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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Tan Phat (Felix) Nguyen
Northcote College
When did you start learning Chinese and what inspired you to take up the language?
It is approximately 1 year since my first day studying Chinese. Around June last year, I received a government scholarship to study abroad in New Zealand. This is a multi-cultural country with students worldwide, including native Chinese speakers. I believe that learning Chinese will help me to better communicate with other Asian friends in New Zealand. Moreover, my mother acknowledges that Chinese is one of the world's most commonly used and beneficial languages. Therefore, she is my biggest motivation for learning Chinese.
Tell us about your Chinese language learning journey. What has been the most unexpected or rewarding part of the experience?
My journey to study Chinese started at a Chinese centre in Vietnam. For the first 4 months of the course, I always had fabulous performance in class. However, after I returned to school after a long summer vacation and Chinese lessons. I was covered by a lot of school assessments and also other plans for coming to New Zealand. Hence, I spent less time studying Chinese and even needed to study online when I reached New Zealand. I was about to give up when I lost myself in new Chinese vocabulary and grammar. However, the rewards from my previous effort in studying Chinese came to me just in time. My Chinese friends appreciate my ability to communicate in Chinese, and my teacher always considers me an outstanding Chinese learner. That was the period that I found out I was on the right track, just needed to slow down and be more patient.
What opportunities have opened up for you as a result of your Chinese-speaking ability?
I can communicate better in Chinese and therefore have lots of friends from different countries. It helped me a lot in adapting to the new studying life in New Zealand. Additionally, by studying Chinese, I could participate in the Chinese Language Bridge Speech Competitions and now honourably receive the invitation to speak at the ceremony, sharing my Chinese studies. With this Chinese learning, it would be easier for me to go to university in China in the future, which is my intention at the moment.
Why do you think other New Zealanders should learn Chinese?
I believe Chinese is a great language to step into. It is commonly used and could bring higher work opportunities due to the large community of Chinese. Just in my school, I can say that most of those who do not speak English will speak Chinese.
Do you have any tips for anyone thinking about taking up Chinese?
My tips for studying Chinese are to be brave and don’t be shy or hide yourself. By studying Chinese actively, learners should be active in finding and talking with more Chinese. I believe you would improve your vocabulary and confidence in speaking and be more inspired.
Do you have a favourite Chinese word or expression? Why do you like it?
My favourite Chinese word is 加油. This word literally means “adding oil” but it really reminds me of my hometown - in which people also used to use oil to light up the night for studying. I can imagine the scenery of a poor student putting all his effort into learning to get out of poverty. Just before his final light runs out of oil, there is more timely poured in, supporting both materially and spiritually. The ideas also indicate the possession of the traditional fondness for learning and improving oneself in both Vietnam and China.