Dealing With IB Chinese B

你好！

I’ll assume that if you are reading this, Chinese B is definitely one of your greatest struggles right now. Out of the six subjects that you’re required to take, you’ll probably be wondering why do I need to bother with a second language that I may possibly never use in the future.

Before I begin sharing my experience and the methods you may choose to adopt based on your preference, there are a few things I would like to highlight.

Firstly, this article is written in the context for those that’ve done IGCSE Chinese Foreign, or those with a weaker foundation in the language. The struggle to read basic words, remember those characters and the endless amount of vocabulary which just never seems to end.

Secondly, I’m writing in the context for speakers whose primary language is English. If English is not your primary language, then this article may not be applicable to you.

1.     Chinese….. Is Just Like Any Other Language.

 If you come from a household where everyone speaks Chinese, then good for you. Compared to many others out there, you’re given an added advantage based on your background as you’re exposed to it.

However, for the vast majority, writing Chinese characters or even learning a few 汉字 characters is an arduous chore. Many times, I’ve seen students detest the language till they want to drop out of it.

I, too, have had thoughts about this. Coming from the local Singaporean system, studying for Chinese is a chore just like anybody else. However, I decided to overkill myself by sitting for Higher Chinese during my O Level days (equivalent to IGCSE standard). Instead of opting for the “Express” option which was easier, sitting for Higher Chinese meant more work, learning of more vocabulary and an endless list of nagging from a strict tiger-Asian teacher. Without a doubt, I too had my fair share of struggling with the Chinese subject.

AND YES…. It’s hard. Due to the nature of the language being character based, it’s unlike English whereby different letters can create phonic sounds which make it much easier to interpret their pronunciations. Characters require a great deal of memorisation, sadly.

However, I want you to know that it comes with practice, exposure, and frequency of using/being exposed to the language.

It’s the same if you were to opt for French or Spanish Ab Initio. Though these subjects are deemed to be easier compared to Chinese for English speakers based on linguistics studies, it’s the same process because you are required to memorise, learn and be exposed to new vocabulary everyday.

In essence, there’s no shortcut when it comes to learning new languages. Neither is it like Math or Science where formulas and conceptual understanding is sufficient to tide through the subject. Whether is it Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, or Tibetan, acquiring a new language (therefore IB coins it “Language Acquisition”) always demands constant practice and hard work.

2.     Create a Vocabulary List.

 To learn more characters and understand what they mean, the best way is to create a vocabulary list. Expose yourself to the language through a variety of reading, go down character by character, or word for word, and then highlight words you do not know.

Once you’ve found out the correct way of pronouncing them, and understand it’s meaning, take them down. This helps to build a vocabulary list of words you do not know, and once you compile them, you’ll realise how much it never ends learning a new language. I guess this is the struggle IB wants you to face, to be aware of the gaps of your learning, and how learning a new language is trying to understand a whole another world or culture.

It’s what I like to call a “Continuous Learning” process when it comes to a vocabulary list. Because even though you’ve taken those new words down, you’ll eventually need to come back to them to revise them. Same for learning any other languages.

3.     Expose Yourself To The Language.

If possible, immerse yourself in the language. Last time, when I was fortunate enough to learn Tibetan (yes, I know it’s weird) during a school trip, I realized my learning exponentially picked up when I was in the Tibetan region of China. Why? Because I was “immersed” in the culture. In order to communicate, I was forced to use the language no matter how basic it was to communicate with the locals.

However, when I flew back home, my touch or feel with the language immediately died because I switched back to my bilingual brain made up of Chinese and English. The environment we live in definitely influences the way we use and expose ourselves to the language.

As such, I always recommend my students, if they want to improve specifically on the Listening portion, watch more Chinese films, dramas or even listen to the music (sub’s is okay). Even though you may not understand a thing, some words or characters will eventually resonate with you and etch it into your brain.

If possible, when ordering food, try your best to communicate in that language no matter how unconfident you are.

 4.     Study By Themes.

One advantage of the IB syllabus is that it’s thematic.

Essentially, you are able to ‘spot’ certain themes you are comfortable with, and study the vocabulary needed for them. Even though I do not recommend this to my students because you are truly not learning the language and it’s kind of a high-risk thing, it’s an effective way for those who do not have sufficient time.

For instance, if you are interested in the topics of “Media & Communications”, or “Social Relationships”, you can pull off the risk of studying only for those in hopes of getting these essay questions. However, it’s not so simple because the questions for these topics might be extremely hard for them and you’ll not have any other alternatives to write.

However, I do believe it works to some extent especially for those who are in the last-minute stages for their exams.

Still, I recommend trying to expose yourself to the language as much as possible, and then categorize whatever you’ve learnt into themes in order to consolidate your learning.

Final Words

Studying a language, especially if it’s not your native one, is never easy. It’s a constant process of reading, writing, listening and speaking over and over again. Once done, you have to do it all over again to make sure it stays within your head and it etched within the recesses of your memory.

Showing aversion to the language, or having the slightest bit of disdain for it is not going to make it easier, but harder. Find something you like, it can be a topic (eg. Computer games, environment etc.), an aspect of Chinese culture, or even start getting yourself into Chinese music (just search for Mandopop on Spotify).

It’s an arduous and trying process I know, one which seems not worthwhile because it takes a long time to clinch a 7, but with effort and persistence, it’s possible.

Just like the Chinese saying goes, 有志者事竟成 (when there’s a will, there’s a way). I cannot give any shortcuts when it comes to picking up a new language. I too, right now, decided to enrol myself in a Korean course to feel the pain of picking up a new language so that I can empathise with my students, but no mater how steep the learning curve is, step by step, it becomes easier.