M A N D A R I N S U P E R S T A R
M A N D A R I N S U P E R S T A R
M A N D A R I N S U P E R S T A R
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Jessie Strong
Wellington Girls' College
When did you start learning Chinese? What inspired you to take up the language?
I began studying Chinese through Wellington Girls' College at the start of year 9, but it was many years before that when I first became interested in Chinese. In primary school, there was a Chinese teacher, they taught me basic phrases as well as introduced me to traditional cultural activities... and of course... THE FOOD. I strongly remember making dumplings in the school staff room. It's safe to say I had a good impression, and I then joined a Chinese Club in intermediate school, and have been studying mandarin ever since. I don't think 7 year old me would've imagined I'd study Chinese in college (studied now for 5 years), let alone enter a Chinese speech competition. Looking back now, what inspired me to take up the language is essentially the same reason I continue study mandarin so hard today. It's the encouragement, kindness, and support from the Chinese people I've met along the way.
Tell us about your Chinese language learning journey. What has been the most unexpected or rewarding part of the experience?
Everybody knows, learning a different language can be difficult. As a native english speaker, I feel that studying a tonal language does not come without challenges, but it has never felt scary or impossible. I think the most unexpected thing I've felt while studying mandarin is that this saying is very true; "The more you know, the more you realise you have yet to learn". And strangely, this is very comforting. Studying Chinese feels like a lifelong journey, one that brings you new experiences and that there is always more to learn and more interesting things you didn't know before. As I've studied mandarin more and more, I've been able to interact with and have met so many more kind people. I have learnt a lot through these experiences, these spoken interactions further pushed me through growth in my language learning journey, but also through these experiences I have met some of my closest friends. By far one of the most rewarding parts of learning Chinese has been that, while studying mandarin in college I have got to know many Chinese international students. When we chat together in mandarin and all hang out afterschool, it feels very heart warming. I think that because of studying Chinese, I have had experiences that have helped shape me as a person.
What opportunities have opened up for you as a result of your Chinese speaking ability?
Through studying Chinese I've been able to experience opportunities I've so grateful for, such as this opportunity to be a Youth Ambassador. Over the years, speaking mandarin has given me the opportunity to do some smaller things too like order using Chinese at a Chinese restaurant, give directions to some people in mandarin who were lost, and befriend the old man who used to play the Erhu in the Wellington train station. Oh! And of course participate in 八卦! (gossip). All of which have left me with great memories. But also I have learnt a lot through the opportunities because of speaking Chinese, such as; joining a fan dancing performance group and performing at a school staff briefing, became a Chinese Language Associate at school and ran a Chinese Club, and most recently, participated in the Chinese Bridge Competition at Victoria University where I won 2nd place to which I was thereafter invited to perform traditional Chinese fan dance at a special reception.
Why do you think other New Zealanders should learn Chinese?
I think New Zealanders should learn Chinese because speaking Chinese is a skill that is extremely valuable. We have a diverse population of peoples in New Zealand including many Chinese people. Being able to communicate with Chinese people can help you gain a bigger world view, especially since learning Chinese allows you to better understand Chinese culture. I believe connecting people through cultural understanding is extremely important. Learning Chinese also opens up a new world of experiences, including being able to communicate with a bigger demographic of people or even communicate with your Chinese friends on a deeper level. There's many benefits such as travel, brain health, not needing subtitles, and career advantages too.
Do you have any tips for anyone thinking about taking up Chinese?
Firstly, for anyone thinking about taking up Chinese, I would tell them to just go for it, why not? Because starting is already a big step. I think since mandarin is a tonal language I would advise them to do lots of listening especially when starting their Chinese language journey. I would suggest them to listen to 'Mandarin from the ground up', it's a podcast which I used to listen on repeat, I really can't recommend it enough (I promise I'm not sponsored, it's just that great). Also to pick up colloquial sayings you can't find in your textbook I would suggest to watch lots of Chinese films or dramas with both english and Chinese subtitles, or chat with some Chinese friends.
Do you have a favourite Chinese word or expression? Why do you like it?
My favourite Chinese word/expression is 逐梦 (chasing dreams) because I like to think that I am also chasing my dreams everyday to reach my future goals. I want to work in a job related to Chinese, maybe become a diplomat, travel guide in China, or work with Chinese people in New Zealand.