- IPA certified Senior Chinese Language Teacher - 6 years Chinese teaching in Melbourne local - More than 10 years working experience in adult training - Native Mandarin/Cantonese speaker.

Find out more about Connie

• 1) Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  I was born and raised in China, so Chinese is my native language. I was born in Nanjing, the ancient capital of six dynasties, and grew up in Guangzhou. Therefore, both Mandarin and Cantonese are my mother tongues. These two cities are rich in cultural heritage, which has inspired me to become a Chinese teacher to promote Chinese culture and language.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  One character that comes to mind is Confucius (Kongzi), especially my husband is the 77th generation descendant of Confucius and my son is the 78th generation descentant. As a member of the Kong family, I feel even more compelled to promote traditional Chinese culture and language. Most inportantly, Confucius himself was a great educator, with his emphasis on education, ethics and familial piety remains deeply ingrained in Chinese culture.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or expression in the language that you particularly like?

  I particularly like an old Chinese saying is "梅花香自苦寒来", "the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold'. This means that everything requires efford and dedication to achieve success. Whether in terms of personal learning or national development, this saying reflects its deeper significance. It encourages people to continuously strive and work hard to achieve their goals.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking Chinese is very important to me because it is our country's own language. Through this language, I have come to understand the history and cultural heritage of our nation, and it has also allowed me to connect with people around the world. China is becoming increasingly powerful, and more and more people worldwide are learning Chinese. I hope that through this language, more people will come to understand and appreciate Chinese culture.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  In my years of teaching experience, I know that the most challenging aspect of learning Chinese is mastering the four tones and the characters writing. To improve in these areas, the best approach is to practice speaking, writing, and reading extensively. Additionally, I recommend watching Chinese programs, singing Chinese songs with watching Chinese subtitiles.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  For a local Chinese student, learning Chinese is a daily task. When I was in college, I once participated in a school debate competition. Everyone knows that detating is not only require excellent writing skills but also high-leveloral expression abilities. This experience not only improved significantly of my language organization skill, but also helped me enhance my thinking and writing abilities.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Once, my family and I visited Foshan in Guangdong Province to watch the traditional lion dance, also known as "Guangdong Awakening Lion". The lion dance is a folk cultural activity that combines entertainment, martial arts, acrobatics, music, belief and competition. It has a long history and deeply integrates traditional Chinese culture. Experiencing the lion dance performance firsthand gave me a deeper understanding of its significance and enriched my appreciation for Chinese folk culture.