Correspondence

Welcome to Chinese Character A Day. If you have not done so, please fill in your email on the right side so that you will receive new lessons as they are published.

If you wish to leave Adeline a comment or question, you may do so below. Please feel free to upload a photo with your comment if you wish. Your email address will not be published and will only be used to send you any responses to your comment. If you would like your message to be private, please indicate so in your message.

  1. Stefanie Pereira says:

    马教授,你好吗?我姓Pereira,叫 Stefanie。我想学中文,你肯教我吗?谢谢。I hope I have typed the letter from your first lesson correctly. I would love to learn as many languages as I possibly can, and Chinese is one of them. Thank you once again. 谢谢!

    • adeline says:

      Thank you. You are a fast learner. Stay tuned because we are developing more educational games. They will be on the iPad

      Adeline

  2. Kerstin Tieng says:

    馬 教授,
    住你新年快樂樂樂樂樂乐!

  3. ifeoma fregene says:

    马 教 授 你 好 吗 ? 我 姓 放热个呢 叫 分亿度米秒 。我 想 学 中 文 你 肯 叫 我 吗。

  4. Carolina says:

    Dr. Mah,

    My name is Carolina Amane. I live in the United States and I am a Graphic Design Major at the University of The Arts. I am a senior and I am doing my thesis on how The fairytale Cinderella helps in the transformation in a women’s life from a young girl to a woman. I came across your book and I found your Chinese Cinderella to be compelling and useful for my thesis. I would to know if in any way the original story of Cinderella written by charles perrault or other versions you know of helped you in your own story. Did you know the story before writing your own. Did the story encourage you to succeed in your own life. 
    I would be so thankful if we could discuss your story. It would be helpful if I get your own viewpoint. 
    Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you. You can contact me at acarolina06@yahoo.com or camane@uarts.edu.

    Sincerely,

    Carolina A

  5. Dear He Rui,

    Thank you for your comments. Have you heard of the silk moth known as Bombyx mori? They are born blind and cannot fly. They are the chief producers of silk in China.

    • QueenMummy says:

      Dear 马教授,I have a 8 year old daughter who is a huge fan of yours.I have read Chinese Cinderella and Falling Leaves.My daughter cried when she read your book and I do hope my daughter will be driven and perserverve in the face of adversity just like you.–Kimberly.

  6. He Rui says:

    Dr. Mah
    您好!
    Lesson 51#中有几个字的读音我认为应该是这样的:“故(gù)事(shi)”,“传(chuán)说(shuō)”,“中(zhōng)国(guó)”。“事”字本来是应该读“(shì)”,但当它与“故”一起组成“故事”这个词时则应读作“(shi)”。就像“妻子”一样。
    Lesson 52#中,实际上silk moth是能飞的,它们的眼睛一点也不瞎。

  7. Ashley says:

    Hello. I love your lessons! I’ve been following your website for only two months and I love it. I like how you have the sentences with their Chinese translations and even audio files. From the completeness and thoroughness of your lessons, I can see your passion for teaching Chinese.
    I noticed you said you also know Cantonese. I know a little because of my 广东 grandfather 外公, but I also love Mandarin. I’ve been studying Mandarin for two years, so it is way above my Cantonese.

    But my ultimate goal is to become nearly fluent in Mandarin and then try to learn Cantonese. That’ll be a big challenge. I was wondering, did you learn Cantonese or is it your native language?

  8. Christa says:

    Dearest Dr. Mah, I read 2 of your books (Falling Leaves and Chinese Cinderella) when I was in elementary, and it helped me to appreciate my Chinese heritage. I never took my Chinese classes seriously so I only really took Mandarin seriously in university and when I spent a few months in China to learn more. I can’t believe I’ve only recently discovered your website. Thank you so much, I am especially fond of how you recite the words as it practices my listening skills, and helps me to improve my poor ‘sheng yin’. I hope to share this website with my friends who are looking to learn Mandarin, or improve their Mandarin. Again, thank you so much.

