Since I finished another one of my chinese text books, i've decided to take some time off before i start the next one, to do some alternative types of chinese learning. Recently I have been spending a lot of time at the library reading children's books.
In true childlike fashion, i like the books with the most pictures and fewest words. because the more pictures there are, the more i can figure out what is going on if there are some words i don't know. Actually it's quite surprising, I know well over a 1,000 chinese characters but there are many in books that i don't know. However I know this is because children's books try to teach kids things so there may be some new thing they are trying to teach that I have no idea about because my vocabulary is not so specific about animals or science or things.
The library is actually one place where I am grateful that I am a foreigner. I'm sure a taiwanese guy couldn't spend all day in the children's room. Thankfully people can see me and know i'm there because i have the reading ability of a four year old. Granted i've realized that 90% of books that are for kids they can't really read, and rather their parents read to them. So i actually feel quite proud of myself that I can read these books. I am usually the only one there who isn't being read to.
The book pictured is a book about a squirrel that goes to the dentist. although i never made it that far. It started out great talking about squirrels that live in the park and people who come to feed them. It was great for the first few pages with big pictures and few words, then the later pages were word heavy and I had to run away like a scared child. I later found a story about a boy who goes to the zoo and it was more my speed.
As much fun as I've had spending the days in the library with my fellow chinese learning compatriots, I think it's time to go back to my textbooks. children's books just don't have the word repetition needed for true vocabulary building. It also doesn't have the sense of accomplishment that validates my time invested. With my text book i can see that i've learned (or should have learned) XYZ and this many words, etc. And it's an easy way to evaluate my level and knowledge.
