Day 7: Language Pledge, Language Partners

Photo: Students try waiting tables in Chinese – with their Language Partners as customers – in a local restaurant as part of a “language field work” practical reinforcement exercise

 

Today was the day. Once again, the sun rose early on the historic city of Nanjing. The weather showed for a foggy day, but the glistening golden rays managed to penetrate what Nanjing has to offer. Only our second day into our second week here out of our six-week stay in China, but yet so much has been endured. As we make our new home here, the course’s intensity hit with a thunderous pound of a thousand drums. Though at least we have guidance and support profusely supplied. The information is abundant, the time is restricted, but the holistic experience will always remain.

Although the climate began as cloudy and cool around 5:30, the day did not disappoint. With the temperature in the high 20’sC and partly cloudy by about 8:00, this was all reminiscent of the day’s struggle to come. Today, our language pledge for the Dialogue began promptly at 8:00 and lasted until 18:00. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays we are only allowed to communicate in Chinese during these times, or our grade will be…compromised. Not at all exclusive for our grade’s sake, but conversing in a second language is conducive for our proficiency – especially with native speakers. Therefore if we were not engaged in this exchange, our fluency would not equally prosper – granted that we are in China.

Immersion is key, or is that too cliché? Let us take a brief look. Our teachers teach us in Chinese, we now communicate solely in Chinese in the relegated times, and we are assigned student language-partners – equivalent to a tutor – all of whom we respond to in Chinese. Enough immersion yet? Not quite. Even when we do not understand a Chinese word, that word is further described in Chinese – a.k.a. not translated. Although it seems difficult – is difficult – this is all worth the struggle, otherwise there will be no improvement and the education incomplete.

We have something not many do: support. Tonight, we were greeted by a former Dialogue student and Northeastern University graduate, Ms. Teal Mingledorff. She spoke extensively with us about Nanjing and coping mechanisms for the ample amount of work. We know our teacher’s have set high expectations, and we plan to reach them. Ms. Mingledorff spoke of her experience and how it captured similar difficulties. Having a resource – a connection – that we can relate with makes the trip even more beneficial.

Tuesday was a…different day than what most people usually undergo. We are comfortable speaking English, but that all changed. We were removed from our famous “comfort zone” and were plunged deep into a new realm of thinking: the Chinese language. Chinese is very extensive in vocabulary, but the Dialogue is maximizing our opportunity to seize all the time allotted. It may be demanding and challenging now, but in three weeks when we look back we will be extremely grateful for our time.

- Tim DeMaria