    黄绮思

    • adeline says:

      黄绮思,Thank you for writing. We are trying to develop memory games on iPad to help learning Chinese characters. If you have any ideas and suggestions as to how we can improve our site, please let me know.

      Adeline

      • Christa says:

        Dear Dr. Mah,
        I remember from a long time ago how my father helped me to remember some chinese words by showing me how those words were first created. Like how 山 is a drawing of 3 mountains, how 田 is a picture of a farm field, or how 天 is the earth and sky and man in the middle. I think this is a good method for teaching some basic Chinese words.
        Also, I read somewhere in the comments about someone asking how to learn to write Chinese characters. I presently use this dictionary which I bought in China, it’s from a local brand called Besta. They have this option in the dictionary where you can learn how to write the word with the correct strokes, first it shows you the correct order of strokes and then asks you to follow after it. I think making a program like this for the ipad would be very useful in teaching people how to write Chinese characters correctly. 北京语言大学 (Beijing Language and Culture University)’s books for beginners also have exercises where students can practice writing the strokes for characters used in the chapter. 
        Personally, I don’t follow the stroke order because I’ve gotten used to writing Chinese words for a long time already. I learned 繁体字 when I was little, so no one taught me the correct strokes for 简体字. Even though strokes are not so important as long as the character is readable, I think learning this when starting Mandarin is very important.
        I hope that some of my ideas will be helpful to you. I look forward to hearing what you think. :) Again, thank you so much,

        Your avid reader,
        黄绮思

        • adeline says:

          黄 绮 思, Thank you for your comments. We will be developing other memory games to facilitate the learning of Chinese on the iPAD soon. Stay tuned.

          Adeline

    • He Rui says:

      你好黄绮思!I am an graduate student majored in life science in Wuhan University.And I would like to discuss Chinese heritage and culture with you.

      何瑞

  9. Sheila says:

    Dear Dr Mah,
    Can you please give me an advice on how to memorise the Chinese characters? I have Chinese movies but my parents wouldn’t let me watch it because the rating may be M or M15+. I don’t go to a lot of areas filled with Chinese characters because the place I live is far away from that Chinese area. To make things worse my memory is not good so can you please help me?
    Sheila

    • adeline says:

      Dear Sheila,

      I am in the process of developing some more games to help you memorise Chinese characters. Meanwhile, please be patient and play the card games that I have already established. Write to me again in a few months.

      Adeline

  10. Pascalle says:

    Dear Dr. Mah,

    Hello, i’m fourteen years old and
    I’m a student from Australia. I would just like to say how beautiful and inspiring your books Falling Leaves and Chinese Cinderella are. My class read Chinese Cinderella, and I loved it so much I went and read Falling Leaves as well. I smiled and cried as I read through your journey. It was a brilliant idea from my english to read your book, otherwise I would never have known what a inspiring book it was. I’m glad you went back to writing after being a physician. I’m happy the world can be blessed with the wonder of your words.

    From Pascalle

  11. Faizah says:

    Dear Dr. Mah,
    My name is Faizah. I take Chinese at my school for one term. I plan to learn Chinese through this website after this term is over. I read your amazing book, Chinese Cinderella. I think this book is really sad, but meaningful. Thank you for this wonderful gift,
    Faizah

  12. Maiee says:

    Hi Dr Mah, my name is Maiee and I’m a student from Australia. I have read your book ‘Falling Leaves’ and thought it was just the most inspiring book ever! I cried so much, your words really touched me. You have gone through so much in your childhood and I thank you for writing a book about this for everyone to share your emotions; it’s truly amazing! I am so glad now that everthing has worked out for you. You have endured all and followed your dream. I, too, want to be a doctor. Perhaps a brain surgeon? I understand it’s a lot of hard work; I look up to you for your onging dedication and persistence! Right now at my school, the Queensland Academy for Health Sciences, we are studying your book. We each have to give a presentation to the class and I’m doing talking about: The powerful role of Aunt Baba in embedding Adeline with the Confucian values that shapes who she is, who she becomes and who she will always be. Finally, thank you for giving us all an opportunity to grasp insight into your incredible life. I have certainly learnt a lot about myself, the history of China and how grateful I should be with what I have. I look forward to commencing your ‘Chinese character a day’ program. Thank you for this consideration, you are truly an inspiration!!
    Maiee :)

    • adeline says:

      Dear Maiee,

      Thank you and happy studying. Please click on the video link and see 3-year-old Silas playing my computer word game. If he can do it, you can do it.

