Congratulations!!!

It's been 4 hours, which new qualification did you decide on?

Thank you. Actually, right after posting that it occurred to me that having one in Technology Management wouldn't be too bad... But not right now. Too exhausted for words and I want to read!

How are you enjoying your course?

[papayahed]

3 down, 12 to go!!