February 28 2007: Burnt
Filed under Asian-ness & Uni/Work
Disgustingly, I think I’m already burnt out from university…and it’s only been two days. The main reason would largely be the Chinese textbook that I’m going to be using this year. Basically, I was almost apoplectic with shock when I opened it for the first time. I’m going to be studying Lu Xun’s novels. As in, reading a novel by China’s greatest writer of the twentieth century. In Chinese.
I know I’m technically in Level 9 Chinese (equivalent to the fifth year of Chinese study), but please do keep in mind that I only started studying Chinese in 2005, and it’s only because I’ve spent three months in Shanghai in the past two years that I’m even ‘technically’ up to this level. In short, reading a novel? Way beyond my ability…consulting my electronic dictionary every five characters isn’t an attractive prospect.
I approached my teacher this afternoon, explaining my situation.
“Listen,” I say. “I have absolutely no problem understanding you, or talking to you in Chinese, but reading? That’s a different matter. To be honest, I can’t read this.”
She was surprisingly understanding. “There are English translations of his stories available. Read them first to get an idea of what the story is about, then you know the gist of it when you come to write your essays. Remember, the essays are worth 45% of your overall mark, so as long as you write them and manage to not fail the exam, you’ll pass the unit without a problem.”
Fingers crossed. Hopeful…but doubtful.
EDIT: Results just out for the holiday program I did in Shanghai. Got a Distinction. Yay!
6 Responses to “Burnt”
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o_O
Good luck, Amanda.
Amber on February 28 2007 #
wow, that would be so difficult! I had to write an essay in my spanish class this year and struggled a bit. That class is only a year one, I can’t imagine a year 5.
Good luck!
Jennifer on February 28 2007 #
Good luck Mandy! Chinese is difficult to say the least, but I’m sure you’ll do great :D
Congrats on your Shanghai results!!
Noemi on February 28 2007 #
Congratulations on your wonderful results. :D
Amber on March 1 2007 #
Wow, that’s a bit daunting - good luck with that.
Do you have to write essays in Chinese?! blummin’ummer’thumps!
Doran on March 1 2007 #
Doesn’t reading it in English kinda kill the point of the module? *rolls eyes at stupidly difficult modules*
Mazzie on March 1 2007 #