      Please believe that you can accomplish anything if you try hard enough.

      Keep in touch.

      Adeline

  13. Janna Mates says:

    hello Dr. Mah! i am janna, 12 years old and i’m from philippines.

    i bought your book “Chinese Cinderella” a week ago and it has inspired me a lot! thank you so much for writing your own story. it really made a great impact in my life! please continue to inspire other people! :) )

    God bless you!

  14. Paul says:

    Adeline,

    I registered, but did not receive a digital copy of the book to follow along with.  How do I get it?

  15. He Rui says:

    Dear Dr. Mah

    您好!
           我是一个土生土长的中国人,现在在武汉大学读书。
           之所以使用英文称呼是因为我不知道应该称您为“马医生”还是“马教授”,或者“严医生”与“严教授”。(如有不敬之处望您见谅。)
            我从网上看到“A Thousand Pieces of Gold”这本书中的一小段话,很感兴趣,但是中国买不到这本书,网上也没有电子版的,您能否告诉我怎么才能读到这本书?
           此外,关于汉语本身我有一些问题想同您讨论一下。在“#44-White”这一课中,您将“lucky”译为“辛运的”,但是我的语文老师告诉我的是“幸运的”。还有“#40 Red”这一课中的“礼品”应读作“lǐ pǐn”,等等。
           在您的网站中您提到的很多中国文化,但是其中一些让我觉得很费解,与我的认识很不相同,比如在“#44-White”中您说White corresponds to autumn and the West。我实在不能理解“白”和“秋天”与“西”之间有和联系。如果您愿意,我希望能和您进一步讨论。
           万望不吝赐教。

    • adeline says:

      Dear He Rui, Thank you for your email. Apologies for the delayed response.

      You can purchase `A Thousand Pieces of Gold’ by ordering it through It is not available through Kindle.

      You are correct in pointing out that lucky should be translated as 幸运 and not 辛运。

      Also correct in telling me that the pin yin of 礼品 should be LI PIN and not LI PING.

      I will ask my web-master to make the appropriate corrections.

      It takes a lot of time, energy and money to keep this website going. Thank you for pointing out my mistakes. Please keep in touch.

      By the way, I am a medical doctor.

      Adeline Mah, M.D.

  16. faith nicolas says:

    ni hao ma!
    Dr. Mah, i am faith from the Philippines, I had read your book falling leaves and it is one of the best book I had read so I got curious about the author which is you and i had found this site chinese character a day and it got all my attention i have listen to the audio of how to pronounce pinyin i got encourage to learn speaking Chinese language, before i was not interested because i was thinking it was hard to pronounce Chinese language but when i entered this site that change everything, I want to learn more about it because I like learning and speaking languages of different countries… and i want to add Chinese to the languages I’ve known.. so i wonder if you also could help me.
    can i ask you something? well besides Mandarin and English What is the other language you have known?

    hope to get in touch and be friends with you Ms. Adeline

    FAITH

    • adeline says:

      I speak English, mandarin, Cantonese, and the Shanghai dialect. Also a little bit of French.

      Adeline

      • faith says:

        i find it difficult to write Chinese letters when i’ve tried to… and still puzzled… by its too many meanings by each character.. what should i do?

        • adeline says:

          Chinese is a difficult language. However, it’s fascinating also. Keep at it and you will gradually know it.

          Adeline

          • faith says:

            thanks for the advised… indeed.. Chinese language is fascinating that’s why I’m encourage to learn it…i think i could now…thank’s to this website made by yours….

  17. Tom Delaney says:

    Hi Adeline,

    Is there a difference between 水 (water) as referenced in this week’s lesson, and “kan” or water (I can’t type the ideogram) as referenced in the “bagua”? Are they different concepts of, and terms for, water?

