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
.png)
Louise Waldmann
When and why did you start learning Chinese?
I started learning Chinese in 2015 when I did an au pair stay in Beijing for what was supposed to be a year but turned into nearly five when I fell in love with the Chinese language and culture! It was so rewarding to be able to communicate with my host family as well as people around me better and better over time. Especially working in education, being a fluent Chinese speaker is important for me in order to be able to connect with my students and their whānau.
What is the best thing about learning Chinese?
The people you get to connect with! For me, all the people I’ve met because of my language are definitely more than I could ever hope for! I used to be so shy in my teens, but now even love public speaking, since the reactions of people on China to me learning Chinese have been so supportive, not only of encouraging foreigners trying to learn Mandarin, but also helping me to understand culture and history.
What opportunities have you gained because of your Chinese learning?
Work wise, I like to do a lot of work with Chinese families in order to support children and their whānau with their ESOL learning journey. I think my language learning experience not only makes me a better teacher but also encourages my students. Recently, I finished being an intern at the Confucius institute and have previously also successfully competed in the Chinese Bridge Competition.
What would you say to other Kiwis who are thinking about learning Chinese?
As a language teacher, I always like to say that learning a new language is like adding a new tool to the toolbox of life, since with each language you also learn a new set of philosophy, logic and even morals that might help you navigate different situations life throws at you!
Do you have a favourite Chinese word or expression? Why do you like it?
My favourite Chinese expression has got to be 干一行行一行，一行行行行行，干一行不行一行，一行不行行行不行。because I love making the people around me chuckle!