    Thank you for your generosity in providing these lessons, and your patience with me as a student.

    Best regards,

    Tom

  18. Sheila says:

    Dear Dr Mah,
    Thank you so much for making a website to learn Chinese although I would like to comment a little about it because I think that it will be a bit more reliable if the vocabulary have the steps on how to write the Chinese Characters.
    Sheila
    Xie Xie

    • adeline says:

      Dear Sheila,

      We are presently exploring a method to incorporate the sequence of brush strokes in writing Chinese characters. Please be patient and persistent. Thanks.

      Adeline

    • adeline says:

      Dear Sheila,

      Thank you. We are trying to add stroke sequence as one of the features of my website. Unfortunately, it is a complicated affair.

      Adeline

  19. Sally says:

    Hello, Dr. Mah,

    My daughter and I have been led to your site after reading the Introduction to A Little Princess. It’s been a joy. Now I’m reading Falling Leaves.

    We’re trying to get involved in your Chinese lessons, but I’m having no success in installing Chinese on my computer. It seems we are missing a Windows CD. Oh well, we will keep trying.

    Peace,
    Sally Jaskold
    Brooks, Maine

    • adeline says:

      Dear Sally, You do not need a CD. How old is your computer? If you go to the Apple store closest to your home, the salesman will show you how to install Chinese characters on a MacIntosh instantly.

      Please be patient and persist.

      Good luck.

      Adeline

      Adeline

  20. kiana says:

    我哈他 三 谈话is 撒野

  21. Trisha Margaux Ibis says:

    马教授你好吗?我姓Ibis 叫Trisha Margaux。我想学中文,你肯教我吗?

    • adeline says:

      Congratulations, Trisha!

      Adeline

      • Trisha Margaux Ibis says:

        马教授,很谢谢你!!!我 很感谢你回应!我很高兴!你是一个灵感(You are such an inspiration!! 我很感谢 for the 机会 to 学习中文 for 免费!For all these, 我真诚谢谢你!=D I apologize for the lapses in grammar and spelling! I hope you understand my sentences.  : )Your student,Trisha

  22. Puiyin says:

    Hello Adeline,
    Just want to say what a brilliant author you are and that I will always be a number one fan. I am currently working on my 2nd story to be submitted to literary agencies. Would it be wrong for me to ask for any advice? I hope to be a brilliant and well-respected author like you one day. Keep up the brilliant work.

    Your biggest fan,
    PY

  23. Vivian says:

    你好老師,
    我住在台灣. 我不知道怎麼寫中文但是我知道怎麼說中文. 我是希望可以進步我的寫法.
    謝謝,
    Vivian

  24. Melinda says:

    马教授,你好吗?我姓Szabo 叫Melinda。 我想学中文,你肯教我吗?

    • adeline says:

      Dear Melinda,

      So glad you wrote to me in Chinese. Is this your first attempt? I am proud of you.

      Stay tuned because soon I will be placing a revolutionary card game on this website to teach you Chinese.

      Adeline

  25. Anthony Foster says:

    Dear Dr Mah,

    I want to thank you so much for your books and the inspiration they have provided to me. I now have four of your books and regularly buy more to give to my friends. I tell them about the inspiration they have given to me and in so doing inspire them to read your books. They are all so equally inspired. Some years ago I had reached a cross road in my life and was searching for a new direction. “Falling Leaves” provided me with the direction and the inspiration. Today I teach people about the importance of self belief, the importance of self leadership and the importance of noble virtues. Your books have led me to further research into Chinese Philosophy and how it can be best used in the World of today. Most of my teaching, workshops and seminars are based upon such philosophies.

    Thank you so much and I hope that you will continue to change and enhance the lives of many people. My warmest good wishes to you.

    Anthony Foster

  26. Vanessa says:

    马教授,你怎么样?我的姓是沃尔特,给定的名称是凡妮莎。我想学习中国。你会教我?谢谢

    • adeline says:

      Dear Vanessa,

      I am proud of you. I am developing a new game which will teach you Chinese while you play cards. Hope it will help you learn faster. Visit often and write to me again.

      Adeline

  27. Rebecca Huff says:

    Hello Dr. Mah,
    I asked a friend of mine in Hong Kong the following question, and also thought I would ask you as well.

    I have been studying language using a combination of flashcards from ePutonghua Laboratory (Thomas Ho), Rosetta Stone Mandarin, your website for “Chinese Character A Day” and The First and Second 100 Chinese Characters (Simplified Character Editions.) I enjoy all of these very much! Thank you for working so hard on your website.

    With Rosetta Stone a student is able to choose Simplified or Pin Yin or both, I study using both, as I would like to learn both the beautiful characters as well as the pronunciations. However, sometimes when I am studying with Rosetta Stone I can decipher the meaning, but not all of the Pin Yin words. For instance “ta men zai kan ta men de shu” 他们在看他们的书 I know this means “they are reading books” but I’m not sure if I am getting the meaning translated precisely.

    I am wondering if you know of an online translator in which you can input Pin Yin and get an English translation?


    谢谢

    Rebecca Huff

  28. Kerstin Tieng says:

    Dear Dr. Mah,
    I have been learning a lot from your Chinese Character A Day…and I must say thank you for helping me refresh my Chinese Language. I have a question.. how do you say grandmother in Chinese? and how do you say milk in Chinese?
    your student,
    Kerstin

    • adeline says:

      Thank you for asking.

      For paternal grandmother, it’s 奶奶。Word for milk is also 奶。Pronounced nai in the third tone.

      For maternal grandmother, it’s 婆婆。

      Adeline

  29. Silvia says:

    Dear Dr. Yen Mah,

    I just finished reading Falling Leaves, and found that your Niang and my Mum is quite similar. My Mum is bitter towards everything and is a genius in finding negative side of everything, especially her own daughters. I was also an achiever during school years, won scholarship for abroad studies, and published a book several years ago, but never have confidence in myself.

    To this day, I feel that I’m so hungry for recognition, always trying to do the best and beat everyone else, I believe this stemmed from lack of acknowledgement from my Mum. When I showed her my report card with flying colors, she said, “Do you think you can get a job with that?” 
     I was just 12 years old and I was the 2nd in the whole school graduating that year. 

    When I cooked for her, even though my sister and dad said it was very delicious and they asked for a 2nd serve, she just said, it’s not her taste. She was purposely absent during my c-sectio, my first ever surgery, and forbid my dad to attend to me, because she simply didn’t want to indulge me.

    I have a friend whose Mum is like that, too. I guess they didn’t have happy childhood themselves. Some people are like that. They believe life has been so hard on them, so others should feel the same.

    You are lucky, at least Niang was not your biological mother, you can always reason that for her mistreatments. For me, my friend, and Susan (your step sis), we just have to accept our fate and find solace in our mother in laws.

  30. Rebecca Ricker says:

    I have just began your lessons this morning and am very excited to learn and grow. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this program!

    Rebecca Ricker

    马蛟授,你好吗?我姓Ricker,叫Rebecca。我想学中文。你肯蛟我吗?谢谢。

    • adeline says:

      Dear Rebecca, You wrote an excellent letter to me in Chinese. Two minor errors. Second character should be 教。 Same for 5th character before last.

      Please write the same letter to me again.

      Adeline

      Also check out this website for learning conversational Chinese: < 實用視聽華語.htm>

  31. cialis says:

    Aloha! Thanks for your blog! Frankly speaking I have never seen anything that informative.

  32. Vita says:

    Hello Mrs.Mah,

    I have read your book “Chinese Cinderella” and it really made me mad when you were hurt by your family. I was wondering if you don’t mind, have you gotten in touch with your siblings?

    Thank You

    Vita 

  33. Starry Cloud says:

    馬腳瘦,你好麻。我幸運明星。我香雪粽溫,你吭叫我麻? 邪鞋!

    • adeline says:

      Thank you for writing to me in Chinese. Congratulations on down-loading the Chinese option onto your computer and rubbing your own Aladdin’s lamp. However, please pay more attention to the appearance of the Chinese Characters. Each word is a picture. I suggest you print a copy of my sample letter and write to me again.

      Adeline

  34. Danielle Bauter says:

    Hi Dr. Mah,

    I watched the video on how to install the Chinese characters and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. I practiced inputting the characters and typed a letter below. Thank you for teaching me the Chinese language, I look forward to more of your lessons.

    马教授,你好吗?我想学中文。你肯叫我吗?谢谢。

    Danielle

  35. Michelle Tam says:

    Dr. Mah,

    I’ve read your book ‘Falling Leaves’. I could really engage myself with the story and relate it to my own experience. I’m truly touched with your positive attitude and determination in achieving your goals despite any challenges. You’re my source of inspiration and motivation to drive further to achieve my dreams.
    Thank you very much, 谢谢您。

  36. Bobbitt says:

    What a wonderful idea!!!

    You are such a giving lady to combine your talent for teaching with your knowledge of Chinese culture, customs, and language to enrich the lives of people all over the world who are interested in learning more about China.

    I look forward to checking your web site weekly – and wish you great success with it.

  37. Ann says:

    This is a fascinating post! For those of us who are still struggling to remember basic Chinese characters, would it be possible to have the pinyin added as well?

    Many thanks for a helpful and informative website!

    • adeline says:

      Apologies for not putting in pinyin next to the Chinese characters in my posting of Stemword and its modifier. I will do so.

      In my next lesson, I will ask some questions which I hope you will answer and post. Look at it as a little bit of homework.

      Adeline

  38. Chris Klein says:

    I really enjoyed this post — a great refresher and I learned some new vocabulary! 

  39. adeline says:

    Submitted on 2011/03/26 at 4:45 am
    Dear Mrs.Yen Mah, March 25th,2011
    I was wondering about homework.In your past few lessons was there homework? I looked but did no see any, please get back to me.
    Thank you!
    Your student,
    Louise Buckley

    • Louise Buckley says:

      Dear Mrs.Yen Mah,
      I was wondering about homework.In your past few lessons was there homework? I looked but did no see any, please get back to me.
      Thank you!
      Your student,
      Louise Buckley

      • adeline says:

        Dear Louise,

        Are you asking for homework? How conscientious you are!

        Actually, I have been thinking a lot about homework. I have not given out homework for a long time. It is extremely costly and labor intensive to maintain my website.

        However, I love teaching Chinese and will be sending out a survey soon. Among the questions will be `homework’. We will decide when the replies are tallied.

        Adeline

  40. Joyce says:

    Hi,
    I would be interested in seeing the traditional characters on your site. I think they may help make the etymologies easier to understand. Maybe you can have a way to automatically switch back and forth.

    I think you have created a wonderful service, and it is inspiring me to think of how I can contribute something to the world in a similar way; thank you!

    • adeline says:

      Dear Joyce, Thank you for your kind comments. Maintaining this website takes lots of time and energy. It is also extremely costly. I am trying to install pronunciation, word games and stroke sequence at present. One task at a time.

      You can easily switch back and forth between traditional and simplified characters by choosing the relevant option on your computer. Please continue to let me know how I can improve my teaching methods. Will you do homework if this is added? Will homework make you concentrate more?

      Adeline

      Adeline

  41. Stephanie says:

    马 叫 受,你 好 马 ? 我 性 张 叫 伟 Chian( I don’t know which Chian but according to my mom it means beauty.) 我 向 学 中 文 。你 肯 叫 我 马?写 写。

    • adeline says:

      Dear Stephanie, Congratulations on emailing me a letter in Chinese characters. When you type, please pay more attention to the shape of the words because they have different meanings. For example, 马教授 means Professor Ma, but the characters you typed were 马叫(shout) 受 (receive). Thajt is the nature of pinyin. When you type jiao, a whole list of words appear: 叫,脚,教,交,较 and so on. Be sure you look at each word carefully and choose the correct character. Soon you will be able to recognize the word you are searching for.

      Do not be discouraged. I am proud of you for trying. Write to me again soon. I look forward to hearing from you.

      Your Chinese teacher

      马教授

  42. Hi Adeline,

    It’s Jess here. You asked me how to improve your site.

    Well, I do think it is a great site already. One idea for a possible improvement would be to have a big picture of the Chinese characters so it would be easier to learn how to draw them freehand. I like the audio recordings of the Chinese characters, that is really useful.

    Jess

    • adeline says:

      Thank you. At this very moment, I am trying to install a program called estroke which will teach you how to write Chinese characters. The first time we tried to install estroke, we made the mistake of loading the entire vocabulary section at one go. As a result, a few students comlained that it took too long to unload the program. So we changed tactics and are installing one character at a time. Since each word is really a short movie of a brush in action, this costs more and takes time to install. Please be patient. In addition, we are also going to add word games, Chinese songs and poems which incorporate the four tones of the Mandarin dialect. If you persevere with my lessons, not only will you learn to read, write and pronounce Chinese characters in mandarin, you will also learn lots of Chinese history. Please write to me again after estroke is installed and tell me what you thiink of it.

      Adeline

  43. ann tiu says:

    dear adeline,

    I can click my audio to hear the pronounciations of each words.’
    but now theres no sound anymore .it appears buffering. whats that means

    ann

  44. chester Cheung says:

    March 18, 2011

    Dear Dr. Mah,

    Your brother-in-law and mine too, Al Mar of Fresno, asked me to read your announcement about learning the Chinese language via the internet and comment on it.

    In all humility, I am not a qualified candidate for this task. Although I spent just a few years in Guangzhou attending grade school in the 1930s, it did give me a scant insight into the intricacies of learning the Chinese language.

    For anyone with a mature background in the English language, learning Chinese in the written and spoken modes will probably be an interesting challenge as one needs to associate each character (picture-word) with the sound of one of four tones, on the one hand, and to construct sentences on the other.

    Given the depth and your background in both the English and Chinese languages and their history, I have every confidence in your resourcefulness and imagination to create a scholarly program to teach Chinese to Asians and non-Asians alike. Learning a different language in anyone’s life is always an exciting adventure. You will endear yourself to your students for years to come.

    I am confident you will succeed in this enormous effort and applaud you for devoting time and energy to make this such a worthy contribution in the spirit of public service.

    I wish you God-speed!

    Chester
    Cc: Al Mar

    • adeline says:

      Chester,

      Thank you for your encouragement. My website does require a lot of work. However, I believe it is worthwhile.

  45. Cheryl Lee says:

    Professor Ma — Thank you so much for writing your story and sharing
    your special gift.
    Cheryl Lee
    http://chinesecharacteraday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ 教 授 你 好 吗.doc

  46. Audrey says:

    Greetings from the Philippines!
    I enjoyed your books immensely and even wrote an essay about Chinese Cinderella which was published in a major newspaper in 2004.
    I have the link below in case you want to read it: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=266621&publicationSubCategoryId=86 God Bless You!

  47. Jennifer Henry says:

    Hello Dr. Mah,
    You asked me how long it took to type our first letter. My daughter completed it in about 10 minutes and I finished mine in about 5 minutes. I have learned a little bit of Chinese writing from some Chinese workbooks I bought in Hangzhou. I studied pinyin using a small Chinese/English travel book. We learned to speak a teeny bit of Chinese listening to the Pimsleur Chinese language CD’s. A suggestion I might make is to give more lessons in the beginning on pinyin pronounciation, like the rules for how x is pronounced etc. My daughter has written a nice letter to you and would like to know where she can send it. If you could email me an address we can send it to, we’d greatly appreciate it! 谢谢 Jennifer Henry

  48. annie says:

    The lessons are fantastic, this is the best format to learn chinese everyday is a new lesson. The recordings are very helpful. By the way are you planning on publishing further books? I really like learning about chinese/chinas history through your narratives I love our style both writing and the look of the entire book.    

 

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